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CBSE Class 11 » CBSE Class 11 Study Materials » Mathematics » Generation of Conics
CBSE

Generation of Conics

This topic deals with Conic sections, conic sections formulas, sections of the cone, conic section ellipse, conic section hyperbola, conic section parabola, and conic section circle.

Table of Content
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Conic sections are the curves obtained when a plane intersects the surface of a hollow double cone. Conic sections are the set of points whose coordinates satisfy a quadratic equation in two variables.

Like, x2 + y2 -2x – 3 = 0

(y-2)2 = 49x

9x2 +4y2 -36 = 0

x2-y2 = 1

There are different conic sections in mathematics based on the angle formed between the plane and the intersection of the right circular cone with it. Conic sections are divided into

  1. Degenerate curves – for example, point, line, a pair of interesting lines

  2. Non-degenerate curves – for example, circle, ellipse, parabola, hyperbola

The cone is not necessarily a right circular cone. There are many conic sections on the basis of the angle of cutting. 

Double-napped right circular hollow cone

Let,

 l= a fixed vertical line 

m = another line intersecting a fixed vertical line at a fixed point V 

α = angle inclined between m and l 

Try to rotate the line m around line I, 

Thus, the angle α remains constant

As a result, a double-napped right circular hollow cone is generated which was later referred to as cone.

This cone can extend indefinitely in both directions.

Point Vertex = point of intersection of 2 cones

line l = Axis of cone

rotating line m = generator of the cone

Vertex separates two parts of the cone into two parts called nappes.

On taking the intersection of a plane with a cone, you will obtain a section called the conic section.

β is the angle formed after the intersection of the plane with the vertical axis of the cone. When the plane cuts nappe of the cone, different types of conic sections can be formed, depending upon β:

  1. β = 90° = circle

  2. α < β < 90° = ellipse

  3. β = α = parabola

  4. 0 ≤ β < α = hyperbola

Conic section Circle

A circle is the set of all points in a plane situated at a fixed distance from a fixed point in the plane.

Fixed point = center of the circle

Distance from center to any point on the circle = radius of the circle

Conic section circle formula:

(x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r 2

Where, r = radius of the circle; center of the circle = (h,k)

General equation:

x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0

Where, g, f, and c are constants

             Center of this circle = (-g, -f)

             Radius of the circle = √g2 + f2 – c

Conic section Parabola

A parabola is a conic section. It is a section of a right circular cone parallel to one side (a generating line) of the cone.

A parabola can be defined as the set of all points in a plane that are an equal distance away from a given point(focus) and a given line (directrix).

Fixed point of parabola = Focus (F)

Fixed line (l) of parabola = Directrix of parabola

Standard equation of parabola

                             (c)                                                                           (d)

Forms of the Parabola

y2 = 4ax

y2 = – 4ax

x2 = 4ay

x2 = – 4ay

Axis of parabola

y = 0

y = 0

x = 0

x = 0

Directrix of parabola

x = – a

x = a

y = – a

y = a

Vertex

(0,0)

(0,0)

(0,0)

(0,0)

Focus

(a,0)

(-a,0)

(0,a)

(0,-a)

Length of latus rectum

4a

4a

4a

4a

Equations of latus rectum

x = a

x = -a

y = a

y = -a

Conic section Ellipse

The locus of all those locations in a plane whose sum of distances from two fixed points in the plane is constant is called an ellipse. The foci refers to the fixed points.

It is a conic section formed by the intersection of a right circular cone by a plane that cuts the axis and the surface of a cone.

Eccentricity of the ellipse is less than one.

Fixed point = focus

Fixed line = directrix

Constant ratio (e) = eccentricity of the ellipse

In an ellipse, centricity is between zero to one, i.e. 0<e<1

Two standard forms of an ellipse are:

  1. Major axis along the x-axis and minor axis along the y-axis

x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1

  1. Major axis along the y-axis and minor axis along the x-axis

x2/b2 + y2/a2 = 1

 

 

Forms of the ellipse

x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1

 

x2/b2 + y2/a2 = 1

 

 

a>b

a>b

Equation of the major axis

y = 0

x = 0

Length of the major axis

2a

2a

Equation of the minor axis

x = 0

y = 0

Length of the minor axis

2b

2b

Directrices of the ellipse

x = ± a/e

y = ± a/e

Equation of latus rectum of ellipse

x = ± ae

y = ± ae

length of the latus rectum of the ellipse

2b2/a

2b2/a

Center

(0,0)

(0,0)

 The length of the major axis is equal to the sum of the focal distances of any point on an ellipse.

Conic section Hyperbola

Hyperbola is made of two pieces that are mirror images of each other. A section on Conics The set of all points in a plane whose distances from two fixed points are equal is known as a hyperbola.

Fixed point = focus

Fixed line = directrix

Constant ratio = eccentricity of hyperbola (e)

Components of hyperbola:

  1. Major axis – The length of the major axis is 2a in the hyperbola.

  2. Minor axis – The length of the minor axis is 2b in the hyperbola.

  3. Foci – The hyperbola has two foci,  (ae, 0) and (-ae, 0) .

  4. Vertices of hyperbola – It is the point where the hyperbola intersects the major axis.

  5. Center of hyperbola – It is the midpoint of the line that joins two foci of the hyperbola.

Two standard forms of hyperbola are

  • Transverse axis along the x-axis and conjugate axis along with the y-axis

x2/a2 – y2/b2= 1

  • Transverse axis along the y-axis and conjugate axis along the x-axis

y2/a2 – x2/b2= 1

In hyperbola, eccentricity (e) is more than 1, i.e., e>1

Forms of the hyperbola

x2/a2 – y2/b2 = 1

 

x2/b2 – y2/a2 = 1

 

Equation of transverse axis of hyperbola

y = 0

x = 0

Length of the transverse axis of hyperbola

2a

2a

Equation of conjugate axis of hyperbola

x = 0

y = 0

Foci of hyperbola

(± ae,0)

(0, ± ae)

Equation of latus rectum of hyperbola

x = ± ae

y = ± ae

length of the latus rectum of hyperbola

2b2/a

2b2/a

Center of the hyperbola

(0,0)

(0,0)

 Conclusion

Conic sections are two -dimensional planes that cut through from a cone. Different types of conic sections are circle, parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Standard forms of different conic sections are

  1. Circle: x2+y2=a2

  2. Parabola: y2=4ax when a>0

  3. Ellipse: x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1

  4. Hyperbola: x2/a2 – y2/b2 = 1

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the CBSE Class 11 Examination Preparation.

What are the examples of conic sections in real life?

Ans. Many examples of conic sections are the use of parabolic mirrors to gathe...Read full

How can I get different conic sections by cutting a cone?

Ans. You can get different conic sections by cutting a cone at different angles. On cutting with a line, you will ge...Read full

Ans. Many examples of conic sections are the use of parabolic mirrors to gather beams of light at the focus of the parabola. If the sun is a focus, then all the planets revolving around it form an ellipse. The sides of a guitar form a hyperbola.

Ans. You can get different conic sections by cutting a cone at different angles. On cutting with a line, you will get an ellipse. You can get a parabola by cutting it parallel to the edge. Cut the cone parallel to the bottom to get a circle. On cutting the cone at a deep angle, you will get a hyperbola.

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