Conic Sections and Its Real Life Applications

Maths internal
assessment
Conic Sections and its

Real Life Applications
Name : Anshika
Class : XI-A
Roll No. : 03
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks

of gratitude to my teacher Mrs. Shruti
Gupta, who gave me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project
of Mathematics. Who also helped me in
completing my project. I came to know
about so many new things I am really
thankful to them. Secondly I avoid also
like to thank my parents and Friends who
helped me a lot in finalizing this project
within the limited time frame.
INDEX
 Introduction
Different Types Of Conic

Section
1. Circle
2. Parabola
3. Ellipse
4. Hyperbola
 Conclusion
Introduction
In Analytical Geometry, a conic is defined as a plane algebraic curve of
degree 2. That is, it consists of a set of points which satisfy a quadratic
equation in two variables. This quadratic equation may be written in
matrix form. By this, some geometric properties can be studied as
algebraic conditions.
Thus, by cutting and taking different slices(planes) at different angles to
the edge of a cone, we can create a circle, an ellipse, a parabola, or a
hyperbola, as given below. Conic sections received their name because
each conic section is represented by a conic section of a plane cutting
through cones. None of the conic sections will pass through the vertices
of the cone.
Focus, Eccentricity and Directrix of Conic

A conic section can also be described as the locus of a point P moving
in the plane of a fixed point F known as focus (F) and a fixed line d
known as directrix (with the focus not on d) in such a way that the ratio
of the distance of point P from focus F to its distance from d is a constant
e known as eccentricity. Now,
 If eccentricity, e = 0, the conic is a circle

 If 0<e<1, the conic is an ellipse
 If e=1, the conic is a parabola
 And if e>1, it is a hyperbola
Parameters of Conic
Apart from focus, eccentricity and directrix, there are few more
parameters defined under conic sections.
 Principal Axis: Line joining the two focal points or foci of ellipse or
hyperbola. Its midpoint is the centre of the curve.
 Linear Eccentricity: Distance between the focus and centre of a
section.
 Latus Rectum: A chord of section parallel to directrix, which
passes through a focus.
 Focal Parameter: Distance from focus to the corresponding
directrix.
 Major axis: Chord joining the two vertices. It is the longest chord
of an ellipse.
 Minor axis: Shortest chord of an ellipse.
Different Types Of Conic Sections

CIRCLE
The circle is a special type of ellipse where the cutting
plane is parallel to the base of the cone. The circle has
a focus known as the centre of the circle. The locus of
the points on the circle have a fixed distance from the
focus or centre of the circle and is called the radius of
the circle. The value of eccentricity(e) for a circle is e =
0. Circle has no directrix. The general form of the
equation of a circle with centre at (h, k), and radius r:
(x−h)2 + (y−k)2 = r2
Graphical representation of Circle:

Real Life Applications Of Circle:
 The circle’s symmetrical properties are used by engineers to
create a variety of objects, including clocks, cars, ships,
airplanes, radios, telephones, wheelbarrows, air conditioners,
rockets, and more.
 Circles can even be a valuable tool when gardening, as they
help determine how much space plants need to grow around
them.
 Architects use circles when designing buildings, especially
when designing decorative features like domes, arches,
round beams, and curved surfaces.
 Circles are used in graphics to rotate items on computer

screens and convert 2D concepts into 3D representations.
 Circles are used by GPS to determine distance. It locates
points and determines their separations from the satellite
using a circle theory.
 Scientists use circles in a variety of ways, including when
designing particle separators, trajectory calculations,
estimating the size of far-off planets, and measuring craters.
 Circles are used by seismologists to determine and locate the

centre of earthquakes.
PARABOLA
A parabola is a U-shaped plane curve where any point is at an equal
distance from a fixed point (known as the focus) and from a fixed straight
line, which is known as the directrix. The four equations of a parabola
are given as
1. y2 = 4ax
2. y2 = – 4ax
3. x2 = 4ay
4. x2 = – 4ay
Graphical representation of Parabola:

Real Life Applications Of Parabola:
Water from a fountain takes a path of parabola to fall on the earth.
 A ball thrown high, follows a parabolic path.
 A roller coaster takes the path of rise and fall of a parabolic track of
the sea.
 An architectural structure built and named The Parabola in London
in 1962 has a copper roof with parabolic and hyperbolic linings.
 The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in California is famous
with parabolic spans on both sides.
 In light houses, parabolic bulbs are provided to have a good focus

of beam to be seen from distance by mariners.
 Automobile headlights are also with parabola type.
 The stretched arc of a rocket launch is parabolic.
 The satellite dish is a parabolic structure facilitating focus and

reflection of radio waves.
ELLIPSE
An ellipse is the locus of all those points in a plane such that the sum of
their distances from two fixed points in the plane, is constant. The fixed
points are known as the foci (singular focus), which are surrounded by
the curve. Eccentricity is a factor of the ellipse, which demonstrates the
elongation of it and is denoted by ‘e’.When the centre of the ellipse is at
the origin and the foci are on the x-axis or y-axis, then the equation of the
ellipse is the simplest. Here are two such possible orientations:
Graphical representation of Ellipse:
Real Life Applications Of Ellipse:

 Electrons in the atom move around the nucleus in an elliptical path
of orbit.
 Property of Ellipse to reflect sound and light is used in pulverizing
kidney stones. The patient is laid in an elliptical tank of water.
Kidney stones being at the other focus are concentrated and
pulverized.
 Paul’s Cathedral is an elliptical shaped structure to facilitate talking

at one end is heard at the other end using the property of ellipse.
 There is an ellipse shaped park in front of White House in
Washington.
 When a tumbler of water is tilted, an elliptical surface of water is

seen.
 Food items carrot, cucumber cut at an angle to its main axis
results in elliptical shape and elegant look.
 Whispering galleries at US Statutory capital and St. Paul’s
Cathedral, London demonstrates the property of the ellipse that
one’s whisper from one focus can be heard at the other focus by
only a person to whom it is sent.
HYPERBOLA
A hyperbola is the locus of all those points in a plane such that the
difference in their distances from two fixed points in the plane is a
constant. When the centre of the hyperbola is at the origin and the foci are
on the x-axis or y-axis, then the equation of the hyperbola is the simplest.
Here are two such possible orientations:
Graphical representation of Ellipse:
Real Life Applications Of Ellipse:

 A guitar is an example of hyperbola as its sides form hyperbola.
 Dulles Airport has a design of hyperbolic parabolic. It has one
cross-section of a hyperbola and the other a parabola.
 Gear Transmission having pair of hyperbolic gears. It is with
skewed axles and hourglass shape giving hyperbola shape. The
hyperbolic gears transmit motion to the skewed axle.
 The Kobe Port Tower has hourglass shape, that means it has two
hyperbolas. Things seen from a point on one side will be the same
when seen from the same point on the other side.
 Satellite systems, Radio systems use hyperbolic functions.
 Inverse relationship is related to hyperbola. Pressure and Volume
of gas are in inverse relationships. This can be described by a
hyperbola.
 Lens, monitors, and optical glasses are of hyperbola shape.
Conclusion
In conclusion, conic sections play a pivotal role in various real-life
applications, spanning from astronomy to engineering and beyond. Their
mathematical elegance facilitates the understanding and modeling of
natural phenomena, enabling advancements in fields such as optics,
architecture, and even space exploration. Embracing conic sections unlocks
a realm of possibilities, guiding innovations and solutions in our
increasingly complex world. Their significance resonates deeply in both
theoretical realms and practical implementations, shaping our
understanding and application of mathematics in diverse contexts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
For completion of this project I had taken help from the following sources.
1. Desmos Application
2. NCERT Mathematics
3. Internet:
/https://www.cuemath.com/learn/mathematics/conics-in-real-life/
https://www.brainkart.com/article/Real-life-Applications-of-Conics_39173/

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Maths internal

Conic Sections and its

I would like to express my special thanks

Different Types Of Conic

Focus, Eccentricity and Directrix of Conic

 If eccentricity, e = 0, the conic is a circle

Different Types Of Conic Sections

Graphical representation of Circle:

 Circles are used in graphics to rotate items on computer

 Circles are used by seismologists to determine and locate the

Graphical representation of Parabola:

 In light houses, parabolic bulbs are provided to have a good focus

 The satellite dish is a parabolic structure facilitating focus and

Graphical representation of Ellipse:

Real Life Applications Of Ellipse:

 Paul’s Cathedral is an elliptical shaped structure to facilitate talking

 When a tumbler of water is tilted, an elliptical surface of water is

Real Life Applications Of Ellipse:

 Lens, monitors, and optical glasses are of hyperbola shape.

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