UNIT 3 GENERAL THEORY O F CONICS

Structure

3.2

Introduction
Objectives
General Second Degree Equation

3.3

Central and Non-central Conics

3.1

3.4 Tracing a Conic

Central Conics
Parabola
3.5 Tangents
3.6

Intersection of Conics

3.7 Summary
3.8

Solutions/Answers

3.1 INTRODUCTION
So far you have studied the standard equations of a parabola, an ellipse and a
hyperbola. We defined these curves and other conics by the focus-directrix
property of a conic. This defining property was discovered by Pappus (approx. 320
AD) long after the definition of conic sections by the ancient Greeks. In his book
"Conics", the ancient Greek mathematician Apollonius defined these curves to be
the intersection of a plane and a cone. You will study cones later, in Unit 6, but
let us show you how conics are planar sections of a cone, with the help of
diagrams (see Fig. 1).

Fig. I: A planar section of a cone can be (a) m elllpse. (b) n parabola, (c) a hrpcrbolr (d) r pair of
line& (e) a point.

In this unit we will prove a result that may surprise you. According to this result,
the general second degree equation ax2 + hxy + by2 + gx + fy + c = 0 always
represents a conic section. You will see how to identify it with the various conics,
depending on the conditions satisfied by the coefficients.

In Unit 2 you saw one way of classifying conics. There is another way of doing so,
which you will study in Sec. 3.3. We shall discuss the geometric properties of the
different types of conics, and see how to trace them. After that, w e shall discuss
the tangents of a conic. And finally, we shall see what curves can be obtained
when two conics interesect.

With this unit we end our discussion on conics. But in the next two blocks you
will be coming across them again. So, the rest of the course will be easier for ;,nu
to grasp if you ensure that you have achieved the unit objectives given below.

1
1
1
I

After studying this unit. you shorild be able to

identify the conic represented by a qmadratic expression;
@

find the centre (if it exists) and axes of iconic:

cp

trace any given conic;

find the tangent and normal to a given conic at a given point;

obtain the equations of conics which pass through the points of intersection of
two given conics.

3.2 GENERAL SECOND DEGREE EQUATION

I1

In Unit 2 you must have noticed that the standard equation of each conic is a.
second degree equation of the form

General Theory of Conics

ax2

hxy

by2

+ gx +

for some a,b,c,f,g,h

fy

+c

0,
We write the coefficienls of
xy, x and y RS 211, 28, and 2F
to have simpler expressions
later on, as you wi!l see.

R and where at least one of a,h,b is non-zero.

In this section we will show you that the converse is also true. That is, we will
pr.ove that the general second degree equation
where at least one of a,h,b is non-zero, can be transformed into a standard
equation of a conic. We achieve this by translating and rotating the coordinate
axes. Let us. see how.
we first get rid of the term containing xy by rotating the XY-system through a
"suitable" angle 8 about 0. You will see how we choose 9 a little further on. Now,
by (16) and (17) of Unit 1, we see that (1) becomes .

a(xlcos e -i y' sin 8)2

~ ~ ( X ' F O0
S - y'sin 9) (x'sin e + y 'cos 8)
+b(x'siaB + y'cos 8)2 ~ ~ ( X ' C9O- Sy'sin 8) + 2f(x1sin 8 + y'cos 8)
* (a cosZ 9 + 2h cos 8 sin 8 + b sin2 8) x'2 - 2 {(a - b) sin 9 cos 8 h(cos2 9 - sin2 8)) x'y' + (a sin2 8 - 2h sin 8 cos 8 + b cos2 8)yl2
+.(2gcos 8 + 2 f s i n O ) x ' + ( 2 f c o s 9 - - 2 g s i n 8 ) y ' + c = 0.

The x'y' term will disappear if (a - b) sin 8 cos 8 = h(cos2 8

1, :-

- (a

+c

= 0

- sin2 8), that is,

b) sin 28 = h cos 28.

So, t o get rid of the x'y' term, if a

lr

b we can choose 8 = f; otherwise, we

can choose 0 = - tan-' 2

(a'-b).
can always choose such a 0 lying between 1

7r

and

of 8 the .x'yl term becomes zero .

1

So, if we rotate the axcs through anangle 8 = - tan-' (a:b),

2
transforms into the second degree equation
Ax"

2Gx'

where A = a cos2 8

2Fy'

2hcos 0 sin 8

B = a sin29 - 2h sin 9 cos8

Thus, A

B= a

+C=

b.

b cos28.

0;
b

sin2

.
8 and

then (1)

.-42)

sln 28 = 2sin 8 case

cos 2B = ros28 sin29

Also, with a bit of computation, you can check bhat ab - h 2 = AB. Now various
situations can arise.
Case 1 (ab - h2 = 0): In this case we see that either A = 0 or B = 0. So, let us
assume that A = 0. Then we claim that B must be non-zero. D o you agree? What
would happen if A = 0 and B = O? In this case we would get a = 0, b = 0 and
h = 0, which contradicts our assumption that (1) is a quadratic equation.

So, let A = 0 and B # 0: Then (2) can be written as

Now, if G

0, then the above equation is

F2

- BC , that is.

c.

y + - = *
B
This represents a pair of parallel lines if F2 zBC, and the empty set if F 2
On the other hand, if G # 0, then we write (3) as

< BC.

where X, Y are the current coordinates, From Sec. 2.3 you know that this
G
0) and directrix X = represents a parabola with focus

(- $,

2B '

Now let us look at the other case.

Case 2 lab - h2,# 0): Now both A and B are non-zero. We can write (2) as

Let us shift the origin to

(- A,- z).
G

+B

-C, which is a constant K, say.

Then this equation becomes

where X and Y are the current coordinates.

Now, what happens if K = O? Well, if both A and B have the same sign, that is,
if AB = ah - h 2 > 0, then (4) represents the point (0, 0).
And, if ab
X = t

- h2 < 0,then (4) represents

Y

the pair of lines,

And, what happens if K # O? Then we can write (4) as

x2 + -----Y2

r:

1.

.*.(5)

K/A
K/B
Does this equation look familiar? From.Sec. 2.4 you'can see that this represents a n

K
K
ellipse if both - and - are positive, that is, if K
A
.B

> 0 and AB =

But, what if K/A < 0 and K/B < O? In this case K

then (5) represents the empty set.

ab

- h2 > 0.

< 0 and ab - h2 >

K
K
And, if - and - are of opposite signs, that is, if AB = ab
A
B
'
what will (5) represent? A hyperbola.

0. And

- hZ c 0, then

So we have covered all the possibilities for ab - h2, and hence for (1). Thus, we
haye proved the following result.

Theorem 1: The general second degree equation ax2

+ c .= 0 represents a conic.

2hxy

by2

2gx

General Theory of Conies

2fy

While proving this. theorem you must have noticed the importance we gave the
expression a b - h2. Let Gs tabulate the various types of non-degenerate and
degenerate conics that ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 represents,
according to the way a b - h2 behaves. (Recall from Unit 2 that a degenerate conic
is a conic whose focus lies o n the corresponding directix.)
Table 1: Classification of Conics.

Types of Conics

Condition
Non-degenerate
ab - h2 = 0

ib -

Degenerate

parabola

zo
ab - h2 c O
112

ellipse

hyperbola

pair of parallel lines, or

empty set

I1

point, or empty set

pair of intersecting lines

Table 1 tells us about all the possible conics that exist. This is what the following
exercise is about.
El) a) write down all the possible types o'f conics'there are. Which of them are
d~generate?
b) If (1) represents a circle, will a b - h 2 = O?
Now let us use the procedure in the proof above in some examples.

Example.1: Find the conic reprevented by

9x2 - 24xy + 16y2 - 1 2 4 ~+ 132y + 324 = 0.
Solution: The given equation is of the form (I), where a = 9, b = 16, h =

- .12.,

Now let us rotate the axes through an angle 0 , where

24
= , that is, 2tan 02
a,- b
7
I - tan 0
12 tan20 + 7 tan0 - 12 = 0.

tan 20 =

2h .
-

So we can take tan 0 =

3
-

4'

and then sin 0 =

-- -24 , that is,

7

3
and cos 0
5

4
-.

Then, in the new coordinate system the given equation becomes

124
132
2sYl2- - (4x1 - 3y1) + - (3x'
5
5

4y 1 )

324 = 0, that is,

4
5
Now let us .shift the origin. to

y2 q

. Then

the equation becomes

4
X,
5

where X an4 Y zire the current coordinates.

Can you recognise the conic represented by this equation? From Unit 2 YOU know
that this is a'parabola, Since the transformations we have applied do no1 alter the
curve, the original. equation also represents a parabola.

Example 2: Identify the conic x2

- 2xy +

y2 = 2.

53

Conics

Sokutian: Over here, since a = b = 1, we choose 0 = 45". S q , let

axes through 4 5 The new coordinates x ' and y' are given by

US

rotate the

"7

Then, in the new coordinate system,

x2 - 2xy + y2 = 2 transforms to
y'2 = 1,
which represents the pair of straight lines y' = 1 and y' = - 1.
You can d o the following exercise on the same lines.

E2)

Identify the conic

a) x2 - 2xy + y2 + j Z x = 2,
b) 9x2 - 6xy + y2 - 40x - 20y

75 = 0.

So far you have seen that any second degree equation represents one of the
following conics:
a parabola, an ellipse, a hyperbola, a pair of straight lines, a point, the empty set.
But, from Table 1 you can see that even if we know the value of a b - h2, we can't
immediately say what the conic is. So, each time we have to g o through the whole
procedure of Theorem 1 to identify :he conic represented by a given equation. Is
there a short cut? Yes, there is. W e have a simple condition for (I) t o represent a
pair of lines. It can be obtained from the proof of Theorem 1 after some
calculations, or independently. We shall only state it, and then see how t o use it to
cut short our method for identifying a given conic.
Theorem 2: The quadratic equation
ax2

2hxy

by 2 i-2gx

ify

c = 0

Recall the definition of a

determinant from Unit 5 of

represents a pair.of straight lines if and only if abc

MTE-04.

that is, the determinant

2fgh

- af 2 - bg2 - ch 2

= 0,

Further, if the condition is satisfied, then the angle between the lines is
tan-'

2&Tz
a + b

).

The 3 x 3 determinant given above is called the discriminant of the given conic.
You can see that the discrinlinant looks neater if we take 2h, 2g and 2f as
coefficients, instead of h, g a n d f.
Let us consider some examples of the use of Theorem 2.
Example 3: Show that x2 - 5xy
the angle between these lines.

6 9

0 represents a pair of straight lines. Find

5
Solution: With reference to Theorem 2, in this case a = 1, h = - -, b = 6,
3
g = 0 = f = c. Thus, the related discriminant is

1
-

5
2

- 56

5
-2

0.w.

, which is 0, as

you know from our course 'Elementary Algebra'.

Thus, the given equation represents a pair of lines.
The angle between them is tan-'

Example 4: Find the conic represented by 2x2

5xy

y2 =

'

Solution : ln this case ab - h 2 = - 23 < 0. So, from Table 1 we know that the
equation represents a hyperbola or a pair of liiics. Further, in this case the
discriminant becomes.

So, by Theorem 2 we know that the given equation doesn't represent a pair of
lines. Hence, it represents a hyperbola.
Why don't you d o these exercises now'?
E3) Check whether 3x2 t 7xy
lines.

2y2

5x

E4) Show that the real quadratic equation ax 2

pair of lines.

E5) Under what cchditions

011

5y

2hxy

2 = 0 represents a pair of
-I- by2

= 0 represents a

a, b and h, will the equation in Theorem 2

represent
a) a pair of parallel lines?
b) a pair of perpendicular lines?
So ,far we have studied all the conics in a unified manner. Now we will categorise.
them according'to the property'of centrality.

3.3 CENTRAL AND NON-CENTRAL CONICS

---

In our discussion on the ellipse in Unit 2, we said that the midpoint of the major
axis was the centre of the ellipse. The reason that this point is called the centre is
because of a property that we ask you to prove in the following exercise. .
x2

y2
= I . Let P(x,, y,) be a point on this ellipse
b2
and 0 be (0, 0). Show that the line PO also meets the ellipse in P' (Lx,, -yl).

E6) Consider the equation

-+
a2

What you have just proved is thatO(0, 0 ) bisects every chord of the ellipse
x2
y2
+7
= 1 that passes through it. Siqilarly, any chord of the hyperbola
a2
b

x- - -y-2 - I through O(0, 0) is bisected by 0.Hence, according to the following

2

b2
a
definition, 0 is the centre of the ellipse and hyperbola given above.

Definition: The centre of a conic C is a point which bisects any chord of C,that
passes through it.
Not all conics have centres, as you will see. A conic that has a centre is called a

Conics

central conic. For example, an ellipse and a hyperbola are central conics.

Now, can a central conic have more than one centre? Suppose it has two centres
C, and C2. Then the chord of the conic intercepted by the line CICz must be
bisected by both C, and C2, which is not possible. Thus,
a central conic has a unique centre.
Let us see how we can locate this point.
Consider the conic (1). Suppose it is central with centre at the origin. .Then we
have the following result, which we will give without proof.
Theoiem.3: A central conic with centre at (0, 0) is of the form ax2
= 1,

2hxy

by2

for some a, h, b in R.
This result is used to prove the following theorem about any central. conic. We
shall not prove the theorem in chis course but we will apply it very often.
Theorem 4: Let ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy
Then its centre is the intersection of the lines

c = 0 be a central conic.

What this theorem tells us is that if ax + hy + g = 0 and hx + by + f = 0

intersect, then the conic is central; .and the point of intersection of these straight
linesiis the centre of the conic.
But what if the lines don't intersect? Then the conic under consideration can't be
central; that is, it is non-central. Thus, the conic is non-central if the slopes of
these lines are equal, that is, if ab = h2.
So, we have the following result:

i) . central if ab f h2, and

Does this result and Table 1 tell you which conics are non-central? You can
immediately tell that a parabola doesn't have a centre.
* .

Let us see how we can apply the above results on centres of conics.
Example 5: Is the conic 17x2 - 12xy .+ By2 + 46x - 28y
is, find its centre.

17 = 0 central? If it

Solution: In this case a = 17, b = 8, h = -6, g = 23, f = -14.

So, ab f h2. Hence, the conic is central. Its centre is the intersection of the lines
17x 6y + 23 = 0 and 3x - 4y + 7 = 0, which is (-1, 1).

Why don't you try some exercises now?

-

E7) Is the conic in E3 central? .If yes, find its centre.

E8) Identify the conic x2
its centre.

- 3xy + y + lox - 10y + 21

2

= 0. If it is central, find

E9) ~ h i ' c hdegenerate conics are central, and which are not?

One point that has been made in this sub-section is that a parabola is a non-central
conic, while an ellipse and a hyperbola are central conics, NOW-let us see if this
fact helps us to trace a conic corresponding to a given quadratic equation.

General Theory of Conics

3.4. TRACING A CONIC

Suppose you are given a quadratic equation. Can you get enough geometric
information from it to be able to draw its geometric representation? You are now
in a position to check whether it is a pair of lines or not, You can also tell
yhether it is a central conic or not. But there is still one piece of information that
you would need before you could draw th'e required conic. You need to know the
equation of its axis, or axes, as the case may be. So'let us see how to find the
awes. We shall consider the centraI and non-central cases separately.

3.4.1 Central Conics

Suppose we are given the equation of a central conic. By translating the axes, if
necessary, we can assume that its centre lies at (0,0). Then, by Theorem 3, its
equation is
ax 2 + 2hxy + b y 2 = 1
. .(6)

where a, h, b

R.

In Theorem 1 you saw that if we rotate the coordinate axes through an angle
1
2h
6 = - tan-' -, then the axes of the conic lie along the coordinate axes.
2
a- b
Therefore, the axes of the conic are inclined at the angle 8 t o the coordinate axes.
(Here if a = b, we take 8 = 45".) Now,
2h
a- b

tan 28 =

r tan 2 8

(?)

a - b

tan 0 - 1 = 0.

This is a quadratic equation in tan 8, and hence is satisfied by two values of 8, say
8, and 02. Then the sIopes of the axes of the conic are tan 8, and tan 02. Note that
the axes are mutually perpendicular, since (tan 8') (tan B2) = -1.
Now, t? find the lengths of the axes of the conic, we write ( 6 ) in polar form (see
Sec. 1.5). For this we substitute x = r cos 8, jr = r sin 8 in (6). Then we get
r 2 (a cos2 fl
3

r2 =

2h cos 8 sin 8

b sin 2 0) = 1

cos2 0 + sin 2 8
-, writing 1 = cos2 8
a cos2 8 + 2h cos 0 sin 8 + b sin 2 0
a

+ sin2 8

tan 2 0
2h tan 8
b tan 2 8 '
1

-4

I, we substitute tan 8, and tan B2 in (7), we will get the corresponding vakes of 'r,
which will give the lengths of the corresponding semi-axes.
Let us use what we have just done to trace the conic in Example 5. Sincc ab - h 2
> 0, from Theorem 1 we know that the conic is an ellipse. You have already seen
that its centre lies at (-1, 1): Now, we need to shift the axes to the centre (-1, I ) ,
to get the equation in the form (6). The equation becomes

Now we can obtain the directions of the axes from

tan 2 0 -

3
tan 0 - 1 =

This gives us tan B = 2,

0.
1
-2 -

) I

A semi-axis is half the axis.

Conics

Tnerefore, we can take 8 , = tan-' 2 = 63.43" (approximately), .and

n-

Bz = 2

+ tan-'

2.

The lengths of the semi-axes, rl and r2, are given by substituting these values in
(7). So
1 + 4
r: =

6
5

17
20

= 4

=,

r l = 2, and

8
5

Thus, the length of the major axis is 4, and that of the minor axis is 2.
So now we can trace the conic. We first draw a line O ' X ' through 0'(-1, 1) at an
angle of tan-' 2 to the x-axis (see Fig. 2). Then we draw O ' Y ' perpendicular to
O'X'. Now we mark of A ' and A on O ' X ' such that A ' O ' = 2 and O'A = 2.
Similarly, we mark off B and B' on O ' Y ' such that O'B = 1 and O ' B ' = 1.
'The required ellipse has AA' and BB' as its axes. For further help in tracing the
curve, we can check where it cuts the x and y axes. It cuts the x-axis in (-..I, O),
(-2.2, O), alid the y-axis in (0; 2.7) and (0, 3).So the curve is what we have,
drawn in Fig. 2.

1
Fig. 2: The ellipse 17x2 - 12xy
8y2
4 6 x 28y + 17 = 0.

+.

Now why don't you see if you've understood what has been done in this section?
+
E10) Trace the conic in E8.
E l l ) Under what conditions on the coefficients, will x 2
be central ? And then, find its centre and axes.

2hxy

y2

2fy = 0

So far you have seen how to trace a central conic. But what about a non-central
conic? ' l e t us look at this case now.

3.4.2

Parabola

In this sub-section we shall look at a method for finding the axis of a parabola,
and hence tracing it. We will use the fact that if (1) is a parabola it can be written
in the form

where Ax +' By
C = 0 is the axis of the parabola and A ' x + B ' y + C '
is the tangent at the vertex, and hence they are perpendicular to each other.
The vertex (x,, yl) of this parabola is the intersection of Ax + B y
A'x + B'y + C ' = 0, k is the length of its latus rectum, and

I
I
I

k
4

C = 0 and

is its focus, where tan 0 is the slope of the axis.

Let us see the method with the help of an illustration.

Example 6: Show that the conic x 2

2xy

y2 - 2x

-1

= 0 is a parabola. Find

its axis and trace it.

Solution: Here a

1, b = 1, h = 1.

Further, the discriminant of the conic is

.'. ab - h2 = 0.
1
1

1
1

-1

-1

0 = -1 # 0.
-1

Hence, by Theorem 2, the equation does not represent a pair of straight lines.
Thus, by Theorem 1, we know that the given conic is a parabola.
We can write the given equation as (x

y)2 = 2x

1.

Now we will introduce a constant c so that we r a n write the equation in the form
(8). So, let us rewrite the equation as
(x y + c ) ~= 2x + 1 + 2cx + 2cy + c2, that is,

+
+y+

'

-..

c)2 = 2(1 + c)x + 2cy + c 2 + !.

...(9)
y + c = 0 and
We will choose c in such a way that the lines x
2(1 + c)x + 2cy
c 2 + 1 = 0 are perpendicular. From Equation (13) of Unit 1,
you know that the condition is

(x

Then (9) becomes

This is in the form (8).

Thus, the axis of the parabola is x
5

x - y + - = 0.

1
y - - = 0, and the tangent at the vertex is
2

The vertex is the intersection of these two lines, that is,

1.

The length of the latus rectum of the parabola is I

a'

Thlls, the focus is at

angle that the, axis makes with the x-axis, that is, 0 = tan-' (-1).
1

..'. sin 0 = - 6, O- = 43' .

cOS

:,:)*

Therefore, the focus is F - -

What are the points of intersection of the parabola and the coordinate axes? They
a r e ( 1 + \IZ, O)+(1
O), (0, I), (0,-1).

-a,

S o , we can trace the parabola as in ~ i g . ' 3 .

Fig. 3: The parabola x 2

2xy f y 2 - 2x

- 1=

Genernl Theory of Conics

Conics
L

Has the example helped you to understand the method for tracing a parabola? The
following exercise will help you to find out.

E12) Trace the conic 4x 2

- 4xy

y 2 - 8x - 6y

5 = 0.

Let us n o w see how to obtain the tangents of a general conic.

3.5 TANGENTS
In Unit I you studied the equations of tangents to the conics in standard form.
Now we will discuss the equation of a tangent to the general conic (1).

So, consider two distinct points P(xl, y,) and Q(x2, y2) on the conic ax 2
by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0.
If x, = x2 = u, say, then the line PQ is x = a.
Similarly, if yl = yz = a, say, then the line PQ is y = a.
Otherwise, the line PQ is
Y - Yl
-

-= XI

x2

Y2

Y1

2hxy

XI

Since P and Q lie on the conic,

ax: + 2hxlyl + by: + 2gxI + i f y l
c= o
and ax; + 2hx2y2 + by: + 2gx2 + 2fy2 + c ' = 0.
Then (12) - (11)

a(x: - x?)

2h(x2~2- X I Y I+) b(y$ - Y:)

)-

= $ -

- [ ~ ( X I+
[b (y,

2g(x2

x2)-+ 2hy2 + 2gl

y2) + 2hx1 + 2fl

Putting this in (lo), we get

As (x2, y2) tends to (x,, y,), (13) gives us the equation of the tangent to the given
conic at (xl, y,).
Thus, the equation of the tangent at P(x,, yl) is
(Y-YI)(~Y
+ I hxl + f ) + ( x - x l ) ( a x , + ~ Y+ I g ) = 0 +

hy, + g) + y(by, + hxl + f ) + (gxl + fy, + c) = 0, using (11).

h(xyl + xly) + byy, + g(x + x,) + f(y + y,) + c = 0.
...(14)
2
2
Thus, (14) is the equation of the tangent to the conic ax + 2hxy + b y + 2gx +
2fy + c = 0 at the point (x,, y,) lying on the conic.
From (14) you can see that we can use the following rule of thumb to obtain the
equation of a conic.

e x(ax,

w axx,

In the equation of the conic, replace x 2 by xxl, y2 by yyl, 2x

by (x
x l ) , 2y by (y + Y,) and 2xy by (XYI+ YXI),
to get the
equation of the tangent at (xl, y,).

For instance, the tangent to the parabola y 2 - 4ax = 0, at a point.(xl, y,) is

- n I - 2a (x
xl) = 0.
We have already derived this in Sec. 2.3:2.
In fact, the equations of thgents to the ellipse and hyperbola given in standard
form are also special cases of (14), as you can verify from Unit 2.

Now youmay like to try your hand at finding tangents at some points.

E l j ) Obtain the equations of the tangent and the normal to the conic in E8 at
the points where it cuts the y-axis.

In Unit 2 you have seen that not every line can be a tangent to a given standard
conic. Let us now iee which lines qualify for being tangents to the general conic
ax 2 + 2hxy + b y 2 +'2gx + 2fy t c = 0. With your experience in Unit 2, can
. you tell the conditions under which tlie line px t qy + r = O will be a tangent to
this conic ?
supposk it is a tangent a t a point (x,, y,) to the conic. Now, either p # 0 or
q Z 0. Let us suppose p # 0. Then we can substitute x = - -("
equation of the conic, to get

* (a q 2 - 2hpq

i- b p 2 ) y 2

- 2y (prh

- aqr - ~ ' f )+

pqg

r, in the

(ar 2 - 2gpr

c p 2) = 0

The roots of this quadratic equation in y give us the y-coordinates of the points of
intersection of the given line and conic. The line will be a tangent if these points
coincide, that is, if the quadratic equation has coincident roots, that is, if
...(15 )
(prh + pqg - aqr - p2f)2 = (aq' - 2hpq + b p 2 ) (ar 2 - 2gpr + c p 2).
In terms of determinants (see MTE-04, Unit 5), we can write this conditim as
a

= 0

...(16)

Thus, (15) or the determinant condition (16) tell us if px

tangent to the general conic or not.
For example; the line y = mx

- 1
(-2.)

-1

-2a

* (-24 (cm
3

1 1
r n

qy

r = 0 is a

c will touch the parabola y 2 = 4ax, if

-2a

= 0. rxpanding along the first raw.

- 2a) - m(2ac) = 0

-.a

This is the same condi~ionthat we derived in Sec. 2.3.2.

Why don't yo11 try these exercises now?

E14) Is x + 4y = 0 a tangent to the conic x 2 + 4xy + 3y 2 - 5x - 6y + 3 = O?

Find all the tangents to this conic that are parallel t o the given Iinc.

E15) a) Prove that the condition for ax .+ by

x 2 + y 2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = Ois
(ag i- bf - I ) =~ (a 2

b2) (g2

1 = 0 to touch

f 2 - c).

b) In partkular, under what conditions on C will y = Mx

x 2 ,+ y 2 = A'?

C touch

Conics

In this section you saw that a line and a conic intersect in at most two points.
Now'let us see what we get when two conics intersect.

3.6 INTERSECTION OF CONICS

Consider the intersection of an ellipse and a circle (Fig. 4(a)) or of an ellipse and a
hyperbola (Fig. 4(b)).

Fig. 4: Intersecting conics.

You can see that these conics' intersect in four points. But, do any two conics
'intersect in four points? The foIlowing result answers this question.
Theorem 5 : In general, two conics intersect in four points.
Proof : Let the equations of the two conics be
c = 0, and.
ax 2 + 2 (hy + g) x + by2 + 2fy
2
a l x2 + 2(hIy + g,) x + b ly + 2fly + cl = 0.
These equations can be considered as quadratic equations in x. If we eliminate x
from them, we will get a fourth degree equation in y. This will have four roots.
Corresponding to each of these roots, we will get a root of x. So there are,in
general, four points of intersection for the two conics.

Since a fourth degree equation with real coefficients may have two or four
complex roots (see MTE-04, Unit 3), two conics can intersect in
i) four real points,
ii) two real and two imaginary points, or
iii) four imaginary points.
These points of intersection can be distinc't, or some may 'coincide, or all of them
may coincide.
Let us consider an example.
Example 7: Find the points of intersection of the parabola y 2 = 2x and the circle
x Z + y 2 = 1 (see Fig. 5).
Solution: If (xi, y,) is a point of intersection, then x: + y: = 1 and y: = 2x1.
Eliminating y, from these equations, we get
x: + 2xl = 1, that is, (x,
112 = 2.
S o x , = -1 &
Then y: = 2x, gives us
y, = &
-1)'12 if x, = -1 +
and
y, =
( a + 1)'12 if xl = -1 Thus, there are only two real points of intersection, namely,
( f i - 1, a ( f i - 1)'j2) and
- 1, fi (fi- I)"~). This.is why you see only two
points of intersection in Fig. 4.

a.

a,
a.

fi(a

* ai

(a -

Here is an exercise for you now.

x
y2
x
E16) Find the points of intersection of + -= 1 aiid 2
2
a
b
b2

y2
+= 1.
a2

you have seen that two conics intersect in four real or imaginary points. Now we
will firid the equation of any conic that passes through these points.
Let ax 2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 and
a l x 2 + 2hl XY + bly2 + 2gl x + 2Fl y + c, = 0
be thg equations of two conics.
Let

US

briefly denote them by S

0 and S , = 0, respectively.

Then, Tor each k f R, S + kS1 = 0 is a second degree equation in x and y. So it

is a conic, for each value of k.

On the other hand, any point of intersection of the two conics satisfies both the
equations S = 0 and S I = 0. Hence it satisfies S + kSI = 0. Thus, the conic
S + k S , = 0 passes through all the points of intersectios of S = 0 and SI = 0.
So we have proved
Theorem 6: The equation of any conic passing through the intersection of two
conics S = 0 and S l .= 0 is of the form S + kSI = 0, where k E R.
For different values o f k, we get different conics passing through the points of
intersection of S = 0 and SI = 0. But, will all these conics be of the same type?
If you do the following exercises, you may answer this question.

E17) 1 f : ~= 0 and S I
S

kS,

= 0

= 0 are rectangular hyperbolas, then show that

is a rectangular hyperbola, for all real k .

(Irint: Recall that ax 2 + 2hxy + b y 2

rectangular hyperbola if a + b = 0.)

E18) Let S =

x2
9

-+

2gx

y2
4

- - 1 = 0 and SI = xy - 9

Under what conditions on k will S

a) an ellipse ? '
b) a parabola ?
c) a hyperbola ?

2fy

+c=

0 is a

= 0.

kS1 = 0 be

Now we have come to the end of our discussion on conics. Let us see what we
have covered in this unit.

3.7 SUMMARY.
In this unit we discussed the following points:

1) The general second degree equation

ax 2 + 2hxy + b y 2 + 2gx + 2fy' + c = 0
represents a conic. It is
a
h
g
h
b
f = 0.
i) a pair of straight lines iff
g

Further, if the condition is satisfied, then the angle between the lines is

tan-'

2. J K L b
a + b

ii) a parabola if ab - h 2 = 0, and the determinant condition in

satisfied ;
iii) a n ellipse if ab - h 2 > 0 ;
iv) a hyperbola if ab - h 2 < 0.

fi) is not

General Theory of Conics

,:

Conics

2) An ellipse and a hyperbola are central conics; a parabola is a non-central

conic.
3) A central conic with centre at the origih is of the form ax 2
= 1, where a, h, b 6 R.

2hxy

by2

4) ax 2 + 2hxy + b y 2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 represents a central conic if

0 intersect. And then, the centre of
ax + hy + g = 0 and,h%+ by + f
the conic is the point of intersection bf these lines. The slopes of rhe axes of
this conic are the roots of the equation

5) ~ r a c i n ai conic.
6) The tangent to the conic ax 2
point ( X I ,Y ~ is
)
axx, + h(xyl + xly) + byy,
Provided
by, + hx,+ f # 0

Further, a line px

-f

qy

2hxy

g(x

by2

2gx

xl) + f(y

2fy

yl)

c = 0 at the

c = 0.

r = 0 is tangent to the given conic if

= 0

7) Two conics intersect in four points, which can be real or imaginary.

8) The equation of a conic passing through the four points of intersection of the
conics S = 0 and S1 = 0 is S + kSI = 0, where k t R.

E l ) a) There are 3 types of non-degenerate conics: parabola, ellipse, hyperbola.

There are 5 types of degenerate conics: point, pair of intersecting lines,
pair of distinct parallel lines, pair of coincident lines, empty set.
b) A circle is a particular case of an ellipse. Thus, if (1) represents a circle
then ab'- h 2 > 0.
E2) a) x2 - 2xy + y2 + f i x - 2 = 0.
Herea = 1 = b , h = - 1.
If we rotate the axes through ~ / 4 then
,
the new coordinates x ' and y'
are given by
1
1 '
x =fi
(x - y ' ) and y = fi (xf + Y ' )
Thus, the given equation becomes

(+,$),

the equation becomes the .

Now, if we shift the origin to
parabola
1
Y' = - X, where X and'Y are the new coordinates.
2

b) 9x2 - 6xy

64

+ y 2 - 40x - 20y +

75 = 0,
Herea = 9, b = 1, h = -3.
So, let us rotate the axes through 8, where

1
B = - tan-'

(- $).

:.

tan 20 = - 3.

4'

So we can take tan9 = 3, so that sin0 =

3
--

I '
coso = - -

m1

me

Then the equation in the X1Y&system.becomes

I
I

59
5 y t 2-

which can be transformed and seen to be,the equation of a parabola.

1mi'

- lmyl+ 75

= 0,.

I
I

5
7
E3) In this case a = 3, b = 2, c = 2, f = - = g, h =
I
2
2'
. 7
5
.
3
a
h
g
2
2

5
-

5
-

2 '

Hence the given equation represents a pair of lines.

E4) Here the discriminant concerned is

Thus, the givep equation represents a pair of lines.

I

E5) a) The lines will be parallel if J G b = 0, that is, ab

'
b) The lines will be perpendicular if a +' b = 0.

- h 2 = 0.

E6) Sirice P lies on the ellipse, so does P'.

I

The equation of PO is

Y- Yl
x-XI
= - that is, x l (y - yl) = y, (x - x,).
-Y1

-XI

P' also lies on this since (-xl, -yl) satisfies this equation.

Hence, we have shown the result.

I

927) In this case ab # h 2. So the conic is central. Its centre is the intersection of
7

7.

3xt-y+-=
Oand - x
2
2
2
I
3
'
that is, - --,

2y

+ -25, = 0,

- f ).

~ 8 ) 'Id this case a = 1 = b, h =

3
2

-'

So the given equation is central, andcan be a hyperbola or a pair of

intersecting lines.

- -3 .-

2
Since
'

3
--

2.

1 -

5 #O,
' f

5
- 5 ,21
using Theorem 2 we can say t b t the equation represents a hjlperbola.
Its centie is-the intersection of
x-

3
y +

5 = 0 and -

3
x +y-5
2

0, that is, (-2, 2).

65

w -

Conics

EQ) The central degenerate conics : point, pair of intersecting .lines.

The non-central degenerate conics : pair of distinct parallel lines, pair of
coincident lines. The empty set is both central and non-central.
E10) The equation represents a hyperbola with centre (-2, 2). If we shift the origin
to (-2, 2), the equation becomes
- X I 2 + 3x1y' - y ' 2 = 1.
I

Herea = -1, b = -1, h =

3
-.
2
7r

Thus, the axes of the conic are at an angle of - and

4

3*

to the x-axis.
4

So, putting these values of 0 in (7), we get the lengths r l and

2
axes, on solving r: = 2 and rg = - -.

f2,

of the semi-

Thus, r, =

\6 and r2 =

,I:.

Note that over here, though r; is negative, we-only want its magnitude to
compute the length of the axis.
Now, you know that if e is the eccentricity of the hyperbola then
r2 = r,

m,

that is,

li f

- =

N OW let us also see where the hyperbola cuts the x and y axes. Putting y = 0
in the given equation, we get
x2 + lox + 21 = 0 * x = -3, -7.
So, the hyperbola intersects the x-axis in (-3, 0) and (-7, 0). Similarly,
putting x = 0 in the given equation and solving for y, we see that the
hyperbola intersects the y-axis in (0, 3) and (0, 7).
With all this information the curve is as given in Fig. 6 .

~ 1 1 It) will be central if h 2 # 1. And then its centre will be the intersection of
x + hy = 0 and hx + y + f = 0, which is

If we shift the origin to this point, the given equation is transformed to

!
\

i
I

'

This is in the standard form A x 2 + 2HXY + BY^ = 1 of a central cora'ic.

1 - h2
HereA = B = . Theretore, the,axes of the conic are at an angle of
f2
45" and 135" t o the x-axis. Since they pass through the centre, their
equations are
f
hf
and
y + --x-- 1- h 2
1- h

E12) The conic is a parabola since ab = h 2, and the determinant condition for it
to represent a pair of lines is not satisfied.
We can rewrite the equation ai
i 2 x - y12 = 8x + 6y - 5 .
We introduce a constant c to the equation, to get
(2x - y + c ) ~
= 8x + 6y - 5
4cx - 2cy + c2.
e, (2x - y
c12 = 4(2 + c) x
2(3 - c) y. -1; c 2
We choose c in such a way that

+
+

hen the eqdatioq of'the curve becomes

(2x.- y

1)2 = 4(x

2y

- 1)

The vertex of this parabola is the intersection of 2x - y - 1 = 0 and

x

.:
:.

2y

-1

sine =

= 0,that is:

6'

cose =
x

(-, -:).

The focus lies at

T h e focus lies at

The curve intersects the y-axis in (0, 1) and (0, 5). 'It doesn't intersect the
x-axis.
Thus, the shape of the parabola is as given in Fig. 7.

General Theory of Conics

Conics

Fig. 7

E13) The conic's equation is

x a - 3xy + y 2 + lox - 10y + 21 = 0.
From E l 0 you know it intersects the axes in (-3, O), (-7, O), (0, 3), (0, 7).
The tangent at (-3, 0) is

Its slope is 4.
Thus, the slope of the normal at (-3, 0) is 1

-.
4

Hence, its equation is

y , = - - ( x+ 3).
4

You can similarly check that the tangents at (-7, O), (0, 3) and (0, 7) are
respectively,
4,
4 x - l l y + 28 = 0,
x - 4y + 12 = 0,
l l x - < 4 y + 28 = 0.
'.
, The normals at these points. are respectively,
F

General Theory of Conics

40 = 0, which is false.

Thus, the given line

. is not a tangent t o the given conic.
Any line parallel to the given line is of the form x + 4y + c
be a tangent to the given conic if (15) is satisfied, that is,
(5c + 2812 = 3(3c2 .+ 24c + 48)
o c = -5 or -8.
Thus, the required tangents are , '
x + 4 y - 5 = O a n d x + 4 y - 8 = 0.
,

0. This will

E15) a) Using (15), we see that the condition is

+ a [(ac-g) + f(bg-af))
+ 2bf - 2abfg - b c'- 1 + 2ag - a 2c = , 0 .

o b(f - bc) - (1 -bf)

e, b 2 g 2

2 2

+g

[af + b(bg-af))

= 0

a f
.
Adding a2g2on both sides and simplifying, we get the given condition.
..
a
1.
b) In (a) we put g = 0 = f, c = - A2, - = M , - = C.
b
b SO the condition for y = Mx + , Z to touch .x 2 .+ y 2 =
is

Then x2 = a 2

1-

. a a+2 b

'

a 2b 2
= a2 + b2

* X *

ab
J-F>-b=

Thus the.4 points of intersection are

and

(6&,Js)-

f
at

i
t

We have drawn the situation in Fig. 8.

E17) Let S s ax2 +. 2hxy + b y 2 ;2gx + 2fy + c = 0

and S , *.alx2 + 2hlxy + bjy2.+ 2glx + 2fly + c, = 0
be rectangular hyperbolas. Then ' ,
a + b = Oandal +.bl = O . '

1I
1

69
L-

-.

,.

Conics

:.
++
++

E18)S

(a + b) + k(a, + b,) = 0 v k E R
(a2+ ka,) + (t, + kbl) = 0 v k E R
S + kS1 = 0 is a rectangular hyperbola v k

kS1

R.

a) This conic will be an ellipse if

(i)(+) -

k
4

> 0, that is, k 2 < 1

--a

b) The conic will be a parabola if

k2=-and
9

1
-

- -

But this can't be.

S o the conic can't be a parabola.

But it will be a pair of lines if k =

rt

--1
3

c) The conic will be a hyperbola if k 2 > -..

9

0,that is,

Genemi Tbccrry of Conlcs

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES
(Tbis section is optionall)
In this section we have gathered some problems related to the contents of this
block. You may like to do them to get a better understanding of conics. Our
solutions to the questions follow the list of problems, in case you'd like to
counter-check your answers.
Find the equation of the path traced by a point P , the sum of the squares of
the distances from (1, 0) and (-1, 0)of which is 8.
Find the equation of the circle which passes through (1, O), (0, -6) and (1,4).

(Hint: The general equation of a circle is x2

+ y2 + 2gx +

2fy

A path traced by a moving

point is called its locus.

= 0).

Prove the reflecting property for k parabola.

(Hint: Show that CY = /3 in Fig. 9, Unit 2.)
Prove Theorem 2 of Unit 3.
A circle cuts the parabola y Z = 4ax in the points (at:, 2ati) for i = 1, 2, 3, 4.
Prove that tl + t2 + tg + ' t 4 = 0.
(Hint: tl, t2, t$ t4 are the solutions of the quadric equation obtained by
putting x = o.), y = 2at in the equation of a circle.)
Trace the curves xy = 0 and xy

- 4x - 5y +

20 = 0.

What relations must hold between the coefficients of ax 2

= 0 for it to represent a pair of straight lines? .

by2

cx

cy

Find the angle through which the axes should be rotated so that the equation
Ax + By + C = 0 is reduced to the form x = constant, and find the value
of the constant.
Prove that y2 + 2Ax + 2By + C = 0 represents a parabola whose axis is
parallel to the x-axis. Find its vertex and the equation of its latus rectum.
Prove that the set of midpoints of all chords of y2=4ax which are drawn
through its vertex is the parabola y 2 = 2ax.
a) Prove that

-&
!a Z +

Y!
7
- 1 is negative, zero or positive, according as the

x
point (xl, yl) lies inside, on or outside the ellipse a2

b) Is the point (4, -3) inside or outside the ellipse 5x2

,
+

y"
= 1.
b

*2

= 11?

A line segment of fixed length a + b moves so that its ends are always on two
fixed perpendicular lines (see Fig. 1). Prove that the path traced by a point
which divides 'this segment in. the ratio a : b is an ellipse.
Find the equation of the common tangent to the hyperbolas

A normal t o

Fig, 1

x2
y2
= 1 meets the x and y axes in M and N, respectively.
Z -a
b 2'

The lines through M and N drawn perpendicular to the x and y-axes,

respectively, meet in the point P. Prove that the locus of P is the hyperbola
azx2'- b S 2 = (a 2 + b2)'.
Consider the hyperbola in Fig. 20 d Unit 2. Through A and A' draw
parallels.to the conjugate axis, and through B and B' draw parallels to the
transverse axis. Show that the diagonals of the rectangle so formed lie along
the asymptotes of the hyperbola.
Which conics are represented by the following equations?
a) ( x - ~ )+~ (x-a12 = 0,

A method for drawing

asymptotes of a hyperbola.

Cpnlca

b) r sin28 = 2a cos 8 ,

- --

c)

I. .

Ease + fi sine.

17) Trace the conics

18) Find the equation t o t'he conic which passes through (1, 1) and the
intersection of x2 + 2xy + 5y2 - 7x - 8y t 6 7 0 with the pair of straight
lines 2x'- y - 9 = 0 and 3x+y-11 = 0.
Solutions
,

1)

Let P be (x, y). Then

((x - 112 +
+ ((x + 1)' + Y') = 8
e 2x2 + 2y2 = 6
e x 2 + y2 = 3, which is a circle with centre (0, 0) and radius fi.

2)

Let the equation be x 2

(3,4)lieo,nit,'

y2)

y2

2gx.

+ 2fy +: c

0. Since (1, O), (0, -6) and

Solving these three linear equations in g, ,f and c, we get

Thus the equation is

3)

The parabola is y 2 ' = 4ax. The tangent T at a point P(xl, y,) is

yyl. = 2a(x
XI.).

Y1

Y1-Yl
The line PF, where Fa,,0) is the focus, is = x-Xl
-Y1
a-Xl.
Y1
Its s l ~ p eis -.
x1 - a
2a
Y1
-a
Thus, tan@= I' I'
, using (1 1) cif Unit 1. #a
1
---XI - a

2a

='-,

using the fact that

~f

= 4ax1.

Yl

Thus tanm = tan@and cr and /3 are both less than or equal t o 90".

4)

',3

{"

i
*i

We want to show that

ax2 2hxy + by 2 2gx

2fy

+c=0

...(1)

chn be written as a product of two linear factors iff its discriminant is 0.

if a # 0, we multiply (1) throughout by a and arrange it in decreasing ,
powers of x. We get
a2x2 + 2ax (hy. + gL= - aby 2 - 2afjl - ac.
completing the square on the left hand, we get
,
a2x2 2ax (hy + g) + (hy + g)2 = y2(hZ- ab) + 2y (gh - af) + g2 ac

72 .
--

a ax

+ hy + g

* dy2(h2- ab) +

2y (gh-af)

+ g2-ac

General Theory of Conics

'

From this we can obtain x in terms of y, only involving the first degree iff
the quantity under the square root sign is a perfect square, that is, iff
(gh - a o 2 = (h2 - ab) (g2 - ac),
s abc
2fgh - afT - bg2 - ch2 = 0.

Let the circle's equation be

5)

Substituting x = at 2 , y = 2at in this, we get

a 2t 4

+ 4aV +

2agi2

+ 4aft + c =

0.

'

We,know that it has 4 roots tl, t2, tJ, t4. SO, from MTE-04 you know that
the sum.of the roots will be

1
(coefficient of t 3 )

= 0.

xy = 0 is the pair of lines x = O and y = 0. We. have traced it in Fig.. 2.

xy - 4x - 5y + 20 = 0 is a pair of lines since its discriminant is 0. In fact,
we can easily factorise it as
!x - 5) (y - 4) = 0.
Thus, it represents the pair of lines x = 5 and y = 4, which we have traced
in Fig. 3.

6)

ax2 + by2

7).

+ cx + cy = 0 represents a pair of lines iff

Let us rotate the axes through 8. Then the equation becomes

A(x1cost9 - y'sint9) iB(x1sint9 yfcost9) + C = '0,
s x l (A cost9
B sin@) y'(B cose - A sine) + C = 0.

8)

This will reduce to the form x' = constant iff B cost9

A sing,

B
that is, t9 = tan-' -.
h
..

~ n d - t h e nthe equation becomes

Thus, the constant is

9)

-C

JFXi=-.

We rewrite the given equation as

Y2 = -(2Ax + 2By + C)

e (y
e (y

+
+

Fig. 2

kl2: = -2Ax
k)2 = -2Ax
We choose k so that

- 2By - C

2ky
k2, where k is a constant.
2 ( k - ~ ) y + k ~ - ~

I
Fig. 3

Conics

Ax

(B - k)y

C -k 2

- = 0 is parallel to the y-axis, that is,

2

k = B. Then the equation becomes

Its axis is y

its latus rectum is x =

10)

and the equatibn of

B = 0, vertex
B~ - A~ - C
2A

The midpoint of any chord through P(xl, yl) and O(0, 0) is'

Q ---, - Since

(: t )

y: = 4axl,

(+)' (+).
= 2a

Thus, the set of all such Q is y = 2ax.

11)

a) Firstly, if (xl, y,) lies on the ellipse, then clearly

-x 2+ 7 =Y: 1 .
a
b
Now, if (x,, y,) lies outside the ellipse (see Fig. 4) then either Ixl 1

Fig. 4

or

1 ~ 1 1> b.

:.

x; > a 2 or y: > b 2

Y:
x:
.,. +2
2

>I.
a
b
Similarly, you can show that if (xl, yl) lies inside the ellipse,

b) Since 5(16)
12)

7(9) = 143

> l l , the point lies outside the ellipse.

Let the perpendicular lines be the coordinate axes. Let the segment intersect
'the axes in (x,O) and (0,y). Then the coordinates of the point P are

Now, since x2

+-

y 2 = (a+b12

xi

Thus, the path traced by P is the ellipse a2

13)

>a

y2

= 1.

xZ
y2
and any
Any tangent to 7 - -? = 1 is y = rnx +
a
b
y2
x2
tangent to 7 - = 1 is x = rn, y + J a w 2 .
a
b2

-4

1
For these two lines to be the same, we must have - = rn and
ml

'

General Theory of Conics

Thus the commbn tangents are y = x

+ Jz2
and
x2

y2

14) See Fig. 5 for a diagram of the situation. The normal to - - 7= 1

at (XI,YI)is
a2
b

, 0 and N is 0, ( a 2 + b p 2 ) ~ ~ )

Thus, M is

Thus, the coordinates of P are

Fig. 5

Now, since (x,, y,) lies on the hyperbola,

a a2x2 - b2y2 = (a 2

b2)2,where X =

a2

+
a2

b2

X,

and Y =

a2

b2

YI.

Now, as P varies, X and Y vary; but always satisfy the relationship

a 2 x 2 - b2y2 = (a 2 + b?12. Thus, this is the locus of the point P.

15) The lines meet in (d, b), (a, -b), (-a, b) and (-a, -b). Thus the diagonals of
b
b
the rectangles lie along y = - x and y = - -x, which are the asymptotes of
the hyperbola.
a
a

- y)2 +

(x - a)2 = 0
* 2x2'- 2xy + y2 -2ax + a 2 = 0:
Herea = 2, b = 1, h = - 1 , g = -a, f = 0 , c = a 2.
:. ab - h 2 > 0. Thus, the conic is an ellipse.

16) a) (x

b) r sin2@= &a cod.

Changing to Cartesian coordinates, this equation is y 2 = 2ax, a
parabola.

F + - y 2 + x + \/gsince x = r cos 0 , y =
* 2y2'+ 2Gxy + 2x -t 2fly + I = 0
o 1 =

r 'sin 8 .

Here ab - h2 .< 0 and its discriminant is

Thus, the curve represents a hyperbola.

17)

2
a) You can check that ab-h

= 0 and the discrimtnant is non-zero. Thus,

the eqyation represents a parabola. We can write it as

(3x - 4 ~ =) 18x
~

* (3x - 4y +

lOly -19.

c12 = (6c

18) x

y(101 - Bc)

c 2 -19, where wc

Conics

choose the constant c so that

3 ( 6 ~+ 18) -4 (101 - 8 ~ =
) 0
+ c = 7 .
Then ;he given equation becomes
(3x-4y + 7)' = 15(4x t 3y + 2)

Thus, the axis of the parabola is 4x + 3y t 2 = 0. The vertex is the

intersection of 3x - 4y + 7 = 0 and 4x + 3y + 2 = 0;
that is,

(- -,2529 -)

22
25

The length of its latus rectum is 3. It's focus F lies

at

:.

(-

3
4
F is (-0.71, 0.28).
29
25

22
25

- cos 0 , - +

3
sin
4

The curve intersects the y-axis in

101

, where tan 0

&

4
3'

--

4 ( l o l l 2 - 64 x 19
I

3' 2

49
3
that is, approximately, - and -.
8
16
It doesn't intersect the x-axis.
We have traced it in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6

This is a hyperbola. Its centre is the intersection of - - y = 0 and

2
1
- x + y = 0, that is, (0, 0). Its axes are inclined to the coordinate
2
axes at an angle of 8, where tan 28 = 1. Thus, the slope of the
s
5s
transverse axis is 0 , = -, and of the conjugate axis is O2 =
8
8
Since tan 8, = .41, the length of the transverse axis, rl, is given by

-.

General Theory of Conics

:.

r, = 1.24, approximately.
We similarly find r2 = .91.
Thus its eccentricity is 1.24.
It doesn't interesect the axes.
With all this information, we have traced the curve in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7

c) The equation is a hyperbola whose centre is the intersection of

3x - 4y

+1 =

0 and 4x

3y

1 = 0, that is',
m

Here a = 12, b = - 12, h = -

-.I

,2
Thus, its axes are inclined at angles 0, and O2 to the coordinate axes,
where tan 0, and tan O2 are roots of the equation
tan28

a-b
+tan e -i

= 0

48
a tan2 8 - - tan 8 - 1 = 0
7

a tan

= 7 and tan O2 =

.-

* 8,

= 81. 9' (approx.) and

O2 = 171.9' (approx.).
The length of its axes are rl and r2, where

The curve intersects the coordinate axes in (0, 0),

So, its curve is as given in Fig. 8.

(-&.

0).

Conics

18)

Let SI = x 2
Sz

" (2x

2xy

- y -"5) (3x

5y2 - 7x -8y

6 = Oand

+ y - 11) = 0.

. Then the required conic is SI + kS2 = 0, where we choose k so that (1, 1)

lies on the curve. Thus, the curve is

'

Since (I, -1) lies on it, k =

1
.
28

Thus, the conic is

34x 2

55xy

139y2

- 233x - 218x - 218y +

223 = 0.

NOTES