NOTE

M A T H E M A T I C S

PARABOLA
INTRODUCTION TO CONIC SECTIONS

What you already know What you will learn

• Basic understanding of geometrical • Basics about conics

figures • Conditions for different conics
• Basic algebraic formulas • Analytic interpretation of different conics

Basics About Conics

Definition

The intersection of a plane at different orientations with a double right circular hollow cone creates
a section (curve) known as conic section (or simply conic).

fixed Axis
Generator
l
l
m
m
Upper α
movable nappe
V V Vertex
Lower
nappe

Base

Visualising conics

Case 1: When the cutting plane does not pass through the vertex of double cone
1. When the cutting plane is parallel to the base of the double cone, we get the conic circle.

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Plane and double cone arrangement Isometric view

Top view Bottom view

Result
The cutting plane divides the single cone into two parts.

2. When the cutting plane is slightly tilted with respect to the base of the double cone, we
get the conic ellipse.

Plane and double cone arrangement Isometric view

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Top view Bottom view

Result
The cutting plane divides the single cone into two parts.

3. When the plane is parallel to the slant edge of the double cone, we get the conic parabola.

Plane and double cone arrangement Isometric view

Result
The cutting plane divides the single cone into two parts.

4. When the cutting plane intersects both the nappes, we get the conic hyperbola.

Plane and cone arrangement Isometric view side view

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Result
• The cutting plane divides both the nappes into two parts.
• We get a symmetric hyperbola when the cutting plane is perpendicular to the base of
the cone.

Case 2: When the cutting plane passes through the vertex of double cone

1. When the cutting plane is parallel to 2. When the cutting plane is tilted with
the base of the double cone, we get respect to the base of the double
a point. cone, we get a point.

3. When the plane is parallel to the slant 4. 

When the cutting plane intersects
edge of the double cone, we get a both the nappes, we get two distinct
straight line or two coincident straight straight lines or pair of straight lines.
lines.

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Conics

In the figure,
• Circle, parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola are known as non-degenerate conics.
• Point, straight line, and pair of straight lines are known as degenerate conics.

Circle Parabola Ellipse Hyperbola

Point Straight lines Pair of straight lines

Analytic interpretation

A conic is the locus of a point such that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to a fixed line is
always a constant.
I.e.,
Distance from a fixed point ( focus )
= c P Moving point
Distance from a fixed line ( directrix ) M
Where c is a constant Or
PS
⇒ = Constant = Eccentricity ( e )
PM S (Focus)
As we can see that, PS ≥ 0 and
PS Fixed line
For the ratio to exist, PM ≠ 0 Fixed point
PM (Directrix)
In another words, point P will never
lie on the directrix.
L
e≥0

Distinguishing conics with respect to eccentricity (e)

• For non-degenerate conics,

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Circle Parabola Ellipse Hyperbola

e=0 e=1 0<e<1 e>1

Note

• e ≥ 0 (non-negative real number)

• Eccentricity (e) of a conic is the measure of how much that conic deviates from being circular.
• If a fixed point (focus) lies on a fixed line (directrix), then degenerate conics are created.

As we saw in the beginning, when the cutting S.No. Conditions Nature of conic
plane passes through the vertex, an ellipse 1 e=1 A pair of coincident lines
becomes a point, a parabola becomes a pair of
coinciding lines, and a hyperbola becomes a 2 0<e<1 Point
pair of distinct straight lines.
3 e>1 Pair of straight lines

Explanation: Coincident straight lines

Given, e = 1
PS
As we know that , = e =1
PM
⇒ PS = PM l1
S P
I.e., the locus of P is a straight
line represented by l1 .
L
Explanation: Pair of straight lines

Let us take point P.

Now, M P
In ∆ PSM , we see that, PS is the hypotenuse
and PM is the perpendicular.
S
PS
And PS > PM or >1 ⇒e>1
PM
Therefore, it will be the case of a pair L
of straight lines

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Equation of a conic

It is the locus of a moving point such that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to a fixed line
is always constant.
PS
I.e., = Constant ( e )
PM
In the figure, the equation of line is given as follows:
L : lx + my + n = 0
Coordinates of point S(α, β)
P(h, k)
Now, let us assume coordinates of point P are (h, k) M
⇒ PS = e × PM
Using the distance formula,
We get,
lh + mk + n S(α, β)
⇒ ( h - α ) + ( k - β) = e
2 2

l 2 + m2
Now, squaring and solving to get the
required equation of locus, replace
h → x and k → y

(l 2
+ m2 ) {( x - α ) + ( y - β ) } = e {lx + my + n}
2 2 2 2

L : lx + my + n = 0
Finally, general conic equation becomes,
⇒ ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0

Distinguishing conics with respect to the general equation

We know that general equation of a conic is as follows:

ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
This second degree general equation represents different conics depending upon the value of △.
a h g
Where △ = abc + 2fgh - af2 - bg2 - ch2 or h b f
g f c

Now, we will take different cases and see how this equation will represent different conics.

Case 1: △ = 0; ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 will represent degenerate conics

S.No. Conditions Nature of conic

1 h2 = ab A pair of coincident lines
2 h2 < ab Point
3 h2 > ab Pair of straight lines

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Case 2: △ ≠ 0; ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 will represent non-degenerate conics

S.No. Conditions Nature of conic

1 h= 0 & a = b A circle
2 h2 = ab A parabola
3 h2 < ab An ellipse
3 h2 > ab A hyperbola

What does the curve described parametrically by x = t2 + t + 1, y = t2 - t + 1 represent?

(a) Pair of straight lines (b) Ellipse (c) Parabola (d) Hyperbola

Solution
Step 1: Step 3:
Given, Comparing with the general second degree
x = t2 + t + 1 --- (i) equation, we get,
And y = t2 - t + 1 ----(ii) ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
Now, we have to find the conic that is ⇒ a = 1, b = 1, h = -1, g = -1, f = -1, c = 4
represented by the above equation. Here, △ = abc + 2fgh - af2 - bg2 - ch2
In such type of problems, we proceed to After putting values, we get, △ = - 4 ≠ 0
remove the common parameter (here t). Therefore, the equation represents a
non-degenerate conic.
Step 2:
After adding both the equations, we get, Step 4:
⇒ x + y = 2(t2 + 1) ---(iii) Now,
Subtracting equation (ii) from equation (i), we h2 - ab = (-1)2 - 1 × 1 = 0
get, Hence, the equation will represent the conic
x - y = 2t -----(iv) parabola.
From equation (iii) and (iv), we get, So, option (c) is the correct answer.
  x - y 2 
⇒ ( x + y ) = 2   + 1
 2  

After solving, we get,

x2 + y2 - 2xy - 2x - 2y + 4 = 0

Concept Check

1. Which conic does ax + by = 1 represent?

(a) Parabola (b) Circle (c) Ellipse (d) Hyperbola

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Summary sheet

Key Takeaways

Case 1: When the cutting plane does not pass through the vertex of double cone
• When the cutting plane is parallel to the base of the double cone, we get a conic circle.
• When the cutting plane is tilted with respect to the base of the double cone, we get a conic
ellipse.
• When the plane is parallel to the slant edge of the double cone, we get a conic parabola.
• When the cutting plane intersects both the nappes, we get a conic hyperbola.

Case 2: When the cutting plane passes through the vertex of double cone
• When the cutting plane is parallel to the base of the double cone, we get a point.
• When the cutting plane is tilted with respect to the base of the double cone, we get a point.
• When the plane is parallel to the slanted edge of the double cone, we get a straight line or
two coincident straight lines.
• When the cutting plane intersects both the nappes, we get two distinct straight lines or a
pair of straight lines.
• e ≥ 0, (non-negative real number)
• Eccentricity (e) of a conic is the measure of how much that conic deviates from being circular.
• If a fixed point (focus) lies on a fixed line (directrix), then degenerate conics are created.
• Distinguishing conics with respect to the general equation
We know that general equation of a conic is as follows:
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
This second degree general equation represents different conics depending upon the
value of △.
a h g
Where △ = abc + 2fgh - af2 - bg2 - ch2 or h b f
g f c

Now, we will take different cases and see how this equation will represent different conics.

Mind map

General conic equation A circle

Point
A parabola
A pair of
concident Degenerate Non-degenerate
lines conics conics An ellipse

Pair of
A hyperbola
straight lines

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Self-Assessment

1. If the equation px2 + (2 - q)xy + 3y2 - 6qx + 30y + 6q = 0 represents a circle, then find the values of
p and q.

Answers

Concept Check

1.
Step 1: Given, we have to find the conic Step 2:
Comparing with the general second degree
represented by ax + by = 1 ------(i)
equation, we get,
Now, squaring equation (i) on both the sides, Ax2 + 2Hxy + By2 + 2Gx + 2Fy + C = 0
we get, Here, H2 - AB = (-ab)2 - a2b2 = 0
( )
2
= (1) ⇒ ax + by + 2 axby = 1
2
⇒ ax + by Therefore, equation
⇒ ax + by - 1 = -2 axby − − − − ( ii )
a2x2 + b2y2 - 2 abxy - 2ax - 2by + 1 = 0
will represent a parabola.
Now, again squaring on both the sides, we
get, Option (a) is the correct answer.
⇒ a2x2 + b2y2 + 1 + 2 abxy - 2by - 2ax = 4abxy
⇒ a2x2 + b2y2 - 2 abxy - 2ax - 2by + 1 = 0

Self-Assessment

1.
Step 1:
Given, the equation px2 + (2 - q)xy + 3y2 - 6qx +30y + 6q = 0 represents a circle and we have to find
the values of p and q.
As we know that, in the equation of circle, xy term does not occur and the coefficients of x2 and
y2 are equal.
Therefore, 2 - q = 0 ⇒ q = 2 and p = 3
Also, for these values of p and q, the circle is real.

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