MEE 221

CONIC SECTIONS
What is Cone ?
It is a surface generated by moving a
Straight line keeping one of its end fixed &
other end makes a closed curve.
The fixed point is known as vertex or apex.
The closed curve is Vertex/Apex
known as base.
If the base/closed curve is
a circle, we get a cone.
90º
If the base/closed
curve is a polygon, we
get a pyramid. Base
The line joins apex to the center of base is called
axis.
If axes is perpendicular to base, it is called as
right circular cone.

If axis of cone is not Vertex/Apex

perpendicular to base, it is Cone Axis
called as oblique cone. Generator

The line joins vertex/

90º
apex to the circumference
of a cone is known as
generator. Base
 INTRODUCTION
• When a cone is cut by a plane, the
curve formed along the section is
known as CONIC.
• Ellipse, parabola and hyperbola
are the curves thus obtained.
TYPES OF CONIC SECTIONS
TYPES OF CONIC SECTIONS
TYPES OF CONIC SECTIONS
TYPES OF CONIC SECTIONS
CONIC SECTIONS
Definition :- The section
obtained by the intersection of
a right circular cone by a
cutting plane in different
position relative to the axis of
the cone are called CONICS.
 DEFINITION OF CONIC
SECTIONS
• A CONIC SECTION is defined as the locus of a point
moving in a plane such that the ratio of its distance from a
fixed point (focus) & fixed straight line (directrix) is always a
constant. The ratio is called ECCENTRICITY.
• The line passing through the focus and perpendicular to the
directrix is the AXIS of CURVE.
• The point at which the conic section intersects the axis is
called the VERTEX or APEX.
• The eccentricity value < 1 for Ellipse, =1 for Parabola & >1
for hyperbola.
 CONICS
Definition :- The locus of point moves in a
plane such a way that the ratio of its
distance from fixed point (focus) to a fixed
Straight line (Directrix) is always constant.
Conic Curve
M P
Directrix
F
C
V
Focus

Fixed straight line is called as directrix.

Fixed point is called as focus.
 The line passing through focus &
perpendicular to directrix is called as axis.

The intersection of conic curve with axis is

called as vertex.

Conic Curve
M P Axis
Directrix
F
C
V
Vertex Focus
 Conic Curve
M P Axis
Directrix
F
C
V
Vertex Focus
N Q

Distance of a point from focus

Ratio =
Distance of a point from directrix
= Eccentricity
= PF/PM = QF/QN = VF/VC =
e
ECCENTRICITY
 ECCENTRICITY
• ECCENTRICITY is the ratio of the
distance of the point from the focus to its
perpendicular distance from the directrix.
• It is a constant for a conic & is usually
denoted by ‘e’.
 APPLICATIONS

ARCH FORM ON SUSPENSION

SATELLITE DISH RECEIVERS BRIDGE IS PARABOLIC IN
SHAPE
APPLICATIONS
 APPLICATIONS

ORBITAL PATHS OF PLANETS ABOUT COLOSSEUM IN ROME HAS AN

IS MODELLED BY ELLIPTICAL SHAPE
AN ELLIPSE
 ELLIPSE
Ellipse is the locus of a point which moves in a
plane so that the ratio of its distance from a
fixed point (focus) and a fixed straight line
(Directrix) is a constant and less than one.

P Ellipse
M Axis
Directrix
Vertex F
C V
Focus Eccentricity=PF/PM
N
Q = QF/QN
< 1.
 ELLIPSE
Ellipse is the locus of a point, which moves in a
plane so that the sum of its distance from two
fixed points, called focal points or foci, is a
constant. The sum of distances is equal to the
major axis of the ellipse.
C
P

O
A B
F1 F2

Q D
 P C

CF1 +CF2 = AB

A
O
B but CF1 = CF2
F1 F2
hence, CF1=1/2AB

Q D
PF1 + PF2 = QF1 + QF2 = CF1 +CF2 = constant
= F1A + F1B = F2A + F2B
But F1A = F2B

F1A + F1B = F2B + F1B = AB

= Major Axis
 ELLIPSE

TERMINOLOGY OF ELLIPSE:-

1. The point C Is the centre of the ellipse

2. Length A-A’ is the Major Axis of the ellipse
3. Length B-B’ is the Minor Axis of the ellipse
4. Length CA = CA’ and is called Semi Major Axis of the ellipse
5. Length CB = CB’ and is called Semi Minor Axis of the ellipse
6. The point F and F’ is known as Focus of the ellipse
Uses :-
Shape of a man-hole.
Shape of tank in a tanker.

Flanges of pipes, glands and stuffing boxes.

Shape used in bridges and arches.

Monuments.

Path of earth around the sun.

Shape of trays etc.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING ELLIPSE

• CONCENTRIC CIRCLE/AUXILIARY
METHOD
• RECTANGLE METHOD
• OBLONG/PARALLELOGRAM METHOD
• TRAMMEL METHOD
• FOUR CENTRES/ APPROXIMATE METHOD
• INTERSECTING ARCS/ARCS OF
CIRCLES/FOCI METHOD
• ECCENTRICITY METHOD
 ELLIPSE
Problem 1 :- BY CONCENTRIC CIRCLE METHOD
Draw ellipse by concentric circle method.
Take major axis 100 mm and minor axis 70 mm long.
3
Steps: 2 4
1. Draw both axes as perpendicular bisectors
of each other & name their ends as shown. C
2. Taking their intersecting point as a center,
draw two concentric circles considering both 1 5
3
2 4
as respective diameters.
3. Divide both circles in 12 equal parts &
1 5
name as shown.
4. From all points of outer circle draw vertical
A B
lines downwards and upwards respectively.
5.From all points of inner circle draw
horizontal lines to intersect those vertical 10 6
lines.
6. Mark all intersecting points properly as 10 9 7 6
those are the points on ellipse. 8
7. Join all these points along with the ends of D
both axes in smooth possible curve. It is
required ellipse. 9 7
8
 CONCENTRIC CIRCLE METHOD

• Draw the major & minor axis perpendicular to

each other cutting at O(draw two concentric
circles)
• With O as centre , draw two concentric circles
of the given diameters.
• Divide the circle into a number of
sectors(either 12, if the ellipse is not too large
or 8) & draw the radial lines.
 CONCENTRIC CIRCLE METHOD

• Where the sector lines cross the smaller circle,

draw horizontal lines towards the larger circle,
& where the sector lines cross the larger circle,
draw vertical lines to meet the horizontal lines.
• Draw a neat curve through the intersections.
Steps:
1 Draw a rectangle taking major
and minor axes as sides. ELLIPSE
2. In this rectangle draw both BY RECTANGLE METHOD
axes as perpendicular bisectors of
each other..
3. For construction, select upper Problem 2
left part of rectangle. Divide Draw ellipse by Rectangle method.
vertical small side and horizontal Take major axis 100 mm and minor axis 70 mm long.
long side into same number of
equal parts.( here divided in four
parts) D
4. Name those as shown.. 4 4
5. Now join all vertical points
1,2,3,4, to the upper end of minor 3 3
axis. And all horizontal points 2
2
i.e.1,2,3,4 to the lower end of
minor axis. 1 1
6. Then extend C-1 line upto D-1
and mark that point. Similarly
A B
extend C-2, C-3, C-4 lines up to
D-2, D-3, & D-4 lines.
7. Mark all these points properly
and join all along with ends A
and D in smooth possible curve.
Do similar construction in right
side part.along with lower half of
the rectangle.Join all points in
C
smooth curve.
It is required ellipse.
 RECTANGLE /OBLONG METHOD
• Draw a rectangle/parallelogram, length &
breadth equal to the major & minor axes.
• Divide the major and minor axes into the same
number of parts, say 4.
• From the points where the minor axis crosses
the edge of the rectangle, draw intersecting
lines.
• Join the points by a smooth curve forming the
required ellipse.
 FOCI METHOD
STEPS:
1. Draw the major (AB) & minor axes CD & locate
the centre O.
2. Locate the foci F1 & F2 by taking a radius equal to
1/2AB & cutting AB at F1P1 & F2 with C as the
centre.
3. Mark a number of points 1, 2, 3 etc, between F1 &
O, which need not be equidistance.
4. With centres F1 & F2 & radii A1 &B1 respectively,
draw arcs intersecting at the points P1 & P1.
 FOCI METHOD
5. Again with centres F1 & F2 & radii B1 & A1
respectively, draw arcs intersecting at the points Q1
& Q1.
6. Repeat the steps 4 & 5 with the remaining points 2,
3, 4 etc, & obtain additional points on the curves.
7. Join the points by a smooth curve, forming the
required ellipse.
PROBLEM 4.

ELLIPSE
MAJOR AXIS AB & MINOR AXIS CD ARE
100 AMD 70MM LONG RESPECTIVELY
.DRAW ELLIPSE BY ARCS OF CIRLES BY FOCAL OR ARCS OF CIRCLE METHOD
METHOD.
As per the definition Ellipse is locus of point P moving in
a plane such that the SUM of it’s distances from two fixed
STEPS: points (F1 & F2) remains constant and equals to the length
1.Draw both axes as usual.Name the of major axis AB.(Note A .1+ B .1=A . 2 + B. 2 = AB)
ends & intersecting point
2.Taking AO distance I.e.half major
axis, from C, mark F1 & F2 On AB . p4 C
( focus 1 and 2.) p3
3.On line F1- O taking any distance, p2
mark points 1,2,3, & 4
p1
4.Taking F1 center, with distance A-1
draw an arc above AB and taking F2
center, with B-1 distance cut this arc.
Name the point p1 B
5.Repeat this step with same centers but A O
F1 1 2 3 4 F2
taking now A-2 & B-2 distances for
drawing arcs. Name the point p2
6.Similarly get all other P points.
With same steps positions of P can be
located below AB.
7.Join all points by smooth curve to get
an ellipse/
D
FOCI METHOD
 PARABOLA
Definition :-
The parabola is the locus of a point, which moves
in a plane so that its distance from a fixed point
(focus) and a fixed straight line (directrix) are
always equal.
Ratio (known as eccentricity) of its distances
from focus to that of directrix is constant and
equal to one (1). P Parabola
M
Directrix
Axis
Vertex F
C V
Eccentricity = PF/PM Focus
= QF/QN N Q
= 1.
Uses :-
Motor car head lamp reflector.

Sound reflector and detector.

Bridges and arches construction

Shape of cooling towers.

Path of particle thrown at any angle with earth,

etc.
 PARABOLA
• PARABOLA is the locus of a point that moves
so that its distance from a fixed point (called
focus) bears a constant ratio of 1 to its
perpendicular distance from a straight line (
called directrix). A parabola has only one focus
& one directrix.
METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING
PARABOLA

• RECTANGLE METHOD
• TANGENT METHOD
• ECCENTRICITY METHOD
 RECTANGLE METHOD
To draw a parabola of base 130mm & axis 100mm.
1. Draw the base EF, 130mm long. Mark its mid-point
B.
2. Draw the axis BA, 100mm long perpendicular to
EF.
3. Complete the rectangle CDEF of which
DE=AB=CF.
4. Divide BF & CF in to the same number of equal
points. Number the division points from F .
5. Draw lines joining A with points 1, 2 & 3.
RECTANGLE METHOD
 PARABOLA –RECTANGLE METHOD
D V C
0 P P 0
P 1 1 P PARABOLA
1 2 2 1
P P
3 3
2 2
P P
3 4 4 3

4 P P 4
5 5

5 5
P P
66A 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 B6
6
 TANGENT METHOD
To draw a parabola of base 90mm & axis 40mm
using:
1. Draw the base CD, 90mm long.
2. Mark its mid-point & draw the axis BA
40mm long perpendicular to CD
3. Produce BA to E such that AE=AB
4. Draw lines joining E with C & D
5. Divide EC & ED into the same number of
equal parts, say 6
 TANGENT METHOD
5. Number the division points, as shown in the
figure.
6. Draw lines joining 1&1, 2&2, 3&3 etc.
7. Starting from C, draw a curve tangential to
the lines 5-5, 4-4 etc.
8. The resulting curve is the parabola.
 PARABOLA 10 0
TANGENT METHOD
9 1
8 2
7 3
6 4
5 V 5
4 6
F
3 7
2 8q
1 q 9
0 1
A O B0
TANGENT METHOD
ECCENTRICITY METHOD
 HYPERBOLA
• Hyperbola is defined as the set of points in a
plane whose distances from two fixed points
called the FOCI, in the plane have a constant
difference
 METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING
HYPERBOLA
• ECCENTRICITY METHOD
• ORDINATE, ABSCISSA & TRANSVERSE
METHOD
• FOCI & THE DIFFERENCE OF THE
DISTANCES METHOD
• ASYMPTOTES & A POINT ON THE
CURVE METHOD.
 HYPERBOLA
It is the locus of a point which moves in a
plane so that the ratio of its distances from
a fixed point (focus) and a fixed straight
line (directrix) is constant and grater than
one.
P
Hyperbola
M Axis
Directrix
F
C
V
Vertex Focus Eccentricity = PF/PM
N = QF/QN
Q
> 1.
Uses :-

Nature of graph of Boyle’s law

Shape of overhead water tanks

Shape of cooling towers etc.

Directrix and focus method 4’

DIRECTRIX D
P4
3’
T2 P3
2’
P2
1’
s P1

AXIS
C V
1 F12 3 4
T1

P1’

P2’

P3’
D

P4’