Conic Sections

Introduction

Conic sections are curves obtained by intersecting a cone with a plane. This document will
explore the four main types: circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas, including their
properties and equations.

Circle

A circle is defined as the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed point
called the center.

Standard Equation: (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2(x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2(x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2

 h and k are the coordinates of the center.

 r is the radius.

Ellipse

An ellipse looks like a flattened circle and has two focal points.

Standard Equation: (x−h)2a2+(y−k)2b2=1\frac{(x - h)^2}{a^2} + \frac{(y - k)^2}{b^2} =

1a2(x−h)2+b2(y−k)2=1

 h and k are the center coordinates.

 a and b are the distances from the center to the vertices.

Parabola

A parabola is defined as the set of all points that are equidistant from a point called the focus
and a line called the directrix.

Standard Equation: y=ax2+bx+cy = ax^2 + bx + cy=ax2+bx+c

Hyperbola

A hyperbola consists of two separate curves.

Standard Equation: (x−h)2a2−(y−k)2b2=1\frac{(x - h)^2}{a^2} - \frac{(y - k)^2}{b^2} =

1a2(x−h)2−b2(y−k)2=1

Example Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: Find the equation of a circle with center at (3,4) and radius 5.

Solution: (x−3)2+(y−4)2=25(x - 3)^2 + (y - 4)^2 = 25(x−3)2+(y−4)2=25