CONICOID

INTRODUCTION

The general equation of second degree in x, y and z can be put in the form

ax2  by 2  cz 2  2 fyz  2 gzx  2hxy  2ux  2vy  2wz  d  0.

Just as the general equation of first degree in x, y, z represents a plane surface,

similarly the general equation of second degree in x, y and z represents a quadratic
surface or a conicoid. The above equation contains ten constants which can be reduced to
nine showing thereby that a quadratic surface or a conicoid can be made to satisfy nine
conditions. For example a conicoid can be made to pass through nine given points.

The above equation by transformation of axes can be reduced to certain

standard forms each of which represents a surface with a definite name assigned to it.
Hence in this chapter we shall discuss some of the central surfaces given below:

x2 y 2 z 2
(1)   1 (Ellipsoid)
a 2 b2 c2

x2 y 2 z 2
(2)   1 (Hyperboloid of one sheet).
a 2 b2 c 2

x2 y 2 z 2
(3) 2  2  2  1 (Hyperboloid of two sheets).
a b c

x2 y 2 z 2
Problem (1):- Find the condition that two diameters of an ellipsoid 2  2  2  1
a b c
should be conjugate.
Solution:- Let P  x1 , y1 , z1  and Q  x2 , y2 , z2  be the extremities of two conjugate diameters

x y z
  — (1)
 1 m1 n1

x y z
and   — (2)
 2 m2 n2

x2 y 2 z 2
of the ellipsoid   1
a 2 b2 c2
Page No. 2
The diametral plane of OP is

xx1 yy zz
2
 21  21  o
a b c
Since Q  x2 , y2 , z2  lies on it, therefore

x1 x2 yy zz
 1 2 2  1 22  o — (3)
a2 b c

Again since (1) and (2) pass respectively through P  x1 , y1 , z1  and Q  x2 , y2 , z2 

x1 y1 z1 x y z
   and 2  2  2
 1 m1 n1  2 m2 h2

Hence from (3), we get the required condition as

 1 2 m1m2 n1n2
 2  2 o
a2 b c

Problem (2):- For the ellipsoid 2 x2  3 y 2  4 z 2  1, find the equation of the tangent plane
which is parallel to x  y  z  3

Solution:- The equation of any plane parallel to x  y  z  3 is x  y  z  k — (1)

Now, we have to find the value of k, so that the plane x  y  z  k becomes tangent

plane to the ellipsoid 2 x2  3 y 2  4 z 2  1

Let x  y  z  k touch the ellipsoid at the point  x1 , y1 , z1  so that the equation of the

tangent plane at  x1 , y1 , z1  is 2 xx1  3 yy1  4 zz1  1 — (2)

2 x1 3 y1 4 z1
Comparing (1) & (2) , we have   k
1 1 1
1 1 1
 x1  , y1  , z1  — (3)
2k 3k 4k

Since, the point  x1 , y1 , z1  lies on the ellipsoid 2 x2  3 y 2  4 z 2  1

 2 x12  3 y12  4 z12  1

Hence from (3)

Page No. 3
 1 1 1
2. 2
 3. 2  4. 1
4k 9k 16k 2
1  1 1 1
     1
k 2  2 3 4
1 1 1
 k2   
2 3 4
643
 k2 
12
13
 k2 
12
 k   12

Hence, the required equation of the tangent planes are.

x  y  z    Ans.

Problem (3):- To find the condition that the plane x  my  nz  p should touch the

central concoid ax2  by 2  cz 2  1

Solution:- Let the plane x  my  nz  p —(1)

touch the central conicoid

ax2  by 2  cz 2  1 at the point  , ,  

We know that the equation of the tangent plane to the central conicoid at the point
 ,  ,   is
a x  b y  c z  1 — (2)

Since the equation (1) & (2) represent the same tangent plane, hence they are identical
Therefore. Comparing (1) & (2), we get

a b c 1
  
 m n p

 m n
  ,  , 
aP b cp

Now, since the point  ,  ,   lies on the conicoid

Page No. 4
 ax 2  by 2  cz 2  1
 a 2  b 2  c 2  1

2 m2 n2
   1 [from (3)]
ap 2 bp 2 cp 2

2 m2 n2
   1
ap 2 bp 2 cp 2

 2 m2 n 2
    p2
a b c

Which is the required condition

Problem (4):- Find the locus of chords of the conicoid ax2  by 2  cz 2  1 which are

bisected at  ,  ,   (2014) [12.(a)]

x  y  z 
Solution:- Let    r be the
 m n
equation of any chord AB of the conicoid
ax2  by 2  cz 2  1
— (2)

passing through  ,  ,   .

The co-ordinate of any point on (1) are

  r,   mr,   nr 
If it lies on the conicoid, then its co-ordinate must be satisfied the eqn. (2)

Hence a   r   b    mr   c   nr   1
2 2 2

 a  2   2 r 2  2 r   b   2  m2 r 2  2 mr   c  r 2  n2 r 2  2 nr   1

 a 2  b 2  c 2  a 2 r 2  bm2 r 2  cn2 r 2  2ar  2bmr  2c nr  1

 r 2  a 2  bm2  cn2   2r  a  b m  c n   a   b 2  c 2  1  0

Page No. 5
This is a quadratic equation in r. Hence it will have two roots. Let the two roots be r1 and
r2. Geometrically, it means that any line passing through  ,  ,   will out the conicoid in
two points.

If C is the middle point of the chord AB then r1  r2  O

 we have

a  bm  c n  O — (3)

Hence , m, n are variables.

Hence, the required locus of chords besecled at  ,  ,   is obtained by eliminating

, m, n from (1) and (3)

Thus, we have

a  x     b  y     c  z     O

 a x  a   b y  b   c z  c 2  O

 a x  b y  c z  a 2  b 2  c 2 — (4)

This is the eqn. of the plane which can be written as S1 = T

Where S1 and T have usual meanings since all chords of the conicoid passing there
 ,  ,   are biscted there, C is the centre of this plane.
Problem (5):- Find the locus of the equal conjugate diameter of the ellipsoid
x2 y 2 z 2
  1
a 2 b2 c2

Solution:- Let P  x1 , y1 , z1  , Q  x2 y2 , z2  and R  x3 , y3 , z3  be the extremities of any set of

three equal conjugate diameters of the ellipsoid

x2 y 2 z 2
  1 — (1)
a 2 b2 c2

Let , m, n be the direction cosines and r be the length of any one of the equal conjugate
diameters.

Page No. 6
 x y z
Then its equation is   r — (2)
 m n

Where r 2  x12  y12  z12  x22  y22  z 22  x32  y32  z32

 Adding them

3r 2   x12  x22  x32    y12   z12

3r 2  a2  b2  c2 — (3)

Now, from (2), the point  r , mr , nr  lies on the ellipsoid (1)


 r  2   mr  2   nr  2  1   2  m2  n 2
2 2 2
a b c

 2 m2 n 2  2  m2  n 2
   
a 2 b2 c 2 r2

 2 m2 n 2    m  n 
2 2 2

    [from (3)] — (4)

a 2 b2 c 2  a 2  b2  c 2 

This relation is true for any set of equal conjugate diameters of the ellipsoid. Hence
eliminating , m, n between (2) and (4), the required locus is

 x2 y 2 z 2  3 x2  y 2  z 2 
 a 2  b 2  c 2   a 2  b2  c 2
 
 x2 y 2 z 2 
  2  2  2   a 2  b2  c 2   3  x 2  y 2  z 2 
a b c 
Which after simplification becomes
2 b2 2 c
2
2 a
2
2 c
2
2 c
2
c2
x  x2 2
 x 2
 y 2
 y 2
 z 2
 x 2
 y 2
 z 2  3x 2  3 y 2  3z 2
a a b b a b
 b2 c 2  2 a2 c2  2 c2 c2 
 x  a  2  2  3  y 1  2  2  3  z 1    2  3  0
2

 a a   b b   a b 

2   2   2 
2c 2  b 2  a 2   0
x2 y2 z2
 2 a 2
 b 2
 c 2
 2b 2
 a 2
 c 2

a b c

Page No. 7
  2 2 2 x2 
 -  2a  b  c  2   2b  a  c  2  2  2c 2  b 2  a 2  
2
2 2 2 y z2
 a b c 

  2a 2  b 2  c 2    b2   c2  0
x2 2 y
2
2 z
2
 2b 2
 a 2
 c  2c 2
 b 2
 a
a2
and this is a cone generated by the equal conjugate diameters.
Problem (6):- If  x1 , y1 , z1  ,  x2 , y2 , z2  and  x3 , y3 , z3  be the coordinates of the extremities

x2 y 2 z 2
of three conjugate semi-diameters of the ellipsoid    1 then show that
a 2 b2 c2
 x12  a 2 ;  y12  b2 ;  z12  c 2

 x1 y1  0 ;  y1 z1 0 ;  z1 z1  0

Soln. The equation of the ellipsoid is

x2 y 2 z 2
  1 — (1)
a 2 b2 c2
p  x1 , y1 , z1 
Its centre is the origin 0  o,o,o

Let P  x1 , y1 , z1  be any point on the ellipsoid.

There he diametral plane of OP, that is, lane

bisecting chord pauallel to OP is

xx1 yy1 zz1

  2 0
a 2 b2 c
— (2)

Let Q  x2 , y2 , z2  be any point on the section of the ellipsoid by the diametral plane of OP.

Then Q  x2 , y2 , z2  must satisfy (2)

x2 x1 y y zz
 2
 22 1  221  0 — (3)
a b c

This shows that the point P  x1 , y1 , z1  lies on the dimetral plane

Page No. 8
 xx2 yy2 zz2
 2  2  0 of OQ.
a b c

This, if the diametral plane OP passes through Q then the diametral plane of OQ also
passes through P.

Let OR be the line of intersection of the diametral planes of OP and OQ where the point
R  x3 , y3 , z3  is on the ellipsoid.

Since the diametral plane (2) of OP passes through R  x3 , y3 , z3  therefore,

x3 x1 yy zz
2
 32 1  321  0 — (4)
a b c

This shows that the diametral plane

xx3 yy zz
2
 23  23  0 — (5)
a b c

of OR must pass through P  x1 , y1 , z1  similarly, the diameteral plane (5) of OR must also

pass through Q  x2 , y2 , z2 

x2 x3 y y zz
 2
 22 3  223  0 — (6)
a b c

Hence the diametral plane of OR is the plane POQ.

We find that the three semi-diameters OP, OQ, OR are such that the diamteral plane of
any one of them contains the other tuw.

Hence, OP, OQ, OR are called conjugate semi-diameters of the ellipsoid.

Since the points P  x1 , y1 , z1  , Q  x2 , y2 , z2  and R  x3 , y3 , z3  are on the ellipsoid

(1) therefore

x12 y12 z12

  1 — (7)
a2 b2 c2

x22 y22 z22

  1 — (8)
a2 b2 c2

Page No. 9
 x32 y32 z32
  1 — (9)
a2 b2 c2

From (7), (8), (9), we infer that

x1 y1 z1 x y z x y z
, , ; 2, 2, 2 ; 3, 3, 3
a b c a b c a b c

are direction cosinis of three straight lines, by virtue of (3), (4), (6) are inutually
perpendicular.

Hence from the properties of the direction cosines of three mutually perpendicular linis,
we have the following six relations:

x12 x22 x32

  1
a2 a2 a2

i.e. x12  x22  x32  a 2

i.e.  x12  a 2 — (10)

y12 y22 y32

  1
a2 a2 a2

i.e. y12  y22  y32  a 2   y12  b2 — (11)

z12 z22 z32

  1
c2 c2 c2

z12  z22  z32  c 2

i.e.  z12  c 2 — (12)

x1. y1 x2 . y2 x3 . y3
and   0
a b a b a b

x1 y1  x2 y2  x3 y3  0

i.e.  x1 y1  0 — (13)

y1. z1 y2 . y3 . z3
  0
b c b b c

y1 z1  y2 z2  y3 z3  0

Page No. 10
i.e.  y1 z1  0 — (14)

z1. x1 z2 . x2 z3 . x3
  0
c a c a c a

z1 x1  z2 x2  z3 x3  0

i.e.  z1 x1  0 — (15)

Problem (7):- Find the condition that the plane x  my  nz  p may touch the ellipsoid

x2 y 2 z 2
   1.
a 2 b2 c 2

x2 y 2 z 2
Solution :- The given eq . of the ellipsoid is 2  2  2  1
n
— (1)
a b c

Let the plane x  my  nz  p — (2)

touch the ellipsoid at the point P  x1 , y1 , z1 

xx1 yy1 zz1

then, the plane (2) must be identical with   1 — (3)
a 2 b2 c 2
Hence comparing the coefficients of (2) & (3), we get x2 y 2 z 2
  1
a 2 b2 c2
x1 y z 1
 21 = 12 
P  x1 , y1 , z1 
2
a b c p
 m n

x1 
a 2
, y1 
b2 m
, z1 
c2n x  my  nz  p
p p p

Also, since P  x1 , y1 , z1  is on the ellipsoid (1)

x12 b4 m2 c 4 n 2
Substituting the values of x1 , y1 and z1 , we get   1
a 2 b2 p 2 c 2 p 2

Or a 2  2  b 2 m2  c 2 n 2  p 2

This is the required condition.

Page No. 11
Problem (8):- Define conjugate diameters of an ellipsoid. Prove that the sum of square of
any three conjugate semi-diameters of an ellipsoid is a constant.

Definition:- Conjugate diameters of an ellipsoid:- Any chord that passes through the
centre of an ellipse is called its diameter. It follows that the family of parallel chords
define two diameters: one in the direction to which they are all parallel and the other
locus of their mid points. Such two diameters are called conjugate.

Soln.:- The eqn. of the ellipsoid is

x2 y 2 z 2
  1 — (1)
a2 b c2

Its centre is the origin O (o,o,o)

Let P  x1 , y1 , z1  be any point on the ellipsoid. Then

the diametral plane of OP, that is the plane bisecting

chord parallel to OP is
xx1 yy1 zz1
  0 —(2)
a 2 b2 c 2
Let Q  x2 , y2 , z2  be any point on the section of the ellipsoid by the diametral plane of OP.

Then, Q  x2 , y2 , z2  must satisfy (2)

x2 x1 y2 y1 z2 z1
 2  2 0 — (3)
a2 b c

This shows that the point P  x1 , y1 , z1  lies on the diametral plane

xx2 yy2 zz2

 2  2  0 of OQ.
a2 b c

Thus, if the diametral of OP passes through Q than the diametral plane of OQ also passes
through P.

Let OR be the line of intersection of the diametral planes of OP and OQ, where the point
R  x3 , y3 , z3  is on the ellipsoid.

Since, the diametral plane (2) of OP passes through R  x3 , y3 , z3  .

Page No. 12
 x3 x1 y3 y1 z3 z1
  2  2 0 — (4)
a2 b c

xx3 yy3  zz3

This shows that the diametral plane  2 0 — (5)
a2 b c2

of OR must pass through P  x1 , y1 , z1  .

Similarly, the diametral plane (5) of OR must also pass through Q  x2 , y2 , z2  .

x2 x3 y2 y3 z2 z3
  2  2 0 — (6)
a2 b c

Hence, the diametral plane of Or is the plane POQ.

We find that the three semi-diameters OP, OQ, OR are such that the diametral plane of
any one of them contains the other two.

Hence OP, OQ, OR are called the conjugate semi-diameters of the ellipsoid.

Since, the pts P  x1 , y1 , z1  , Q  x2 , y2 , z2  and R  x3 , y3 , z3  and on the ellipsoid (1)

x12 y12 z12

   1 — (7)
a 2 b2 c 2

x22 y22 z22

  1 — (8)
a 2 b2 c2
x32 y32 z32
  1 — (9)
a 2 b2 c2
x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 x3 y3 z3
From (7), (8), (9), we inter that , , ; , , ; , , are the direction ratios of
a b c a b c a b c
three straight line which are mutually r by virtue of (5), (4), (6)

x12 x22 x32

 2
 2  2  1  x12  x22  x32  a 2   x12  a 2 — (10)
a a a

y12 y22 y32

2
 2  2  1  y12  y22  y32  a 2   y12  a 2 — (11)
b b c

z12 z22 z32

2
 2  2  1  z12  z22  z32  c 2   z12  a 2 — (12)
c c c
Page No. 13
The sum of the squares of three conjugate semi-diameters  OP2  OQ2  OR2

  x12  y12  z12    x22  y22  z22    x32  y32  z32 

  x12  x22  x32    y12  y22  y32    z12  z22  z32 

 a 2  b2  c 2  from (10, (11) & (12)

 a constant

****

Page No. 14