Math 213b: Calculus 1 with Analytic Geometry

1st Semester of A.Y. 2021-2022

Module 2: Conic Sections: Circles and Parabolas

Prepared by: Melissa E. Saavedra

Intended Learning Outcomes:

• define a conic sections: circle, parabola, hyperbola, and ellipse

• determine the standard form of equation of circle and
parabola
• graph a circle , parabola in a rectangular coordinate system;
• derive and illustrate the equation of the circle and parabola
• solve for the center and the radius of the circle of an
equation;
• convert the general equation to standard form and vice versa;
Geometric Figures or shapes are use in architectural designs. For this activity,
identify the following shapes as circle, parabola, ellipse, or hyperbola as
shown in the pictures being used in real-life.
Conic sections (or conics)
is a curved formed by a plane passing through a
double-napped circular cone.
One of the first shapes we learned, a circle, is a conic.
When you throw a ball, the trajectory it takes is a
parabola.
The orbit taken by each planet around the sun is an
ellipse.
Properties of hyperbolas have been used in the design
of certain telescopes and navigation systems.
Conic Sections:

The word conic is derived from the word cone. Conic sections are curves that result
from the intersection of a plane and a double cone.
Definition of Terms:
• Circle– is a special case of ellipse in which the
plane is perpendicular to the axis of the cone.
• Ellipse - when the (tilted) plane intersects only
one cone to form a bounded curve
• Parabola– the plane is parallel to a generator
line of the cone
• Hyperbola– the intersection is an unbounded
curve and the plane is not parallel to a
generator line of the cone and the plane
intersects both halves of the cone.
Example1.1 Determine the type conic section that each general equation
will produce.
Definition and Equation of a Circle
A circle may also be considered a special kind of ellipse (for the special
case when the tilted plane is horizontal). As we get to know more about
a circle, we will also be able to distinguish more between these two
conics.

Let C be a given point. The set of all points P having the same distance from C is
called a circle. The point C is called the center of the circle, and the common
distance its radius.
Solution:
 Example 4: Give the standard equation of the circle satisfying the given
conditions. It has a diameter with endpoints A(−1, 4) and B(4, 2).

Solution:

Note: I f the equation of the circle is given in general form, then it can be written as
𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟔𝒚 + 𝟒 = 𝟎
Parabola
• A parabola is the set of all points in
a plane that are equidistant from a
fixed line, the directrix, and a fixed
point not on the line, the focus.
The line through the focus and
perpendicular to the directrix is the
axis of symmetry. The vertex of
the parabola is located at the
midpoint between the directrix and
the focus along the axis of
symmetry.
• As shown, p is the distance along
the axis of symmetry from the
directrix to the vertex and the
vertex to the focus.
Equation of a Parabola with a Vertex at the Origin
Example 5.

Solution:
Equation of a Parabola with a Vertex at the Point (h, k)
Vertex:
Example 6. A satellite dish is 24 feet in diameter at its opening and 4 feet
deep in its center. Where should the receiver be placed? [Note: By placing the
receiver at the focus of the parabola, it results to the dish reflecting all signals
to the receiver from the satellite.]

Solution:
Draw a parabola with a vertex at the
origin representing the center cross
section of the satellite dish.
Write the standard equation of the parabola that opens upward at
vertex (0,0). Substitute the point (12, 4) and solve for p.

So, the receiver should be placed 9 feet from the vertex of the dish.

References:
• Fajardo, Ira A., Marquez, Romel L., Ringor, Rebecca S., and Gerardo,
Elsa F., PhD. Analytic Geometry (Worktext) 2003 edition
• Khan, Sal. 2001. Intro to Conic Sections. Accessed July 8, 2020.
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/precalculus/x9e81a4f98389efd