Conic Sections

Conic sections are the curves formed when a cone is intersected by a plane. The four types of conic sections are the circle, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola. Each type of conic section has its own equations and properties.

Circles are the most familiar type of conic section. They are defined by a center and a radius, and all points on the circle are the same distance from the center. Circles are symmetrical, meaning that they look the same from any angle.

Ellipses are another type of conic section. In an ellipse, the two focal points are not the same distance from the center. Ellipses are often described as “oval-shaped.”

Parabolas are the third type of conic section. A parabola is defined by a point called the focus and a line called the directrix. The focus is the point where all the rays of the parabola converge. The directrix is the line where all the points of the parabola are equidistant from the focus.

Hyperbolas are the fourth and final type of conic section. A hyperbola is defined by two points called the foci. The points of a hyperbola are always different distances from the foci.