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Precalculus
Conic sections
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1. Circles: equation, center and radius
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
A point (x,y) is on the circle with center (2,1) and radius 3 when its distance to (2,1) is 3. Which equation says that?
(x−2)2+(y−1)2=9
(x+2)2+(y+1)2=9
(x−2)2+(y−1)2=3
Key idea
A circle is the set of points at a fixed distance r from a center (h,k).
(x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2. From the expanded form x2+y2+Dx+Ey+F=0, complete the square in x and in y to read the center and radius.
Worked example
Find the center and radius of x2+y2−4x+6y−3=0.
(x−2)2−4+(y+3)2−9−3=0
Group and complete the squares: x² − 4x = (x − 2)² − 4, y² + 6y = (y + 3)² − 9.
(x−2)2+(y+3)2=16
Move the numbers to the right.
Center (2,−3), radius 4
Read h, k and r = √16.
Your turn, guided
Your turn: (x+5)2+(y−1)2=49.
Center (−5,1)
x + 5 = x − (−5).
Radius 7
√49.
Practice ★
What is the radius of the circle (x−9)2+(y+1)2=16?
What is the radius of the circle (x−1)2+(y+7)2=64?
What is the radius of the circle (x−4)2+(y+9)2=16?
Watch out!
Practice ★★
Find the center and radius of the circle x2+y2−10x+4y+25=0.
Find the center and radius of the circle x2+y2−2x+4y+−11=0.
Which is the equation of the circle with center (2,−8) and radius 7?
(x−2)2+(y+8)2=49
(x+2)2+(y−8)2=49
(x−2)2+(y+8)2=7
Which is the equation of the circle with center (7,−2) and radius 9?
(x−7)2+(y+2)2=81
(x+7)2+(y−2)2=81
(x−7)2+(y+2)2=9
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
Which is the equation of the circle with center (2,−8) and radius 7?
(x−2)2+(y+8)2=49
(x+2)2+(y−8)2=49
(x−2)2+(y+8)2=7
Which is the equation of the circle with center (7,−2) and radius 9?
(x−7)2+(y+2)2=81
(x+7)2+(y−2)2=81
(x−7)2+(y+2)2=9
Which is the equation of the circle with center (6,−1) and radius 6?
(x−6)2+(y+1)2=36
(x+6)2+(y−1)2=36
(x−6)2+(y+1)2=6
Summary card
Circles
(x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2: center (h,k), radius r.
Expanded form: complete the square in x and in y.
Watch out: (x+3) means h=−3, and the right side is r2.
2. Parabolas: focus and directrix
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
A satellite dish is a parabola: every signal coming straight in bounces to one point, the focus. For x2=8y, where is it?
(0,2)
(0,8)
Key idea
A parabola is the set of points as far from a point (the focus) as from a line (the directrix).
x2=4py: vertex (0,0), focus (0,p), directrix y=−p, opens up if p>0. y2=4px: focus (p,0), directrix x=−p, opens right if p>0.
Worked example
Find the focus and directrix of y2=−12x.
4p=−12, so p=−3
Match with y² = 4px.
Focus (−3,0): it opens to the left
Focus (p, 0).
Directrix x=3
Directrix x = −p.
Your turn, guided
Your turn: x2=20y.
p=5, focus (0,5)
4p = 20.
Directrix y=−5
y = −p: type the number.
Practice ★
The parabola x2=8y has its focus at (0,c). What is c?
The parabola x2=24y has its focus at (0,c). What is c?
The parabola x2=4y has its focus at (0,c). What is c?
Watch out!
Practice ★★
The parabola y2=8x has the directrix x=d. What is d?
The parabola y2=20x has the directrix x=d. What is d?
The parabola y2=4x has the directrix x=d. What is d?
A parabola has focus (0,3) and directrix y=−3. Its equation is x2=ky. What is k?
A parabola has focus (0,2) and directrix y=−2. Its equation is x2=ky. What is k?
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
The parabola y2=8x has the directrix x=d. What is d?
The parabola y2=20x has the directrix x=d. What is d?
The parabola y2=4x has the directrix x=d. What is d?
Summary card
Parabolas
x2=4py: focus (0,p), directrix y=−p.
y2=4px: focus (p,0), directrix x=−p.
Watch out: divide by 4 to get p.
3. Ellipses: axes, vertices and foci
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
25x2+9y2=1. Where does this ellipse cross the x-axis?
At x=±5
At x=±25
Key idea
An ellipse is the set of points whose distances to two foci add up to a constant.
a2x2+b2y2=1 with a>b: vertices (±a,0), co-vertices (0,±b), foci (±c,0) with c2=a2−b2. The larger denominator shows the major axis: under y2, the ellipse is vertical.
Worked example
Describe 16x2+25y2=1.
Vertical major axis, a=5, b=4
25 > 16, under y².
Vertices (0,±5)
Vertices on the y-axis.
Foci (0,±3)
c² = 25 − 16.
Your turn, guided
Your turn: 100x2+36y2=1.
Vertices (±10,0)
100 > 36, under x²: a = 10, b = 6.
Foci (±8,0)
c² = 100 − 36 = 64.
Practice ★
The ellipse 36x2+1y2=1 has its vertices at (±c,0). What is c?
The ellipse 25x2+1y2=1 has its vertices at (±c,0). What is c?
The ellipse 9x2+4y2=1 has its vertices at (±c,0). What is c?
Watch out!
Practice ★★
The ellipse 25x2+16y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
The ellipse 169x2+144y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
The ellipse 289x2+64y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
Is the major axis of 1x2+36y2=1 horizontal or vertical?
Horizontal
Vertical
Neither: it is a circle
Is the major axis of 4x2+64y2=1 horizontal or vertical?
Horizontal
Vertical
Neither: it is a circle
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
The ellipse 25x2+16y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
The ellipse 169x2+144y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
The ellipse 289x2+64y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
Summary card
Ellipses
a2x2+b2y2=1: vertices at distance a, co-vertices at b.
Foci: c2=a2−b2 (larger minus smaller).
The larger denominator gives the major axis.
Watch out: minus for ellipses, plus for hyperbolas.
4. Hyperbolas: vertices, foci and asymptotes
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
9x2−16y2=1. Does this curve cross the y-axis?
No
Yes, at y=±4
Key idea
A hyperbola is the set of points whose distances to two foci differ by a constant.
a2x2−b2y2=1: vertices (±a,0), foci (±c,0) with c2=a2+b2, asymptotes y=±abx. If the y2 term is the positive one, the branches open up and down: vertices (0,±a).
Worked example
Describe 9x2−16y2=1.
Vertices (±3,0)
x² is positive: a² = 9, b² = 16.
Foci (±5,0)
c² = 9 + 16.
Asymptotes y=±34x
Slope b/a = 4/3.
Your turn, guided
Your turn: 25y2−144x2=1.
Vertices (0,±5)
y² is positive: vertices on the y-axis, a = 5.
Foci (0,±13)
c² = 25 + 144 = 169.
Practice ★
The hyperbola 64y2−25x2=1 has its vertices at (0,±c). What is c?
The hyperbola 16y2−25x2=1 has its vertices at (0,±c). What is c?
The hyperbola 25y2−36x2=1 has its vertices at (0,±c). What is c?
Watch out!
Practice ★★
The hyperbola 144x2−256y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
The hyperbola 225x2−64y2=1 has foci at (±c,0). Find c.
The hyperbola 1x2−36y2=1 has asymptotes y=±mx. What is m?
The hyperbola 16x2−64y2=1 has asymptotes y=±mx. What is m?
The hyperbola 81x2−36y2=1 has asymptotes y=±mx. What is m?
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
The hyperbola 1x2−36y2=1 has asymptotes y=±mx. What is m?
The hyperbola 16x2−64y2=1 has asymptotes y=±mx. What is m?
The hyperbola 81x2−36y2=1 has asymptotes y=±mx. What is m?
Summary card
Hyperbolas
Vertices on the axis of the positive term, at distance a.
Foci: c2=a2+b2.
a2x2−b2y2=1: asymptotes y=±abx.
Watch out: plus for hyperbolas, minus for ellipses.
5. Identify a conic from its equation
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
4x2+4y2=36. Which conic is it?
A circle
A hyperbola
Key idea
The squared terms tell which conic an equation draws.
Only one variable squared: parabola. Both squared, same sign: ellipse (a circle if the coefficients are equal). Both squared, opposite signs: hyperbola.
Worked example
Identify 9y2−x2=9, then put it in standard form.
A hyperbola
Both squared, opposite signs.
y2−9x2=1
Divide by 9.
Branches open up and down, vertices (0,±1)
y² is positive.
Your turn, guided
Your turn: x2+4y2=16.
An ellipse
Both squared, same sign, different coefficients.
a=4: vertices (±4,0)
Divide by 16: x²/16 + y²/4 = 1. Type a.
Practice ★
What kind of conic is 2x2+3y2=36?
An ellipse
A circle
A hyperbola
A parabola
What kind of conic is 2x2+7y2=67?
An ellipse
A circle
A hyperbola
A parabola
Watch out!
Practice ★★
What kind of conic is 9x2−5y2=13?
A hyperbola
An ellipse
A parabola
What kind of conic is 4x2−2y2=40?
A hyperbola
An ellipse
A parabola
What kind of conic is y=5x2−9x?
A parabola
A hyperbola
A circle
What kind of conic is y=9x2−4x?
A parabola
A hyperbola
A circle
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
What kind of conic is 2x2+3y2=36?
An ellipse
A circle
A hyperbola
A parabola
What kind of conic is 2x2+7y2=67?
An ellipse
A circle
A hyperbola
A parabola
What kind of conic is 6x2+5y2=78?
An ellipse
A circle
A hyperbola
A parabola
Summary card
Which conic?
One variable squared: parabola.
Both, same sign: ellipse (equal coefficients: circle).
Both, opposite signs: hyperbola.
Watch out: look at the squared terms, not the constant.
6. Systems with a line and a conic
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
How many points can a line and a circle have in common?
0, 1 or 2
Always 2
Key idea
To find where a line meets a conic, solve the two equations together.
Substitute the line into the conic: you get a quadratic in one variable. Its real solutions give the intersection points: 2 solutions, 2 points; a double root, a tangent; no real root, no intersection. Then find the other coordinate from the line.
Worked example
Where does y=x+1 meet x2+y2=25?
x2+(x+1)2=25
Substitute y.
2x2+2x−24=0, so x2+x−12=0
Expand and simplify.
(3,4) and (−4,−3)
(x + 4)(x − 3) = 0, then y = x + 1.
Your turn, guided
Your turn: where does y=3 meet x2+y2=25?
x2=16
Substitute y = 3.
x=4 or x=−4
Two square roots: type the negative one.
Practice ★
The circle x2+y2=169 and the line y=12 meet at two points. Give their x-coordinates.
The circle x2+y2=25 and the line y=4 meet at two points. Give their x-coordinates.
The circle x2+y2=400 and the line y=16 meet at two points. Give their x-coordinates.
Watch out!
Practice ★★
How many points do the circle x2+y2=16 and the line y=11 have in common?
None
One
Two
Find the x-coordinates of the points where y=x2 meets y=x+6.
Find the x-coordinates of the points where y=x2 meets y=x+20.
Find the x-coordinates of the points where y=x2 meets y=x+2.
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
Find the x-coordinates of the points where y=x2 meets y=x+6.
Find the x-coordinates of the points where y=x2 meets y=x+20.
Find the x-coordinates of the points where y=x2 meets y=x+2.
Summary card
A line and a conic
Substitute the line into the conic.
Solve the quadratic: 0, 1 or 2 real solutions.
Find the other coordinate from the line.
Watch out: a negative square means no intersection.
7. Tangent lines to a circle
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
A wheel rolls on the ground. The ground touches it at one point. What angle does the spoke to that point make with the ground?
90∘
It depends on the speed
Key idea
Tangents and radii are perpendicular.
A tangent touches the circle at one point and is perpendicular to the radius there. The two tangent segments from an outside point are equal in length.
Worked example
Radius 6, point P at distance 10 from the center.
Right triangle with hypotenuse 10, leg 6
Right angle at the point of contact.
Tangent length 8
√(100 − 36).
Your turn, guided
Your turn: radius 5, distance 13. The tangent length.
12
√(169 − 25).
Practice ★
A circle has radius 6. Point P is 10 from the center. Find the length of a tangent segment from P to the circle.
A circle has radius 3. Point P is 5 from the center. Find the length of a tangent segment from P to the circle.
A line touches a circle of radius 7 at exactly one point T. What is the angle between the line and the radius to T?
90∘
It depends on the radius
0∘: they lie along each other
Watch out!
Practice ★★
Two tangents from P touch a circle (center O) at A and B, with ∠APB=61∘. Find ∠AOB (degrees).
Two tangents from P touch a circle (center O) at A and B, with ∠APB=76∘. Find ∠AOB (degrees).
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
A circle has radius 6. Point P is 10 from the center. Find the length of a tangent segment from P to the circle.
A circle has radius 3. Point P is 5 from the center. Find the length of a tangent segment from P to the circle.
A circle has radius 12. Point P is 20 from the center. Find the length of a tangent segment from P to the circle.
Summary card
Tangent lines
Tangent ⊥ radius; tangent segments from a point are equal.
Watch out: a right triangle, not a subtraction.
8. Volume of spheres; density
Warm-up
Three quick questions from earlier lessons.
Discover
A ball of radius r fits exactly in a cylinder of radius r and height 2r. The ball fills 32 of the cylinder. What is the ball's volume?
Not to scale
34πr3
4πr2
Key idea
Spheres, and how heavy a solid is.
Sphere: V=34πr3 (surface area 4πr2). Density = mass ÷ volume, so mass = density × volume.
Worked example
A steel ball of radius 3 cm, density 7.8 g/cm³.
V=36π≈113.1 cm³
(4/3)π · 27.
m≈7.8×113.1≈882 g
Mass = density × volume.
Your turn, guided
Your turn: mass 200 g, volume 50 cm³. The density.
4 g/cm³
200 ÷ 50.
Practice ★
Find the volume of a sphere of radius 5 cm (exact, in terms of π).Not to scale
Find the volume of a sphere of radius 9 cm (exact, in terms of π).Not to scale
A block has mass 526 g and volume 27 cm³. Find its density (g/cm³).
Watch out!
Practice ★★
Find the volume of a hemisphere (half a ball) of radius 3 cm (exact, in terms of π).
Find the volume of a hemisphere (half a ball) of radius 5 cm (exact, in terms of π).
Exit ticket
Three questions to check you have got it.
Find the volume of a sphere of radius 5 cm (exact, in terms of π).Not to scale
Find the volume of a sphere of radius 9 cm (exact, in terms of π).Not to scale
Find the volume of a sphere of radius 8 cm (exact, in terms of π).Not to scale