Pre-Calculus

Learning Activity Sheet

Recognizing Conic Equations and Solving Situational
Problems Involving Conic Sections
Name of Learner: _________________ Date: ____________
Section: ________________________

Background Information:
Each conic section has its own standard form of an equation with x- and y-variables
that you can graph on the coordinate plane. Being able to identify which conic section is which
by just the equation is important because sometimes that is all you are given. The equations
of conic sections are very important for they tell you not only which conic section you should
be graphing but also what the graph should look like.

The appearance of each conic section has trends based on the values of the constants
in the equation. Usually these constants are referred to as A, B, C, D, E, and F. The general
equation for any conic section is:

𝐴𝑥 ! + 𝐵𝑥𝑦 + 𝐶𝑦 ! + 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝐹 = 0

where A,B,C,D,E and F are constants.

As we change the values of some of the constants, the shape of the corresponding
conic will also change. The discriminant is what is underneath the radical, B2−4AC, and we
can use this to determine if the conic is a parabola, circle, ellipse, or hyperbola. Use the table
below:

B2−4AC = 0, and A=0 or C=0 Parabola

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B −4AC < 0 and A=C Circle
B2−4AC < 0, and A≠C Ellipse
B2−4AC > 0 Hyperbola

Using the discriminant may help us determining the type of conics given an equation.
However, it is still important to change the general form of the given equation into standard
form to verify the conic. It is only after transforming a given general equation to standard form
that we can identify its graph either as one of the degenerate conic sections (a point, two
intersecting lines, or the empty set) or as one of the non-degenerate conic sections (circle,
parabola, ellipse, or hyperbola).

Moreover, our knowledge and skills about conics sections help us in solving situation
problems that involve conic sections especially in the field of Physics, engineering,
architectures, astronomy and navigation. Consider the following examples.
"
Example 1: The equation 𝑥 ! models cross sections of parabolic mirrors that are used for
#!
solar energy. There is a heating tube located at the focus of each parabola; how high is this
tube located above the vertex of its parabola?

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Solution:

For problems like these, unless otherwise noted, just assume the vertex of the
"
parabola is at (0,0). Since we know that the equation of a parabola is 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 ! , where 𝑎 = $%
" " " "
and 𝑝 = $&, then for #! 𝑥 ! , we have #! = $%. We can either cross multiply or just do mental
math to see that p=8. The heating tube needs to be located 8 units above the vertex of the
parabola.

Example 2: Satellites can be put into elliptical orbits if they need only sometimes to be in high-
or low-earth orbit, thus avoiding the need for propulsion and navigation in low-earth orbit and
the expense of launching into high-earth orbit. Suppose a satellite is in an elliptical orbit, with
a = 4420 and b = 4416, and with the center of the Earth being at one of the foci of the ellipse.
Assuming the Earth has a radius of about 3960 miles, find the lowest and highest altitudes of
the satellite above the Earth.

Solution:

The lowest altitude will be at the vertex closer to the Earth; the highest altitude will be
at the other vertex. Since we need to measure these altitudes from the focus, we need to find
the value of c.

b2 = a2 – c2

c2 = a2 – b2 = 44202 – 44162 = 35,344

c = 188

If we set the center of my ellipse at the origin and make this a wider-than-tall ellipse,
then we can put the Earth's center at the point (188, 0). (This means, by the way, that there
isn't much difference between the circumference of the Earth and the path of the satellite. The
center of the elliptical orbit is actually inside the Earth, and the ellipse, having an eccentricity
of e = 188 / 4420, or about 0.04, is pretty close to being a circle.)

The vertex closer to the end of the ellipse containing the Earth's center will be at 4420
units from the ellipse's center, or 4420 – 188 = 4232 units from the center of the Earth. Since
the Earth's radius is 3960 units, then the altitude is 4232 – 3960 = 272. The other vertex is
4420 + 188 = 4608 units from the Earth's center, giving me an altitude of 4608 – 3960 = 648
units. Thus,

The minimum altitude is 272 miles above the Earth;

the maximum altitude is 648 miles above the Earth.

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Learning Competency with code
Recognize the equation and important characteristics of the different types of conic
sections (STEM_PC11AGIe-1) and solves situational problems involving conic sections
(STEM_PC11AGIe-2)

Activity 1: Use the discriminant, B2−4AC, to determine the type of conic each
nondegenerate equation represents.
1. 10𝑦 ! + 6𝑥 − 40𝑦 + 253 = 0 _________________________

2. 6𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 12𝑥 + 7𝑦 + 35 = 0 _________________________

3. 2𝑥 ! + 2𝑦 ! + 16𝑥 − 8𝑦 + 25 = 0 _________________________

4. 3𝑥 ! − 15𝑥 + 9𝑦 − 18 = 0 _________________________

5. 𝑥 ! − 𝑦 ! − 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 12 = 0 _________________________

Activity 2: Match the equation with the correct graph.

_____ 1. 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! + 10𝑥 − 14𝑦 + 65 = 0 _____ 3. 25𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 200𝑥 − 10𝑦 + 400 = 0

_____ 2. 𝑥 ! + 10𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 41 = 0 _____ 4. 4𝑦 ! + 𝑥 + 56𝑦 + 188 = 0

Activity 3: Classify each conic section and write its equation in standard form

1. 𝑥 ! − 𝑦 ! − 2𝑥 − 8 = 0
Conic Classification: __________________Standard Form: _________________
2. 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 1 = 0
Conic Classification: __________________Standard Form: _________________
3. −𝑥 ! + 10𝑥 + 𝑦 − 21 = 0
Conic Classification: __________________Standard Form: _________________
4. 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! + 6𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 9 = 0
Conic Classification: __________________Standard Form: _________________
5. −2𝑦 ! + 𝑥 − 20𝑦 − 49 = 0
Conic Classification: __________________Standard Form: _________________
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Activity 4: Classify each conic section, write its equation in standard form, and sketch its
graph. For parabolas, identify the vertex and focus. For circles, identify the
center and radius. For ellipses and hyperbolas identify the center, vertices, and
foci.
1. −9𝑥 ! + 25𝑦 ! − 100𝑦 − 125 = 0

2. 4𝑥 ! + 4𝑦 ! − 20𝑥 − 32𝑦 + 81 = 0

3. −2𝑦 ! + 𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 1 = 0

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4. 9𝑥 ! + 4𝑦 ! − 54𝑥 − 8𝑦 − 59 = 0

5. −25𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! − 100𝑥 − 125 = 0

Activity 5: Use the properties of different conic sections to solve each of the following
problems: Use the Rubrics below for checking the answers. 5 points each.
A.

1. Find the standard equation of the Circle whose center is (1, -2) and which passes
through the point (-3, -5).
2. Find the standard equation of the Circle if the ends of a diameter are (0, 7) and (-1,
0).
3. Find the general equation of the line which passes through (5, -6) and the focus of
the Parabola x2 = -12y.
4. Find the major axis and minor axis of the ellipse given the equation 4x2+ 25y2 = 100.
5. Find the Vertices of the hyperbola given the equation x2 – 9y2 = 1.

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B.
1. Find the standard equation of the Circle if the circle passes through the points (0, 0),
(8, 0) and (0, 9).
2. If the ends of the latus rectum of a Parabola are (3, 10) and (3, -10) and vertex is (0,
0) find the equation of the Parabola.
3. Find the equation of the Parabola which is Symmetric about x-axis and passes
through the point (6, 4).
4. Find the distance between the focii of the ellipse 4x2 + 25y2 = 100.
5. If the extremeties of the transverse axis which is along the X-axis are (+10, 0), find
the conjugate X-axis.
Enrichment: Solve each of the following conic section problems. Use the Rubrics below for
checking the answers. 5 points each.
1. (Circle) Find the equation of the Circle which passes through the points (1, 3), (2, 3)
and whose center lies on the line 2x + 3y – 1 = 0.
2. (Parabola) The focus of a Parabolic mirror is at a distance 10mts from the vertex. If
the mirror is 40cms deep, find the diameter of the outermost circular surface of the
mirror.
3. (Parabola)A beam is supported at its ends by supports which are 20 meters apart.
Since the load is concentrated at the center, there is a deflection of 1 meter at the
center. How far from the center is the defection 0.5 meter.
4. (Ellipse) An arch is in the form of semi ellipse. It is 20cms wide and 8cms high at the
center. Find the height of the arch at the point 10cms from one end.
5. (Hyperbola) If P is any point on the hyperbola 8x2 -5y2 = 40 whose focii are S1 and
S2, then find PS1-PS2

Rubrics:

Criterion Full Marks Good No Marks

Provision of Solutions are Some solutions are No solution provided

solutions correctly provided missing. (0 Point)
(3 Points) (1 – 2 Points)
Correctness of the Answer is correct. Answer is partially There is no answer,
Answer (2 Points) correct. or the answer is
(1 Point) wrong.
(0 Point)
Reflection:
Put a tick (/) mark in the box which corresponds to how well you learned the lesson.

Need
Somewhat
Question Agree extra
Agree
help

1. I know the properties of different conic sections

2. I can solve situational problems involving circles.

3. I can solve situational problems involving parabola.

4. I can solve situational problems involving ellipse.

5. I can solve situational problems involving hyperbola.

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References:
Pre-Calculus (Commission on Higher Education, 2016), pp. 63 - 65

"Conic Sections and Standard Forms of Equations". Accessed on August 22, 2020.
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/conic-sections-and-standard-forms-of-
equations

"Conics: Ellipses: Word Problems". Accessed on August 26, 2020.

https://www.purplemath.com/modules/ellipse4.htm

"Conics: Circles, Parabolas, Ellipses, and Hyperbolas". Accessed on August 26,

2020.https://www.shelovesmath.com/precal/conics/

"Classifying Conic Section". Accessed on August 22, 2020. https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-algebra-

ii-with-trigonometry-concepts/section/10.11/

Kuang Y. and Kase E., " How to Identify the Four Conic Sections in Equation Form". Accessed on
August 22, 2020. https://www.dummies.com/education/math/calculus/how-to-identify-the-four-
conic-sections-in-equation-form/

Answer Key
Activity 1:

1. Parabola; 2. Ellipse; 3. Circle 4. Parabola; 5. Hyperbola

Activity 2:

1. A; 2. C; 3. B; 4. D

Activity 3:
("#$)! '!
1. Hyperbola: − =1
& &
2. Parabola: (𝑥 + 1)( = −𝑦 + 2
3. Parabola: (𝑥 − 5)( = 𝑦 + 4
4. Circle: (𝑥 + 3)( + (𝑦 − 1)( = 1
")$
5. Parabola: (𝑦 + 5)( =
(

Activity 4:

1. Hyperbola
(𝑦 − 2)( 𝑥 (
− =1
9 25
Center: (0, 2)
Vertices: ((0, 5), (0, -1)
Foci: 00, 2 + √344, (0, 2 − √34)

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 2. Circle

5 (
5𝑥 − 6 + (𝑦 − 4)( = 2
2
*
Center: (( , 4)

Radius: √2

3. Parabola
𝑥+3
(𝑦 + 1)( =
2
Vertex: (−3, −1)
(+
Focus: 7− ,
, −18

4. Ellipse
(𝑥 − 3)( (𝑦 − 1)(
+ =1
16 36
Center: (3, 1)
Vertices: (3, 7), (3, −5)
Foci: 03, 1 + 2√54, 03, 1 − 2√54

5. Hyperbola
𝑦(
− (𝑥 + 2)( = 1
25
Center: (−2, 0)

Vertices: (−2, 5), (−2, −5)

Foci: 0−2, √264, 0−2, −√264

Activity 5:

A.
1. (𝑥 − 1)( + (𝑦 + 2)( = 25
$ ( - ( *.
2. 7𝑥 + (8 + 7𝑦 − (8 = /
3. 3x + 5y + 15 = 0
4. 2𝑎 = 10; 2𝑏 = 4
5. Vertices: (±1, 0)

B.
& ( $/*
1. (𝑥 − 4)( + 7𝑦 − (8 = /
2. 𝑦 ( = 12𝑥
,
3. 𝑦 ( = + 𝑥
4. Distance between two foci = 2√21
5. CA = 20√3
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Enrichment:

1. The Circle is (𝑥 − ℎ)( + (𝑦 − 𝑘)( = 𝑟 ( passes through the points (1, 3) and (2, 3).
So, (1 − ℎ)( + (3 − 𝑘)( = 𝑟 ( (eq. 1)
And (2 − ℎ)( + (3 − 𝑘)( = 𝑟 ( (eq. 2)
The Center (h, k) lies on 2x + 3y – 1 = 0, therefore 2h + 3k – 1 = 0 (eq. 3)
Solving for h and k:
+ ( /&+
We get ℎ = , 𝑘 = − , and 𝑟 ( =
( + +0

Hence, the equation of the circle is:

+ ( ( ( /&+
7𝑥 − (8 + 7𝑦 + +8 = +0
2. Drawing the figure, we have:
From the figure, a = 10 and therefore the equation of the
parabola is (𝑥 − 5)( = 𝑦 + 4
𝐴𝑀 = 𝐵𝑀 = 𝑡, hence 𝑡 ( = 40.45 = 1,800;
𝑡 = √1800 = 30√2
Therefore, the diameter = 𝐴𝐵 = 2𝑡 = 60√2
3. The equation of the parabola is 𝑥 ( = 4𝑎𝑦

This passes through (10, 1), so 100 = 4 ∙ 𝑎 ∙ 1, 𝑎 = 25 meters

$ $
𝑀𝑁 = ( meter in the defection at M, so 𝑁 = (𝑥, ()
𝑥 ( = 4𝑎𝑦
$
𝑥 ( = 4 ∙ 25 ∙ ( = 50
𝑥 = 5√2 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
4. From the figure, 𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐴$ = 15 = 𝑎 and 𝑂𝐵 = 𝑂𝐵$ = 8
"! '!
Therefore, ((* + 0/ = 1. 𝑄(5, 𝑦) lies on the ellipse.
(* '!
((*
+ 0/ = 1
𝑦( 1 8
=1− =
64 9 9
(
512
𝑦 =
9
√512
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑚𝑠.
3
"! '!
5. From *
−
,
= 1, we 𝑎 = √5 and 𝑏 = √8
Therefore,
𝑃𝑆$ − 𝑃𝑆( = 2𝑎 = 2√5

Prepared:

CRISTIAN F. DAVID, EdD.

Master Teacher II

Angeles City Science High School

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