Conic Section :

A conic section is the locus of a point, which moves in a plane such that its
distance from a fixed point is in a constant ratio to its distance from a fixed straight
line.
The fixed point is focus, the fixed line is directrix and the constant ratio is
eccentricity denoted by e.
On the basis of eccentricity, the conic section ( or a conic ) is
i. Parabola if e = 1
ii. Ellipse if e < 1
iii. Hyperbola if e > 1
M P
𝑃𝑆
∴ =e
𝑃𝑀
S = focus X
Z A S
ZM = directrix
A = vertex
ZX = axis of the conic
 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
To find the standard equation of ellipse in the form + 𝟐 =1
𝒂𝟐 𝒃
Y

B
M’
•P(x , y) M

Z’ A’ S’ C S N A Z X

B’

Let S be the focus ZM be the directrix of an ellipse. Draw SZ perpendicular to ZM. Divide
SZ internally at A and externally at A’ in the ratio e : 1 so that
𝑆𝐴
=e or, SA = eAZ ………… (i)
𝐴𝑍

𝑆𝐴′
=e or, SA’ = eA’Z ……….. (ii)
𝐴′𝑍
So, by the definition A and A’ lie on the ellipse. Let C be the middle point of AA’ and let
AA’ = 2a.
∴ CA = CA’ = a
Now, from (i) and (ii)
SA + SA’ = e(AZ + A’Z)
Or, AA’ = e(CZ – CA + A’C + CZ) Again, SA’ – SA = e(A’Z – AZ)
Or, CS + CA’ – (CA – CS) = eAA’
Or, 2a = e(2CZ – a + a)
Or, 2CS = e 2a
𝑎 ∴ CS = ae
∴ CZ =
𝑒
Take C as origin, the line CA is x-axis and line CB which is perpendicular with CA as y-axis.
∴ Co-ordinates of focus S = (ae, 0) and equation of the directrix ZM is
𝑎 𝑎
CZ = i.e. x = .
𝑒 𝑒
Let, P(x, y) be any point on the ellipse then by definition, Y
𝑃𝑆
=e where PM is perpendicular to ZM. B P(x,y)
𝑃𝑀 M
Or, PS = e PM
Or, PS= e NZ (since PM=NZ) A′ S′ C S N A Z X
Or, 𝑃𝑆 2 = 𝑒 2 𝑁Z2
𝑎
B′
Or, (𝑥 − 𝑎𝑒)2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑒 2 ( 𝑒 − 𝑥)2
 𝑎2 2𝑎𝑥
Or, 𝑥 2- 2aex + 𝑎2 𝑒2 + 𝑦22
=𝑒 ( 2- + 𝑥2)
𝑒 𝑒
Or, 𝑥 2 - 2aex + 𝑎2 𝑒 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 - 2aex + 𝑒 2 𝑥 2
Or, 𝑥 2 - 𝑒 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 - 𝑎2 𝑒 2
Or, 𝑥 2 (1 - 𝑒 2 ) + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 (1 - 𝑒 2 )
Dividing by 𝑎2 (1 - 𝑒 2 ) , we get
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ 𝑎2(1 − 𝑒 2) =1
𝑎2
𝑥2 𝑦2
i.e. + 2 =1
𝑎2 𝑏
where 𝑏2 = 𝑎2 (1 - 𝑒 2 )
so that, b < a .
This is the required equation of ellipse in standard form.
 𝑥2 𝑦2
Remarks: Equation of ellipse is + 2 = 1 (a > b > 0)
𝑎2 𝑏
∴ Centre = (0, 0)
Foci = (± ae, 0)
Vertices = (± a, 0) M′ Y
B M
Eccentricity is given by 𝐿1 L
𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 (1 - 𝑒 2 )
A′ S′ C S A X
𝑏2
∴e= 1−
𝑎2
Length of major axis (AA’) = 2a 𝐿1 ′ L′ Z
Z′ B′
Length of minor axis (BB’) = 2b
Equation of latera recta x = ± ae
𝑎
Equation of directrices x=±
𝑒
𝑏2 −𝑏2
Co-ordinates of the ends of latus rectum LL’ are L(ae, ) and L’ (ae, )
𝑎 𝑎
2𝑏2
Length of latus rectum (LL’) =
𝑎
Other forms: Y
B
𝑥2 𝑦2
(i) + = 1 (b > a > 0) .S
𝑎2 𝑏2
A’ O A X
BB’ = major axis .S’
AA’ = minor axis
B’
S and S’ = foci, B and B’ = vertices.

(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2 (𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2

(ii) + = 1 (a > b > 0) (iii) + 2 = 1 (b > a > 0)
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎2 𝑏

Y
Y
B
B
.S
A’ S’. S. A A’ C A
C
.S’
B’ B’
X X
O O