M4. Conic Section:


Conic sections are the geometric curve formed when a cone is cutting by a plane. 
When double-napped cone is slicing by a plane, then different types of conic sections are obtained as shown in figure. (Click here for more detail.)

The Conic section are divided into 4 - major categories as follows:

1) Circle
If a plane intersects a cone perpendicular to the axis, then the section is a circle, as shown in figure above.

2) Ellipse
If a plane intersects a cone at a given angle with the axis greater than the semi - vertical angle. then the section is an ellipse.

3) Parabola
If an intersection plane, not passing through vertex, is parallel to the generator of the cone, then the section is a parabola.

4) Hyperbola
If a plane intersects the double right cone such that the angle between the axis and the plane be less than the semi-vertical angle, then the section is a hyperbola.

» Generally, Conic Section is defined as:
The locus of a point which moves in a plane in such a way that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to its distance from a fixed straight line is constant is called a conic section.
Where, the straight line is called directrix. The fixed point is called the focus. The constant ratio is an eccentricity (denoted by e). 
eccentricity(e)=distancefromfocustoconicdistancefromconictodirectrix
The straight line passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix is called the axis. The intersection of the curve and the axis is called the vertex.

A Conic section are classified by its eccentricity as follows:
If eccentricity (e)=0; the conic is a Circle
If eccentricity (e)=1; the conic is a Parabola. 
If eccentricity (e)<1; the conic is an Ellipse. 
If eccentricity (e)>1; the conic is a Hyperbola.

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1. Parabola:
Parabola has vertical axis
Let p=(x,y) be a point on a parabola. The standard equation of a parabola with its vertex (h,k) and focus is at (h+a,k) is given by:
(yk)2=4a(xh); where a0
If a parabola is centered at the origin (h,k)=(0,0) and focus is at (a,0), then the equation of the parabola is:
y2=4ax ............ (i)
                                                                         Where a0; Parabola has a horizontal axis.
                                                                            Similarly,
                                                                           x2=4ay .............. (ii)
                                                                           Where a0; Parabola has a vertical axis.

» The important results of a parabola are tabulated below:
Equation of Parabola
Vertex
Focus
Equation of directrix
Axis
Length of latus Rectum
y2=4ax
 (0,0)
(a,0)
x=a 
             y=0                 
 4a
x2=4ay 
 (0,0)
 (0,a)
y=a 
            x=0             
 4a
(yk)2=4a(xh) 
 (h,k)
(h+a,k)
x=ha 
y=k parallel to xaxis
4a 
(xh)2=4a(yk) 
 (h,k)
(h,k+a) 
y=ka 
x=h parallel to yaxis
4a 
2. Ellipse:
Ellipse has major axis a as horizontal
Let an ellipse in the rectangular coordinate plane with the center at the origin (0,0) and the major axis along the x-axis as shown in figure.
x2a2+y2b2=1 .......... (i)
Where a is major axis as horizontal and b is minor axis as vertical.
Similarly,
                 x2b2+y2a2=1 .......... (ii)
Where b is a major axis as vertical and a is minor axis as horizontal.
If center are not at origin, that is the center will be shifted to the point (h,k) then the equation of ellipse becomes;
                 (xh)2a2+(yk)2b2=1 .......... (iii)
Where a is major axis as horizontal and b is minor axis as vertical.
Similarly,
                 (xh)2b2+(yk)2a2=1 .......... (iv)
Where b is a major axis as vertical and a is minor axis as horizontal.
» The important results of a Ellipse are tabulated below:

3. Hyperbola:

Hyperbola opens right and opens left
The standard form of an equation of a hyperbola with a horizontal transverse axis and center at the origin (0,0) is given by: 
x2a2y2b2=1 .......... (i)
Where a0 and b0.
The x-term is positive. The branches of the hyperbola opens right and opens left.
The standard equation of an equation of a hyperbola with a vertical transverse axis and center at the origin (0,0) is given by:
                y2a2x2b2=1 .......... (ii)
Where a0 and b0.
The y-term is positive. The branches of the hyperbola opens up and opens down.
» The important results of a Hyperbola are tabulated below:


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