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Week 1 - The Conic Section-3

The document defines conic sections as curves formed by intersecting a plane with a circular cone. There are four types of conic sections: circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas. The type of conic section can be identified by calculating the value of B^2 - 4AC from the equation and observing the presence and signs of the quadratic terms Ax^2 and Cy^2. Several examples demonstrate how to identify the conic section from different equations using these two methods. Students are given practice problems to identify the type of conic section for additional equations.

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40 views4 pages

Week 1 - The Conic Section-3

The document defines conic sections as curves formed by intersecting a plane with a circular cone. There are four types of conic sections: circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas. The type of conic section can be identified by calculating the value of B^2 - 4AC from the equation and observing the presence and signs of the quadratic terms Ax^2 and Cy^2. Several examples demonstrate how to identify the conic section from different equations using these two methods. Students are given practice problems to identify the type of conic section for additional equations.

Uploaded by

sarah ali
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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UNIT 1 THE CONIC SECTIONS

At the end of the discussion, the students will be able to:

1. Define the conic section.

2. Give the types of the different conic sections.

3. Identify the type of the conic section of a given equation equations.

Introduction

We have discussed from Algebra that the equation in a form of Ax + By + C = 0 is defined as


linear or the 1st degree equation and it is represented by a straight line graph. Maybe you are
wondering what would be the graph of an equation formed by a second degree order or also called
Quadratic Equation Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 +Dx + Ey + F = 0, this equation is graphically represented by a curve
or most popularly known as Conic such as Circle, Ellipse, Parabola and Hyperbola.

A Conic section is defined as a set of curves formed from dividing or cutting a right circular cone
of two nappes with a plane as shown in the figure 1.a and 1.b, the plane intersects the two inverted
right circular cones at any point except its vertex.

Furthermore, in figure 1a illustrates the basic parts of a right circular cone such are the nappe,
vertex, generator, surface base and axis. The cones are also called as nappes and underlying the cones
are different lines called generators; these lines meet in a single point which is called vertex. It is also
the point where the two nappes intersect. The surface base is a circular-shaped opening of the cones.
The axis of the right circular cone is the line passing through the vertex and perpendicular to its nappes.

Figure 1.a Figure 1.b

Opening of the cone

nappe

Vertex

nappe

Axis of the Cone


If the plane cuts only one of the circular cone nappes and it is parallel or facing the surface base
of the right circular cone or it cuts all the generators the formed image is either circle or ellipse. Circle is
a special type of an ellipse. (Refer to Figure 1.b)

While if the cutting plane parallel only to one generator and it is perpendicular to the base of
the cone the curved formed is a parabola. (See figure 1.b)

Lastly, if the plane cuts both nappes and it is parallel to two generators the intersection curved
is a hyperbola. (Refer to Figure 1.b)

Even though all of these conics’ equation follow the form Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 +Dx + Ey + F = 0 as
mentioned in the first paragraph of the introduction, there are still minimal differences in their variables
so we need to be careful in formulating their equations.

We can identify the type and the graph of the conics through the terms of its equation, value of
the eccentricity and the formula B2- 4AC.

Types of Conics Value of the formula Quadratic Terms and its Value of the
2 Eccentricity
B - 4AC Constant
2 2 2
Circle B - 4AC < 0, Ax and Cy are both present 0< e <1
B = 0 or A = C and A = C
2 2 2
Ellipse B - 4AC < 0, Ax and Cy are both present, 0< e <1
B ≠ 0 or A ≠ C A ≠ C and the same sign
2
Parabola B - 4AC = 0 Only one Quadratic term is e=1
2 2
present (either Ax or Cy )
2 2 2
Hyperbola B - 4AC > 0 Ax and Cy are both present, e>1
A ≠ C and have opposite signs
** Eccentricity coefficient measures the degree of roundness of the given curve. The complete definition of this will be discussed on the
succeeding part of this chapter.

Let us take these examples; using the 1st two methods in the table let us determine the type of the conic
of the given equations.

1. x2 + y2 - 3x + 4 = 0
2. x2 – 3x – y + 7 = 0
3. 2x2 – 3y2 + 2x – y + 22 = 0

Solution:

1. x2 + y2 - 3x + 4 = 0
A. Computing the value of B2- 4AC
A = 1 , B = 0 and C = 1
2
B - 4AC = 0 – 4 (1) (1)
=-4
Since the value is – 4 which is less than 0, the given equation is a type of circle.

B. Observing the quadratic terms


The quadratic terms of Ax2 = x2 and Cy2 = y2 are present in the equation and have equal
numerical coefficients, the given is a circle equation.
2. x2 – 3x – y + 7 = 0
Solution:
a. Finding the value of the B2- 4AC
A = 1, B = 0, C = 0
B2- 4AC = 0 – 4 (1) (0)
= 0 -------- this suggests that the equation is a parabola.

b. Observing the quadratic terms


The quadratic term x2 is the only present in the equation so it implies that this is a parabola.

3. 2x2 – 3y2 + 2x – y + 22 = 0
a. Finding the value of the B2- 4AC
A = 2, B = 0, C = -3
2
B - 4AC = 0 – 4 (2) (-3)
= 12
Since the obtained value is 12 which is higher than 0 it shows that the equation is a hyperbola.

b. Observing the quadratic terms


This an equation of a hyperbola since the quadratic terms are both present in the equation but their
numerical coefficients are not the same.

As you have observed in the previous solutions that the interpretation of the types of equation
and its corresponding conic sections are just the same in the two methods, it is up to you to choose any
of these to be your means to identify the type of the conic section.

Practice:
Identify the type of the conic section are the given equations.
2
B – 4ac Quadratic Terms

1. x + 5y2 – y + 7 = 0
Ans: ____________
2. 4x2 - 3x = y – 4y2 +25
Ans: ____________

3. 3y2 – x2 = x + 7y – 4
Ans: ____________

4. 2x (x + 4) + 36 = y – 7
Ans: ____________

5. 4x2 – 5x + 23 = 2(10 – 2y2)


Ans: ____________

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