CONIC SECTIONS

A conic section, or simply a conic, is a curve formed by the intersection of a plane

and a double right circular cone.
The type of conic section formed depends on the angle of the cutting plane relative to
the cone's axis and generator.

1. Circle
o Description: The cutting plane is not parallel to any generator but is
perpendicular to the axis.
2. Ellipse
o Description: The cutting plane is not parallel to any generator.
3. Parabola
o Description: The cutting plane is parallel to one and only one
generator.
4. Hyperbola
o Description: The cutting plane is parallel to the axis of the double cone
and is perpendicular to the bases of the two cones.
CIRCLE
A circle is a set of all coplanar points such that the distance from a fixed point is
constant.
 The fixed point is called the center of the circle.
 The constant distance from the center is called the radius of the circle.

CIRCLE WITH CENTER AT THE ORIGIN (0,0)

A circle with its center at the origin (0, 0) and a radius of r units has the standard
equation:
2 2 2
x + y =r
Where, r is the radius of the circle.

Derivation from Distance Formula: This equation is derived directly from the
distance formula. The distance between the center (0, 0) and any point (x, y) on the
circle is r .
√ 2
d= ( x 2−x 1 ) + ( y 2− y 1)
2

Substituting the coordinates of the center (h, k) = (0, 0) and a point on the circle (x, y)
gives:
r =√ ( x−0 ) + ( y−0 )
2 2

r =√ x 2 + y 2
Squaring both sides results in the standard equation:
r =x + y or x + y =r
2 2 2 2 2 2

Example:
A circle with a radius of 7 units and a center at (0, 0) looks like this as a formula and a
graph.
2 2
x + y =49
CIRCLE WITH CENTER AT THE ORIGIN (h,k)
The standard form of the equation of a circle with center at (h, k), and radius r:
( x−h )2+ ( y−k )2=r 2

EXAMPLE:
Problem: Find the equation of a circle with a center at (-3,5) and a radius of 3. Then
graph.
Solution: Identify the values of h , k and r .
h=−3
k =5
r =3
Substitute these values into the standard formula:
( x−(−3 ) )2+ ( y−5 )2=3 2
Simplify the equation:
( x +3 )2 + ( y−5 )2=9
Graph:
PARABOLA
A parabola is a conic section that has a symmetrical U-shaped curve. It is formed
by all points that are equidistant from a fixed point called the focus and a fixed
line called the directrix. The vertex of the parabola is the point where the curve is
closest to the focus. Parabolas have applications in various fields, including
physics, engineering, and optics. They exhibit unique properties, such as
reflecting incoming parallel rays to a single focal point.

 Symmetry: A parabola is symmetric about its axis of symmetry, which is a

vertical line passing through its vertex.
 Focus and directrix: A parabola is defined by a focus, which is a fixed
point, and a directrix, which is a fixed line. The parabola is formed by all
points that are equidistant from the focus and the directrix.
 Vertex: The vertex of a parabola is the point where the curve reaches its
minimum or maximum point. It lies on the axis of symmetry.
 Axis of symmetry: The axis of symmetry of a parabola is a vertical line
passing through the vertex. It divides the parabola into two symmetrical
halves.
 Opening: The direction in which a parabola opens depends on the
orientation of its curve. It can open upward or downward.

PARABOLA WITH VERTEX AT THE ORIGIN (0,0)

A parabola with its vertex at the origin has two standard forms: y 2=4 px for a horizontal
axis of symmetry or x 2=4 py for a vertical one. In both cases, the parameter p is the
distance from the vertex to the focus and to the directrix, determining the parabola's
width and direction.

EQUATION 2
y =4 px
2
y =−4 px
2
x =4 py
2
x =−4 py
OPENING ¿ ¿ Upward Downward
DIRETRIX −p p −p p
FOCUS ( p , 0) (− p , 0 ) ( 0 , p) ( 0 ,−p )
LATUS RECTUM ( p , ±|2 p|) ( p , ±|2 p|) ( ±|2 p|, p ) ( ±|2 p|, p )
EXAMPLE:
Problem: Graph y 2=24 x. Identify the focus, directrix, and endpoints of the focal
diameter.
Solution: Find p.
The standard form that applies to the given equation is y 2=4 px . Thus, the axis
of symmetry is the x-axis. It follows that:
4 p=24 ,so p=6
Since p>0 , the parabola opens right the coordinates of the focus are ( p , 0 )=( 6 ,0 )
The equation of the directrix is x=− p=−6
The endpoints of the focal diameter have the same x-coordinate at the focus. To find
The endpoints, substitute x=6 into the original equation: ( 6 , ± 12 )
Graph:
PARABOLA WITH VERTEX AT (h, k)
A parabola with its vertex at ( h , k ) has the standard equations: ( x−h )2=4 p ( y−k )
for a vertical axis of symmetry, or ( y−k )2=4 p ( x −h ) for a horizontal axis of
symmetry. The term 4 p relates to the distance from the vertex to the focus
and directrix, and the sign of p determines which direction the parabola
opens.

EQUATION ( y−k )2=4 p ( x −h ) ( x−h )2=4 p ( y−k )

OPENING When p>0 ,¿ When p>0 ,upward
When p<0 ,¿ When p<0 ,downward
FOCUS ( h+ p , k ) (h , k + p )
DIRECTIX x=h− p y=k− p
ENPOINTS OF FOCAL ( h+ p , k +2 p ) ( h+2 p , k + p )
DIAMETER ( h+ p , k −2 p ) ( h−2 p , k + p )

EXAMPLE

Problem: Graph ( y−1 )2 =−16(x +3). Identify and label the vertex, axis of
symmetry, focus, directrix, and endpoints of the focal diameter.
2
Solution: The standard form that applies to the given equation is ( y−k ) =4 p(x−h). Thus, the
axis of symmetry is parallel to the x-axis. It follows that:

 the vertex is (h , k )=(−3 , 1)

 the axis of symmetry is y=k=1
 −16=4 p , so p=−4 . Since p<0 , the parabola opens left.
  the coordinates of the focus are (h+ p , k )=(−3+(−4 ), 1)=(−7 ,1)
 the equation of the directrix is x=h− p=−3−(−4)=1
 the endpoints of the focal diameter are (h+ p , k ± 2 p)=(−3+(−4 ), 1 ±2(−4)),
or (−7 ,−7) and (−7 , 9)

ELLIPSE
An ellipse is a closed curve formed by all points where the sum of the
distances to two fixed points called the foci is constant. It appears as an oval
shape, varying from circular to elongated forms.

 Foci: Two fixed points that define the ellipse. The sum of distances from any
point on the ellipse to the foci remains constant.
 Major Axis: The longest diameter passing through the center and both
foci.
 Minor Axis: The shortest diameter, perpendicular to the major axis at the
center.
 Center: The midpoint of the major axis, equidistant from both foci.
 Symmetry: The ellipse is symmetrical about both its major and minor
axes.
 Latus Rectum: A line segment perpendicular to the major axis that
passes through each focus. It helps determine the shape and size of the
ellipse.
ELLIPSE WITH CENTER AT THE ORIGIN (0,0)
An ellipse centered at the origin (0,0) can be represented by the following
standard equation in a Cartesian coordinate system:
2 2
x y
2
+ 2 =1
a b

Center (0, 0) w/ foci on the x-axis w/ axis foci on the y-

axis
Equation x y
2
+ 2 =1
2
y x
2
+ 2 =1
2

2 2
a b a b
Where c= √ x 2−b 2 Where c= √ x 2−b 2
Vertices ( ± a , 0) ( 0 , ± a)
Foci ( ± c ,0 ) (0 , ± c )
Coordinates of Vertices ( ± a , 0) ( 0 , ± a)
Coordinates of Co- ( 0 , ± b) ( ± b , 0)
vertices
Latus Rectum
( )( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 2
b b b b
−c , ± ∧ c ,± ± ,−c & ± , c
a a a a
Length of Major Axis 2a units 2a units
Length of Minor Axis 2b units 2b units

Example
ELLIPSE WITH CENTER AT (h, k)
An ellipse with its center at ( h , k ) has a standard equation of either
( x−h )2 ( y −k )2 ( x−h )2 ( y −k )2
+ =1 (horizontal) or + =1 (vertical). The center ( h , k ) is the
a2 b2 b2 a2
midpoint of both the major and minor axes and can be found by setting the
terms ( x−h ) and ( y−k ) equal to zero and solving for x and y .

Center (h, k) x-axis y-axis

Equation 2
( x−h ) ( y −k ) 2
( x−h )2 ( y −k )2
+ =1 + =1
a2 b2 b2 b2
Where c= √ x 2−b 2 Where c= √ x 2−b 2
Vertices (h ± a , k ) ( h , k ± a)
Foci (h ± c , k ) (h , k ± c )
Coordinates of vertices (h ± a , k ) ( h , k ± a)
Coordinates of ( h , k ± b) (h ± b , k )
covertices
Latus Rectum
( ) ( )
2 2
b b
h+ c , k ± ∧¿ h± , k −c ∧¿
a a

( ) ( )
2 2
b b
h−c , k ± h± ,k+c
a a

EXAMPLE
( x+3 )2 ( y – 5 )2
Problem: Graph the following ellipse : + =1. Identify whether it is a
9 3
horizontal or vertical ellipse and then find the vertices & foci.
Solution: From the given equation:
(h,k) = (-3,5)
a = 3, b = √3
vertices = (0,5) & (-6,5)
co-vertices = (−3,5±√3) = (−3,6.73) & (−3,3.267)
 c2 = a2 – b2 , c = (h±c, k) = (-3±√3, 5) = (-1.27, 5) & (-4.73, 5)
Thus, it is a horizontal ellipse as found from the equation.

Graph:

HYPERBOLA
A hyperbola is a conic section made up of two distinct branches that never
intersect. It is defined by two foci, and the difference of distances between
any point on the curve and the foci is constant. The branches approach
asymptotes but never touch them.

 Two Branches: A hyperbola has two separate, mirror-like branches

that are symmetric about the center and extend infinitely.
 Foci: Defined by two fixed points where the difference of distances
from any point on the curve to the foci remains constant.
 Asymptotes: Straight lines that the branches approach but never
meet. They intersect at the center and define the overall orientation of the
curve.
 Transverse Axis: The line segment that passes through both vertices
and the center of the hyperbola. It determines the direction of the curve’s
opening.
 Conjugate Axis: The line segment perpendicular to the transverse
axis at the center. It helps determine the shape of the hyperbola.
 Latus Rectum: A line segment perpendicular to the transverse axis
that passes through each focus, helping describe the width and
steepness of the branches.
HYPERBOLA WITH VERTEX AT THE ORIGIN (0,0)
The standard form equations for a hyperbola with its center and vertices at the origin (0,0) depend on
the orientation of its transverse axis.

Center (0, 0) x-axis y-axis

Equation x y
2 2
x y
2 2

2
− 2 =1 2
− 2 =1
a b b a
Where c= √ x 2 +b2 Where c= √ x 2 +b2
Vertices ( ± a , 0) ( 0 , ± a)
Foci ( ± c ,0 ) (0 , ± c )
Transverse axis ( ± a , 0) ( 0 , ± a)
Conjugate axis ( 0 , ± b) ( ± b , 0)
Latus Rectum
( ) ( )
2 2
b b
−c , ± ∧¿ ± ,−c ∧¿
a a

( c , ± ba ) (± ba , c )
2 2

Asymptotes b a
y=± x y=± x
a b

EXAMPLE:
HYPERBOLA WITH VERTEX AT (h, k)
For a hyperbola with center ( h , k ) , the vertices are located at ( h ± a , k ) if the hyperbola
opens horizontally, and at ( h , k ± a ) if it opens vertically. The value of a is the distance from
the center to each vertex along the transverse axis.

Center (h, k) x-axis y-axis

Equation ( x−h ) ( y−k )2 2
( y−k )2 ( x−h )2
− =1 − =1
a2 b2 a2 b2
Where c= √ x 2 +b2 Where c= √ x 2 +b2
Vertices (h ± a , k ) ( h , k ± a)
Foci (h ± c , k ) (h , k ± c )
Transverse axis (h ± a , k ) ( h , k ± a)
Conjugate axis ( h , k ± b) (h ± b , k )
Latus Rectum
( ) ( )
2 2
b b
h−c , k ± ∧¿ h± , k −c ∧¿
a a

( ) ( )
2 2
b b
h+ c , k ± h± ,k+c
a a
Asymptotes b a
y=k ± ( x−h ) y=k ± ( x−h )
a b

EXAMPLE: