Chapter 9

Parabola, Ellipse & Hyperbola

Complete Formula & Condition Reference
 SECTION 1 — PARABOLA
1.1 Eccentricity of Parabola

e = |PF| / |PT| = 1 Eccentricity of parabola is always 1

For any point P on a parabola with focus F and nearest directrix point T:

1.2 General Form of Equation of a Parabola

Focus F(h, k), directrix: lx + my + n = 0, P(x, y) on parabola.

(l² + m²)[(x−h)² + (y−k)²] = (lx + my + n)²

From definition |PF| = |PT|:

(mx − ly)² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 General form …(i)

Expanding and simplifying:

where g = −(hl + hm + ln), f = −(kl + km + mn), c = l²h² + h²m² + k²l² + k²m² − n²

▸ Directrix ∥ x-axis (l = 0): m²x² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 …(ii)

Special cases:

▸ Directrix ∥ y-axis (m = 0): l²y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 …(iii)

ax² + by² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 General parabola (a = 0 or b = 0) …(iv)

With a = m², b = l²:

1.3 Standard Equations of Parabola

(a) Axis along x-axis, Vertex at Origin
y² = 4ax Standard parabola — axis along x-axis
• Focus: (a, 0)
• Directrix: x = −a (or x + a = 0)
• Axis of symmetry: y = 0 (x-axis)
• Latus rectum length: |4a|
• End-points of latus rectum: (a, ±2a)
• a > 0: cup-right parabola
• a < 0: cup-left parabola

(b) Axis along y-axis, Vertex at Origin

x² = 4ay Standard parabola — axis along y-axis
• Focus: (0, a)
• Directrix: y = −a (or y + a = 0)
• Axis of symmetry: x = 0 (y-axis)
• Latus rectum length: |4a|
• End-points of latus rectum: (±2a, a)
• a > 0: cup-up parabola
• a < 0: cup-down parabola
1.4 Translated (Shifted) Standard Forms
(1) Axis of Symmetry Parallel to x-axis — Vertex (h, k)
(y − k)² = 4a(x − h)
• Focus: (h + a, k)
• Directrix: x − h = −a i.e. x = h − a
• Axis of symmetry: y = k
• Latus rectum length: |4a|
• End-points of latus rectum: (h + a, k ± a)

(2) Axis of Symmetry Parallel to y-axis — Vertex (h, k)

(x − h)² = 4a(y − k)
• Focus: (h, k + a)
• Directrix: y − k = −a i.e. y = k − a
• Axis of symmetry: x = h
• Latus rectum length: |4a|
• End-points of latus rectum: (h ± 2a, k + a)

1.5 Latus Rectum of Parabola

Length of latus rectum = |4a|

1.6 Summary Table — Parabola Equations & Elements

Equation Axis Focus Directrix Latus Rectum End-pts of LR
y² = 4ax x-axis, vertex (a, 0) x = −a |4a| (a, ±2a)
O
x² = 4ay y-axis, vertex (0, a) y = −a |4a| (±2a, a)
O
(y−k)² = ∥ x-axis, (h+a, k) x = h−a |4a| (h+a, k±a)
4a(x−h) V=(h,k)
(x−h)² = ∥ y-axis, (h, k+a) y = k−a |4a| (h±2a, k+a)
4a(y−k) V=(h,k)

SECTION 2 — TANGENT & NORMAL OF PARABOLA

2.1 Condition of Tangency — Line to Parabola y² = 4ax
Consider line y = mx + c and parabola y² = 4ax.
Substituting the line into the parabola gives a quadratic in x.

c = a/m Condition of tangency of y = mx + c to y² = 4ax

For tangency, discriminant Δ = 0, which gives:

Equation of Tangent in Slope Form

y = mx + a/m Tangent to y² = 4ax with slope m (a ≠ 0)
• Point of tangency: (a/m², 2a/m)

2.2 Equation of Tangent to y² = 4ax at Point P(x₁, y₁)

Since P(x₁, y₁) is on the parabola, y₁² = 4ax₁.
Differentiating y² = 4ax w.r.t. x: 2y(dy/dx) = 4a ⟹ dy/dx = 2a/y
Slope of tangent at P(x₁, y₁): m = 2a/y₁

yy₁ = 2a(x + x₁) Tangent to y² = 4ax at (x₁, y₁)

Using point-slope form and simplifying:

2.3 Equation of Normal to y² = 4ax at Point P(x₁, y₁)

y₁(x − x₁) + 2a(y − y₁) = 0 Normal to y² = 4ax at (x₁, y₁)

Slope of tangent = 2a/y₁, so slope of normal = −y₁/(2a)

2.4 Condition of Tangency — Line to Parabola x² = 4ay

Consider line y = mx + c and parabola x² = 4ay.

c = −a/m² and m ≠ 0 Condition of tangency to x² = 4ay

Substituting gives a quadratic; setting Δ = 0:

Tangent at Point P(x₁, y₁) on x² = 4ay

Differentiating x² = 4ay w.r.t. x: 2x = 4a(dy/dx) ⟹ dy/dx = x/(2a)

xx₁ = 2a(y + y₁) Tangent to x² = 4ay at (x₁, y₁)

Slope at P: m = x₁/(2a)

Normal at Point P(x₁, y₁) on x² = 4ay

x₁(x − x₁) + 2a(y − y₁) = 0 → y − y₁ = −(x₁/2a)(x − x₁) Normal to x² = 4ay at (x₁, y₁)
Slope of normal = −2a/x₁

2.5 Tangent & Normal — Translated Parabola (y − k)² = 4a(x − h)

Tangent: (y − k)(y₁ − k) = 2a[(x − h) + (x₁ − h)]

At point P(x₁, y₁):

Normal: (y₁ − k)(x − x₁) + 2a(y − y₁) = 0

2.6 Quick-Reference Summary — Parabola Tangent & Normal

Parabola Condition (y=mx+c Tangent at (x₁,y₁) Normal at (x₁,y₁)
tangent)
y² = 4ax c = a/m yy₁ = 2a(x + x₁) y₁(x−x₁) + 2a(y−y₁) =
0
x² = 4ay c = −a/m² xx₁ = 2a(y + y₁) x₁(x−x₁) + 2a(y−y₁) =
0
y²=4ax slope form — y = mx + a/m —
 SECTION 3 — ELLIPSE
3.1 Key Relations for Ellipse
a² = b² + c² Fundamental relation (a > b > 0, c = distance of focus from centre)
e = c/a Eccentricity (0 ≤ e < 1 for ellipse; e = 0 gives circle)
c = ae Distance of focus from centre
b² = a²(1 − e²) Relation between b, a, e

k = |P₁F₁| + |P₁F₂| = |P₂F₁| + |P₂F₂| = 2a = |A₁A₂|

Definition 2: For any point P on the ellipse, |PF₁| + |PF₂| = 2a (= length of major axis)

3.2 Standard Form — Major Axis Along x-axis (a > b)

x²/a² + y²/b² = 1 (a > b > 0)
• Foci: (±c, 0) where c² = a² − b²
• Vertices: (±a, 0)
• Co-vertices: (0, ±b)
• Eccentricity: e = c/a
• Directrices: x = ±a/e
• Latus rectum length: 2b²/a
• End-points of latus rectum: (c, ±b√(1−e²)) = (c, ±b²/a)
• Auxiliary circle: x² + y² = a²

3.3 Standard Form — Major Axis Along y-axis (a > b)

x²/b² + y²/a² = 1 (a > b > 0)
• Foci: (0, ±c) where c² = a² − b²
• Vertices: (0, ±a)
• Co-vertices: (±b, 0)
• Eccentricity: e = c/a
• Directrices: y = ±a/e
• Latus rectum length: 2b²/a

3.4 Translated (Shifted) Standard Forms

(i) Major Axis Parallel to x-axis — Centre (h, k)
(x−h)²/a² + (y−k)²/b² = 1 (a > b)
• Foci: (h ± c, k)
• Vertices: (h ± a, k)
• Co-vertices: (h, k ± b)
• Directrices: x − h = ±a/e
• Latus rectum length: 2b²/a

(ii) Major Axis Parallel to y-axis — Centre (h, k)

(x−h)²/b² + (y−k)²/a² = 1 (a > b)
• Foci: (h, k ± c)
• Vertices: (h, k ± a)
• Co-vertices: (h ± b, k)
• Directrices: y − k = ±a/e
• Latus rectum length: 2b²/a

3.5 General Equation of Ellipse

Ax² + By² + Gx + Hy + C = 0 A and B non-zero with same sign
(Convert to standard form by completing the square to find all elements.)

3.6 Summary Table — Ellipse Equations & Elements

Equation Centre Foci Vertices Co-vertices Directrices LR
x²/a²+y²/ (0,0) (±c,0) (±a,0) (0,±b) x=±a/e 2b²/a
b²=1 (a>b)
x²/b²+y²/ (0,0) (0,±c) (0,±a) (±b,0) y=±a/e 2b²/a
a²=1 (a>b)
(x−h)²/a²+ (h,k) (h±c,k) (h±a,k) (h,k±b) x−h=±a/e 2b²/a
(y−k)²/b²=1
(x−h)²/b²+ (h,k) (h,k±c) (h,k±a) (h±b,k) y−k=±a/e 2b²/a
(y−k)²/a²=1

SECTION 4 — TANGENT & NORMAL OF ELLIPSE

4.1 Condition of Tangency — Line y = mx + c to Ellipse x²/a² + y²/b² = 1

c² = b² + a²m² Condition of tangency

Substituting y = mx + c into the ellipse equation and setting Δ = 0:

▸ Δ > 0 → line cuts the ellipse at two distinct points

▸ Δ = 0 → line is tangent to the ellipse
▸ Δ < 0 → line does not intersect the ellipse

4.2 Equation of Tangent in Slope Form

y = mx ± √(b² + a²m²) Tangent to x²/a² + y²/b² = 1 with slope m

4.3 Equation of Tangent at Point P(x₁, y₁) on x²/a² + y²/b² = 1

Differentiating implicitly: 2x/a² + (2y/b²)(dy/dx) = 0 ⟹ dy/dx = −b²x/(a²y)
Slope at P(x₁, y₁): m = −b²x₁/(a²y₁)

xx₁/a² + yy₁/b² = 1 Tangent to x²/a² + y²/b² = 1 at (x₁, y₁)

Equation of tangent by point-slope form, simplified:

4.4 Equation of Normal at Point P(x₁, y₁) on x²/a² + y²/b² = 1

Slope of tangent = −b²x₁/(a²y₁), slope of normal = a²y₁/(b²x₁)
Equation of normal, simplified:
 a²x/x₁ − b²y/y₁ = a² − b² Normal to x²/a² + y²/b² = 1 at (x₁, y₁)

4.5 Quick-Reference — Ellipse Tangent & Normal

Condition / Form Formula
Tangency condition (y=mx+c) c² = b² + a²m²
Tangent — slope form y = mx ± √(b² + a²m²)
Tangent at (x₁,y₁) xx₁/a² + yy₁/b² = 1
Normal at (x₁,y₁) a²x/x₁ − b²y/y₁ = a² − b²

SECTION 5 — HYPERBOLA
5.1 Key Relations for Hyperbola
c² = a² + b² Fundamental relation (b = √(c² − a²))
e = c/a Eccentricity (e > 1 for hyperbola)
c = ae
Definition 2: | |PF₂| − |PF₁| | = constant = 2a = |A₁A₂| (length of transverse axis)

5.2 Standard Form — Transverse Axis Along x-axis

x²/a² − y²/b² = 1 (c² = a² + b², e > 1)
• Foci: (±c, 0)
• Vertices: (±a, 0)
• Transverse axis length: 2a (along x-axis)
• Conjugate axis length: 2b (along y-axis)
• Eccentricity: e = c/a > 1
• Directrices: x = ±a/e
• Asymptotes: y = ±(b/a)x i.e. bx ± ay = 0
• Latus rectum length: 2b²/a
• End-points of latus rectum: (c, ±b²/a) and (−c, ±b²/a)

5.3 Standard Form — Transverse Axis Along y-axis

y²/a² − x²/b² = 1 (c² = a² + b²)
• Foci: (0, ±c)
• Vertices: (0, ±a)
• Transverse axis length: 2a (along y-axis)
• Conjugate axis length: 2b (along x-axis)
• Eccentricity: e = c/a > 1
• Directrices: y = ±a/e
• Asymptotes: y = ±(a/b)x
• Latus rectum length: 2b²/a
5.4 Rectangular (Equilateral) Hyperbola

x² − y² = a² Rectangular hyperbola with asymptotes y = ±x

When a = b, the asymptotes are perpendicular (at 90°):

5.5 Translated (Shifted) Standard Forms

(i) Transverse Axis Parallel to x-axis — Centre (h, k)
(x−h)²/a² − (y−k)²/b² = 1
• Foci: (h ± c, k)
• Vertices: (h ± a, k)
• Directrices: x − h = ±a/e
• Asymptotes: y − k = ±(b/a)(x − h)

(ii) Transverse Axis Parallel to y-axis — Centre (h, k)

(y−k)²/a² − (x−h)²/b² = 1
• Foci: (h, k ± c)
• Vertices: (h, k ± a)
• Directrices: y − k = ±a/e
• Asymptotes: y − k = ±(a/b)(x − h)

5.6 General Equation of Hyperbola

Ax² + By² + Gx + Hy + C = 0 A and B non-zero with opposite signs
(Convert to standard form by completing the square.)

5.7 Summary Table — Hyperbola Equations & Elements

Equation Centre Foci Vertices Asymptotes Directrices LR
x²/a²−y²/ (0,0) (±c,0) (±a,0) y=±(b/a)x x=±a/e 2b²/a
b²=1
y²/a²−x²/ (0,0) (0,±c) (0,±a) y=±(a/b)x y=±a/e 2b²/a
b²=1
(x−h)²/a²− (h,k) (h±c,k) (h±a,k) y−k=±(b/a) x−h=±a/e 2b²/a
(y−k)²/b²=1 (x−h)
(y−k)²/a²− (h,k) (h,k±c) (h,k±a) y−k=±(a/b) y−k=±a/e 2b²/a
(x−h)²/b²=1 (x−h)

SECTION 6 — TANGENT & NORMAL OF HYPERBOLA

6.1 Condition of Tangency — Line y = mx + c to x²/a² − y²/b² = 1

c² = a²m² − b² Condition of tangency (a²m² > b² required)

Substituting y = mx + c into the hyperbola and setting Δ = 0:

▸ Δ > 0 → line cuts the hyperbola at two distinct points

▸ Δ = 0 → line is tangent to the hyperbola
▸ Δ < 0 → line does not intersect the hyperbola

6.2 Equation of Tangent in Slope Form

y = mx ± √(a²m² − b²) Tangent to x²/a² − y²/b² = 1 with slope m

6.3 Equation of Tangent at Point P(x₁, y₁) on x²/a² − y²/b² = 1

Differentiating: 2x/a² − (2y/b²)(dy/dx) = 0 ⟹ dy/dx = b²x/(a²y)
Slope at P: m = b²x₁/(a²y₁)

xx₁/a² − yy₁/b² = 1 Tangent to x²/a² − y²/b² = 1 at (x₁, y₁)

Simplifying using point-slope form:

6.4 Equation of Normal at Point P(x₁, y₁) on x²/a² − y²/b² = 1

a²x/x₁ + b²y/y₁ = a² + b² Normal to x²/a² − y²/b² = 1 at (x₁, y₁)

Slope of tangent = b²x₁/(a²y₁), slope of normal = −a²y₁/(b²x₁)

6.5 Tangent & Normal — Hyperbola y²/a² − x²/b² = 1

Condition of Tangency
c² = −b² + a²/m² OR use substitution directly

Tangent at (x₁, y₁)

yy₁/a² − xx₁/b² = 1

Normal at (x₁, y₁)

b²y/y₁ + a²x/x₁ = a² + b²

6.6 Quick-Reference — Hyperbola Tangent & Normal

Condition / Form x²/a² − y²/b² = 1 y²/a² − x²/b² = 1
Tangency cond. (y=mx+c) c² = a²m² − b² c² = −b² + a²/m²
Tangent — slope form y = mx ± √(a²m²−b²) —
Tangent at (x₁,y₁) xx₁/a² − yy₁/b² = 1 yy₁/a² − xx₁/b² = 1
Normal at (x₁,y₁) a²x/x₁ + b²y/y₁ = a²+b² b²y/y₁ + a²x/x₁ = a²+b²

SECTION 7 — MASTER COMPARISON TABLE

All Three Conics at a Glance
Property Parabola Ellipse Hyperbola
Eccentricity e e=1 0<e<1 e>1
Standard Eq (x-axis) y² = 4ax x²/a² + y²/b² = 1 x²/a² − y²/b² = 1
 Relation a, b, c — a² = b² + c² c ² = a ² + b²
Focus / Foci (a, 0) (±c, 0) (±c, 0)
Directrix x = −a x = ±a/e x = ±a/e
Latus rectum |4a| 2b²/a 2b²/a
Asymptotes None None y = ±(b/a)x
Tangent at (x₁,y₁) yy₁ = 2a(x+x₁) xx₁/a²+yy₁/b²=1 xx₁/a²−yy₁/b²=1
Normal at (x₁,y₁) y₁(x−x₁)+2a(y−y₁)=0 a²x/x₁−b²y/y₁=a²−b² a²x/x₁+b²y/y₁=a²+b²
Tangency cond. c = a/m c²=b²+a²m² c²=a²m²−b²
Slope-form tangent y = mx + a/m y=mx±√(b²+a²m²) y=mx±√(a²m²−b²)

— End of Formula Sheet —