Conic Sections

Recall the usual conic sections from the Cartesian plane.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 1 / 23

Conic Sections

Recall the usual conic sections from the Cartesian plane.

1 circle of radius r : x 2 + y 2 = r 2

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 1 / 23

Conic Sections

Recall the usual conic sections from the Cartesian plane.

1 circle of radius r : x 2 + y 2 = r 2
x 2 y 2



2 ellipse of semi-major, semi-minor axes a, b: a + b =1

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 1 / 23

Conic Sections

Recall the usual conic sections from the Cartesian plane.

1 circle of radius r : x 2 + y 2 = r 2
x 2 y 2



2 ellipse of semi-major, semi-minor axes a, b: a + b =1

x 2 y 2



3 hyperbola of semi-major, semi-minor axes a, b: a − b =1

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 1 / 23

Conic Sections

Recall the usual conic sections from the Cartesian plane.

1 circle of radius r : x 2 + y 2 = r 2
x 2 y 2



2 ellipse of semi-major, semi-minor axes a, b: a + b =1

x 2 y 2



3 hyperbola of semi-major, semi-minor axes a, b: a − b =1

4 parabola: y = ax 2

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 1 / 23

Conic Sections

Recall the usual conic sections from the Cartesian plane.

1 circle of radius r : x 2 + y 2 = r 2
x 2 y 2



2 ellipse of semi-major, semi-minor axes a, b: a + b =1

x 2 y 2



3 hyperbola of semi-major, semi-minor axes a, b: a − b =1

4 parabola: y = ax 2

Considering these conic sections as three-dimensional objects by

letting z vary, we obtain the family of cylinders.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 1 / 23

Cylinders

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 2 / 23

Cylinders

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 3 / 23

Cylinders

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 4 / 23

Cylinders

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 5 / 23

Basics of Quadric Surfaces

Quadric surfaces are three-dimensional generalizations of the conic

sections of the (two-dimensional) Cartesian plane.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 6 / 23

Basics of Quadric Surfaces

Quadric surfaces are three-dimensional generalizations of the conic

sections of the (two-dimensional) Cartesian plane.

Quadric surfaces are defined by quadratic equations, e.g.,

Ax 2 + By 2 + Cz 2 + Dxy + Eyz + Fxz + ax + by + cz + d = 0.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 6 / 23

Basics of Quadric Surfaces

Quadric surfaces are three-dimensional generalizations of the conic

sections of the (two-dimensional) Cartesian plane.

Quadric surfaces are defined by quadratic equations, e.g.,

Ax 2 + By 2 + Cz 2 + Dxy + Eyz + Fxz + ax + by + cz + d = 0.

Given that D = E = F = 0, we say that a quadric surface is in

standard position or of standard form.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 6 / 23

Basics of Quadric Surfaces

Quadric surfaces are three-dimensional generalizations of the conic

sections of the (two-dimensional) Cartesian plane.

Quadric surfaces are defined by quadratic equations, e.g.,

Ax 2 + By 2 + Cz 2 + Dxy + Eyz + Fxz + ax + by + cz + d = 0.

Given that D = E = F = 0, we say that a quadric surface is in

standard position or of standard form.

Quadric surfaces are uniquely determined by their traces, i.e., the

conic sections that are obtained by intersecting a quadric surface with
a plane that is parallel to one of the three coordinate planes.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 6 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Ellipsoids are quadric surfaces whose traces are ellipses.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 7 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Ellipsoids are quadric surfaces whose traces are ellipses.

We can describe an ellipsoid in standard position by an equation

 2  2  2
x y z
+ + = 1.
a b c

Given that a = b = c = r , we obtain the ellipsoid x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = r 2 ,

i.e., a sphere centered at the origin (0, 0, 0) with radius r > 0.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 7 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 8 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Hyperboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses and

whose yz- and xz-traces are hyperbolas.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 9 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Hyperboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses and

whose yz- and xz-traces are hyperbolas.

We can describe a hyperboloid in standard position by an equation

 2  2  2
x y z
+ = +1 (1)
a b c
 2  2  2
x y z
or + = − 1. (2)
a b c

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 9 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Hyperboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses and

whose yz- and xz-traces are hyperbolas.

We can describe a hyperboloid in standard position by an equation

 2  2  2
x y z
+ = +1 (1)
a b c
 2  2  2
x y z
or + = − 1. (2)
a b c

Observe that the figure described by equation (2) does not contain
any points such that the z-coordinate satisfies −c < z < c;

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 9 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Hyperboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses and

whose yz- and xz-traces are hyperbolas.

We can describe a hyperboloid in standard position by an equation

 2  2  2
x y z
+ = +1 (1)
a b c
 2  2  2
x y z
or + = − 1. (2)
a b c

Observe that the figure described by equation (2) does not contain
any points such that the z-coordinate satisfies −c < z < c;
otherwise, the right-hand side would be negative while the left-hand
side is positive by definition — a contradiction.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 9 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Hyperboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses and

whose yz- and xz-traces are hyperbolas.

We can describe a hyperboloid in standard position by an equation

 2  2  2
x y z
+ = +1 (1)
a b c
 2  2  2
x y z
or + = − 1. (2)
a b c

Observe that the figure described by equation (2) does not contain
any points such that the z-coordinate satisfies −c < z < c;
otherwise, the right-hand side would be negative while the left-hand
side is positive by definition — a contradiction. Consequently, the
hyperboloid of equation (2) is said to have two “sheets.”

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 9 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 10 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Elliptic cones are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses and
whose yz- and xz-traces are pairs of diagonal lines.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 11 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Elliptic cones are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses and
whose yz- and xz-traces are pairs of diagonal lines.

We can describe an elliptic cone in standard position by an equation

 2  2  2
x y z
+ = .
a b c

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 11 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 12 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Elliptic paraboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses

and whose yz- and xz-traces are upward-opening parabolas.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 13 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Elliptic paraboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are ellipses

and whose yz- and xz-traces are upward-opening parabolas.

We can describe an elliptic paraboloid in standard position by

 2  2
x y
z= + .
a b

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 13 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 14 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Hyperbolic paraboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are

hyperbolas, whose yz-traces are downward-opening parabolas, and
whose xz-traces are upward-opening parabolas.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 15 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Hyperbolic paraboloids are quadric surfaces whose xy -traces are

hyperbolas, whose yz-traces are downward-opening parabolas, and
whose xz-traces are upward-opening parabolas.

We can describe a hyperbolic paraboloid in standard position by

 2  2
x y
z= − .
a b

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 15 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 16 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

True (a.) or False (b.)

Every trace of an ellipsoid is an ellipse.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 17 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

True (a.) or False (b.)

Every trace of an ellipsoid is an ellipse.

(a.) True.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 17 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

True (a.) or False (b.)

Every trace of a hyperboloid is a hyperbola.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 18 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

True (a.) or False (b.)

Every trace of a hyperboloid is a hyperbola.

(b.) False. Both vertical traces of a hyperboloid are hyperbolas, but the
horizontal trace (xy -trace) of a hyperboloid is an ellipse.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 18 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

True (a.) or False (b.)

There exists a quadric surface whose horizontal and vertical traces
are each parabolas.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 19 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

True (a.) or False (b.)

There exists a quadric surface whose horizontal and vertical traces
are each parabolas.

(b.) False.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 19 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

True (a.) or False (b.)

There exists a quadric surface whose horizontal and vertical traces
are each parabolas.

(b.) False. On the contrary, if it were possible, then we would have

xy -trace y = a0 x 2 , yz-trace z = b0 y 2 , and xz-trace x = c0 z 2 , hence

Ax 2 + By 2 + Cz 2 + Dxy + Eyz + Fxz + ax + by + cz + d = 0

is not a quadratic equation — a contradiction.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 19 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Finding the Form of a Quadric Surface

Classify the quadric surface in standard

2
2position with horizontal
trace given by the equation x2 + y4 = 1 and vertical traces

2
2
2
2
given by the equations y4 + z6 = 1 and x2 + z6 = 1.

(a.) right-circular cylinder (c.) ellipsoid

(b.) elliptic cylinder (d.) elliptic paraboloid

Each of the traces is an ellipse, hence the quadric surface is an ellipsoid.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 20 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Finding the Form of a Quadric Surface

Classify the quadric surface in standard

2
2position with horizontal
trace given by the equation x2 + y4 = 1 and vertical traces

2
2
2
2
given by the equations y4 + z6 = 1 and x2 + z6 = 1.

(a.) right-circular cylinder (c.) ellipsoid

(b.) elliptic cylinder (d.) elliptic paraboloid

Each of the traces is an ellipse, hence the quadric surface is an ellipsoid.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 21 / 23

Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Finding the Form of a Quadric Surface

Classify the quadric surface in standard

2
2position with horizontal
trace given by the equation x4 + y6 = 1 and vertical traces

2
2
2
2
given by the equations y6 − √z27 = 1 and x4 − √z27 = 1.

(a.) hyperbolic cylinder (c.) hyperboloid of two sheets

(b.) hyperbolic paraboloid (d.) hyperboloid of one sheet

Each of the vertical traces is a hyperbola, and the horizontal trace is an

ellipse, hence this is a hyperboloid; moreover, there exist points
corresponding to z = 0, from which it follows that there is one sheet.
MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 22 / 23
Common Examples of Quadric Surfaces

Finding the Form of a Quadric Surface

Classify the quadric surface in standard

2
2position with horizontal
trace given by the equation x4 + y6 = 1 and vertical traces

2
2
2
2
given by the equations y6 − √z27 = 1 and x4 − √z27 = 1.

(a.) hyperbolic cylinder (c.) hyperboloid of two sheets

(b.) hyperbolic paraboloid (d.) hyperboloid of one sheet

Each of the vertical traces is a hyperbola, and the horizontal trace is an

ellipse, hence this is a hyperboloid; moreover, there exist points
corresponding to z = 0, from which it follows that there is one sheet.

MATH 127 (Section 12.6) Quadric Surfaces The University of Kansas 23 / 23