LEARNING MODULE 8 MAT 111 - Foundations of Mathematics
WEEKLY ONLINE LIVE FACILITATED TUTORIAL
Synchronous
SESSION 8: Conic sections
5 minute review
Equations of the conic sections: parabola, hyperbola and the ellipse first centered at the
origin, then with the centers shifted from the origin.
Problems. Choose from the questions below
1. Parabola
Let P(4, 6) be a point on a parabola whose focus is at (0, 2) and directrix is parallel to x-axis.
1. Find an equation of the parabola, its vertex and directrix.
2. Determine the distance from P to the directrix.
2. Ellipse
Suppose the vertices of an ellipse are (±2, 0) and its foci are (±1, 0).
1. Where is the center of the ellipse?
2. Find the endpoints of its minor axis.
3. Find the lengths of the major and minor axes.
4. Give the equation of the ellipse.
5. Determine whether each of the following points is on the ellipse or not.
(a) (1, 3/2)
(b) (3/2, -1)
(c) (-1, 3/2)
(d) (-1, -3/2)
(e) (1, 1)
3. Hyperbola
Two regions A and B are separated by a sea. The shores are roughly in a shape of hyperbolic
curves with asymptotes y = ±3x and a focus at (30, 0) taking a coordinate system with origin
at the center of the hyperbola. What is the shortest distance between the regions in kms?
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LEARNING MODULE 8 MAT 111 - Foundations of Mathematics
4. Ellipse
A tunnel through a mountain for a four lane highway is to have a elliptical opening. The total
width of the highway (not the opening) is to be 16m, and the height at the edge of the road
must be sufficient for a truck 4m high to clear if the highest point of the opening is to be 5m
approximately . How wide must the opening be?
5. Parabola
At a water fountain, water attains a maximum height of 4m at horizontal distance of 0.5m from
its origin. If the path of water is a parabola, find the height of water at a horizontal distance of
0.75m from the point of origin.
6. Hyperbola
x2
Cross section of a Nuclear cooling tower is in the shape of a hyperbola with equation −
302
y2
= 1. The tower is 150m tall and the distance from the top of the tower to the centre of
442
the hyperbola is half the distance from the base of the tower to the centre of the hyperbola.
Find the diameter of the top and base of the tower.
Activity 1:
Attempt the questions in the [Exercises on Analytic geometry (2021, May 2). [Link]
In particular, attempt the problems under the sections on the ellipse, the hyperbola and
the parabola. These are good for your practice and make sure to identify problems you
need more explanations on so you can get it from the weekly tutorial sessions
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