2.

CONIC SECTION

Recall:

𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶 = 0 - linear equation in x and y

-first degree equation in x and y

-graph is a line

Second Degree Equation in x and y

𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥𝑦 + 𝐶𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0

2.1 Circle

Definition 2.1. A circle is the set of all points which are at a fixed distance from a chosen point.

Theorem 2.1. The equation of a circle with center 𝐶(ℎ, 𝑘) and radius r is (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 𝑟 2

Example. Find the equation of a circle with 𝐶(2, −1), 𝑟 = 3.

Solution.

(𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦 − (−1))2 = 32

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 4 = 0

Exercise 1.

1. Find the equation of the circle with center at (-2, 3) and radius 4.

2. Determine whether an equation of a circle or not. If it is an equation of a circle, give the center and
the radius of the circle.
a. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 8𝑦 = 0
b. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 − 11 = 0
c. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 5 = 0
d. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 15 = 0
e. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 − 5𝑦 − 1/2 = 0
2.2 Parabola

Definition 2.2. A parabola is the graph of all points whose distance from a fixed point equal their
distances from a fixed line.

The line perpendicular to L through focus intersects the parabola at a point V called the vertex of the
parabola.

Equation of the Parabola (Vertex at the origin)

Let 𝑝(𝑥, 𝑦) be a point the parabola and let p be the distance from the focus to the directrix.

𝑑1 2 = 𝑑2 2

𝑝 2 𝑝 2
(𝑥 + ) + (𝑦 − 𝑦)2 = (𝑥 − ) + (𝑦 − 0)2
2 2

𝑦 2 = 2𝑝𝑥 (equation of a parabola vertex at the origin focus at +x-axis)

Note: the line passing through the vertex and focus is called the axis of symmetry of the parabola.
 𝑝 𝑝
Case 1 focus at +x-axis: 𝑦 2 = 2𝑝𝑥 𝐹 = ( , 0) , 𝑑: 𝑥 = −
2 2

𝑝 𝑝
Case 2 focus at -x-axis: 𝑦 2 = −2𝑝𝑥 𝐹 = (− , 0) , 𝑑: 𝑥 =
2 2

𝑝 𝑝
Case 3 focus at +y-axis: 𝑥 2 = 2𝑝𝑦 𝐹 = (0, ) , 𝑑: 𝑦 = −
2 2

𝑝 𝑝
Case 4 focus at -y-axis: 𝑥 2 = −2𝑝𝑦 𝐹 = (0, − ) , 𝑑: 𝑦 =
2 2

Example 2.2.1. Given 𝑦 2 = −12𝑥. Find the focus, directrix and sketch the graph.

Solution.

2𝑝 = 12

𝑝=6
𝑝
= 3 (case 2)
2

𝐹(−3, 0)

𝑑: 𝑥 = 3

Let 𝑥 = −1: 𝑦 2 = 12

𝑦 = ±√12 = ±2√3

General Case

Let 𝑉(𝑎, 𝑏) be the vertex of the parabola.

 𝑑1 2 = 𝑑2 2
2 2
𝑝 𝑝
(𝑥 − (𝑎 − )) + (𝑦 − 𝑦)2 = (𝑥 − (𝑎 + )) + (𝑦 − 𝑏)2
2 2

𝑝 𝑝
(𝒚 − 𝒃)𝟐 = 𝟐𝒑(𝒙 − 𝒂) equation of a parabola vertex (𝑎, 𝑏) focus at 𝐹(𝑎 + , 𝑏) and 𝑑: 𝑥 = 𝑎 −
2 2

Theorem 2.2 If a parabola has an axis which is vertical or horizontal and has vertex 𝑉(𝑎, 𝑏), then one of
the following equations has a graph which is parabola.
𝑝 𝑝
Case 1 (𝑦 − 𝑏)2 = 2𝑝(𝑥 − 𝑎) 𝐹(𝑎 + , 𝑏), 𝑑: 𝑥 = 𝑎 −
2 2

𝑝 𝑝
Case 2 (𝑦 − 𝑏)2 = −2𝑝(𝑥 − 𝑎) 𝐹(𝑎 − , 𝑏), 𝑑: 𝑥 = 𝑎 +
2 2

𝑝 𝑝
Case 3 (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 = 2𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑏) 𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏 + ), 𝑑: 𝑥 = 𝑏 −
2 2

𝑝 𝑝
Case 4 (𝑥 − 𝑎)2 = −2𝑝(𝑦 − 𝑏) 𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏 − ), 𝑑: 𝑥 = 𝑏 +
2 2

Example 2 Given 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 7 = 0, find the focus and directrix. Sketch the graph.

Solution.

Step 1. 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 = −2𝑥 − 7 (group the squared variable)

Step 2. 𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 + 4 = −2𝑥 − 7 + 4 (add a number to complete the square)

Step3. (𝑦 − 2)2 = −2𝑥 − 3

3
Step 4. (𝑦 − 2)2 = −2 (𝑥 + ) , case 2 (factor out the numerical coefficient)
2

3
Step 5. 𝑉(− , 2) (determine the vertex (a, b))
2

𝑝
Step 6. 2𝑝 = 2 (determine the value of )
2

𝑝=1
𝑝 1 3
= , then 𝑎 = − , 𝑏=2
2 2 2

𝑝 𝑝
Step 7. 𝐹(𝑎 − , 𝑏), 𝑑: 𝑥 = 𝑎 +
2 2

3 1 3 1
𝐹(− − , 2), 𝑑: 𝑥 = − +
2 2 2 2

𝐹(−2, 2), 𝑑: 𝑥 = −1
Step 8. Graph

Example 3. Find the equation of the parabola from the definition. Given directrix 𝑦 = 0 and focus
𝐹(0, 5).

Solution.

𝑑1 2 = 𝑑2 2

(𝑥 − 0)2 + (𝑦 − 5)2 = (𝑥 − 𝑥)2 + (𝑦 − 0)2

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 25 = 𝑦 2

𝑥 2 − 10𝑦 + 25 = 0
2.3 Ellipse

An ellipse is the graph of all points the sum of whose distance from two fixed points is constant.
(the two fixed points = foci)

Let 1. Distance between foci be 2c

2. constant distance be 2a

3. foci on the x-axis (𝐹1 (𝑐, 0), 𝐹2 (−𝑐, 0))

Let 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) be any point on ellipse

𝑑1 + 𝑑2 = 2𝑎

√(𝑥 + 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 + √(𝑥 − 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑎

𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
+ = 𝟏, 𝒃𝟐 = 𝒂𝟐 − 𝒄𝟐
𝒂 𝒃

Definition 2.3 The line passing through foci 𝐹1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹2 is called major axis. The perpendicular bisector of
the segment ̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐹1 𝐹2 is called the major axis. Their intersection is the center of ellipse.
𝑐
Eccentricity of ellipse: 𝑒 = , (0 < 𝑒 < 1)
𝑎

Where 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2

𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 , 𝑎 > 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 > 𝑐

𝑒 = 0, (𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒)
Example 2.3.1 Given 9𝑥 2 + 25𝑦 2 = 225. Find the focus, vertices, eccentricity and sketch the graph.

Solution.
1 1
[9𝑥 2 + 25𝑦 2 = 225]
225 225

𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
25 9

𝑎 = 5, 𝑏 = 3

𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2

𝑐 2 = 25 − 9

𝑐=4

Focus: 𝐹1 (4, 0), 𝐹2 (−4, 0)

Vertices: 𝑉1 (5, 0), 𝑉2 (−5, 0)

4
𝑒=
5

If the foci are on the y-axis, say 𝐹1 (0, 𝑐), 𝐹2 (0, −𝑐)

𝑦2 𝑥2
+ = 1, 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2
𝑎 𝑏

Note: the larger the denominator determines whether the foci, vertices and major axis are along the x-
axis or y-axis.
4
Example 2.3.2 Find the equation of ellipse with 𝑉(0, ±10), 𝑒 = .
5

𝑦2 𝑥2
Solution. + =1
𝑎 𝑏

4 𝑐
𝑎 = 10, 𝑒= =
5 𝑎

4 𝑐
Then =
5 10

𝑐=8

𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2

𝑏 2 = 102 − 82

𝑏 2 = 36

𝑦2 𝑥2
+ =1
100 36
2.4 Hyperbola

A hyperbola is the graph of all points the difference of whose distance from two fixed points is a
positive constant.

Let 1. Distance between foci be 2c

2. positive constant be 2a

𝑑2 − 𝑑1 = 2𝑎

It is also possible that 𝑑1 − 𝑑2 = 2𝑎

In general, 𝑑1 − 𝑑2 = ±2𝑎

√(𝑥 − 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 − √(𝑥 + 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 = ±2𝑎

𝑥2 𝑦2
− = 1, 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2
𝑎 𝑏

𝑥2 𝑦2
Theorem 2.4.1 A hyperbola with foci on (𝐹1 (𝑐, 0), 𝐹2 (−𝑐, 0)) has equation − = 1, 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 .
𝑎 𝑏

Definition 2.4.1 The line passing through foci 𝐹1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹2 is called transverse axis. The perpendicular
bisector of the segment ̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐹1 𝐹2 is called the conjugate axis. Their intersection is the center.

Vertices: 𝑉1 (𝑎, 0), 𝑉2 (−𝑎, 0)

Length of transverse axis = 2a

Length of conjugate axis = 2b

𝑐
Eccentricity: 𝑒= , (𝑒 > 1)
𝑎

𝑦2 𝑥2
If the foci of the hyperbola are placed along y-axis, − = 1, 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 .
𝑎 𝑏

Note: In contrast with the equation of ellipse, the equation of a hyperbola indicates that the relative
sizes of a and b play no role in determining the foci and axes.

Asymptotes of Hyperbola

𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑏
− =1 consider − =0 ⇒ 𝑦=± 𝑥
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎

𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑎
− =1 consider − =0 ⇒ 𝑦=± 𝑥
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑏
Note: The asymptotes are the line which contains diagonals of the central rectangle.

Example 2.4.1 Sketch the graph of 25𝑥 2 − 9𝑦 2 = 225.

Solution.

𝑥2 𝑦2
− =1
9 25

𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = 5

𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

𝑐 2 = 9 + 25

𝑐 = ±√34 (focus)

𝑉1 (3, 0), 𝑉2 (−3, 0)

𝐹1 (√34, 0), 𝐹2 (−√34, 0)

5
Asymptotes: 𝑦 = ± 𝑥
3
 𝑦2 𝑥2
Example 2.4.2 Sketch the graph of − = 1.
64 25

Solution.

𝑦2 𝑥2
− =1
64 25

𝑎2 = 64, 𝑎 = 8

𝑏 2 = 25, 𝑏 = 5

𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

𝑐 2 = 82 + 52

𝑐 2 = 89, 𝑐 = ±√89

𝑉1 (0, 8), 𝑉2 (0, −8)

𝐹1 (0, √89), 𝐹2 (0, −√89)

8
Asymptotes: 𝑦 = ± 𝑥
5

2.5 Translation of Axes

𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥𝑦 + 𝐶𝑦 2 + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0

We assume 𝐵 = 0

Objective: Eliminate D and E term

Tool: Completing the square

Let 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) be on xy-plane

Let 𝑃(𝑥 ′ , 𝑦 ′ ) be its coordinates in the 𝑥 ′ 𝑦 ′ system

 Translation of coordinate 𝑥 = 𝑥′ + ℎ ⟹ 𝑥′ = 𝑥 − ℎ

𝑦 = 𝑦′ + 𝑘 ⟹ 𝑦′ = 𝑦 − 𝑘

Example 2.5.1 Sketch the graph of 9𝑥 2 + 25𝑦 2 + 18𝑥 − 100𝑦 − 116 = 0.

Solution.

9𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 + 25𝑦 2 − 100𝑦 = 116

9[𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1] + 25[𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 + 4] = 116 + 9 + 100

9(𝑥 + 1)2 + 25(𝑦 − 2)2 = 225

𝑥 ′ = 𝑥 + 1, ℎ = −1

𝑦 ′ = 𝑦 − 2, 𝑘 = 2
2 2
9𝑥 ′ + 25𝑦 ′ = 225
2 2
𝑥′ 𝑦′
+ =1
25 9

𝑎2 = 25, 𝑎 = 5

𝑏 2 = 9, 𝑏 = 3

𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2

𝑐 2 = 25 − 9

𝑐 2 = 16, 𝑐 = ±4

𝒙′ 𝒚′ -system xy-system

𝑉1 (5, 0), 𝑉2 (−5, 0) 𝑥 = 𝑥′ − 1

𝐹1 (4, 0), 𝐹2 (−4, 0) 𝑦 = 𝑦′ + 2

Center (0, 0) Center (−1, 2)

𝑉1 (5, 0), 𝑉2 (−5, 0)

𝐹1 (4, 0), 𝐹2 (−4, 0)

Example 2.5.1 Sketch the graph of 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4𝑦 − 4 = 0.

Solution.

𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = −4𝑦 + 4 + 4

(𝑥 + 2)2 = −4(𝑦 − 2)

𝑥 ′ = 𝑥 + 2, ℎ = −2

𝑦 ′ = 𝑦 − 2, 𝑘 = 2
2
𝑥 ′ = −4𝑦′

𝒙′ 𝒚′ -system xy-system

Vertex: 𝑉(0, 0) 𝑥 = 𝑥′ − 2

Focus: 𝐹(0, −1) 𝑦 = 𝑦′ + 2

Vertex (−2, 2)

2𝑝 = 4 Focus: 𝐹(−2, 1)

𝑝=2 directrix: 𝑦 = 3
𝑝
=1
2

Directrix: 𝑦 ′ = 1