WHAT TO EXPECT

MAJORSHIP: MATHEMATICS
Focus: Analytic Geometry
LET Competencies:

1. Determine the equation of a line given:

a. any two points on the line
b. a point and the slope of the line
c. a point and the slope of the line parallel to the desired line
d. a point and the slope of the line perpendicular to the desired line
e. the intercepts.
2. Solve problems involving
a. the midpoint of a line segment, distance between two points, slopes of
lines, distance between a point and a line, and segment division.
b. a circle, parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola.
3. Determine the equations and graphs of a circle, parabola, ellipse and
hyperbola.

PART 1: CONTENT UPDATE

Introduction:
This material includes a brief review of the basic terms concerning lines, circles,
parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas.
A straight line is represented by an equation of the first degree in one or two
variables, while the circle, parabola, ellipse and hyperbola are represented by equations
of the second degree in two variables.

A. The Straight Line

1. The distance between two points A(x1,y1) and B(x2,y2) is ( x1  x2 ) 2  ( y1  y2 ) 2 .

2. Slope of a line

a) The slope of the non-vertical line containing A(x1,y1) and B(x2,y2) is

y1  y2 y 2  y1
m or m  .
x1  x2 x2  x1

b) The slope of a line parallel to the x-axis is 0.

c) The slope of a line parallel to the y-axis is undefined.
d) The slope of a line that leans to the right is positive.
e) The slope of a line that leans to the left is negative.

3. The Equation of a line

In general, a line has an equation of the form ax + by + c = 0 where a, b, c

are real numbers and that a and b are not both zero.

4. Different forms of the equation of a line

a) General form: ax + by + c = 0.
b) Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b the y-
intercept.
c) Point slope form: y  y1  m( x  x1 ) where (x1, y1) is any point on the
line.
 y2  y1
d) Two point form: y  y1  ( x  x1 ) where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are
x2  x1
any two points on the line.
x y
e) Intercept form:   1 where a is the x-intercept and b the y-intercept.
a b

5. Parallel and Perpendicular lines

Given two non-vertical lines p and q so that p has slope m1 and q has slope m2.
a) If p and q are parallel, then m1 = m2.
b) If p and q are perpendicular to each other, then m1m2 = -1.

6. Segment division

Given segment AB with A(x1,y1) and B(x2,y2).

x1  x2 y1  y2
a) The midpoint M of segment AB is M ( , ).
2 2
r1 AP r1
b) If a point P divides AB in the ratio so that  , then the
r2 PB r2
r1 x2  r2 x1
coordinates of P(x,y) can be obtained using the formula x 
r1  r2
r1 y2  r2 y1
and y  .
r1  r2
7. Distance of a point from a line

The distance of a point A(x1,y1) from the line Ax + By + C = 0 is given by

Ax1  By1  C
d .
A2  B 2

B. The Circle

1. Definition. A circle is the set of all points on a plane that are equidistant from a
fixed point on the plane. The fixed point is called the center, and the distance
from the center to any point of the circle is called the radius.

2. Equation of a circle

a) general form: x2 + y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
b) center-radius form: (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2 where the center is at (h,k) and
the radius is equal to r.

3. Line tangent to a circle

A line tangent to a circle touches the circle at exactly one point called the point of
tangency. The tangent line is perpendicular to the radius of the circle, at the point
of tangency.

C. Conic Section

A conic section or simply conic, is defined as the graph of a second-degree

equation in x and y.

In terms of locus of points, a conic is defined as the path of a point, which moves
so that its distance from a fixed point is in constant ratio to its distance from a fixed line.
The fixed point is called the focus of the conic, the fixed line is called the directrix of the
conic, and the constant ratio is called the eccentricity, usually denoted by e.

If e < 1, the conic is an ellipse. (Note that a circle has e=0.)

If e = 1, the conic is a parabola.
If e > 1, the conic is hyperbola.

D. The Parabola

1. Definition. A parabola is the set of all points on a plane that are equidistant from a
fixed point and a fixed line of the plane. The fixed point is called the focus and the
fixed line is the directrix.

2. Equation and Graph of a Parabola

a) The equation of a parabola with vertex at the origin and focus at (a,0) is
y2 = 4ax. The parabola opens to the right if a > 0 and opens to the left if a < 0.

b) The equation of a parabola with vertex at the origin and focus at (0,a) is
x2 = 4ay. The parabola opens upward if a > 0 and opens downward if a < 0.

c) The equation of a parabola with vertex at (h , k) and focus at (h + a, k) is

(y – k)2 = 4a(x – h).
The parabola opens to the right if a > 0 and opens to the left if a < 0.

d) The equation of a parabola with vertex at (h , k) and focus at (h, k + a) is

(x – h)2 = 4a(y – k).
e) The parabola opens upward if a > 0 and opens downward if a < 0.

f) Standard form: (y – k)2 = 4a(x – h) or (x – h)2 = 4a(y – k)

g) General form: y2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0, or x2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

3. Parts of a Parabola

a) The vertex is the point, midway between the focus and the directrix.

b) The axis of the parabola is the line containing the focus and perpendicular to
the directrix. The parabola is symmetric with respect to its axis.

c) The latus rectum is the chord drawn through the focus and parallel to the
directrix (and therefore perpendicular to the axis) of the parabola.

d) In the parabola y2=4ax, the length of latus rectum is 4a, and the endpoints of
the latus rectum are (a, -2a) and (a, 2a).
 y
L

M P(x, y)
In the figure at the right, the vertex of the C
parabola is the origin, the focus is F(a,o),
the directrix is the line containing LL ' ,
the axis is the x-axis, the latus rectum is
the line containing CC ' .
O F(a, 0) x

C’

L'

y y – 4/3 = 0 L
y
x1=0

O
x y2=0
P(x,y) V(3,2)
F(0,-4/3) F(5,2)

O x

16
The graph of x  
2
y. L’
3
The graph of (y-2)2 = 8 (x-3).

E. Ellipse

1. Definition. An ellipse is the set of all points P on a plane such that the sum of the
distances of P from two fixed points F’ and F on the plane is constant. Each fixed
point is called focus (plural: foci).

2. Equation of an Ellipse

a) If the center is at the origin, the vertices are at ( a, 0), the foci are at ( c,0),
the endpoints of the minor axis are at (0,  b) and b 2  a 2  c 2 , then the
x2 y2
equation is   1.
a2 b2
b) If the center is at the origin, the vertices are at (0,  a), the foci are at (0,  c),
the endpoints of the minor axis are at ( b, 0) and b 2  a 2  c 2 , then the
x2 y2
equation is  1.
b2 a2
c) If the center is at (h, k), the distance between the vertices is 2a, the principal
axis is horizontal and b 2  a 2  c 2 , then the equation is
( x  h) 2 ( y  k ) 2
 1.
a2 b2

d) If the center is at (h, k), the distance between the vertices is 2a, the principal
( y  k ) 2 ( x  h) 2
axis is vertical and b 2  a 2  c 2 , then the equation is   1.
a2 b2

3. Parts of an Ellipse.
 For the terms described below, refer to the ellipse shown with center at O,
vertices at V’(-a,0) and V(a,0), foci at F’(-c,0) and F(c,0), endpoints of the minor axis
b2 b2
at B’(0,-b) and B(0,b), endpoints of one latus rectum at G’ (-c,  ) and G(-c, )
a a
b2 b2
and the other at H’ (c,  ) and G(c, ).
a a

B(0,b)
2
(c, ba )
2
(c, ba )

V’(-a,0) F’(-c,0) O F(c,0) V(a,0) x

2
(c, ba )
2
(c, ba )
B’(0,-b)

a) The center of an ellipse is the midpoint of the segment joining the two foci. It
is the intersection of the axes of the ellipse. In the figure above, point O is the
center.
b) The principal axis of the ellipse is the line containing the foci and intersecting
the ellipse at its vertices. The major axis is a segment of the principal axis
whose endpoints are the vertices of the ellipse. In the figure, V 'V is the
major axis and has length of 2a units.
c) The minor axis is the perpendicular bisector of the major axis and whose
endpoints are both on the ellipse. In the figure, B' B is the minor axis and
has length 2b units.
d) The latus rectum is the chord through a focus and perpendicular to the major
2b 2
axis. G' G and H ' H are the latus rectum, each with a length of .
a
y
y

(2,6)
(0, 3) (8,5)
(-4, 9 ) (4, 9 ) (-6,4)
5 5

(-5,0) (-4,0) (4,0) (5,0) (2,1)

(-8,1) (12,1)
O x
O x
(-4,- 9 ) (4,- 9 ) (8,3)
5 5
(0, -3)
(2,-4)

x2 y 2 ( x  2) 2 ( y  1) 2
The graph of   1. The graph of   1.
25 9 100 25

4. Kinds of Ellipses
a) Horizontal ellipse. An ellipse is horizontal if its principal axis is horizontal. The
graphs above are both horizontal ellipses.
b) Vertical ellipse. An ellipse is vertical if its principal axis is vertical.

F. The Hyperbola
1. Definition. A hyperbola is the set of points on a plane such that the difference of the
distances of each point on the set from two fixed points on the plane is constant.
Each of the fixed points is called focus.

2. Equation of a hyperbola

a) If the center is at the origin, the vertices are at ( a, 0), the foci are at ( c,0), the
endpoints of the minor axis are at (0,  b) and b 2  c 2  a 2 , then the equation is
x2 y2
 1.
a 2 b2
b) If the center is at the origin, the vertices are at (0,  a), the foci are at (0,  c), the
endpoints of the minor axis are at ( b, 0) and b 2  c 2  a 2 , then the equation is
y2 x2
 1.
a2 b2
c) If the center is at (h, k), the distance between the vertices is 2a, the principal axis
( x  h) 2 ( y  k ) 2
is horizontal and b 2  c 2  a 2 , then the equation is  1.
a2 b2
d) If the center is at (h, k), the distance between the vertices is 2a, the principal axis
( y  k ) 2 ( x  h) 2
is vertical and b 2  c 2  a 2 , then the equation is  1
a2 b2

2. Parts of a hyperbola.
For the terms described below, refer to the hyperbola shown which has its center
at O, vertices at V’(-a,0) and V(a,0), foci at F’(-c,0) and F(c,0) and endpoints of one
b2 b2
latus rectum at G’ (-c,  ) and G(-c, ) and the other at
a a
b2 b2
H’ (c,  ) and H(c, ).
a a
y

2
(c, ba )
2
(c, ba ) B(0,b)

V’(-a,0)
x
F’(-c,0) O V(a,0) F(c,0)

2
(c, ba )
2
(c, ba ) B’(0,-b)

a) The hyperbola consists of two separate parts called branches.

b) The two fixed points are called foci. In the figure, the foci are at ( c,0).
c) The line containing the two foci is called the principal axis. In the figure, the
principal axis is the x-axis.
d) The vertices of a hyperbola are the points of intersection of the hyperbola
and the principal axis. In the figure, the vertices are at ( a,0).
e) The segment whose endpoints are the vertices is called the transverse axis.
In the figure V 'V is the transverse axis.
 f) The line segment with endpoints (0,b) and (0,-b) where b 2  c 2  a 2 is called
the conjugate axis, and is a perpendicular bisector of the transverse axis.
g) The intersection of the two axes is the center of the hyperbola .
h) The chord through a focus and perpendicular to the transverse axis is called
a latus rectum. In the figure, G' G is a latus rectum whose endpoints are

b2 b2 2b 2
G’ (-c,  ) and G(-c, ) and has a length of .
a a a

3. The Asymptotes of a Hyperbola

Shown in the figure below is a hyperbola with two lines as extended diagonals of
the rectangle shown.
y
b b
y x y x
a a

(0,b) P

x
(-a,0) O (a,0)

(0,-b)

These two diagonal lines are said to be the asymptotes of the curve, and are helpful in
sketching the graph of a hyperbola. The equations of the asymptotes associated with
x2 y2 b b
 2  1 are y  x and y   x . Similarly, the equations of the asymptotes
a 2
b a a
2 2
y x a a
associated with 2  2  1 are y  x and y   x .
a b b b

y y

(6,9)

(-9,6) F(0,6) (9,6)

3y  x  0
(0,3)
F’(-6,0) (-3,0) O (3,0) F(6,0) x

O x
(0,-3)
3y  x  0
(6,-9) F’(0,-6)

x2 y 2 y2 x2
The graph of  1. The graph of   1.
9 27 9 27
Part II.
Choose the letter of the best answer. For items # 1-7, please refer to the following
points: P(-10,-7), Q(2,3) and R(8,-11).

1. What is the slope of QR ?

A. -4/5 C. -7/3
B. –3/7 D. –5/4

2. What is the equation of the line containing QR ?

A. 7x + 3y – 23 = 0 C. 7x + 3y + 23 = 0
B. 7x + 3y + 5 = 0 D. 3x + 7y + 23 = 0

3. What is the equation of the line parallel to PQ and passing through R?

A. 5x – 6y – 26 = 0 C. 6x - 5y - 103 = 0
B. 5x – 6y – 106 = 0 D. 6x – 5y + 7 = 0

4. What is the equation of the line perpendicular to PQ and whose y-intercept is -15?

A. 6x + 5y - 75 = 0 C. 5x – 6y + 75 = 0
B. 5x - 6y – 75 = 0 D. 6x + 5y + 75 = 0

5. What is the distance of P from QR ?

A. 5 7 5 8 units C. 3 4 5 8 units
29 29
B. 4 3 5 8 units D. 2 8 5 8 units
29 29

6. What are the coordinates of the midpoint of PQ ?

A. (-4, -2) C. (6, 5)

B. (-6, -5) D. (-5, -6)

7. What are the coordinates of S, which divides PR in the ratio 7:3?

æ- 2 8 4 3 ö÷ æ4 3 - 2 8 ö÷
A. ççç , ÷
÷ C. ççç , ÷
÷
è 5 5 ø è5 5 ø
æ1 3 - 4 9 ö÷ æ6 3 1 4 ö÷
B. ççç , ÷ D. ççç , ÷
è5 5 ø÷ è 5 5 ø÷

8. What is the equation of the line whose x-intercept is 6 and y-intercept is -8?
 A. 3x – 4y - 24 = 0 C. 4x – 3y - 24 = 0
B. 3x – 4y + 24 = 0 D. 4x – 3y + 24 = 0

9. Determine the value of k so that the line whose equation is 5kx + 7y – 20 = 0 passes
through the point (6,-3)?

A. -1/30 C. 30/41
B. 1/30 D. 41/30

10. What is the radius of the circle whose diameter is the segment with endpoints ( 4 , 3 )
and ( 2 0 ,- 9 ) .

A. 400 C. 100
B. 20 D. 10

11. What is the equation of the circle whose diameter is the segment with endpoints
M ( 4 , 3 ) and V ( 2 0 , - 9 ) .

A. (x – 12)2 + (y + 3)2 = 400 C. (x – 8)2 + (y – 6)2 = 100

B. (x - 8)2 + (y - 6)2 = 400 D. (x - 12)2 + (y + 3)2 = 100

12. Determine the center of the circle whose equation is x2 + y2 - 10x + 12y + 12 = 0.

A. (- 6, 5) C. (5, -6)
B. (6, -5) D. (-5, 6)

13. What is the diameter of the circle x2 + y2 - 10x + 12y + 12 = 0?

A. 49 C. 14
B. 196 D. 7

14. What is the equation of the line tangent to the circle x2 + y2 = 25 at (-3, 4)?

A. -3x + 4y + 25 = 0 C. 3x - 4y + 25= 0
B. -3x + 4y – 25 = 0 D. 3x – 4y -25 = 0

15. What is the equation of the parabola with vertex at (1, 5) and focus at (7, 5)?

A. (y - 5)2 = -24 (x + 1) C. (y – 5)2 = 6 (x - 1)

B. (y - 5)2 = -24 (x - 1) D. (y + 5)2 = 6 (x + 1)

16. Determine the focus of the parabola x2 + 6x + 20y - 71 = 0.

A. (-3, -1) C. (-3, 4)

B. (3, 1) D. (3, -4)

17. Determine the equation of the directrix of the parabola x2 + 6x + 20y - 71 = 0.

A. y = -6 C. x = 9
B. y = 9 D. x = -6
18. Determine the length of the latus rectum of the parabola x2 + 6x + 20y - 71 = 0.
A. 6 C. 5
B. 4 D. 20

19. Determine the equation of the ellipse with center at the origin, one focus at (-12, 0)
and length of the semi-major axis of 13.

x2 y2 x2 y2
A. + =1 C.  1
25 169 144 169
x2 y2 x2 y2
B. + =1 D.  1
169 25 169 144

20. Determine the center of the ellipse whose equation is

1 6 x 2 + 2 5 y2 - 1 2 8 x + 1 5 0 y + 8 1 = 0 .

A. (-4, -5) C. (-4, 3)

B. (4, 5) D. (4, -3)

21. Which of the following is a focus of the ellipse whose equation is

1 6 x 2 + 2 5 y2 - 1 2 8 x + 1 5 0 y + 8 1 = 0 .

A. (1, -3) C. (1, 4)

B. (4, 1) D. (-3, 1)

22. Determine the length of the major axis of the ellipse

1 6 x 2 + 2 5 y2 - 1 2 8 x + 1 5 0 y + 8 1 = 0 .

A. 5 C. 8
B. 10 D. 6

23. Determine the equation of the hyperbola having its foci at (0, 13) and length of the
transverse axis of 10.

x2 y2 x2 y2
A. - =1 C. - =1
169 100 144 25
x2 y2 x2 y2
B. - =1 D. - =1
169 25 25 144

24. Which of the following is a vertex of the hyperbola having its foci at (0, 13) and
length of the transverse axis of 10?

A. (0, -5) C. (0, 10)

B. (10, 0) D. (12, 0)

2 2

25. Which of the following is a focus of the hyperbola

( y- 3) ( x + 5)
- =1?
81 144

A. (3, -20) C. (13, 4)

B. (3, 20) D. (-7, 4)
 END

Part III.
Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. What is the distance between the points J ( - 7 , 4 ) and E ( 8 , - 4 ) ?

A. 23 C. 15
B. 17 D. 8

2. What is the slope of JE ?

A. 0 C. -8/15
B. 3/4 D. 15/8

3. What is the equation of the line containing JE ?

A. 8x + 15y – 4 = 0 C. 15x + 8y - 4 = 0
B. 8x + 15y - 116 = 0 D. 8x + 15y + 4 = 0

4. Given the points M ( 3 , 9 ) , J ( - 7 , 4 ) , E ( 8 , - 4 ) . Find the equation of the line

passing through M parallel to JE .

A. 8x + 15y – 159 = 0 C. 15x + 8y - 159 = 0

B. 8x + 15y + 111 = 0 D. 15x - 8y - 111 = 0

5. Given the points J ( - 7 , 4 ) and E ( 8 , - 4 ) . Which equation describes a line

perpendicular to JE .

A. 8x - 15y + 117 = 0 C. 15x - 8y + 117 = 0

B. 8x - 15y + 27 = 0 D. 15x - 8y + 27 = 0

6. Find the equation of the line whose x -intercept is 8 and y -intercept is 6.

A. 3x + 4y – 24 = 0 C. 4x + 3y + 24 = 0
B. 3x + 4y + 24 = 0 D. 4x + 3y - 24 = 0

7. Given the points M ( 3 , 9 ) , J ( - 7 , 4 ) , E ( 8 , - 4 ) . Find the distance of M from JE .

155 10 163
A. C.
30 17
155 163 10
B. D.
17 30
8. Given the points M ( 3 , 9 ) and E ( 8 , - 4 ) . Find the coordinates of the midpoint of
ME ?

æ 1 1 5 ö÷ æ 5 1 3 ö÷
A. ççç- ,- ÷÷ C. ççç- , ÷
÷
è 2 2ø è 2 2 ø
æ1 1 5 ö
B. ( 5 , 5 ) D. ççç , ÷ ÷
è 2 2 ø÷

9. Determine the value of k so that the line whose equation is 8x + 7ky + 9k = 0 passes
through the point (1, 7/3)?

A. 7 C. 1
B. 3 D. 5/8

10. Given J ( - 5 , 2 ) and O ( 2 0 , - 8 ) determine the coordinates of N that divides JO in

the ratio 3:10.

æ1 0 4 ö÷ æ4 1 0 ö÷
A. ççç , - ÷
÷ C. ççç , - ÷
÷
è1 3 1 3 ø è1 3 1 3 ø
æ1 1 0 4 4 ö÷ æ4 4 1 1 0 ö÷
B. ççç ,- ÷ D. ççç , ÷
è 13 1 3 ø÷ è1 3 1 3 ø÷

11. What is the equation of the circle which has a diameter with endpoints N ( - 4 , 2 )
and E ( 1 0 , - 8 ) .

A. (x + 6)2 + (y - 6)2 = 164 C. (x + 8)2 + (y – 2)2 = 296

B. (x - 6)2 + (y + 6)2 = 164 D. (x - 6)2 + (y + 6)2 = 296

12. Determine the center of the circle whose equation is x2 + y2 + 8x - 6y - 39 = 0.

A. (3, -4) C. (-4, 3)

B. (-3, 4) D. (4, -3)

13. What is the diameter of the circle x2 + y2 + 8x - 6y - 39 = 0?

A. 256 C. 16
B. 64 D. 8

14. What is the equation of the line tangent to the circle x2 + y2 = 189 at (-8, -15)?

A. 15x + 8y + 240 = 0 C. 8x + 15y + 289= 0

B. 8x + 15y + 240 = 0 D. 15x + 8y + 289 = 0

15. What is the equation of the parabola with vertex at (8, 2) and focus at (-13, 2)?

A. (x + 8)2 = -84 (y + 2) C. (x – 8)2 = -84 (y - 2)

 B. (y + 2)2 = -84 (x + 8) D. (y - 2)2 = -84 (x - 8)

16. Determine the focus of the parabola x2 - 6x + 20y - 71 = 0.

A. (-1, 3) C. (3, -1)

B. (4, 3) D. (3, 4)

17. Determine the equation of the directrix of the parabola x2 - 6x + 20y - 71 = 0.

A. y = 9 C. x = 3
B. y = -1 D. x = 4

18. Determine the length of the latus rectum of the parabola x2 - 6x + 20y - 71 = 0.
A. 4 C. 10
B. 20 D. 5

19. Determine the equation of the ellipse with center at the origin, one focus at (-8, 0)
and length of the minor axis of 30.

x2 y2 x2 y2
A. + =1 C. + =1
964 900 900 964
x2 y2 x2 y2
B. + =1 D. + =1
225 289 289 225

20. Determine the center of the ellipse whose equation is

2 5 x 2 + 1 6 y2 - 1 0 0 x + 3 2 y - 2 8 4 = 0 .

A. (2, -1) C. (1, -2)

B. (-2, 1) D. (-1, 2)

21. Which of the following is a focus of the ellipse whose equation is

2 5 x 2 + 1 6 y2 - 1 0 0 x + 3 2 y - 2 8 4 = 0 .

A. (11, -1) C. (2, 8)

B. (-1, -1) D. (2, -4)

22. Determine the length of the major axis of the ellipse

2 5 x 2 + 1 6 y2 - 1 0 0 x + 3 2 y - 2 8 4 = 0 .

A. 8 C. 5
B. 25 D. 10

23. Determine the equation of the hyperbola with foci at (10, 10) and length of its
transverse axis of 12.

2 2

A.
( y- 10) x2 2
C. x -
( y- 1 0)
- =1 =1
64 36 36 64
2 2

B.
( y- 10) x2 D. x 2
( y- 1 0)
- =1 - =1
36 64 144 44
24. What is the length of the conjugate axis of the hyperbola
9 x 2 - 1 6 y2 - 5 4 x + 1 2 8 y - 3 1 = 0 ?

A. 9 C. 4
B. 8 D. 3

25. Which of the following is a focus of the hyperbola

9 x 2 - 1 6 y2 - 5 4 x + 1 2 8 y - 3 1 = 0 ?

A. (3, -1) C. (13, 4)

B. (-2, 4) D. (3, 14)

END

KEY TO CORRECTION

Part II: Analyzing Test Items Part III: Enhancing Test Taking Skills
1. C 1. B
2. A 2. C
3. B 3. A
4. D 4. A
5. A 5. D
6. A 6. A
7. B 7. B
8. C 8. D
9. D 9. B
10. D 10. A
11. D 11. B
12. C 12. C
13. C 13. C
14. C 14. C
15. B 15. D
16. A 16. C
17. B 17. A
18. D 18. B
19. B 19. D
20. D 20. A
21. A 21. D
22. B 22. D
23. C 23. C
24. A 24. B
25. A 25. A