Conic Sections

Circle, Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola

1. General Equation

$$ Ax^2 + 2Hxy + By^2 + 2Gx + 2Fy + C = 0 $$

Conic Condition ($$ \Delta \neq 0 $$) Eccentricity (e)
Circle $$ A = B, H = 0 $$ $$ e = 0 $$
Parabola $$ H^2 = AB $$ $$ e = 1 $$
Ellipse $$ H^2 < AB $$ $$ 0 < e < 1 $$
Hyperbola $$ H^2 > AB $$ $$ e > 1 $$

2. Circle

  • Standard Form: $$ x^2 + y^2 = r^2 $$
    (Center: (0,0), Radius: r)
  • Central Form: $$ (x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2 $$
    (Center: (h,k), Radius: r)
  • General Form: $$ x^2 + y^2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 $$

Key Formulas:Center: $$ (-g, -f) $$

Radius: $$ \sqrt{g^2 + f^2 – c} $$

3. Parabola ($$ y^2 = 4ax $$)

Parameter Right Handed ($$ y^2=4ax $$) Upward ($$ x^2=4ay $$)
Focus $$ (a, 0) $$ $$ (0, a) $$
Directrix $$ x = -a $$ $$ y = -a $$
Latus Rectum $$ 4a $$ $$ 4a $$

4. Ellipse ($$ \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 $$)

Assuming $$ a > b $$ (Horizontal Ellipse)

Vertices: $$ (\pm a, 0) $$

Foci: $$ (\pm ae, 0) $$

Directrices: $$ x = \pm \frac{a}{e} $$

Important Relations:

$$ b^2 = a^2(1 – e^2) $$

Latus Rectum: $$ \frac{2b^2}{a} $$

5. Hyperbola ($$ \frac{x^2}{a^2} – \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 $$)

Vertices: $$ (\pm a, 0) $$

Foci: $$ (\pm ae, 0) $$

Directrices: $$ x = \pm \frac{a}{e} $$

Important Relations:

$$ b^2 = a^2(e^2 – 1) $$

Latus Rectum: $$ \frac{2b^2}{a} $$