MATHEMATI CS 391

Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
Conic Sections
12
CONIC SECTIONS
While cutting a carrot you might have noticed different shapes shown by the edges of the
cut. Analytically you may cut it in three different ways, namely
(i) Cut is parallel to the base (see Fig.12.1)
(ii) Cut is slanting but does not pass through the base (see Fig.12.2)
(iii) Cut is slanting and passes through the base (see Fig.12.3)
Fig. 12.1 Fig. 12.2 Fig. 12.3
The different ways of cutting, give us slices of different shapes.
In the first case, the slice cut represent a circle which we have studied in previous lesson.
In the second and third cases the slices cut represent different geometrical curves, which
we shall study in this lesson.
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
392
Conic Sections
OBJECTIVES
After studying this leson, you will be able to :

recognise a circle, parabola and ellipse as sections of a cone;

recognise the parabola and ellipse as certain loci;

identify the concept of eccentricity, directrix, focus and vertex of a conic section;

identify the standard equations of parabola and ellipse; and

find the equation of a parabola given its directrix and focus.

EXPECTED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

Basic knowledge of coordinate Geometry

Various forms of equation of a straight line

Equation of a circle in various forms

12.1 CONIC SECTION
In the introduction we have noticed the various shapes of the slice of the carrot. Since the carrot
is conical in shape so the section formed are sections of a cone. They are therefore called conic
sections.
Mathematically, a conic section is the locus of a point P which moves so that its
distance from a fixed point is always in a constant ratio to its perpendicular distance
from a fixed line.
The fixed point is called thefocus and is usually denoted byS.
The fixed straight line is called theDirectrix.
The straight line passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix is called theaxis.
The constant ratio is called the eccentricity and is denoted bye.
What happens when
(i)
1 < e
(ii)
1 e
(iii)
1 > e
In these cases the conic section obtained are known as ellipse, parabola and hyperbola
respectively.
In this lesson we shall study about ellipse and parabola only.
12.2 ELLIPSE
Recall the cutting of slices of a carrot. When we cut it obliquely, slanting without letting the knife
pass through the base, what do we observe?
MATHEMATI CS 393
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
Conic Sections
You might have come across such shapes when you cut a boiled egg vertically.
The slice thus obtained represents an ellipse. Let us define the ellipse mathematically as follows:
An ellipse is the locus of a point which moves in a plane such that its distance
from a fixed point bears a constant ratio to its distance from a fixed line and this
ratio is less than unity.
12.2.1 STANDARD EQUATION OFAN ELLIPSE
Let S be the focus, ZK be the directrix andP be a moving point. DrawSK perpendicular from
S on the directrix. Let e be the eccentricity.
Divide SK internally and externally at A and A' (on KS produced) repectively in the ratioe : 1,
as e<1.
AK e SA . (1)
and
K A e A S . (2)
Since A and A' are points such that their distances from the focus bears a constant ratio e
(e < 1) to their respective distances from the directrix and so they lie on the ellipse. These points
are called vertices of the ellipse.
Z
1
x' x
K A
N C
B'
y'
L'
L
P
M
Z
y
B
A'
K'
S' -ae ( ,0)
S ae ( ,0)
Fig. 12.4
Let AA' be equal to 2a and C be its mid point, i.e., CA = CA' = a
The point C is called the centre of the ellipse.
Adding (1) and (2), we have
K A e AK e A S SA + + . .
or ) ( CK C A CA CK e A A + +
or
CK e a 2 . 2
or
e
a
CK
(3)
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
394
Conic Sections
Subtracting (1) from (2), we have
) ( AK K A e SA A S
or A A e CS CA A C SC + . ) ( ) (
or a e CS 2 . 2
or
ae CS
(4)
Let us choose C as origin, CAX as x-axis and CY, a line perpendicular to CX as y-axis.

Coordinates of S are then (ae, 0) and equation of the directrix is

a
x
e

Let the coordinates of the moving point P be (x, y). Join SP, draw
. ZK PM
By definition
PM e SP .
or
2 2 2
. PM e SP
or
2 2 2 2
) .(NK e NP SN +
or
2 2 2 2
) .( ) ( CN CK e NP CS CN +
or
2
2 2 2
) (
,
_

+ x
e
a
e y ae x
or
) 1 ( ) 1 (
2 2 2 2 2
e a y e x +
or
1
) 1 (
2 2
2
2
2

+
e a
y
a
x
[On dividing by
) 1 (
2 2
e a
]
Putting
2 2 2
) 1 ( b e a
, we have the standard form of the ellipse as
1
2
2
2
2
+
b
y
a
x
Major axis : The line joining the two vertices A' and A, i.e., A'A is called the major axis and
its length is 2a.
Minor axis : The line passing through the centre perpendicular to the major axis, i.e., BB' is
called the minor axis and its length is 2b.
Principal axis : The two axes together (major and minor) are called the principal axes of the
ellipse.
MATHEMATI CS 395
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
Conic Sections
Latus rectum : The length of the line segment LL' is called the latus rectum.
Equation of the directrix :
e
a
x t
Eccentricity : e is given by
2
2
2
1
a
b
e
Example 12.1 Find the equation of the ellipse whose focus is (1,1), eccentricitye =
1
2
and
the directrix is . 3 y x
Solution : Let P (h,k) be any point on the ellipse then by the definition, its distance from the
focus =e. Its distance from directrix
or
2 2 2
.PM e SP
(M is the foot of the perpendicular drawn fromP to the directrix).
or
2
2 2
1 1
3
4
1
) 1 ( ) 1 (
,
_

+

+ +
k h
k h
or
0 7 10 10 2 ) ( 7
2 2
+ + + + k h hk k h

The locus of P is
2 2
7( ) 2 10 10 7 0 x y xy x y + + + +
which is the required equation of the ellipse.
Example 12.2 Find the eccentricity, coordinates of the foci and the length of the axis of the
ellipse
12 4 3
2 2
+ y x
Solution : The equation of the ellipse can be written in the following form
1
3 4
2 2
+
y x
On comparing this equation with that of the standard equation of the ellipse, we have
4
2
a
and
3
2
b
, then
(i)
2
1
4
1
4
3
1 1
2
2
2
e
a
b
e
(ii) coordinates of the foci are (1,0) and (1,0)
[

The coordinate are (

t
ae, 0)]
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
396
Conic Sections
(iii) Length of the major axes
4 2 2 2 a
and
length of the minor axis =
. 3 2 3 2 2 b
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.1
1. Find the equation of the ellipse referred to its centre
(a) whose latus rectum is 5 and whose eccentricity is
3
2
(b) whose minor axis is equal to the distance between the foci and
whose latus rectum is 10.
(c) whose foci are the points (4,0) and ( 4,0) and whose eccentricity is
1
3
.
2. Find the eccentricity of the ellipse, if its latus rectum be equal to one half its minor axis.
12.3 PARABOLA
Recall the cutting of slice of a carrot. When we cut obliquely and letting the knife pass through
the base, what do we observe?
Also when a batsman hits the ball in air, have you ever noticed the path of the ball?
Is there any property common to the edge of the slice of the carrot and the path traced out by
the ball in the example cited above?
Yes, the edge of such a slice and path of the ball have the same shape which is known as a
parabola. Let us define parabola mathematically.
"A parabola is the locus of a point which moves in a plane so that its distance
from a fixed point in the plane is equal to its distance from a fixed line in the
plane."
12.3.1 STANDARD EQUATION OFA PARABOLA
Let S be the fixed point and ZZ' be the directrix of the parabola. DrawSK perpendicular to
ZZ'. Bisect SK at A.
Since SA =AK, by the definition of the parabola A lies on the parabola. A is called the vertex
of the parabola.
Take A as origin, AX as the x-axis and AY perpendicular to AX through A as the y-axis.
MATHEMATI CS 397
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
Conic Sections
P x y ( , )
S a ( ,0) A K
M
Z Y
L
L'
P'
X
N
Z'
Fig. 12.5
Let
a KS 2
a AK AS

The coordinates of A and S are (0,0) and (a,0) respectively.

Let P(x,y) be any point on the parabola. Draw AS PN produced
y NP x AN and
Join SP and draw Z Z PM

By definition of the parabola

SP = PM
or SP
2
= PM
2
or
2 2 2
) ( ) 0 ( ) ( a x y a x + +
] [ a x AK NA NK PM + +
or
2 2 2
) ( ) ( y a x a x +
or
ax y 4
2

which is the standard equation of the parabola.

Note : In this equation of the parabola
(i) Vertex is (0,0)
(ii) Focus is (a,0)
(iii) Equation of the axis is y = 0
(iv) Equation of the directrix is x + a = 0
(v) Latus rectum = 4a
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
398
Conic Sections
12.3.2 OTHER FORMS OFTHE PARABOLA
What will be the equation of the parabola when
(i) focus is ( a,0) and directrix is
0 a x
(ii) focus is (0,a) and directrix is y + a = 0,
(iii) focus is (0, a) and directrix is 0 a y ?
It can easily be shown that the equation of the parabola with above conditions takes the following
forms:
(i)
ax y 4
2

(ii)
ay x 4
2

(iii)
ay x 4
2

The figures are given below for the above equations of the parabolas.
A
X
K
z y
y'
X'
z'
y ax
2
= 4
(i)
y
y'
z'
z
x' x
K
A
x ay
2
= 4
(iii)
y
y'
z'
z
x' x
K
A
x ay
2
= 4
(ii)
Fig. 12.6
Corresponding results of above forms of parabolas are as follows:
Forms
ax y 4
2
ax y 4
2
ay x 4
2
ay x 4
2

Coordinates of vertex (0,0) (0,0) (0,0) (0,0)
Coordinates of focus (a,0) (a,0) (0,a) (0, a)
Coordinates of directrix a x a x
a y a y
Coordinates of the axis 0 y 0 y
0 x 0 x
length of Latus rectum
a 4 a 4 a 4 a 4
MATHEMATI CS 399
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
Conic Sections
Example 12.3 Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is the origin and whose
directrix is the line 0 1 2 + y x .
Solution : Let S (0,0) be the focus and ZZ' be the directrix whose equation is 0 1 2 + y x
Let P(x, y) be any point on the parabola.
Let PM be perpendicular to the directrix (See Fig. 12.5)
By definition SP PM
or
2 2
PM SP
or
,
2
2 2
2
2
(2 1)
2 1
x y
x y
+
+
+
or
x y xy y x y x 4 2 4 1 4 5 5
2 2 2 2
+ + + +
or
. 0 1 4 2 4 4
2 2
+ + + x y xy y x
Example 12.4 Find the equation of the parabola, whose focus is the point (2, 3) and whose
directrix is the line x 4y + 3 = 0.
Solution : Given focus is S(2,3); and the equation of the directrix is 0 3 4 + y x .

As in the above example

2
2 2
2 2
4 1
3 4
) 3 ( ) 2 (
)
;

'

+
+
+
y x
y x
0 212 78 74 8 16
2 2
+ + + y x xy y x
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.2
1. Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is (a, b) and whose directrix is
1 +
b
y
a
x
.
2. Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is (2,3) and whose directrix is 1 4 3 + y x .
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
400
Conic Sections
LET US SUM UP

Conic Section
"A conic section is the locus of a point P which moves so that its distance from a fixed point is
always in a constant ratio to its perpendicular distance from a fixed straight line".
(i) Focus : The fixed point is called the focus.
(ii) Directrix : The fixed straight line is called the directrix.
(iii) Axis : The straight line passing through the focus and pependicular to the directrix is
called the axis.
(iv) Eccentricity : The constant ratio is called the eccentricity.

(v) Latus Rectum : The double ordinate passing through the focus and parallel to the
directrix is known as latus rectum. (In Fig.12.5LSL' is the latus rectum).

Standard Equation of the Ellipse is : 1

2
2
2
2
+
b
y
a
x
(i) Major axis = 2a (ii) Minor axis = 2b
(iii) Equation of directrix is
e
a
x t
(iv) Foci : (
t
ae,0)
(v) Eccentricity, i.e., e is given by
2
2
2
1
a
b
e

Standard Equation of the Parabola is :

ax y 4
2

(i) Vertex is (0,0) (ii) Focus is (a,0)

(iii) Axis of the parabola is y = 0 (iv) Directrix of the parabola is
0 +a x
(v) Latus rectum = 4a.

OTHER FORMS OFTHE PARABOLAARE

(i)
ax y 4
2

(concave to the left).
(ii)
ay x 4
2

(concave upwards).
(iii)
ay x 4
2

(concave downwards).
MATHEMATI CS 401
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
Conic Sections
SUPPORTIVE WEB SITES
http://www.wikipedia.org
http://mathworld.wolfram.com
1. Find the equation of the ellipse in each of the following cases, when
(a) focus is (0, 1), directrix is x + y = 0 and e =
1
2
.
(b) focus is (1,, 1), directrix is x y + 3 = 0 and e =
1
2
.
2. Find the coordinates of the foci and the eccentricity of each of the following ellipses:
(a)
1 9 4
2 2
+ y x
(b)
100 4 25
2 2
+ y x
3. Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is (8, 2) and directrix is 0 9 2 + x y .
TERMINAL EXERCISE
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry
402
Conic Sections
ANSWERS
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.1
1. (a)
2 2
20 36 405 x y +
(b)
2 2
2 100 x y +
(c)
2 2
8 9 1152 x y +
2.
3
2
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.2
1.
. 0 2 2 ) (
4 2 2 4 3 3 2
+ + + b b a a y b x a by ax
2.
0 324 24 142 94 9 16
2 2
+ + xy y x y x
TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. (a)
0 8 16 2 7 7
2 2
+ + y xy y x
(b)
2 2
7 7 2 10 10 7 0 x y xy x y + + + +
2. (a)
3
5
; 0 ,
6
5

,
_

t
(b) ,
5
21
; 21 , 0 t
3.
0 259 2 116 4 4
2 2
+ + + + + y x xy y x