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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry

12
Notes

CONIC SECTIONS

m
While cutting a carrot you might have noticed different shapes shown by the edges of the

.co
cut. Analytically you may cut it in three different ways, namely
(i) Cut is parallel to the base (see Fig.12.1)

ing
(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)
ch
oa
yC
kM
pic

Fig. 12.1 Fig. 12.2 Fig. 12.3

w.
ww

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.

MATHEMATICS 391

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry OBJECTIVES
After studying this leson, you will be able to :
recognise a circle, parabola and ellipse as sections of a cone;
Notes
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

m
Basic knowledge of coordinate Geometry
Various forms of equation of a straight line

.co
Equation of a circle in various forms

ing
12.1 CONIC SECTION
In the introduction we have noticed the various shapes of the slice of the carrot. Since the carrot
ch
is conical in shape so the section formed are sections of a cone. They are therefore called conic
sections.
oa

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
yC

from a fixed line.

The fixed point is called the focus and is usually denoted by S.
kM

The fixed straight line is called the Directrix.

pic

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 by e.
w.

What happens when

(i) e < 1 (ii) e = 1 (iii) e > 1
ww

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?

392 MATHEMATICS

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Conic Sections

You might have come across such shapes when you cut a boiled egg vertically.
MODULE - II
Coordinate
The slice thus obtained represents an ellipse. Let us define the ellipse mathematically as follows: Geometry
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.
Notes
12.2.1 STANDARD EQUATION OFAN ELLIPSE
Let S be the focus, ZK be the directrix and P be a moving point. Draw SK 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 ratio e : 1,
as e<1.

SA = e. AK (1)

m
and SA = e. AK (2)

.co
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

ing
are called vertices of the ellipse. ch
Z1 y Z
B L
oa

P
M
yC

x' x
K' A' S'(-ae,0) C N AK
S(ae,0)
kM

L'
B'
pic

y'
Fig. 12.4
w.

Let AA' be equal to 2a and C be its mid point, i.e., CA = CA' = a

ww

The point C is called the centre of the ellipse.

Adding (1) and (2), we have
SA + SA = e. AK + e. AK
or AA =e(CK CA + AC + CK )
or 2a = e.2CK
a
or CK = (3)
e

MATHEMATICS 393

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II Subtracting (1) from (2), we have
Coordinate
Geometry SA SA = e( AK AK )

or ( SC + CA) (CA CS ) = e. AA

or 2 CS = e.2a
Notes
or CS = ae (4)
Let us choose C as origin, CAX as x-axis and CY, a line perpendicular to CX as y-axis.

a
Coordinates of S are then (ae, 0) and equation of the directrix is x =
e

Let the coordinates of the moving point P be (x, y). Join SP, draw PMZK .

m
By definition SP = e.PM

.co
or SP 2 = e 2 . PM 2

or SN 2 + NP 2 = e 2 .(NK ) 2

(CN CS ) 2 +NP 2 =e 2 .(CK CN ) 2

ing
ch
or
oa

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

e
yC

or x 2 (1 e 2 ) +y 2 =a 2 (1 e 2 )
kM

x2 y2
or + =1 [On dividing by a 2 (1 e 2 ) ]
a 2 a 2 (1 e 2 )
pic

Putting a 2 (1 e 2 ) = b 2 , we have the standard form of the ellipse as

w.

x2 y2
+ =1
ww

a 2 b2
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.

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Latus rectum : The length of the line segment LL' is called the latus rectum.
Coordinate
a Geometry
Equation of the directrix : x =
e

b2
Eccentricity : e is given by e =1
2
Notes
a2
1
Example 12.1 Find the equation of the ellipse whose focus is (1,1), eccentricitye = and
2
the directrix is x y = 3.
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

m
or SP 2 = e 2 .PM 2

.co
(M is the foot of the perpendicular drawn from P to the directrix).
2
1 h k 3
(h 1) + (k + 1) =
ing
2 2
or
4 1+1
ch
or 7(h 2 +k 2 ) +2hk 10h + 10k + 7 = 0
oa

The locus of P is

7( x 2 + y 2 ) + 2 xy 10 x + 10 y + 7 = 0
yC

which is the required equation of the ellipse.

kM

Example 12.2 Find the eccentricity, coordinates of the foci and the length of the axis of the
ellipse 3 x 2 + 4 y 2 = 12
pic

Solution : The equation of the ellipse can be written in the following form
w.

x2 y2
+ =1
4 3
ww

On comparing this equation with that of the standard equation of the ellipse, we have a 2 = 4
and b 2 = 3 , then

b2 3 1 1
(i) e
2
1 = 2 1= = e=
a 4 4 2
(ii) coordinates of the foci are (1,0) and ( 1,0)
[ The coordinate are ( ae, 0)]

MATHEMATICS 395

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II (iii) Length of the major axes 2a =2 2 = 4 and
Coordinate
Geometry length of the minor axis = 2b =2 3 = 2 3.

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.1

Notes
1. Find the equation of the ellipse referred to its centre

2
(a) whose latus rectum is 5 and whose eccentricity is
3
(b) whose minor axis is equal to the distance between the foci and
whose latus rectum is 10.

m
1
(c) whose foci are the points (4,0) and ( 4,0) and whose eccentricity is .
3

.co
2. Find the eccentricity of the ellipse, if its latus rectum be equal to one half its minor axis.

12.3 PARABOLA
ing
Recall the cutting of slice of a carrot. When we cut obliquely and letting the knife pass through
ch
the base, what do we observe?
oa

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
yC

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
kM

parabola. Let us define parabola mathematically.

"A parabola is the locus of a point which moves in a plane so that its distance
pic

from a fixed point in the plane is equal to its distance from a fixed line in the
plane."
w.

12.3.1 STANDARD EQUATION OFA PARABOLA

ww

Let S be the fixed point and ZZ' be the directrix of the parabola. Draw SK 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.

396 MATHEMATICS

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Z Y
Geometry
M P (x,y)
L
Notes
N X
K A S (a,0)

L'
P'
Z' Fig. 12.5

m
Let KS = 2a AS = AK = a

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

Let P(x,y) be any point on the parabola. Draw PN AS produced

AN = x and NP = y ing
ch
Join SP and draw PM ZZ

oa

By definition of the parabola

SP = PM
yC

or SP2 = PM2
kM

or ( x a ) 2 +( y 0) 2 = ( x + a) 2

[ PM = NK = NA + AK = x + a ]
pic

or ( x a) 2 ( x +a) 2 = y 2
w.

or y 2 = 4ax
ww

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

MATHEMATICS 397

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II 12.3.2 OTHER FORMS OF THE PARABOLA
Coordinate
What will be the equation of the parabola when
Geometry
(i) focus is ( a,0) and directrix is x a = 0
(ii) focus is (0,a) and directrix is y + a = 0,

Notes
(iii) focus is (0, a) and directrix is y a = 0 ?
It can easily be shown that the equation of the parabola with above conditions takes the following
forms:

(i) y 2 =4ax
(ii) x 2 = 4ay
(iii) x 2 =4ay

m
The figures are given below for the above equations of the parabolas.

.co
y z
y

ing
y

z K
ch
z'
A K x' x
x' x
oa

X' X A
A
z z'
yC

K
y'
y'
kM

y' z' (i) (ii) (iii)

2
y = 4ax x2 = 4ay x2 = 4ay
pic

Fig. 12.6
w.

Corresponding results of above forms of parabolas are as follows:

ww

Forms y 2 = 4ax y 2 =4ax x 2 = 4ay x 2 =4ay

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 x =a x=a y = a y=a

Coordinates of the axis y=0 y=0 x=0 x=0

length of Latus rectum 4a 4a 4a 4a

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Example 12.3 Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is the origin and whose Coordinate
directrix is the line 2 x +y 1 = 0 . Geometry
Solution : Let S (0,0) be the focus and ZZ' be the directrix whose equation is 2 x +y 1 = 0
Let P(x, y) be any point on the parabola.
Notes
Let PM be perpendicular to the directrix (See Fig. 12.5)

By definition SP= PM

or SP 2 = PM 2

(2 x + y 1)2
x +y =
2 2

( )
2
or 22 + 1

m
.co
or 5 x 2 +5 y 2 =4 x 2 +y 2 +
1 +4 xy 2 y 4 x

or x 2 +4 y 2 4 xy +2 y +4 x 1 = 0.

ing
Example 12.4 Find the equation of the parabola, whose focus is the point (2, 3) and whose
ch
directrix is the line x 4y + 3 = 0.

Solution : Given focus is S(2,3); and the equation of the directrix is x 4 y + 3 = 0 .

oa

As in the above example

yC

2
x 4 y + 3
( x 2) +( y 3) =
2 2

kM

1 +4
2 2
pic

16 x 2 +y 2 +8 xy 74 x 78 y + 212 = 0
w.

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.2

ww

x y
1. Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is (a, b) and whose directrix is + = 1.
a b

2. Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is (2,3) and whose directrix is 3 x + 4 y = 1 .

MATHEMATICS 399

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry 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
Notes
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.

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

.co
x2 y2
Standard Equation of the Ellipse is : + =1
a 2 b2
(i) Major axis = 2a ing (ii) Minor axis = 2b
ch
a
(iii) Equation of directrix is x = (iv) Foci : ( ae,0)
e
oa

b2
yC

(v) Eccentricity, i.e., e is given by e =1

2

a2
kM

Standard Equation of the Parabola is : y 2 = 4ax

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

pic

(iii) Axis of the parabola is y = 0 (iv) Directrix of the parabola is x + a = 0

w.

(v) Latus rectum = 4a.

OTHER FORMS OF THE PARABOLAARE
ww

(i) y 2 =4ax (concave to the left).

(ii) x 2 = 4ay (concave upwards).

(iii) x 2 =4ay (concave downwards).

400 MATHEMATICS

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Coordinate
SUPPORTIVE WEB SITES Geometry

http://www.wikipedia.org
http://mathworld.wolfram.com Notes

TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. Find the equation of the ellipse in each of the following cases, when

1
(a) focus is (0, 1), directrix is x + y = 0 and e = .
2

m
1

.co
(b) focus is (1,, 1), directrix is x y + 3 = 0 and e = .
2
2. Find the coordinates of the foci and the eccentricity of each of the following ellipses:

(a) 4 x 2 + 9 y 2 = 1 (b) 25 x 2 + 4 y 2 = 100ing

ch
3. Find the equation of the parabola whose focus is (8, 2) and directrix is y 2 x + 9 = 0 .
oa
yC
kM
pic
w.
ww

MATHEMATICS 401

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Conic Sections
MODULE - II
Coordinate
Geometry ANSWERS

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.1

1. (a) 20 x 2 + 36 y 2 = 405 (b) x 2 + 2 y 2 = 100

Notes

(c) 8 x 2 + 9 y 2 = 1152

3
2.
2

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 12.2

m
1. (ax by ) 2 2a 3 x 2b 3 y + a 4 + a 2b 2 + b 4 = 0.

.co
2. 16 x 2 9+y 2 94 x 142 y 24 xy + 324 = 0

TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. (a)
ing
7 x 2 +7 y 2 2 xy 16 y + 8 = 0
ch
(b) 7 x 2 + 7 y 2 + 2 xy + 10 x 10 y + 7 = 0
oa

5 5
( )
yC

(a) 6 ,0 ; 3
21
2. (b) 0 , 21 ;
5
kM

3. x 2 + 4 y 2 + 4 xy + 116 x + 2 y + 259 = 0
pic
w.
ww

402 MATHEMATICS

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