Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Watch Free Classes
    • Free courses
    • JEE Main 2024
    • JEE Main 2024 Live Paper Discussion
    • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
    • JEE Main College Predictor 2024
    • Stream Predictor
    • JEE Main 2024 Free Mock Test
    • Study Materials
    • Notifications
    • JEE Advanced Syllabus
    • JEE Books
    • JEE Main Question Paper
    • JEE Coaching
    • Downloads
    • JEE Notes & Lectures
    • JEE Daily Videos
    • Difference Between
    • Full Forms
    • Important Formulas
    • Exam Tips
JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Difference Between Hyperbola and Ellipse

Difference Between Hyperbola and Ellipse

A conic section is a locus of a point P travelling in the plane of a fixed-point F known as focus and a fixed line d known as directrix (with the focus not on d) in such a way that the ratio of point P's distance from focus F to its distance from d is a constant e known as eccentricity.

Table of Content
  •  

When a cone is cut at different angles, the edge of the cone marks different curves. These curves are frequently referred to as conic sections. A conic section is a curve formed by crossing a right circular conic surface and a plane surface. Different conic sections are given at various intersection angles.

More About Ellipse

The ellipse is one among the conic sections that’s produced, when a plane cuts the cone at an angle with the bottom. All circles are a particular case of the ellipse since the definition of an ellipse entails being parallel to the cone’s base. Ellipses have the following characteristics:

  • Ellipse has two focal points, which are called foci.
  • The fixed distance parallel to the latus rectum and perpendicular to the major axis is termed the directrix.
  • The eccentricity of the ellipse lies between 0 and 1. 0 ≤ e < 1
  • The total sum of each distance from the locus of an ellipse to the two focal points is constant.
  • Ellipse has one major axis and one minor axis and a centre.

The Standard form of equation of ellipse is

(x-h)² / a² + (y-k)² / b² = 1

o1

More About Hyperbola

When a plane is parallel to the central axis of a cone, it touches both halves of the double cone, forming a hyperbola. Hyperbolas have two branches as well as the following characteristics:

  • Asymptote lines are two linear graphs that the hyperbola’s curve approaches but never touches.
  • The intersection of the asymptotes forms a centre.
  • Each of the two branches bends around two focal points.
  • Each branch has two vertices.

The Standard form of equation of Hyperbola is

(x-h)² / a² – (y-k)² / b² = 1

A hyperbola’s eccentricity is constrained to e > 1 and has no upper bound. When the eccentricity is allowed to reach +∞, the hyperbola degenerates into a straight line, which is one of its degenerate examples. A hyperbola’s other degenerate situation is to become its two straight-line asymptotes. When the plane intersects the apex of the double cone, this occurs.

o2

More About Parabola

When the plane is parallel to the cone’s surface, the plane forms a U-shaped curve. The following characteristics can be found in every parabola:

  • The curve turns around at a point called Vertex, it is on the curve.
  • The point which is not on the curve about which the curve bends, is called the Focus.
  • A line connecting the vertex and focus is known as the axis of symmetry, which divides the parabola into two equal halves.

The eccentricity value e = 1 is shared by all parabolas. Because all parabolas have the same eccentricity, they are all similar, which means that any parabola may be turned into another by changing its position and scaling. A parabola degenerates when the plane barely touches the outside surface of the cone, indicating that it is tangent to the cone. Out of the cone’s diagonal, a straight-line intersection result. Non-degenerate Parabolas can be represented using quadratic equations. Eg: f(x)=x2.

o3

Difference Between Hyperbola and Ellipse

At a single glance the equations of both ellipse and hyperbola look similar but the properties of them are completely different.

o4
  • Both ellipse and hyperbola are symmetrical about their main and minor axes, but the position of the directrix varies. It is outside the semi-major axis in the ellipse but inside the semi-major axis in the hyperbola.
  • The perpendicular bisector of the major axis intersects the ellipse but does not intercept the hyperbola.
  • Ellipse is a closed curve and the hyperbola is an open curve.
  • Ellipse has finite perimeter whereas the hyperbola has infinite length

Conclusion

A ‘conic’ curve is one that is created by crossing a right circular cone with a plane. Euclidean geometry possesses unique features. The vertex of the cone separates the conic section into two nappes, the upper nappe and the lower nappe. A conic section is a locus of a point P travelling in the plane of a fixed point F known as focus and a fixed line d known as directrix (with the focus not on d) in such a way that the ratio of point P’s distance from focus F to its distance from d is a constant e known as eccentricity.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

How are conics classified?

Ans. Based on the angle of inclination of the plane conic sections can be cla...Read full

How to Identify a Conic Section?

Ans. Ax² + Bxy + Cy²...Read full

Examples of Conic Sections in real life?

Ans. Conic portions can be seen in a variety of real-life scenarios. When we ...Read full

What are the different types of ellipses?

Ans. Ellipses are broadly divided into two types ...Read full

Conic Sections can be best defined as?

Ans. The curve generated by the intersection of a plane with a right circular cone is known as a conic section....Read full

Ans. Based on the angle of inclination of the plane conic sections can be classified into

  • Circles
  • Ellipses
  • Parabolas
  • Hyperbolas

Ans. Ax² + Bxy + Cy² + Dx + Ey + F = 0 is the conventional form of a conic section equation, where A, B, C, D, E, F are real integers and A ≠ 0, B ≠ 0, C ≠ 0.

The conic section will be an ellipse if B² – 4AC = 0. 

The conic section will be a parabola if B² – 4AC = 0. 

The conic section will be a hyperbola if B² – 4AC > 0.

The conic section will be a circle if A = C and B = 0.

Ans. Conic portions can be seen in a variety of real-life scenarios. When we regard the Sun as one point of focus, the paths of the planets form ellipses around it. Parabolic mirrors aid in the collection of light beams at the parabola’s focal point.

Ans. Ellipses are broadly divided into two types

  1. Horizontal Major Axis Ellipse
  2. Vertical Major Axis Ellipse

Ans. The curve generated by the intersection of a plane with a right circular cone is known as a conic section.

Crack IIT JEE with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Notifications

Get all the important information related to the JEE Exam including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.

Allotment of Examination Centre
JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria
JEE Advanced Exam Dates
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2023
JEE Advanced Syllabus
JEE Application Fee
JEE Application Process
JEE Eligibility Criteria 2023
JEE Exam Language and Centres
JEE Exam Pattern – Check JEE Paper Pattern 2024
JEE Examination Scheme
JEE Main 2024 Admit Card (OUT) – Steps to Download Session 1 Hall Ticket
JEE Main Application Form
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024
JEE Main Exam Dates
JEE Main Exam Pattern
JEE Main Highlights
JEE Main Paper Analysis
JEE Main Question Paper with Solutions and Answer Keys
JEE Main Result 2022 (Out)
JEE Main Revised Dates
JEE Marking Scheme
JEE Preparation Books 2024 – JEE Best Books (Mains and Advanced)
Online Applications for JEE (Main)-2022 Session 2
Reserved Seats
See all

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Mathematics
Zero Vector

A zero vector is defined as a line segment coincident with its beginning and ending points. Primary Keyword: Zero Vector

ZERO MATRIX

In this article, we will discuss about the zero matrix and it’s properties.

YARDS TO FEET

In this article we will discuss the conversion of yards into feet and feets to yard.

XVI Roman Numeral

In this article we are going to discuss XVI Roman Numerals and its origin.

See all
Access more than

10,505+ courses for IIT JEE

Get subscription

Trending Topics

  • JEE Main 2024
  • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
  • JEE Main Mock Test 2024
  • JEE Main 2024 Admit Card
  • JEE Advanced Syllabus
  • JEE Preparation Books
  • JEE Notes
  • JEE Advanced Toppers
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Question Paper
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Answer Key
  • JEE Main Question Paper
  • JEE Main Answer key 2022
  • JEE Main Paper Analysis 2022
  • JEE Main Result
  • JEE Exam Pattern
  • JEE Main Eligibility
  • JEE College predictor
combat_iitjee

Related links

  • JEE Study Materials
  • CNG Full Form
  • Dimensional Formula of Pressure
  • Reimer Tiemann Reaction
  • Vector Triple Product
  • Swarts Reaction
  • Focal length of Convex Lens
  • Root mean square velocities
  • Fehling’s solution
testseries_iitjee
Predict your JEE Rank
.
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2026 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY