1. Conics
D.Wetzel
2009

2. Parabolas
Parabola: the set of points in a plane that are the same distance from a given point called the focus and a given line called the directrix.
The cross section of a headlight
is an example of a parabola...
The light
source is the
Focus
Directrix

3. Here are some other examples of the parabola...

4. Notice that the vertex is located at the midpoint between the focus
Directrix
Notice that the vertex is located at the midpoint between the focus
and the directrix...
Also, notice that the distance from the focus to any point on the
parabola is equal to the distance from that point to the directrix...
We can determine the coordinates of the focus, and the
equation of the directrix, given the equation of the parabola....

5. Standard Equation of a Parabola: (Vertex at the origin)
Equation Focus Directrix
ax2 = y
(0, 1/4a)
y = -1/4a
(If the x term is squared, the parabola goes up or down)
Equation Focus Directrix
ay2 = x
(1/4a, 0)
x = –1/4a
(If the y term is squared,
the parabola goes left or right)

6. Example: Determine the focus and directrix of the parabola y = 4x2 :
Since x is squared, the parabola goes up or down…
and the equation is: ax2 = y
To find the focus,
Let P represent the distance from
the vertex to the focus p = 1/4a
p = 1/(4)(4); p = 1/16
Focus: (0, p) Directrix: y = –p
Focus: (0, 1/16) Directrix: y = –1/16
See what this parabola looks like...

7. Example: Determine the focus and directrix of the parabola –3y2 – 12x = 0 :
Since y is squared, the parabola goes left or right…
The equation is: ay2 = x
Solve for x: -3y2 = 12x
-3/12y2 = 12/12x
-1/4y2 = x
p = 1/4a so, p = 1/4(-1/4) = -1
Focus: (p, 0) Directrix: x = –p
Focus: (–1, 0) Directrix: x = 1
See what this parabola looks like...

8. Examples: Write the standard form of the equation of the parabola with focus at (0, 3) and vertex at the origin.
Since the focus is on the y axis, (and vertex at the origin)
the parabola goes up or down…
The equation is: ax2 = y
Since p = 3, 1/4a = 3 and a = 1/12
The standard form of the equation is: 1/12x2 = y

9. Example: Write the standard form of the equation of the parabola with directrix x = –1 and vertex at the origin.
Since the directrix is parallel to the y axis,(and vertex at the origin) the parabola goes left or right…
The standard equation is: ay2 = x
Since p = 1, 1/4a = 1 and a = ¼
The standard form of the equation is: /4y2 = x

10. Circles
D.Wetzel
2009

11. This is the standard form of a circle with center (0,0) and radius r.
circle: in a plane, the set of points equidistant from a given point, called the center.
radius: any segment whose endpoints are the center and a point on the circle.
If the circle is centered at (0, 0), and the radius is r, then the distance to any point, (x, y) on the circle (using the distance formula) is
(x,y)
square both sides...
now simplify...
This is the standard form of a circle with center (0,0) and
radius r.

12. Example: Write an equation of the circle with its center at the origin with the point (–3, 4) on the circle.
Use the Standard Equation of the Circle to find the radius of the circle...

13. Ellipses
D.Wetzel
2009

14. Ellipses
Ellipse: set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from two given points in a plane, called the foci, to any point on the curve is the same.
Sum of the distances:
12 units
co-vertex
foci
vertex
vertex
co-vertex
The major axis is the line segment joining the vertices
(through the foci)
The minor axis is the line segment joining the co-vertices (perpendicular to the major axis)

15. Standard Equation of an Ellipse (Center at Origin)
This is the equation
if the major axis is
horizontal.
(0, b)
(–c, 0)
(c, 0)
(–a, 0)
(a, 0)
(0, –b)
The foci of the ellipse lie on the major axis, c units from the
center, where c2 = a2 – b2

16. Standard Equation of an Ellipse (Center at Origin)
This is the equation
if the major axis is
vertical.
(notice it looks the same)
(0, b)
(0, c)
(–a, 0)
(a, 0)
(0, –c)
(0, –b)
The foci of the ellipse lie on the major axis, c units from the
center, where c2 = a2 – b2

17. Example: Write an equation of the ellipse whose vertices are (0, –3) and (0, 3) and whose co-vertices are (–2, 0) and (2, 0). Find the foci of the ellipse.
Since the major axis is
vertical, the equation is
the following:
(0, 3)
(0, c)
(–2, 0)
(a, 0)
Since b = 3 a = 2
The equation is
(0, –c)
(0, –3)
Use c2 = b2 – a2 to find c.
c2 = 32 – 22
c2 = 9 – 4 = 5
c =
The foci are

18. Example: Write the equation in standard form of 9x2 + 16y2 = 144
Example: Write the equation in standard form of 9x y2 = Find the foci and vertices of the ellipse.
Get the equation in standard form by dividing by 144:
Simplify...
That means a = 4 b = 3
Use c2 = a2 – b2 to find c.
c2 = 42 – 32
c2 = 16 – 9 = 7
c =
(0, 3)
(–4,0)
(4, 0)
Vertices:
Foci:
Center: (0,0)
(–c,0)
(c, 0)
(0,-3)

19. Hyperbolas
D.Wetzel
2009

20. Hyperbolas
Hyperbola: set of all points such that the difference of the distances from any point to the foci is constant.
foci
vertices
asymptotes

21. Standard Equation of a Hyperbola (Center at Origin)
This is the equation
if the transverse axis is
horizontal.
(notice it looks a lot like the equation of an ellipse.)
(0, b)
(–c, 0)
(c, 0)
(–a, 0)
(a, 0)
(0, –b)
The foci of the hyperbola lie on the major axis, c units from the
center, where c2 = a2+ b2

22. Standard Equation of a Hyperbola (Center at Origin)
This is the equation
if the transverse axis is
vertical.
(Notice that y is first for vertical
and x was first for horizontal.)
(0, c)
(0, b)
(–a, 0)
(a, 0)
(0, –b)
(0, –c)
The foci of the hyperbola lie on the major axis, c units from the
center, where c2 = a2+ b2

23. Example: Write the equation in standard form of 4x2 – 16y2 = 64
Example: Write the equation in standard form of 4x2 – 16y2 = 64. Find the foci and vertices of the hyperbola. Divide both side of the equation by 64 to get the standard form:
Simplify...
That means a = 4 b = 2
Use c2 = a2 + b2 to find c.
c2 =
c2 = = 20
c =
(0, 2)
(–4,0)
(4, 0)
(c, 0)
Vertices:
Foci:
(–c,0)
(0,-2)

24. The equation of the hyperbola:
Example: Write an equation of the hyperbola whose foci are (0, –6) and (0, 6) and whose vertices are (0, –4) and (0, 4). Its center is (0, 0).
Since the major axis is
vertical, the equation is
the following:
(0, 6)
(0, 4)
(–a, 0)
(a, 0)
Since b = 4 and c = 6 , find a...
c2 = b2+ a2
62 = 42 + a2
36 = 16 + a2
20 = a2
The equation of the hyperbola:
(0, –4)
(0, –6)

25. How do you graph a hyperbola?
To graph a hyperbola, you need to know the center, the vertices, the co-vertices, and the asymptotes...
The asymptotes intersect at the center of the hyperbola and pass through the corners of a rectangle with corners (± a, ±b)
Example: Graph the hyperbola
a = 4 b = 3
c = 5
Draw a rectangle using +a and +b as the sides...
Draw the asymptotes (The asymptotes are just the diagonals through the box generated by a and b.)...
(0, 3)
(–5,0)
(5, 0)
(–4,0)
(4, 0)
(0,-3)
Draw the hyperbola...

26. STANDARD FORM OF EQUATIONS OF TRANSLATED CONICS
WRITING AND GRAPHING EQUATIONS OF CONICS
GRAPHS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
STANDARD FORM OF EQUATIONS OF TRANSLATED CONICS
In the following equations the point (h, k) is the vertex of the parabola and the center of the other conics.
CIRCLE
(x – h) 2 + (y – k) 2 = r 2
Horizontal
Vertical
PARABOLA
a(y – k) 2 + h = x
a(x – h) 2 + k = y
ELLIPSE
(x – h) (y – k) 2
= 1
a 2
b a > b
b b > a
HYPERBOLA
(x – h) (y – k) 2
– = 1
b 2
a 2
(y – k) (x – h) 2
a 2

27. Writing an Equation of a Translated Parabola
Write an equation of the parabola whose vertex is at (–2, 1)
and whose focus is at (–3, 1).
SOLUTION
(–2, 1)
Plot what you have so far:
Because the parabola opens to the left,
it has the form: x = a(y – k)2 + h
Find h and k: The vertex is at (–2, 1),
so h = – 2 and k = 1.
Giving you: x = a(y – 1)2 + -2

28. Writing an Equation of a Translated Parabola
Write an equation of the parabola whose vertex is at (–2, 1)
and whose focus is at (–3, 1).
SOLUTION
(–2, 1)
Find p: The distance between the vertex (–2, 1), and the focus (–3, 1) is
p = (–3 – (–2)) 2 + (1 – 1) 2 = 1
so p = 1 or p = – 1. Since p < 0, p = – 1.
p = 1/4a so a = -4
(–3, 1)
The standard form of the equation is x = -4(y – 1) 2 – 2 .

29. Graphing the Equation of a Translated Circle
Graph (x – 3) 2 + (y + 2) 2 = 16.
SOLUTION
Compare the given equation to the
standard form of the equation of a circle:
(3, – 2)
(x – h) 2 + (y – k) 2 = r 2
You can see that the graph will be a circle with center at (h, k) = (3, – 2).

30. Graphing the Equation of a Translated Circle
(3, 2)
Graph (x – 3) 2 + (y + 2) 2 = 16.
SOLUTION r
The radius is r = 4
(– 1, – 2)
(3, – 2)
(7, – 2)
Plot several points that are each
4 units from the center:
(3, – 6)
(3 + 4, – 2 + 0) = (7, – 2)
(3 – 4, – 2 + 0) = (– 1, – 2)
(3 + 0, – 2 + 4) = (3, 2)
(3 + 0, – 2 – 4) = (3, – 6)
Draw a circle through the points.

31. Writing an Equation of a Translated Ellipse
Write an equation of the ellipse with foci at (3, 5) and (3, –1) and vertices at (3, 6) and (3, –2).
SOLUTION
(3, 5)
(3, –1)
(3, 6)
(3, –2)
Plot the given points and make a rough sketch.
(x – h) (y – k) 2
= 1
b 2
a 2
The ellipse has a vertical major axis,
so its equation is of the form:
Find the center: The center is halfway between the vertices.
( ( –2) 2
(h, k) = , = (3, 2)

32. Writing an Equation of a Translated Ellipse
Write an equation of the ellipse with foci at (3, 5) and (3, –1) and vertices at (3, 6) and (3, –2).
SOLUTION
(3, 5)
(3, –1)
(3, 6)
(3, –2)
Find b: The value of b is the distance between the vertex and the center.
b = (3 – 3) 2 + (6 – 2) 2 = = 4
Find c: The value of c is the distance between the focus and the center.
c = (3 – 3) 2 + (5 – 2) 2 = = 3

33. Writing an Equation of a Translated Ellipse
Write an equation of the ellipse with foci at (3, 5) and (3, –1) and vertices at (3, 6) and (3, –2).
SOLUTION
(3, 5)
(3, –1)
(3, 6)
(3, –2)
Find a: Substitute the values of a and c
into the equation a 2 = b 2 – c 2 .
a 2 = 4 2 – 3 2
a 2 = 7
a = 7 16 7
= 1
The standard form is
(x – 3) (y – 2) 2

34. Graphing the Equation of a Translated Hyperbola
Graph (y + 1) 2 – = 1.
(x + 1) 2 4
(–1, –2)
(–1, 0)
(–1, –1)
SOLUTION
The y 2-term is positive, so the transverse axis is vertical. Since a 2 = 4 and b 2 = 1, you know that a = 2 and b = 1.
Plot the center at (h, k) = (–1, –1). Plot the vertices 1 unit above and below the center at (–1, 0) and (–1, –2).
Draw a rectangle that is centered at (–1, –1) and is 2a = 2 units high
and 2b = 4 units wide.

35. Graphing the Equation of a Translated Hyperbola
Graph (y + 1) 2 – = 1.
(x + 1) 2 4
(–1, –2)
(–1, 0)
(–1, –1)
SOLUTION
The y 2-term is positive, so the transverse axis is vertical. Since a 2 = 4 and b 2 = 1, you know that a = 2 and b = 1.
Draw the asymptotes through the corners of the rectangle.
Draw the hyperbola so that it passes through the vertices and approaches
the asymptotes.

36. Here are all of the conic section equations in standard form:
parabola: y = a(x – h)2 + k x = a(y – k)2 + h
circle: (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2
hyperbola: (x – h)2 – (y – k)2 = a b2
(y – k)2 – (x – h)2 = 1
b a2
ellipse: (x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = a b2

37. How do you write an equation in standard form?
Example: Write the equation of the ellipse in standard form x2 + 3y2 + 4x + 12y – 10 = 0
Group the x’s and y’s together...
2x2 + 4x y2 + 12y = 10
Factor out the GCF’s...
2(x2 + 2x ) + 3(y2 + 4y ) = 10
Complete the square for each variable.
+2 +12
What will make each a perfect square trinomial?
Add the “real” amount to the other side
(remember that they are being distributed)
Rewrite as the squares of binomials...
2(x + 1)2 + 3(y + 2)2 = 24
Divide to set the right side equal to 1...
2(x + 1)2 + 3(y + 2)2 = 24
(x +1)2 + (y +2)2 = 1

38. Let’s try another…with graphing.
Example: Graph the hyperbola 9x2 – 4y2 + 18x + 16y – 43 = 0
Group the x’s and y’s together...
9x2 + 18x –4y2 + 16y = 43
Factor out the GCF’s...
9(x2 + 2x ) – 4(y2 – 4y ) = 43
+ 9 – 16
9(x + 1)2 – 4(y – 2)2 =36
Complete the squares ...
9(x + 1)2 – 4(y – 2)2 = 36
(x +1)2 – (y – 2)2 = 1
Center (–1, 2)
a = b = 3