282

Section 10.5 Rotation of Axes; General Form of a

Conic
Objective 1:

Identifying a Non-rotated Conic.

The graph of the equation Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 where A, B,

and C cannot all be zero is a conic. The conics we have study thus far are
non-rotated which correspond to the cases where B = 0. In some
instances, the graph of the conic will be a pair of lines, or a single point, or
no points. In these instances, the graph is called a degenerate conic. In the
non-generative cases, we can determine the type of conic by examining the
signs of A and C.
General Equation of a Conic (B = 0) Theorem
The graph of the equation: Ax2 + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 where A and C
cannot be both zero is a conic or a degenerative conic. If the conic is nondegenerative, then the graph is
a)
a parabola if A or C = 0
b)
an ellipse if A and C have the same sign (circle if A = C)
c)
a hyperbola if A and C have opposite signs.
Identify each equation without completing the squares:
1a) y2 6x2 4x + 2y = 0
1b) 11x2 + 5.5y2 22x + 11y = 0
1c) 4x + y2 + 7y + 4 = 0
Solution:
a)
Since A = 6 and C = 1, they have opposite signs so the
equation is a hyperbola.
b)
Since A = 11 and C = 5.5, they have same signs so the
equation is an ellipse.
c)
Since A = 0 and C = 1, the equation is a parabola.
Objective 2:

Use a Rotation of Axes to transform equations.

To work with a conic equation that includes an xy-term (B 0), we will need
to rotate the x- and y-axis by an angle about the origin to transform the
equation to get rid of the xy-term. We can then manipulate and graph the
equation in relationship to the rotated axes. To see how the rotation works,
we will fix the origin and rotate the axes by an angle . We will label the

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new axes x' and y' respectively. A point (x, y) in the xy-plane will have
coordinates (x', y') in the new x'y'- plane.
y

y'

y
(x, y)

x'

(x', y') x'

r

The axes rotated by

an angle to form
the x'y' plane.

y'

The point (x, y) is

equal to the point
(rcos( + ), rsin( + )).

The point (x', y') is

equal to the point
(rcos(), rsin()).

From the picture on the right above, x' = rcos() and y' = rsin() and from
the picture in the middle, x = rcos( + ) and y = rsin( + ). But, using the
sum of angles formula and regrouping, we get:
x = rcos( + )
and y = rsin( + )
= rcos()cos() rsin()sin()
= rsin()cos() + rcos()sin()
= rcos()cos() rsin()sin()
= rcos()sin() + rsin()cos()
Now, replace rcos() by x' and rsin() by y':
= x'cos() y'sin()
= x'sin() + y'cos()
Thus, x = x'cos() y'sin() and y = x'sin() + y'cos()
Rotation of Axes Theorem:
Given that x-axis and y-axis are rotated by an angle to form the x'-axis
and the y'-axis. The coordinates of a point (x, y) in the xy-plane and the
coordinates of same point (x', y') in the x'y'-plane have the following
relationship:
x = x'cos() y'sin() and y = x'sin() + y'cos()
Express the following equation in the xy-plane in terms of x' and y' by
rotating the axes through the given angle :
Ex. 2
2 3 x2 3xy + 3 y2 = 10 3 ; = 60

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Solution:
Since = 60, then from the Rotation of Axes Theorem,
x = x'cos(60) y'sin(60) =
y = x'sin(60) + y'cos(60) =
Replace x by

1
x'
2

2 3 x2 + 3xy
1
2

2 3 ( x'

3
2

3
2

3
y' and
2
1
x' + y'
2
3
1
y by
x' + y'
2
2

1
x'
2
3
2

y' and

in the equation:

3 y2 = 10 3
1
2

y')2 3( x'

3
2

y')(

3
2

x' +

1
y')
2

3(

3
2

3
4

(y')2]

x' +

= 10 3
(expand and simplify)
1
4

3
1
(x')2 x'y'
2
4
3
3
1
x'y' + (y')2] = 10 3
+ 3 [ (x')2 +
4
4
2
3 3
3 3
3 3
3
3x'y' +
(y')2
(x')2 + x'y' +
2
2
4
4
3 3
3
3
(x')2 + x'y' +
(y')2 = 10 3
+
2
4
4

2 3 [ (x')2

3
2

(x')2

3
2

x'y' +

3
4

(y')2] 3[

(y')2

(combine like terms)

3
2

3 3
3 3
3
3
(x')2 +
(x')2 3x'y' + x'y' + x'y'
2
2
4
4
3 3
3 3
3
(y')2 +
(y')2 +
(y')2 = 10 3
+
2
4
4
3
5 3
(x')2 +
(y')2 = 10 3
(divide both sides by
2
2
( x)2
( y )2
+
=1
20
4

(x')2

This is a graph of an ellipse centered

at (0, 0) with the major axis parallel to
the x'- axis with vertices ( 2 5 , 0)
on the x'-axis. The ellipse intersects
the y'-axis at (0, 2). Since c2 = a2 b2
= 20 4 = 16, then c = 4. The foci
are on the x'-axis at ( 4, 0). The
graph is given on the right. Notice that
the rotation allows us to get rid of the
xy-term from the original equation. We

10 3 )

1 2
y')
2

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need to now derive a formula for finding the angle. We will begin with the
general form of the conic equation where B 0 and rotate axes through an
angle . We want the x'y'-term to disappear, thus we will set the coefficient
of the x'y'-term equal to zero and solve for .
Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
Now, rotate the axes through an angle by replacing x by
[x'cos() y'sin()] and y by [x'sin() + y'cos()]:
A[x'cos() y'sin()] 2
+ B[x'cos() y'sin()][x'sin() + y'cos()]
+ C[x'sin() + y'cos()]2 + D[x'cos() y'sin()]
+ E[x'sin() + y'cos()] + F = 0
(expand)
A(x')2cos2() 2A(x')(y')cos()sin() + A(y')2sin2()
+ B(x')2cos()sin() + Bx'y'cos2() Bx'y'sin2() B(y')2cos()sin()
+ C(x')2sin2() + 2C(x')(y')cos()sin() + C(y')2cos2()
+ Ex'sin() + Ey'cos() + F = 0
Now, we will examine only the coefficient of the x'y'-terms (in bold) since
we are looking for the angle such that the coefficient of the xy-term is 0.
2Acos()sin() + Bcos2() Bsin2() + 2Ccos()sin() = 0 (regroup)
Bcos2() Bsin2() 2Acos()sin() + 2Ccos()sin() = 0
(factor out B from the first two terms and 2cos()sin() from the last two)
B[cos2() sin2()] (A C)2cos()sin() = 0
(use the double angle formulas for sine and cosine)
(add (A C)sin(2) to both sides)
Bcos(2) (A C)sin(2) = 0
Bcos(2) = (A C)sin(2)
(divide both sides by Bsin(2))
cos( 2 )
sin( 2 )

= cot(2) =

A C
B

, where B 0.

Angle of Rotation Theorem

The angle of rotation of the axes used to transform the equation:
Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0, B 0, into an equation in x' and y'

without an x'y'-term is given by cot(2) =

A C
B

, where 0 < < 180.

Objective 3: Transform an Equation and Graph.

Analyze the following equation
Ex. 3
4x2 + 12xy + 9y2 13 13 x 13 = 0
Solution:

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Since there is a xy-term, we need to rotate the axes to get rid of that
term. Since A = 4, B = 12, and C = 9, then by the Angle of Rotation
A C
B

II. By definition, cot(2) =

x
y

Theorem, cot(2) =

49
12

5
,
12

5
.
12

Since the cot(2) is negative, then 90 < 2 < 180 or 2 in quadrant

(5)2 +(12)2 =

Thus, r =

which implies x = 5 and y = 12.

169 = 13. Hence, cos(2) =

Using the half-angle formulas, we get:

1+cos(2)
2

cos() =

1cos(2)
2

sin() =

2
1+

5
13

5
13

135
26

13+5
26

=
=

x
r

8
26

4
13

2 13
13

18
26

9
13

3 13
13

5
.
13

From the Rotation of Axes Theorem,

x = x'cos() y'sin() =
y = x'sin() + y'cos() =
Replace x by
equation:
4[

2 13
13

Expand:
(x')2

x'

3 13
13
3 13
x'
13

48
13

x'y' +

y' ]2 + 12[
2 13
13

36
13

81
(x')2
13

13

+
169
13

x' +

y'

and

y'

y' and y by

(y')2 +

108
13

13

36
13

(y')2

2 13
13

3 13
13

x' +

2 13
13

y' in the

72
13

72
13

(x')2
36
13

x'y' +
48
13

3 13
3 13
2 13
y'][
x' +
y']
13
13
13
2 13
3 13
13 [
x'
y'] 13 = 0
13
13

x'

y']2 13

Combine like terms:

16
72
81
(x')2 +
(x')2 +
(x')2
13

3 13
13
2 13
13

x'

4x2 + 12xy + 9y2 13 13 x 13 = 0

x'

+ 9[
16
13

2 13
13

2 13
13
3 13
13
3 13
13

36
13

60
13

72
13

(y')2

x'y' +

108
13

x'y'

(y')2 26x' 39y' 13 = 0

( x')2 + 0x'y' + 0(y')2 26x' 39y' = 0

13(x')2 26x' 39y' = 13

(x')2 2x' 3y' = 1
(x')2 2x' + 1 = 3y'

x'y'

(y')2 26x' 39y' 13 = 0

x'y'

(y')2 +

60
13

(simplify)

(divide both sides by 13)

(add 3y' + 1 to both sides)
(factor)

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(x' 1)2 = 3y'
This is the graph of a
parabola with the vertex
at (1, 0) on the x'y' plane
that opens up in the
positive y' direction and
it's axis of symmetry is
parallel to the y'-axis.
To find the actual angle
that the axes has been
rotated, solve cos() =

2 13
13

for . This yields 56.3.

Ex. 4

x2 + 6xy + y2 8 = 0
Solution:
Since there is a xy-term, we need to rotate the axes to get rid of that
term. Since A = 1, B = 6, and C = 1, then by the Angle of Rotation
A C
11
Theorem, cot(2) =
=
= 0. Thus, 2 = cot 1(0) = 90 or
B

= 45.

Since cos(45) =
Axes Theorem:

2
2

and sin(45) =

x = x'cos(45) y'sin(45) =
y = x'sin(45) + y'cos(45) =
Replace x by
equation:
[

2
2

x'

2
2

x'

2
2

y']2 + 6[

(expand)
1
(x')2 x'y' +
x'y' +

1
(y')2
2
1
(y')2
2

(combine like terms)

x'
x' +

y' and y by

x2 + 6xy + y2 8 = 0

+[

2
1
(x')2
2

2
2

2
2
2
2

2
2

, then from the Rotation of

2
2
2
2

y'
y'

2
2

x' +

2
2
2
x'
y'][
x' +
2
2
2
2
2
x' +
y']2 8 = 0
2
2
1
2

and

2
2
2
2

y' in the

y']

1
1
1
(y')2] + (x')2 + x'y' + (y')2
2
2
2
1
1
3(y')2 + (x')2 + x'y' + (y')2 8 =
2
2

+ 6[ (x')2

8=0

+ 3(x')2

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1
(x')2
2

1
(x')2
2

+ 3(x')2 +

x'y' + x'y' +

4(x')2 2(y')2 8 = 0
4(x')2 2(y')2 = 8
( x)2
2

( y )2
4

1
(y')2
2

3(y')2 +

(add 8 to both sides)

(divide both sides by 8)

1
(y')2
2

8=0

=1

This is a hyperbola
centered at (0, 0) on
the x'y'-plane. The
transverse axis runs
along the x' axis and
the vertices are
( 2 , 0). The oblique
asymptotes are
b
y' = x'
=

2
2

Objective 4:

x' =

2 x'

Identifying a Conic with and xy-term without having to

rotate the axes.

Recall that b2 4ac was the discriminant for a quadratic equation. With a
general conic equation Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 where A, B, and
C cannot all be zero, we also have a discriminant B2 4AC. The value of
this expression does not change no matter what angle the axes is rotated.
The discriminant for conics will allow us to determine what type of conic the
equation is without having to perform the rotation of axes.
General Equation of a Conic Theorem
The graph of the equation: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0 where A and
C cannot be both zero is a conic or a degenerative conic. If the conic is
non-degenerative, then the graph is
a)
a parabola if B2 4AC = 0.
b)
an ellipse if B2 4AC < 0.
c)
a hyperbola if B2 4AC > 0.

We will not prove it formerly, but merely outline the proof.

Step 1:
Rotate the equation: Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
through and angle to get:

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A*(x')2 + B*x'y' + C*(y')2 + D*x' + E*y' + F* = 0 where
A* = Acos2() + Bsin()cos() + Csin2(),
B* = B(cos2() sin2()) + 2(C A)(sin()cos()),
C* = Asin2() Bsin()cos() + Ccos2(),
D* = Dcos() + Esin(), E* = Dsin() + Ecos(), & F* = F
Step 2:

Using the results from step 1, show that:

A* + C* = A + C
(This shows that the sum of the coefficients of the squared
terms does not change under the rotation).

Step 3:

Using the results from steps 1 & 2, show that:

B*2 4A*C*= B2 4AC
(This shows that the discriminant does not change under the
rotation).

Step 4:

Pick an angle to rotate the axes so that B* = 0. From step 3,

B2 4AC = 02 4A*C* = 4A*C*

Step 5:

Use General Equation of a Conic (B = 0) Theorem for the

transformed equation in step 4:
Parabola
If either A* or C* are zero, the conic is a parabola. But if either
A* or C* are 0, then 4A*C* = 0 which implies B2 4AC = 0
Ellipse
If A* or C* have the same signs, the conic is an ellipse. But if A*
or C* have the same signs, then 4A*C* < 0 which implies
B2 4AC < 0
Hyperbola
If A* or C* have the opposite signs, the conic is a hyperbola.
But if A* or C* have the opposite signs, then 4A*C* > 0 which
implies B2 4AC > 0

Identify each equation without rotating the axes:

Ex. 5a
2x2 + 4xy + 5y2 3x + 4y 7 = 0
Ex. 5b
7x2 + 2xy 3y2 + x + 9y 5 = 0
Ex. 5c
16x2 24xy + 9y2 7x 5y + 8 = 0
Solution:
a) Since B2 4AC = (4)2 4(2)(5) = 24, the equation is an ellipse.
b) Since B2 4AC = (2)2 4(7)( 3) = 88, the equation is a hyperbola.
c) Since B2 4AC = ( 24)2 4(16)(9) = 0, the equation is a parabola.