Chapter 3

CONIC SECTIONS
Section 3.2
TRANSLATION OF AXES
Vertical Translation

 If all y in the equation y = E is replaced by (y – C), where E

is an expression involving x and C is a real number, then
the graph of the new equation is the same as the graph of
y = E, but translated C units upward if C > 0, or |C| units
downwards if C < 0.
Horizontal Translation

 If all x in the equation y = E is replaced by (x – C), then the

graph of the new equation y = E’ is the same as the graph
of y = E, but translated C units to the right if C > 0 and |C|
units to the left if C < 0.
Example 1

 Give the resulting equation if the graphs of the given

equations are to be shifted 2 units up and 3 units to the
left:
(a) x2 + y2 = 100
(b) 4x2 + y2 + 12x – 9y = 0
Example 2

 Determine how many units and in what direction the graph of

the first equation must be shifted to obtain the second equation.
2 2
 𝑥 =2 𝑦 ;( 𝑥 +5) =2 𝑦 − 14
(a)
2
  𝑥2 ( 𝑥 − 5 )
− 𝑦 2=1 ; − ( 𝑦 − 2 )2=1
(b) 25 25
  𝑥2 4 𝑥 2+8 𝑥 +1
(c) 𝑦= 𝑥 2 − 1 ; 𝑦 = 𝑥 2+ 2 𝑥
An Example of Symmetry
Definition

 A graph is symmetric with respect to a line L if

for every point P on the graph, there is a
corresponding point Q on the graph such that L is the
perpendicular bisector of the segment PQ.
Tests for Symmetry

 The graph of an equation is symmetric with

respect to the y-axis if the replacement of x with –
x results in an equivalent equation.
 The graph of an equation is symmetric with
respect to the x-axis if the replacement of y with –
y results in an equivalent equation.
 The graph of an equation is symmetric with
respect to the origin if the replacement of x with –x
and y with –y results in an equivalent equation.
Remark

 Symmetry with respect to both the x-axis and the y-

axis implies symmetry with respect to the origin.
 However, a graph which is symmetric with respect to
the origin need not be symmetric with respect to
either the x-axis or y-axis.
Example 1


  Determine the symmetries of the graph of the ff. equations:
2
(a)  (| 𝑥|− 2 ) 𝑦2
+ =1
9 4

(b)
Example 2

 The graph of the equation x3 + y3 = y, in the first and second

quadrants, is given below. Determine the symmetries and
complete the graph of the equation.
Sections 3.1, 3.3
INTRODUCTION TO CONIC SECTIONS; PARABOLAS
Conic Sections
Definition

 A parabola is the set of all points in a plane equidistant

from a fixed point F and a fixed line L not containing F.
 The fixed point is called the focus of the parabola and the
fixed line the directrix.
Definition

 The line through the focus perpendicular to the directrix is

called the axis of symmetry of the parabola.
 The vertex is the single point on the parabola that is on
the axis of symmetry.
 The distance from the vertex to the focus (or the directrix)
is called the focal distance, which shall be denoted by c,
where c > 0.
Illustration: Parts of a Parabola
Standard Equation of a Parabola: Vertex at
(0,0)*

Focus Equation Parabola opens

Upward
Downward
To the right
To the left
Standard Equation of a Parabola: Vertex at
(h,k)

Focus Equation Parabola opens

Upward
Downward
To the right
To the left
Remarks


  Keep in mind that the directrix is of an equal distance to
the vertex as the focus of the parabola, but in the opposite
side.
 Expanding the equation of a parabola, we see that the
general form of a parabola is

where exactly one of A and C is zero.

Graphs of Parabolas

 To sketch the graph of a parabola if its equation is known,

one needs three points: the vertex, and one point from
each “branch” of the parabola.
Example 1

 For the parabolas below, find the focal distance, the

coordinates of the vertex and the focus, as well as the
equations of the axis of symmetry and the directrix. Then
sketch their graphs.
(a) x2 + 2x – y + 3 = 0
(b) y2 – 8y + 6x = 0
Example 2

 Write an equation of the parabola satisfying the following

properties:
(a) Vertex at (6,8), directrix at x = 1.
(b) Directrix at y = 2 and focus at (2,-4).
(c) Focus (-1,3), passing through (3,6), axis parallel to the y-
axis.
Example 3

 Find an equation of the parabola whose axis is horizontal,

and passes through (6,2), (-3,-1), and (-2,0).
Definition

 The latus rectum of a parabola is

the line segment joining two
points of the parabola,
perpendicular to the axis of
symmetry, and passing through
the focus.
 It can be shown that the length of
the latus rectum is 4c, where c is
the focal distance.
Example 4

 The endpoints of the latus rectum of a parabola are (4,-k) and

(4,k), where k > 0. If the directrix of the parabola passes through
the point (-2,10), find k and the equation of the parabola.
Example 5

 A waterway for a boat ride in a

recreational park has a parabolic
cross-section. This waterway has a
depth of 12 feet and a width of 6 feet
at the surface. Boats with
rectangular cross-section will be
used and they are found to sink to a
depth of 4 feet when placed on the
water-filled waterway. What is the
maximum width that these boats can
have so that they will float and move
smoothly on the waterway?
Section 3.4
ELLIPSES
Definition

 An ellipse is the set of all points

in a plane the sum of whose
distances from two fixed points
F1 and F2 is a constant. Each of
the two fixed points is called a
focus of the ellipse.
Definition

 The line through the foci of an ellipse is called its principal

axis.
 The two points of the ellipse that lie on the principal axis are
called vertices and the line segment joining them is called
the major axis.
 The midpoint of the major axis is called the center of the
ellipse.
Definition

 The distance from the center to a focus is called the focal

distance.
 The line segment through the center of an ellipse,
perpendicular to the major axis and whose endpoints are on
the ellipse is called the minor axis. Its endpoints are called
co-vertices.
Illustration: Parts of an Ellipse
Remark

 We shall use the following symbols:

 a = distance from the center to a vertex
 b = distance from the center to a co-vertex
 c = the focal distance
Some Properties of an Ellipse

 The sum of the distances from any point of an ellipse to the

two foci is 2a, where a is the distance from the center to
either vertex.
 The constants a, b, c are related by the equation a2 = b2 +
c2.
 This means that the major axis of an ellipse is always longer
than its minor axis.
Standard Equation of an Ellipse*

Center Major Axis Equation

Horizontal

Vertical

Horizontal
Horizontal

Vertical
Vertical
Remarks

 Keep in mind that one can spot the orientation of the major
axis of an ellipse given its equation in standard form by
examining which variable has a larger denominator.
 The center of an ellipse is equidistant from the foci.
 Expanding the equation of an ellipse, we see that the
general form of an ellipse is
Ax2 + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0
where AC > 0.
Graphs of Ellipses


  Tosketch the graph of an ellipse where the equation is
given, we begin by plotting the center of the ellipse.
 We then count units (to both sides) from the center along
the major axis to plot the vertices. The co-vertices are
obtained by counting units (to both sides) from the center
along the minor axis.
Example 1

 For the ellipses below, find the coordinates of the center,

the vertices, the foci, and the co-vertices. Then sketch
their graphs.
(a) 36(x+3)2 + 4y2 – 144 = 0
(b) 4x2 + 8y2 + 4x + 24y – 13 = 0
Example 2

 Write an equation of the ellipse(s) satisfying the following

properties:
(a) Center (0,0), length of minor axis 10, distance between foci
24.
(b) One vertex at (3,2), one co-vertex at (7,1).
(c) Center (1,1), a vertex at (1,3), and which passes through the
origin.
Ellipse, point, or null set?

 Not all equations of the form Ax2+Cy2+Dx+Ey+F=0 where

A, C > 0 are those of ellipses. To determine whether the
equation is that of an ellipse, we write the equation in the
form A(x-h)2 + C(y–k)2 = a.
 If a>0, then the graph is an ellipse.
 If a=0, then the graph is a single point (h, k).
 If a<0, then the graph is a null set.
Example 3

 Determine whether the graph of each of the following

equations is an ellipse, a point, or an empty set:
(a) x2 + 36y2 + 6x – 72y + 45 = 0
(b) 9x2 + 16y2 + 90x – 160y + 481 = 0
Example 4

 A one-way road has an overpass in the form of a semi-

ellipse, 15 feet high at the center, 40 feet wide. Assuming
a truck is 12 feet wide, what is the maximum height of
such a truck that can pass under the overpass?
Section 3.5
HYPERBOLAS
Definition

 A hyperbola is the set of all points in the plane the

absolute value of the difference of whose distances from
two distinct fixed points F1 and F2 is a constant. These two
fixed points are the foci of the hyperbola.
Definition

 The line through the foci is called the principal axis.

 The two points of the hyperbola that lie on the principal
axis are called vertices, and the line segment joining
them is the transverse axis.
 The midpoint of the transverse axis is the center of the
hyperbola.
Illustration: Parts of a Hyperbola
Remark


  We shall be using the following symbols:
 a = distance from the center to a vertex
 c = the focal distance
 = distance from the center to one endpoint of the conjugate
axis, which is the line segment with length 2b, perpendicular to
the transverse axis and whose midpoint is the center of the
hyperbola.
The Conjugate Axis
Some Properties of Hyperbola

 The absolute value of the difference of the distances of

any point of a hyperbola from the two foci is 2a, where a is
the distance from the center to either vertex.
 The conjugate axis of a hyperbola may be shorter or
longer than the transverse axis.
 From the definition of the conjugate axis, we know that c2
= a2 + b2.
Standard Equation of a Hyperbola*

Center Transverse Axis Equation

(0,0) Horizontal

(0,0)
(0,0) Vertical
Vertical

(h,k) Horizontal
(h,k) Horizontal
(h,k) Vertical
(h,k) Vertical
Remarks

 A hyperbola is composed of two non-intersecting curves called its

branches. These branches approach two diagonal lines called
asymptotes.
 For a hyperbola with center (h,k), the equations of the asymptotes are:
𝑏
  𝑦 − 𝑘 =± ( 𝑥 −h) if the transverse axis is horizontal
𝑎
  𝑦 − 𝑘 =± 𝑎 ( 𝑥 − h)if the transverse axis is vertical
𝑏
Remarks


  Expanding the equation of a hyperbola, we see that the
general form of a hyperbola is

where .
Example 1


  For
the hyperbolas below, find the coordinates of the
center, the vertices, the foci, and the equations of the
asymptotes.
(a)
(b)
Graphs of Hyperbolas

 To sketch the graph of a hyperbola where the equation is

given, we need to construct an auxiliary rectangle.
 From the center of the hyperbola, count a units from the
center to both sides of the center. Then in the direction
perpendicular to the transverse axis, count b units from the
center to both sides of the center.
 Draw a rectangle whose sides have these four points as
midpoints. Joining the opposite vertices of the rectangle
yields the asymptotes of the hyperbola.
Example 2

 Sketch the graphs of the hyperbolas in the previous

example.
Example 3


  Write
an equation of the hyperbola satisfying the following
properties:
(a) Center at (0,0), transverse axis along the y-axis,
passing through points (5,3) and (-3,2).
(b) Foci at (-1,4) and (7,4), transverse axis of length 8/3.
(c) Asymptotes are and ; y-intercepts are 3 and -1.
Hyperbolas or intersecting lines?

 Not all equations of the form Ax2+Cy2+Dx+Ey+F=0 where

AC < 0 are those of hyperbolas. To determine whether the
equation is that of a hyperbola or just two intersecting
lines, we write the equation in the form A(x–h)2 – C(y–k)2 =
a (or A(y–k)2 – C(x–h)2 = a).
 If a0, then the graph is a hyperbola.
 If a=0, then the graph is a pair of intersecting lines.
Example 4

 Determine whether the graph of each of the following

equations is a hyperbola or a pair of intersecting lines:
(a) 9y2 – 4x2 + 8x + 18y + 5 = 0
(b) 9y2 – 16x2 – 126y – 160x – 535 = 0
Example 5

 Two stations that are 2 km apart receive a sound signal

issued from a source located at the point P(x,y). The
station located at (0,-1) gets the signal 4 seconds earlier
than the station at (0,1). Using 0.33 km/sec as the speed
of sound, find the equation of the hyperbola containing P.
Summary

 For a general quadratic equation in x and y,

Ax2 + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0,
the graph of the equation is
(a) either circle, a point, or an empty set if A = C;
(b) a parabola if exactly one of A and C is 0;
(c) either an ellipse, a point, or an empty set if AC > 0;
(d) either a hyperbola or a pair of intersecting lines if AC < 0.
Section 3.6
SYSTEMS OF LINEAR AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
Definition

 A system of equations that contains any equations that are

not linear is called a nonlinear system.
 In this section, we shall focus on those systems in two
equations (in two variables) which are either both
quadratic, or one quadratic and one linear.
Methods of solving a nonlinear
system

 Solution by substitution – most useful when solving a

nonlinear system which contains a linear equation (or one
equation where one variable can be easily expressed in terms
of the other)
 Solution by elimination – most useful when both equations
are second-degree equations.
 Sometimes a combination of these two methods will be
necessary to solve the system.
Example 1


  Solvethe ff. system of equations, and then make a rough
sketch of the graph of each equation on a single
coordinate system:
(a)
(b)
 Example 2


  Solve
the ff. system of equations, and then make a rough sketch of the
graph of each equation on a single coordinate system:
(a)

(b)
Example 3

 The square of a certain number exceeds twice the square

of another number by 1/8. Also, the sum of their squares
is 5/16. Find all the possible pairs of numbers that satisfy
these conditions.