Analytic

Geometry: The
Conic Sections

“ It is impossible not to feel stirred at the

thought of the emotions of men at certain
historic moments of adventure and discovery.
Such moments are also granted to students
in the abstract regions of thought, and high
among them must be placed the morning
when Descartes lay in bed and invented the
method of coordinate geometry.
”
—Alfred North Whitehead

12.1 The Distance and Midpoint Formulas

12.2 Symmetry
12.3 The Circle
12.4 The Parabola
12.5 The Ellipse and the Hyperbola
12.6 Identifying the Conic Sections

When NASA scientists want to launch a probe to study the planets of our solar system, how
do they plot the path of the probe through space? For example, the Voyager probe (which
discovered the presence of active volcanoes on the moon Io) crashed into the giant planet
Jupiter after traveling almost three billion miles! How did NASA scientists know where
Jupiter would be when the probe arrived?
Scientists can accurately predict the location of any planet in our solar system at any
future time because they know that the planets follow elliptical orbits around the Sun. In fact,

441
442 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

the Sun is one of the two foci of each ellipse. An ellipse can look a lot like a
circle, or it can appear longer and flatter. Which planets in our solar system
have orbits which are most nearly circular? In this chapter’s project, you will
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ learn how to answer that question.
Learn more about the planets and the probes that have been sent out to
study them at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/.
■ ■ ■
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 443

In 1637 the great French philosopher and scientist René Descartes developed an
idea that the nineteenth-century British philosopher John Stuart Mill described
as “the greatest single step ever made in the progress of the exact sciences.”
Descartes combined the techniques of algebra with those of geometry and creat-
ed a new field of study called analytic geometry. Analytic geometry enables us to
apply algebraic methods and equations to the solution of problems in geometry
and, conversely, to obtain geometric representations of algebraic equations.
We will first develop two simple but powerful devices: a formula for the dis-
tance between two points and a formula for the coordinates of the midpoint of
a line segment. With these tools, we will demonstrate the power of analytic
geometry by proving a number of general theorems from plane geometry.
The power of the methods of analytic geometry is also very well demonstrat-
ed, as we shall see in this chapter, in a study of the conic sections. We will find
in the course of that study that (a) a geometric definition can be converted into
an algebraic equation, and (b) an algebraic equation can be classified by the type
of graph it represents.

12.1 The Distance and Midpoint Formulas

There is a useful formula that gives the distance PQ between two points P(x1, y1)
and Q(x 2, y2). In Figure 1a, we have shown the x-coordinate of a point as the
distance of the point from the y-axis and the y-coordinate as its distance from the
x-axis. Thus, we have labeled the horizontal segments x1 and x2 and the vertical
segments y1 and y2. In Figure 1b we use the lengths from Figure 1a to indicate
that PR  x2  x1 and QR  y2  y1. Since triangle PRQ is a right triangle, we
can apply the Pythagorean theorem.
d 2  (x2  x1)2  (y2  y1)2

Q ( x 2, y 2) Q ( x 2, y 2)
y y
d d
y2 – y1

P ( x 1, y 1) y2
P ( x 1, y 1)
R
x2 – x1
x1
y1
x2

x x
(a) (b)

Figure 1 Deriving the Distance Formula

Although the points in Figure 1 are both in quadrant I, the same result will be
obtained for any two points. Since distance cannot be negative, we have
444 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

The distance d between two points P 1 (x 1 , y 1 ) and P 2 (x 2 , y 2 ) is given by

The Distance
Formula
d⫽ 兹( x 2 ⫺ x 1) 2 ⫹ ( y 2 ⫺ y 1) 2

The student should verify that the formula is true regardless of the quadrants in
which P1 and P2 are located.

ExamplE 1 FINDING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS

Find the distance between points (3, ⫺2) and (⫺1, ⫺5).

Solution
We let (x1, y1) ⫽ (3, ⫺2) and (x2, y2) ⫽ (⫺1, ⫺5). Substituting these values in the
distance formula, we have

d ⫽ 兹(x2 ⫺ x1) 2 ⫹ (y 2 ⫺ y 1) 2

⫽ 兹( –1 ⫺ 3 ) 2 ⫹ [ –5 ⫺ ( –2 ) 冥 2
⫽ 兹( – 4 ) 2 ⫹ (– 3 ) 2 ⫽ 兹25 ⫽ 5

If we had let (x1, y1) ⫽ (⫺1, ⫺5) and (x2, y2) ⫽ (3, ⫺2), we would have
obtained the same result for d. Verify this.

✔ Progress Check 1
Find the distance between the points.
(a) (⫺4, 3), (⫺2, 1) (b) (⫺6, ⫺7), (3, 0)

Answers
(a) 2 兹2 (b) 兹130

The Midpoint Formula

Another useful expression that is easily obtained is the one for the coordinates of
the midpoint of a line segment. In Figure 2, we let P(x, y) be the midpoint of the
line segment whose endpoints are P 1(x1, y1) and P2(x2, y2). Let d denote the
length of P1P2. Since P is the midpoint of P1P2, the length of P1P is d/2. The lines
PA and P2B are parallel, so triangles P1AP and P1BP2 are similar. Since corre-
sponding sides of similar triangles are in proportion, we can write

P1P2 P1P
⫽ where P1 P2 denotes the length
P2B PA
of the segment P1 P2
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 445

or
d
d 2
 ———
y2  y1 (yy1)
This gives
d
(y  y1)  d(y  y1)
2 2
y

P 2( x 2, y 2)
y 2—

P ( x,y ) y2 – y1
d
—
2 y – y1

y 1— P 1( x 1, y 1)
x – x1 A B ( x 2, y 1)
x2 – x1

—
—

x1 x2 x

Figure 2 Deriving the Midpoint Formula

Dividing both sides by d, we have

1
( y  y 1 )  ( y  y 1)
2 2
1 1
y2  y1  y  y1
2 2
y1  y2
y
2
Similarly, from
P1P2 P1P

P1B P1A
we obtain
d
d 2

x2  x1 xx1

so that
x1  x2
x
2
446 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

We have the following general result:

If P (x, y) is the midpoint of the line segment whose endpoints are P 1 (x 1 , y 1 )

and P 2 (x 2 , y 2 ), then
x  x2 y  y2
The Midpoint x 1 and y  1
Formula 2 2

ExamplE 2 APPLYING THE MIDPOINT FORMULA

Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment whose endpoints are
P1(3, 4) and P2(2, 6).

Solution
If P(x, y) is the midpoint, then
x1  x2 3  2 1 y1  y2 4  6
x   and y   1
2 2 2 2 2

Thus, the midpoint is at ( 1

2
)
, 1 .

✔ Progress Check 2
Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment whose endpoints
are given.
(a) (0, 4), (2, 2) (b) (10, 4), (7, 5)

Answers
(a) (1, 3) (
(b) 
3
2
, 
1
2
)
The formulas for distance, midpoint of a line segment, and slope of a line are
adequate to allow us to demonstrate some of the beauty and power of analytic
geometry. With these tools, we can prove many theorems from plane geometry
by placing the figures on a rectangular coordinate system.

ExamplE 3 PROVING A THEOREM

Prove that the line joining the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to
the third side and has length equal to one half the length of the third side.

Solution
We place the triangle OAB in a convenient location, namely, with one vertex at
the origin and one side on the positive x-axis (Figure 3). If Q and R are the mid-
points of OB and AB, respectively, then by the midpoint formula the coordinates
of Q are

冢2, 2冣
b c
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 447

and the coordinates of R are

冢 冣
ab c
,
2 2

We see that the line joining

冢2, 2冣 冢 冣
b c ab c
Q and R ,
2 2

has slope 0 since the difference of the y-coordinates is

c c
 0
2 2

Side OA also has slope 0, which proves that QR is parallel to OA.

y B(b,c)

Q R

A(a,0)
O x

Figure 3 Diagram for Example 3

Applying the distance formula to QR, we have

d  兹(x2  x1) 2  (y 2  y 1) 2

兹(
2 2

ab b
2

2 ) ( ) 
c

2 2
c

兹( )
2
a a
 
2 2

Since OA has length a, we have shown that QR is one half of OA.

✔ Progress Check 3
Prove that the midpoint of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equidistant
from all three vertices.

Answer
Hint: Place the triangle so that two legs coincide with the positive x- and y-
axes. Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the hypotenuse by the mid-
point formula. Finally, compute the distance from the midpoint to each ver-
tex by the distance formula.
448 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

Exercise Set 12.1 *25. Show that the medians from the equal angles of an
isosceles triangle are of equal length. (Hint: Place
In Exercises 1–12 find the distance between the given
the triangle so that its vertices are at the points
points.
A(a, 0), B(a, 0), and C(0, b).)
1. (5, 4), (2, 1) 2. (4, 5), (2, 3)
*26. Show that the midpoints of the sides of a rectangle
3. (1, 5), (5, 1) 4. (2, 4), (3, 1) are the vertices of a rhombus (a quadrilateral with
5. (3, 1), (4, 5) 6. (2, 4), (3, 3) four equal sides). (Hint: Place the rectangle so that
its vertices are at the points (0, 0), (a, 0), (0, b),
7. (2, 4), (4, 2) 8. (3, 0), (2, 4) and (a, b).)

冢 冣冢 冣
1 3
9. – , 3 , 1, – 10. (3, 0), (0, 4) *27. Show that a triangle with two equal medians is
2 4
isosceles.
冢 3, 2冣, (2, 4)
2 3
11. (2, 4), (0, 1) 12.
*28. Show that the sum of the squares of the lengths of
In Exercises 13–24 find the midpoint of the line segment the medians of a triangle equals three fourths the
whose endpoints are the given pair of points. sum of the squares of the lengths of the sides.
(Hint: Place the triangle so that its vertices are the
13. (2, 6), (3, 4) 14. (1, 1), (2, 5) points (a, 0), (b, 0), and (0, c).)
15. (2, 0), (0, 5) 16. (3, 0), (5, 2) *29. Show that the diagonals of a rectangle are equal in
17. (2, 1), (5, 3) 18. (2, 3), (1, 3) length. (Hint: Place the rectangle so that its vertices
are the points (0, 0), (a, 0), (0, b), and (a, b).)
19. (0, 4), (0, 3) 20. (1, 3), (3, 2)
*30. Find the length of the longest side of the triangle
21. (1, 3), (1, 6) 22. (3, 2), (0, 0) whose vertices are A(3, 4), B(2, 6), and
23. (1, 1), (1, 1) 24. (2, 4), (2, 4) C(1, 2).

12.2 Symmetry
If we fold the graph in Figure 4a along the x-axis, the portion of the graph lying
above the x-axis will coincide with the portion lying below. Similarly, if we fold
the graph in Figure 4b along the y-axis, the portion to the left of the y-axis will
coincide with the portion to the right. These properties illustrate the notion of
symmetry, which we now define more carefully.
A curve in the xy-plane is symmetric with respect to the
(a) x-axis if for every point (x1, y1) on the curve, the point (x1, y1) is
also on the curve;
(b) y-axis if for every point (x1, y1) on the curve, the point (x1, y1) is
also on the curve;
(c) origin if for every point (x1, y1) on the curve, the point (x1, y1) is
also on the curve.
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 449

y y

(x 1 , y 1 ) (–x 1 , y 1 ) ( x 1, y 1)

x x

(x 1 ,– y 1 )

(a) (b)

Figure 4 Symmetry with Respect to the Coordinate Axes

Thus, a curve is symmetric with respect to the x-axis if the portion of the
curve lying below the x-axis is the mirror image in the x-axis of the portion above
the x-axis. Similarly, a curve is symmetric with respect to the y-axis if the portion
of the curve lying to the left of the y-axis is the mirror image in the y-axis of the
portion to the right of the y-axis. Thus, the curve in Figure 4a is symmetric with
respect to the x-axis, and the curve in Figure 4b is symmetric with respect to the
y-axis. The curve in Figure 5 is symmetric with respect to the origin.
The symmetries of a curve can be discovered by looking at the curve.
However, it is sometimes helpful to discover the symmetries of the graph by
examining the equation and to use these symmetries as aids in sketching the
graph. Thus, we have the following tests for symmetry:

The graph of an equation is symmetric with respect to the

(a) x-axis if replacing y with y results in an equivalent equation;

(b) y-axis if replacing x with x results in an equivalent equation;
Tests for (c) origin if replacing x with x and y with y results in an equivalent equation.
Symmetry

(x 1 , y 1 )

y = x3
(–x 1 ,– y 1 )

Figure 5 Symmetry with Respect to the Origin

450 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

ExamplE 1 DETERMINING SYMMETRY

Without sketching the graph, determine symmetry with respect to the x- and
y-axes.
(a) x 2  4y2  y  1 (b) xy  5

SolutionS
(a) Replacing x by x, we have

(x) 2  4y 2  y  1
x 2  4y 2  y  1

Since this is an equivalent equation, the curve is symmetric with respect to

the y-axis. Now, replacing y by y, we have

x 2  4(y) 2  (y)  1
x 2  4y 2  y  1

which is not an equivalent equation. Thus, the curve is not symmetric with
respect to the x-axis.

(b) Replacing x by x, we have xy  5, which is not an equivalent equation.

Replacing y by y, we have xy  5, which is not an equivalent equation.
Thus, the curve is not symmetric with respect to either axis.

✔ Progress Check 1
Without graphing, determine symmetry with respect to the coordinate axes.
1
(a) x2  y2  1 (b) x  y  10 (c) y  2
x 1

Answers
(a) symmetric with respect to both x- and y-axes
(b) not symmetric with respect to either axis
(c) symmetric with respect to the y-axis

ExamplE 2 DETERMINING SYMMETRY

Determine symmetry with respect to the origin.
x2  1
(a) y  x3  1 (b) y2  2
x 1
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 451

SolutionS
(a) Replacing x by x and y by y, we have

y  (x) 3  1
y  x 3  1
y  x3  1

Since the equation is not an equivalent equation, the curve is not symmetric
with respect to the origin.

(b) Replacing x by x and y by y, we have

(–x) 2  1
(y) 2 
(–x) 2  1

x2  1
y2 
x2  1

The equation is an equivalent equation, so we conclude that the curve is sym-

metric with respect to the origin.

✔ Progress Check 2
Determine symmetry with respect to the origin.
1
(a) x 2  y 2  1 (b) y 2  x  1 (c) y  x 
x

Answers
(a) symmetric with respect to the origin
(b) not symmetric with respect to the origin
(c) symmetric with respect to the origin

Note that in Example 2b and Progress Check 2a, the given curves are sym-
metric with respect to both the x- and y-axes, as well as the origin. In fact, we
have the following general rule:

A curve that is symmetric with respect to both coordinate axes is also symmetric
with respect to the origin. The converse, however, is not true.

The curve y  x3 in Figure 5 is an example of one that is symmetric with respect

to the origin, but not with respect to the coordinate axes.
452 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

Exercise Set 12.2 1 x2  4

21. y  22. y 
x2 x2  4
In Exercises 134 determine, without graphing,
whether the given curve is symmetric with respect to the 1 x2  1
23. y  24. y 2 
x-axis, the y-axis, or the origin, or is not symmetric with x2  1 x2  1
respect to any of these. 25. 4y 2  x 2  1 26. 4x 2  9y 2  36
1. y  x  3 2. x  2y  5 27. 9y 2  4x 2  36 28. 4  x 2 y  x 2
3. 2x  5y  0 4. 3x  2y  5 1 1
29. y 2  30. y 
5. y  4x 2
6. x  2y 2 x2 x3
1 x
7. y 2  x  4 8. x 2  y  2 31. y  x  32. y 2 
x2 x1
9. y  4  9x 2 10. y  x (x  4) 33. xy  4 34. x 2 y  4

11. y  1  x 3 12. y 2  1  x 3 *35. Show that the graph of an even function is sym-
2 2 2 metric with respect to the y-axis. (See Exercise 61
13. y  (x  2) 14. y  (x  2)
in Section 6.2.)
15. y 2  x 2  9 16. y 2 x  2x  4
*36. Show that the graph of an odd function is symmet-
17. y  yx 2  x 18. y 2 x  2x 2  4x 2 y ric with respect to the origin. (See Exercise 61 in
Section 6.2.)
19. y 3  x 2  9 20. y 3  x 3  9

12.3 The Circle

The conic sections provide us with an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate
the double-edged power of analytic geometry. We will see that a geometric figure
defined as a set of points can often be described analytically by an algebraic
equation; conversely, we can start with an algebraic equation and use graphing
procedures to study the properties of the curve.
First, let’s see how the term “conic section” originates. If we pass a plane
through a cone at various angles, the intersections are called conic sections. Figure
6 shows four conic sections: a circle, a parabola, an ellipse, and a hyperbola.

Circle Parabola Ellipse Hyperbola

Figure 6 The Conic Sections

 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 453

Let’s begin with the geometric definition of a circle.

A circle is the set of all points in a plane that are at a given distance from a fixed
point. The fixed point is called the center of the circle, and the given distance is
called the radius.

Using the methods of analytic geometry, we place the center at a point (h, k), as
in Figure 7. If P(x, y) is a point on the circle, then the distance from P to the cen-
ter (h, k) must be equal to the radius r. By the distance formula

兹(x  h) 2  (y  k) 2  r

P(x , y )
r

(h , k )
x

Figure 7 Deriving the Equation of the Circle

Squaring both sides provides us with an important form of the equation of the circle.

Standard Form (x  h ) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r 2
of the Equation is the standard form of the equation of the circle with center at (h, k ) and radius r.
of a Circle

ExamplE 1 FINDING THE EQUATION OF A CIRCLE

Write the standard form of the equation of the circle with center at (2, 5) and
radius 3.

Solution
Substituting h  2, k  5, and r  3 in the equation

(x  h ) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r 2
yields
(x  2) 2  ( y  5) 2  9
454 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

✔ Progress Check 1
Write the standard form of the equation of the circle with center at (4, 6)
and radius 5.

Answer
(x  4) 2  ( y  6) 2  25

ExamplE 2 USING THE STANDARD FORM FOR A CIRCLE

Find the coordinates of the center and the radius of the circle whose equation is

(x  1) 2  ( y  3) 2  4

Solution
Since the standard form is
(x  h ) 2  ( y  k ) 2  r 2
we must have
x  h  x  1, y  k  y  3, r2  4

Solving, we find that

h  1, k  3, r2

Thus, the center is at (1, 3) and the radius is 2.

✔ Progress Check 2
Find the coordinates of the center and the radius of the circle whose equa-
tion is (x  12)2  (y  5)2  15.

Answer
center: (12 , 5); radius: 兹15

General Form
It is also possible to begin with the equation of a circle in the general form

Ax 2  Ay 2  Dx  Ey  F  0, A 0

and to rewrite the equation in standard form. The process involves completing
the square in each variable.

ExamplE 3 WRITING AN EQUATION IN STANDARD FORM

Write the equation of the circle 2x2  2y2  12x  16y  31  0 in standard form.
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 455

Solution
Grouping the terms in x and y and factoring produces

2 (x 2  6x)  2( y 2  8y)  31

Completing the square in both x and y, we have

2(x 2  6x  9)  2( y 2  8y  16)  31  18  32
2(x  3) 2  2 ( y  4) 2  81

Note that the quantities 18 and 32 were added to the right-hand side because
each factor is multiplied by 2. The last equation can be written as
81
(x  3) 2  ( y  4) 2 
2

This is the standard form of the equation of the circle with center at (3, 4) and
9 兹2
radius .
2

✔ Progress Check 3
Write the equation of the circle 4x2  4y2  8x  4y  103 in standard
form, and determine the center and radius.

Answer
(x  1) 2  ( y  12 ) 2  27; center: (1,  21 ); radius: 兹27

ExamplE 4 WRITING AN EQUATION IN STANDARD FORM

Write the equation 3x2  3y2  6x  15  0 in standard form.

Solution
Grouping and factoring, we have
3 (x 2  2x)  3y 2  15

We then complete the square in x and y:

3 (x 2  2x  1)  3y 2  15  3
3 (x  1) 2  3y 2  12
(x  1) 2  y 2  4

Since r2  4 is an impossible situation, the graph of the equation is not a cir-

cle. Note that the left-hand side of the equation in standard form is a sum of
squares and is therefore nonnegative, while the right-hand side is negative. Thus,
there are no real values of x and y that satisfy the equation. This is an example
of an equation that does not have a graph.
456 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

✔ Progress Check 4
Write the equation x2  y2  12y  36  0 in standard form, and analyze
its graph.

Answer
The standard form is x2  (y  6)2  0. The equation is that of a “circle”
with center at (0, 6) and radius 0. The “circle” is actually the point (0, 6).

ExErciSE SEt 12.3 23. 3x 2  3y 2  12x  18y  15  0

In Exercises 1–8 write an equation of the circle with 24. 4x 2  4y 2  4x  4y  4  0
center at (h, k ) and radius r.
In Exercises 25–32 write the equation in standard form,
1. (h, k )  (2, 3), r  2
and determine if the graph of the equation is a circle, a
2. (h, k)  (3, 0), r  3 point, or neither.

3. (h, k )  (2, 3), r  兹5 25. x 2  y 2  6x  8y  7  0

4. (h, k )  (2, 4), r  4 26. x 2  y 2  4x  6y  5  0

5. (h, k )  (0, 0), r  3 27. x 2  y 2  3x  5y  7  0

6. (h, k )  (0, 3), r  2 28. x 2  y 2  4x  6y  13  0

29. 2x 2  2y 2  12x  4  0
7. (h, k ) (1, 4), r  2 兹2
30. 2x 2  2y 2  4x  4y  25  0
8. (h, k )  (2, 2), r  2
31. 2x 2  2y 2  6x  4y  2  0
In Exercises 9–16 find the coordinates of the center and
32. 2x 2  2y 2  10y  6  0
radius of the circle with the given equation.
*33. Find the area of the circle whose equation is
9. (x  2) 2  ( y  3) 2  16 10. (x  2) 2  y 2  9
x 2  y 2  2x  4y  4  0
11. (x  2) 2  ( y  2) 2  4 *34. Find the circumference of the circle whose equation is
12
冢
12. x 
2 冣  ( y  2) 2  8
x 2  y 2  6x  8  0
*35. Show that the circles whose equations are
32
冢
13. (x  4) 2  y 
2冣  18 14. x 2  ( y  2) 2  4 x 2  y 2  4x  9y  3  0
1 2 12 and
冢 冣 冢 冣
1
15. x   y2  – 16. x 2  y  3 3x 2  3y 2  12x  27y  27  0
3 9 2
are concentric (have the same centers).
In Exercises 17–24 write the equation of the given circle
in standard form and determine the radius and the coor- *36. Find an equation of the circle that has its center at
dinates of the center, if possible. (3, 1) and that passes through the point (2, 2).

17. x 2  y 2  4x  8y  4  0 *37. Find an equation of the circle that has its center at
(5, 2) and that passes through the point (3, 4).
18. x 2  y 2  2x  6y  15  0
*38. The two points (2, 4) and (4, 2) are the end-
19. 2x 2  2y 2  6x  10y  6  0 points of a diameter of a circle. Write the equation
20. 2x 2  2y 2  8x  12y  8  0 of the circle in standard form.
*39. The two points (3, 5) and (7, 3) are the end-
21. 2x 2  2y 2  4x  5  0
points of a diameter of a circle. Write the equation
22. 4x 2  4y 2  2y  7  0 of the circle in standard form.
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 457

12.4 The Parabola

We begin our study of the parabola with the geometric definition.

A parabola is the set of all points that are equidistant from a given point
and a given line.

The given point is called the focus and the given line is called the directrix of the
parabola. In Figure 8, all points P on the parabola are equidistant from the focus
F and the directrix L; that is, PF  PQ. The line through the focus that is per-
pendicular to the directrix is called the axis of the parabola (or simply the axis),
and the parabola is seen to be symmetric with respect to the axis. The point V
(Figure 8), where the parabola intersects its axis, is called the vertex of the
parabola. The vertex, then, is the point from which the parabola opens. Note
that the vertex is the point on the parabola that is closest to the directrix.

P
P

P P

P P
F
P P

P
P V

Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q L

Figure 8 Deriving the Equation of the Parabola

We can apply the methods of analytic geometry to find an equation of the

parabola. We choose the y-axis as the axis of the parabola and the origin as the
vertex (Figure 9). Since the vertex is on the parabola, it is equidistant from the
focus and the directrix. Thus, if the coordinates of the focus F are (0, p), then the
equation of the directrix is y  p. We then let P(x, y) be any point on the
parabola, and we equate the distance from P to the focus F and the distance from
P to the directrix L. Using the distance formula, we have

PF  PQ

兹(x  0) 2  (y  p) 2  兹(x  x) 2  (y  p) 2

Squaring both sides, and expanding, we have

x 2  y 2  2py  p 2  y 2  2py  p 2
x 2  4py
458 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

We have obtained an important form of the equation of a parabola.

x 2  4py
is the equation of a parabola whose vertex is at the origin,
whose focus is at (0, p), and whose axis is vertical.

Conversely, it can be shown that the graph of the equation x2  4py is a parabo-
la. Note that substituting x for x leaves the equation unchanged, verifying sym-
metry with respect to the y-axis. If p  0, the parabola opens upward, as shown
in Figure 9a; if p  0, the parabola opens downward, as shown in Figure 9b.

y y

Directrix L Q(x,–p)
y = –p
Focus
F(0,p) x
P(x,y)
P(x,y)
Focus
x F(0,p)
Directrix L
y = –p Q(x,–p)

(a) p > 0 (b) p < 0

Figure 9 Parabolas with Vertex at the Origin and a Vertical Axis

ExamplE 1 SKETCHING THE GRAPH OF A PARABOLA

Sketch the graph of each equation.
(a) x 2  8y (b) x 2  2y

SolutionS
We form tables of values giving points on the graphs and draw smooth curves.
See Figure 10.

y x y y x y
x 2 = –2y
0 0 4 0 0
|

1 ± 2.83 x 2 = 8y – 1 ± 1.41
| | | |
2 –4 –2 2 4 x
|

2 ±4 –2
|

– 3 ± 2.45
| | | | –4
3 ± 4.9 –4 –2 x 3 ± 3.16
|

2 4

( a) (b)

Figure 10 Diagram for Example 1

 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 459

✔ Progress Check 1
Sketch the graph of each equation.
(a) x 2  3y (b) x 2  y

Answers
(a) (b)
y y
8

|
| | | |
6 –4 –2 2 4 x

|
–2

|
4

|
x 2 = 3y –4

|
2 x 2 = –y

| | | | |
–4 –2 2 4 x

If we place the parabola as shown in Figure 11, we can proceed as before to

obtain the following result:

y 2  4px
is the equation of a parabola whose vertex is at the origin, whose focus is at ( p, 0),
and whose axis is horizontal.

y y
x =–p

x =–p

( p, 0 ) ( p, 0 )
F x F x

Q(–p,y) P(x,y) Q(–p,y)

P(x,y)

Directrix L Directrix L

(a) p > 0 (b) p < 0

Figure 11 Parabolas with Vertex at the Origin and a Horizontal Axis

Note that substituting y for y leaves this equation unchanged, verifying symme-
try with respect to the x-axis. If p  0, the parabola opens to the right, as shown
in Figure 11a; if p  0, the parabola opens to the left, as shown in Figure 11b.
460 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

ExamplE 2 SKETCHING THE GRAPH OF A PARABOLA

Sketch the graph of each equation.
x
(a) y 2  (b) y 2  2x
2

SolutionS
We form tables of values giving points on the graphs and draw smooth curves.
See Figure 12.

(a) (b)

x y y y
x x y
4 y2 = — y 2 = –2x 4
|

|
0 0 2 0 0
1 ± 0.71 2 – 1 ± 1.41 2
|

|
3 ±1.22 – 3 ± 2.45
5 ± 1.58 | | | – 5 ± 3.16 | | |
–2 2 4 x –4 –2 2 x
–2 –2
|

|
–4 –4
|

|
Figure 12 Diagram for Example 2

✔ Progress Check 2
Sketch the graph of each equation.
x 1
(a) y 2  – (b) y 2  x
2 4

Answers
(a) (b)
y y
4 4
|

x 1
y2 = – — y 2 = —x
2 2 2 4
|

| | | | | | |
–4 –2 2 4 x –2 2 4 x
–2 –2
|

–4 –4
|

ExamplE 3 FINDING THE EQUATION OF A PARABOLA

Find the equation of the parabola that has the x-axis as its axis, has vertex at (0,
0), and passes through the point (2, 3).
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 461

Solution
Since the axis of the parabola is the x-axis, the equation of the parabola is y2  4px.
The parabola passes through the point (2, 3), so the coordinates of this point must
satisfy the equation of the parabola. Thus,
y 2  4px
(3) 2  4p(2)
9
4p  –
2
and the equation of the parabolas is
9
y 2  4px  – x
2

✔ Progress Check 3
Find the equation of the parabola that has the x-axis as its axis, has vertex
at (0, 0), and passes through the point (2, 1).

Answer
1
y2  – x
2

Vertex at (h, k)
It is also possible to determine an equation of the parabola when the vertex is at
some arbitrary point (h, k). The form of the equation depends on whether the
axis of the parabola is parallel to the x-axis or to the y-axis. The situations are
summarized in Table 1. Note that if the point (h, k) is the origin, then h  k 
0, and we arrive at the equations we derived previously, x2  4py and y2  4px.

TABLE 1 Standard Forms of the Equations of the Parabola

Equation Vertex Axis

(x  h ) 2  4p( y  k ) (h, k ) xh

( y  k ) 2  4p(x  h) (h, k ) yk

ExamplE 4 GRAPHING FROM STANDARD FORM

Sketch the graph of the equation (y  3)2  2(x  2).
462 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

Solution
The equation is the standard form of a parabola, with vertex at (2, 3) and axis
of symmetry y  3. See Figure 13.

y x y
5 –4 6

|
3 –2
1 –4 4

|
(–2, 3) •
13
0 –— 2

|
2

| | |
–6 –4 –2 x

Figure 13 Diagram for Example 4

✔ Progress Check 4
Sketch the graph of the equation (x  1)2  2(y  2). Locate the vertex and
the axis of symmetry.

Answer
y
4
|

( x + 1) 2 = 2(y + 2)
2
|

| | | |
–4 –2 2 4 x
–2
|

(–1, –2)
–4
|

vertex: (1, 2); axis of symmetry: x  1

From the graphs in Figures 10 and 13 and the answers to Progress Checks
1 and 4, we can make the following observations:

The graph of a parabola whose equation is

(x  h ) 2  4p( y  k )
opens upward if p  0 and downward if p  0, and the axis of symmetry is x  h.
See Figures 14a and 14b.
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 463

Devices with a Parabolic Shape

The properties of the parabola are used in the design of some important devices.
For example, by rotating a parabola about its axis, we obtain a parabolic reflec-
tor, a shape used in the headlight of an automobile. In the accompanying figure,
the light source (the bulb) is placed at the focus of the parabolic reflector. The
headlight is coated with a reflecting material, and the rays of light bounce back
in lines that are parallel to the axis of the parabola. This permits a headlight to
disperse light in front of the auto where it is needed.
A reflecting telescope reverses the use of these same properties. Here, the rays
of light from a distant star, which are nearly parallel to the axis of the parabo-
la, are reflected by the mirror to the focus (see accompanying figure). The eye-
piece is placed at the focus, where the rays of light are gathered.

Figure 14 Parabola with Center at (h, k) and Vertical Axis

The graph of a parabola whose equation is

( y  k ) 2  4p( x  h )
opens to the right if p  0 and to the left if p  0, and the axis of symmetry is y  k.
See Figures 15a and 15b.
464 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

Figure 15 Parabolas with Center at (h, k) and Horizontal Axis

ExamplE 5 WORKING WITH THE STANDARD FORM

Determine the vertex, axis, and direction of opening of the graph of the parabola

冢x  2冣
2
1 1
 – ( y  4)
2

Solution
Comparison of the equation with the standard form

(x  h ) 2  4p ( y  k )
yields
1 1
h  , k  4, p  –
2 8
The axis of the parabola is always found by setting the square term equal to 0.

冢 冣
2
1
x 0
2

1
x
2

冢2, 4冣, the axis is x  2, and the parabola opens

1 1
Thus, the vertex is (h, k) 
downward since p  0.

✔ Progress Check 5
Determine the vertex, axis, and direction of opening of the graph of the
parabola

冢 冣
1
( y  1) 2  4 x 
3
Answer
vertex: (13, 1); axis: y  1; opens to the right

Any second-degree equation in x and y that has a square term in one vari-
able but only first-degree terms in the other, represents a parabola. We can put
such an equation in standard form by completing the square.
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 465

ExamplE 6 WRITING AN EQUATION IN STANDARD FORM

Determine the vertex, axis, and direction of opening of the parabola

2y 2  12y  x  19  0

Solution
First, we complete the square in y.

2y 2  12y  x  19  0
2( y 2  6y)  x  19
2 ( y 2  6y  9)  x  19  18
2( y  3) 2  x  1  (x  1)
1
( y  3) 2  – (x  1)
2
With the equation in standard form, we see that (h, k)  (1, 3) is the vertex,
y  3 is the axis, and the curve opens to the left.

✔ Progress Check 6
Write the equation of the parabola x2  4x  y  9  0 in standard form.
Determine the vertex, axis, and direction of opening.

Answer
(x  2)2  (y  5); vertex: (2, 5); axis: x  2; opens downward

Exercise Set 12.4 18. x 2  4x  2y  2  0

In Exercises 1–16 sketch the graph of the given equation. 19. y 2  8y  2x  12  0
1. x 2  4y 2. x 2  4y 20. y 2  6y  3x  12  0
3 21. x 2  x  3y  1  0
3. y 2  2x 4. y 2   x
2
22. y 2  2y  4x  3  0
5. x 2  y 6. y 2  x
23. y 2  10y  3x  24  0
7. x 2  5y  0 8. 2y 2  3x  0
24. x 2  2x  5y  19  0
9. (x  2) 2  2( y  1) 10. (x  4) 2  3 (y  2)
25. x 2  3x  3y  1 = 0
11. ( y  1) 2  3(x  2)
26. y 2  4y  x  3 = 0
12. ( y  2) 2  2(x  1)
1
1 27. y 2  6y  x70
2
13. (x  4)   ( y  2) 2
2
28. x 2  2x  3y  19  0
14. ( y  1) 2  3(x  2)
29. x 2  2x  2y  3  0
2
1
2
15. y  2(x  1) 16. x  ( y  3) 30. y 2  6y  2x  17  0
2
In Exercises 17–30 determine the vertex, axis, and direc-
In Exercises 31–40 determine the equation of the
tion of opening of the given parabola.
parabola that has its vertex at the origin and that satis-
17. x 2  2x  3y  7  0 fies the given conditions.
466 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

*31. focus at (1, 0) *32. focus at (0, 3) 5

*37. axis is the x-axis, and p  –
3 5 4
*33. directrix x  – *34. directrix y  *38. axis is the y-axis, and p  2
2 2
*35. axis is the x-axis, and parabola passes through the *39. focus at (1, 0) and directrix x  1
point (2, 1)
5 5
*40. focus at (0,  ) and directrix y 
*36. axis is the y-axis, and parabola passes through the 2 2
point (4, 2)

12.5 The Ellipse and the Hyperbola

The Ellipse
The geometric definition of an ellipse is as follows:

An ellipse is the set of all points the sum of whose distances from
two fixed points is a constant.

The fixed points are called the foci of the ellipse. An ellipse may be constructed
in the following way. Place a thumbtack at each of the foci F1 and F2, and attach
one end of a string to each of the thumbtacks. Hold a pencil tight against the
string, as shown in Figure 16, and move the pencil. The point P will describe an
ellipse since the sum of the distances from P to the foci is always a constant,
namely, the length of the string.

F1 F2

Figure 16 Sketching an Ellipse

The ellipse is in standard position if the foci are on either the x-axis or the
y-axis and are equidistant from the origin. If the focus F2 is at (c, 0), then the
other focus F1 is at (c, 0), as in Figure 17. Let P(x, y) be a point on the ellipse,
and let the constant sum of the distances from P to the foci be denoted by 2a.
Then we have
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 467

PF1  PF2  2a

Using the distance formula, we can obtain the equation of an ellipse in standard
position as follows:

Standard Form
x2 y2
of the Equation —2  —  1, ba
of an Ellipse a b2

y
(0,b) P(x,y)

(a,0)
(–a,0)
(–c,0) O (c,0) x
F1 F2

(0,–b)

Figure 17 Deriving the Equation of the Ellipse

If we let x  0 in the standard form, we find y  b; if we let y  0, we find x

 a. Thus, the ellipse whose equation is

x2 y 2
 1
a2 b2

has intercepts (a, 0) and (0, b). See Figure 17.

ExamplE 1 USING THE STANDARD FORM FOR AN ELLIPSE

Find the intercepts and sketch the graph of the ellipse whose equation is
x2 y 2
 1
16 9

Solution
The intercepts are found by setting x  0 and solving, then setting y  0 and
solving. Thus, the intercepts are (4, 0) and (0, 3). The graph is then easily
sketched (Figure 18).
468 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

(0,3)

(4,0)
(–4,0)
x

x2 y 2
 1
16 9

(0,–3)

Figure 18 Diagram for Example 1

✔ Progress Check 1
Find the intercepts and sketch the graph of
x2 y 2
 1
9 16

Answer
( 3, 0), (0,  4)
y
(0,4)

x2 y2
 1
9 16

(–3,0) (3,0)
x

(0,–4)

ExamplE 2 WRITING AN EQUATION IN STANDARD FORM

Write the equation of the ellipse in standard form and determine the intercepts.
(a) 4x 2  3y 2  12 (b) 9x 2  y 2  10
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 469

Whispering Galleries

The domed roof in the accompanying figure has the shape of an ellipse that
has been rotated about its major axis. It can be shown, using basic laws of
physics, that a sound uttered at one focus will be reflected to the other focus,
where it will be clearly heard. This property of such rooms is known as the
“whispering gallery effect.”
Famous whispering galleries include the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral,
London; St. John Lateran, Rome; the Salle des Cariatides in the Louvre, Paris;
and the original House of Representatives (now the National Statuary Hall in
the United States Capitol), Washington, D.C.

F1 F2

SolutionS
(a) Dividing by 12 to make the right-hand side equal to 1, we have
x2 y 2
 1
3 4

The x-intercepts are ( 兹3, 0); the y-intercepts are (0, 2).

(b) Dividing by 10, we have

9x2 y2
 1
10 10

But this is not standard form. However, if we write

9x2 x2
as
10 10
9
then

x2 y2
 1
10 10
9
is the standard form of an ellipse. The intercepts are

 兹10
冢 3
,0 冣 and (0,  兹10 )
470 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

✔ Progress Check 2
Find the standard form and determine the intercepts of the ellipse.
(a) 2x 2  3y 2  6 (b) 3x 2  y 2  5

Answers
x2 y 2
(a)  1 ( 兹3 , 0), (0,  兹2 )
3 2
x2  兹15
冢 冣
y2
(b)  1 , 0 , (0,  兹5 )
5 5 3
3

The Hyperbola
The hyperbola is the remaining conic section that we will consider in this chapter.

A hyperbola is the set of all points the difference of whose

distances from two fixed points is a positive constant.

The two fixed points are called the foci of the hyperbola, and the hyperbola is in
standard position if the foci are on either the x-axis or the y-axis and are equidis-
tant from the origin. If the foci lie on the x-axis and one focus F2 is at (c, 0), c 
0, then the other focus F1 is at (c, 0). (See Figures 19a and 19b.)

y y

P (x , y ) P (x, y )
• •
F1 F2 F1 F2
• • • •
(– c , 0 ) (c , 0 ) x (– c , 0 ) (c , 0 ) x

(a) (b)

Figure 19 Deriving the Equation of the Hyperbola

Let P(x, y) be a point on the hyperbola, and let the constant difference of the dis-
tances from P to the foci be denoted by 2a. If P is on the right branch, we have
PF 1  PF 2  2a

whereas if P is on the left branch, we have

PF 2  PF 1  2a
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 471

Both of these equations can be expressed by the single equation

 PF 1  PF 2  2a

Using the distance formula, we can obtain the equation of a hyperbola in stan-
dard position as follows:

Standard Form of
the Equation of a x2 y2
Hyperbola (Foci — — 1 (1)
a2 b2
on the x-axis)

If the foci lie on the y-axis and one focus F2 is at (0, c), c  0, then the other
focus F1 is at (0, c). In this case, we obtain the following equation of a hyper-
bola in standard position:

Standard Form of
the Equation of a y2 x2
Hyperbola (Foci — — 1 (2)
a2 b2
on the y-axis)

Letting y  0, we see that the x-intercepts of the graph of Equation (1) are a.
Letting x  0, we find there are no y-intercepts since the equation y2  b2 has no
real roots. (See Figure 20.) Similarly, the graph of Equation (2) has y-intercepts a
and no x-intercepts.
y y

(0, a )

(– a , 0 ) (a , 0 ) x (0, –a) x

y 2 x2
 1
a 2 b2
x2 y 2
 1
a 2 b2 (a) (b)

Figure 20 Intercepts of the Hyperbola

ExamplE 3 GRAPHING A HYPERBOLA

Find the intercepts and sketch the graph of the equation.
x2 y 2 y 2 x2
(a)  1 (b)  1
9 4 4 3

SolutionS
(a) When y  0, we have x2  9, or x  3. The intercepts are (3, 0) and
(3, 0). With the assistance of a few plotted points, we can sketch the
graph (Figure 21).
472 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

y
4

|
2

|
| | | |
–4 –2 2 4 x
–2

|
2
x y2 –4
 1

|
9 4

Figure 21 Diagram for Example 3a

(b) When x  0, we have y2  4, or y  2. The intercepts are (0, 2) and (0, 2).
Plotting a few points, we can sketch the graph (Figure 22).

y
4
| y 2 x2
 1
4 3
2
|

| | | |
–4 –2 2 4 x
–2
|

–4
|

Figure 22 Diagram for Example 3b

✔ Progress Check 3
Find the intercepts and sketch the graph.
x2 y 2 y 2 x2
(a)  1 (b)  1
16 9 16 9

Answers
(a) intercepts are (4, 0) and (4, 0) (b) intercepts are (0, 4) and (0, 4)

y y
4 4
|
|

2 2
|
|

| | | | | | | |
–4 –2 2 4 x –4 –2 2 4 x
–2 –2 y 2 x 2
|
|

 1
16 9
x2 y2 –4 –4
|
|

 1
16 9
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 473

ExamplE 4 WRITING AN EQUATION IN STANDARD FORM

Write the equation of the hyperbola in standard form and determine the intercepts.
(a) 9y 2  4x 2  36 (b) 8x 2  9y 2  18

SolutionS
(a) Dividing by 36 to produce a 1 on the right-hand side, we have
y 2 x2
 1
4 9
The y-intercepts are (0, 2). There are no x-intercepts.

(b) Dividing by 18, we have

4x2 y 2
 1
9 2
Rewritten in standard form, the equation becomes
x2 y2
 1
9 2
4
The x-intercepts are

冢2 , 0冣
3

There are no y-intercepts.

✔ Progress Check 4
Write the equation of the hyperbola in standard form and determine the
intercepts.
(a) 2x 2  5y 2  6 (b) 4y 2  x 2  5

Answers
y2 y2  兹5
冢0, 冣
x2 x2
(a)   1 ( 兹3 , 0) (b)  1
3 6 5 5 2
5 4

Asymptotes
There is a way of sketching the graph of a hyperbola without the need for
plotting points of the curve. Given the equation of the hyperbola
x2 y 2
 1
a2 b2
in standard form, we plot the four points (a, b), as in Figure 23, and draw
the diagonals of the rectangle formed by the four points. The hyperbola opens
from the intercepts (a, 0) and approaches the lines formed by the diagonals of
474 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

the rectangle. We call these lines the asymptotes of the hyperbola. Since one
asymptote passes through the points (0, 0) and (a, b), its equation is
b
y x
a
The equation of the other asymptote is found to be
b
y x
a
b b
y– x y y x
a a

(– a , b ) (a , b)

(– a , – b ) (a, –b)

x2 y2
 1
a2 b2

Figure 23 The Asymptotes of a Hyperbola

Of course, a similar argument can be made about the standard form

y 2 x2
 1
a2 b2
In this case, the four points (b, a) determine the rectangle and the equations
of the asymptotes are
a
y x
b
To summarize:

x2 y2 b
 1 has asymptotes y x
a2 b2 a

y2 x2 a
Asymptotes of  1 has asymptotes y x
a2 b2 b
the Hyperbola
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 475

ExamplE 5 USING THE ASYMPTOTES TO GRAPH A HYPERBOLA

Using asymptotes, sketch the graph of the equation
y 2 x2
 1
4 9

Solution
The points (3, 2) form the vertices of the rectangle. See Figure 24. Using the
fact that (0, 2) are intercepts, we can sketch the graph opening from these
points and approaching the asymptotes.

( 0, 2)
(–3, 2 ) ( 3, 2 )

x
( –3, –2) ( 3, –2)
y 2 x2
(0, –2)  1
4 9

Figure 24 Graph for Example 5

✔ Progress Check 5
x2 y 2
Using asymptotes, sketch the graph of the equation   1.
9 9

Answer
y

(–3, 3 ) (3, 3 ) x2 y2
 1
9 9

( 3, 0)
( –3, 0) x

(–3, – 3) ( 3, – 3)
476 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

Exercise Set 12.5 y 2 x2 x2 y 2

39. ⫺ ⫽1 40. ⫺ ⫽1
4 4 4 16
In Exercises 1–8 find the intercepts and sketch the graph
of the ellipse. 41. 16x 2 ⫺ 4y 2 ⫽ 144 42. 16y 2 ⫺ 25x 2 ⫽ 400
x2 y 2 x2 y2
1. ⫹ ⫽1 2. ⫹ ⫽1 43. 9y 2 ⫺ 9x 2 ⫽ 1 44. 25x 2 ⫺ 9y 2 ⫽ 225
25 4 4 16
x2 y 2 x2 y2 x2 y2
3. ⫹ ⫽1 4. ⫹ ⫽1 45. ⫺ ⫽1 46. y 2 ⫺ 4x 2 ⫽ 4
9 4 12 18 25 36
x2 y2 x2 y 2 x2 y2
5. ⫹ ⫽1 6. ⫹ ⫽1 47. y 2 ⫺ x 2 ⫽ 1 48. ⫺ ⫽1
16 25 1 3 36 36
x2 y2 x2 y 2
7. ⫹ ⫽1 8. ⫹ ⫽1 In Exercises 49 and 50 find an equation of the ellipse
20 10 6 24
satisfying the given conditions.
In Exercises 9–18 write the equation of the ellipse in
*49. Its intercepts are (⫾ 7, 0), and it passes through the
standard form and determine the intercepts.
6 兹3
9. 4x 2 ⫹ 9y 2 ⫽ 36 10. 16x 2 ⫹ 9y 2 ⫽ 144
(
point 1,
7
.)
11. 4x 2 ⫹ 16y 2 ⫽ 16 12. 25x 2 ⫹ 4y 2 ⫽ 100 *50. Its intercepts are (0, ⫾1) , and it passes through
1 兹3
13. 4x 2 ⫹ 16y 2 ⫽ 4 14. 8x 2 ⫹ 4y 2 ⫽ 32 the point ( 4
,
2
)
.

15. 8x 2 ⫹ 6y 2 ⫽ 24 16. 5x 2 ⫹ 6y 2 ⫽ 50 In Exercises 51–54 determine whether the foci of the

2
17. 36x ⫹ 8y ⫽ 92 2 2
18. 5x ⫹ 4y ⫽ 45 given hyperbola lie on the x-axis or on the y-axis.

*51. 2x 2 ⫺ 3y 2 ⫺ 5 ⫽ 0 *52. 3x 2 ⫺ 3y 2 ⫹ 4 ⫽ 0
In Exercises 19–26 find the intercepts and sketch the
graph of the hyperbola. *53. y 2 ⫺ 4x 2 ⫺ 20 ⫽ 0 *54. 4y 2 ⫺ 9x 2 ⫹ 36 ⫽ 0

x2 y2 y 2 x2 In Exercises 55⫺58 find the equation of the hyperbola

19. ⫺ ⫽ ⫺1 20. ⫺ ⫽1
25 16 9 4 satisfying the given conditions.
x2 y 2 y2 x2
21. ⫺ ⫽1 22. ⫺ ⫽1 *55. Its intercepts are (0, ⫾ 3), and it has asymptote y
36 9 49 25
⫽ x.
x2 y 2 y 2 x2
23. ⫺ ⫽ ⫺1 24. ⫺ ⫽ ⫺1 *56. Its intercepts are (⫾ 2, 0), and it has asymptote y
6 8 8 10
⫽ ⫺2x.
x2 y2 y 2 x2
25. ⫺ ⫽1 26. ⫺ ⫽1
12 2 6 5 *57. Its intercepts are (0, ⫾4), and it passes through the
point (5, 5).
In Exercises 27–36 write the equation of the hyperbola
in standard form and determine the intercepts. *58. Its intercepts are (⫾2, 0), and it passes through the
point (3, 1).
27. 16x 2 ⫺ y 2 ⫽ 64 28. 4x 2 ⫺ 25y 2 ⫽ 100
59. Given the standard equation for an ellipse, define
29. 4y 2 ⫺ 4x 2 ⫽ 1 30. 2x 2 ⫺ 3y 2 ⫽ 6 c ⫽ 兹a2 ⫺ b2. The ratio ac is called the eccentricity
31. 4x 2 ⫺ 5y 2 ⫽ 20 32. 25y 2 ⫺ 16x 2 ⫽ 400 of the ellipse, and it measures how nearly circular
the ellipse is. Determine the eccentricity of each
33. 4y 2 ⫺ 16x 2 ⫽ 64 34. 35x 2 ⫺ 9y 2 ⫽ 45 ellipse in Exercises 1–8.
35. 8x 2 ⫺ 4y 2 ⫽ 32 36. 4y 2 ⫺ 36x 2 ⫽ 9 60. The planets in our solar system travel in elliptical
orbits around the sun. The eccentricity of the
In Exercises 37–48, using asymptotes, sketch the graph Earth’s orbit is about 0.017, and that of the orbit
of the given hyperbola. of Mars is 0.093. What does this tell you about the
shapes of the two planets’ orbits?
x2 y 2 y 2 x2
37. ⫺ ⫽1 38. ⫺ ⫽1
16 4 4 25
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 477

12.6 Identifying the Conic Sections

Each of the conic sections we have studied in this chapter has one or more axes
of symmetry. We studied the circle and parabola when their axes of sym-
metry were the coordinate axes or lines parallel to them. Although our
study of the ellipse and hyperbola was restricted to those that have the
coordinate axes as their axes of symmetry, the same method of completing
the square allows us to transform the general equation of the conic section

Ax 2 ⫹ Cy 2 ⫹ Dx ⫹ Ey ⫹ F ⫽ 0

into standard form. This transformation is very helpful in sketching the graph of
the conic section. It is easy, also, to identify the conic section from the general
equation (see Table 2).

TABLE 2 The General Second-Degree Equation and the

Conic Sections
Ax 2 ⫹ Cy 2 ⫹ Dx ⫹ Ey ⫹ F ⫽ 0 Conic Section Remarks
A ⫽ 0 or C ⫽ 0 Parabola Second degree in one variable, first
(A and C not both 0) degree in the other

A⫽C (⫽ 0) Circle Coefficients A and C are the same.

Caution: Complete the square and check
that r ⬎ 0.

A⫽C Ellipse A and C are unequal but have the same sign.
AC ⬎ 0 Caution: Complete the square and check
that the right-hand side is a positive constant.

A⫽C Hyperbola A and C have opposite signs.

AC ⬍ 0

ExamplE 1 IDENTIFYING THE CONIC SECTIONS

Identify the conic section.
(a) 3x 2 ⫹ 3y 2 ⫺ 2y ⫽ 4 (b) 3x 2 ⫺ 9y 2 ⫹ 2x ⫺ 4y ⫽ 7
(c) 2x 2 ⫹ 5y 2 ⫺ 7x ⫹ 3y ⫺ 4 ⫽ 0 (d) 3y 2 ⫺ 4x ⫹ 17y ⫽ ⫺10

SolutionS
(a) Since the coefficients of x 2 and y 2 are the same, the graph will be a circle if
the standard form yields r ⬎ 0. Completing the square, we have

冢 冣
2
1 13
3x 2 ⫹ 3 y ⫺ ⫽
3 3

which is the equation of a circle.

478 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

(b) Since the coefficients of x 2 and y 2 are of opposite sign, the graph is a hyper-
bola.

(c) The coefficients of x 2 and y 2 are unequal but of like sign, so the graph is an
ellipse. (Verify that the right-hand side is positive.)

(d) The graph is a parabola since the equation is of the second degree in y and of
first degree in x.

✔ Progress Check 1
Identify the conic section.
x2
(a)  3y 2  2x  2y  4  0 (b) x 2  2y  3x  2
5
(c) x 2  y 2  4x  6y  11 (d) 4x 2  3y 2  6x  10  0

Answers
(a) hyperbola (b) parabola (c) circle (d) ellipse

A summary of the characteristics of the conic sections is given in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Standard Forms of the Conic Sections

Curves and Standard Equation Characteristics Example

Circle
(x  h ) 2  (y  k ) 2  r 2 Center: (h, k ) (x  2) 2  ( y  4) 2  25
Radius: r Center: (2, 4)
Radius: 5
Parabola
(x  h ) 2  4p( y  k ) (x  1) 2  2( y  3)
Vertex: (h, k ) Vertex: (1, 3)
Axis: x  h Axis: x  1
or p  0: Opens up Opens up
p  0: Opens down

( y  k) 2  4p( x  h ) ( y  4) 2  3 (x  5)
Vertex: (h, k ) Vertex: (5, 4)
Axis: y  k Axis: y  4
p  0: Opens to the right Opens to the left
p  0: Opens to the left

Ellipse
x2 y 2 x2 y 2
 1  1
a2 b2 4 6
Intercepts: (a, 0), (0,  b) Intercepts: (2, 0), (0,  兹6 )

continues
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 479

TABLE 3 continued

Curves and Standard Equation Characteristics Example

Hyperbola
x2 y 2 x2 y 2
 1  1
a2 b2 4 9
Intercepts: (a, 0) Intercepts: (2, 0)
b 3
or Asymptotes: y   x Asymptotes: y   x
a 2
Opens to left and right Opens to left and right

y 2 x2 y 2 x2
 1  1
a2 b2 9 4
Intercepts: (0, a) Intercepts: (0, 3)
a 3
Asymptotes: y   x Asymptotes: y   x
b 2
Opens up and down Opens up and down

Exercise Set 12.6 16. 2x 2  3x  5y 2  4y  6  0

In Exercises 1–30 identify the conic section. 17. 4x 2  y 2  2x  y  4  0
1. 2x 2  y  x  3  0 1
18. x 2  y 2  2x  y  3  0
2
2. 4y 2  x 2  2x  3y  5  0
19. 4x 2  4y 2  x  2y  1  0
2 2
3. 4x  4y  2x  3y  4  0
20. x 2  y 2  6x  6y  18  0
2 2
4. 3x  6y  2x  8  0
21. 4x 2  y  2x  3  0
5. 36x 2  4y 2  x  y  2  0 1
22. y 2  x 2  2x  6  0
6. x 2  y 2  6x  4y  13  0 4
23. x 2  y 2  4x  2y  7  0
7. 16x 2  4y 2  2y  3  0
1
8. 2y 2  3x  y  4  0 24. y 2  2y  x  3  0
2
9. x 2  y 2  4x  2y  8  0 25. x 2  y 2  2x  10y  26  0

10. x 2  y 2  2x  2y  6  0 26. 3x 2  2y 2  y  2  0

11. 4x 2  9y 2  x  2  0 1 2
27. x yx30
2
12. 3x 2  3y 2  3x  y  0
28. 3x 2  2y 2  2x  5y  5  0
13. 4x 2  9y 2  2x  y  3  0
29. 2x 2  y 2  3x  2y  5  0
2 2
14. x  y  6x  2y  10  0
30. x 2  2x  y  1  0
2 2
15. x  y  4x  4  0

■ ■ ■
480 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

Chapter Summary
Terms and Symbols

asymptotes of a hyperbola 474 foci of a hyperbola 470 standard equation of a circle 453
axis of a parabola 457 focus of a parabola 457 standard equation of an ellipse 467
center 453 general equation of a circle 454 standard equations of a
circle 452 general equation of the hyperbola 471
conic sections 452 conic sections 477 standard equation of a
directrix 457 hyperbola 470 parabola 458
distance formula 444 midpoint formula 444 symmetry 448
ellipse 466 parabola 457 vertex 457
foci of an ellipse 466 radius 453

Key Ideas for Review

Topic Page Key Idea

Distance and midpoint 443 If P1 (x 1 , y 1 ) and P2(x 2, y 2 ) are any two points, then the distance d between
formulas the points is given by the formula

d  兹(x2  x1 ) 2  (y2  y1 ) 2

and the midpoint Q has coordinates

冢x 2 x , y 2 y 冣
1 2 1 2

Analytic geometry: 446 Theorems from plane geometry can be proven using the methods of analytic
proving theorems geometry. In general, place the given geometric figure in a convenient position
relative to the origin and axes. The distance formula, the midpoint formula,
and the computation of slope are the tools to apply in proving such theorems.

Symmetry 448 Symmetry about a line or a point means that the curve is its own reflection
about that line or that point. The graph of an equation in x and y will be
symmetric with respect to the
(a) x-axis if an equivalent equation results when y is replaced by y;
(b) y-axis if an equivalent equation results when x is replaced by x;
(c) origin if an equivalent equation results when both x and y are replaced by
x and y, respectively

Conic sections 452 The conic sections are the circle, the parabola, the ellipse, and the hyperbola.
In some special cases, these reduce to a point, a line, two lines, or no graph.
The conic sections represent the possible intersections of a cone and a plane.
geometric definition 452 Each conic section has a geometric definition as a set of points satisfying cer-
tain given conditions.

continues
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 481

Topic Page Key Idea

Graph of a second-degree
equation

standard form 478 A second-degree equation in x and y can be written in standard form by com-
pleting the square in the variables. It is much easier to sketch the graph when
the equation is in standard form than it is when the equation is in general
form.
general form 477 It is often possible to distinguish the various conic sections even when the
equation is given in the general form.

Common Errors
1. When completing the square, be careful to balance you attempt to memorize the various forms, you
both sides of the equation. might conclude that the intercepts of

2. The first step in writing the equation y 2 x2

⫺ ⫽1
16 9
4x 2 ⫹ 25y 2 ⫽ 9
are (⫾4, 0). However, when x ⫽ 0, we see that y 2
in standard form is to divide both sides of the ⫽ 16 or y ⫽ ⫾4 and the intercepts are (0, ⫾ 4). To
equation by 9. The result, find the intercepts of

4x2 25y 2 y 2 x2
⫹ ⫽1 ⫺ ⫽ –1
9 9 16 9
is not in standard form. You must rewrite this as don’t conclude that the intercepts are (0, ⫾ 4).
When x ⫽ 0, y 2 ⫽ ⫺16 has no solution. When y ⫽
x2 y2 0, x 2 ⫽ 9 leads to the intercepts (⫾3, 0).
—⫹—⫽1
9 9
4 25 5. When analyzing the type of conic section from the
to obtain standard form and to determine the inter- general form of the second-degree equation,
cepts remember that the circle and ellipse have degener-
ate cases in which the graph turns out to be a
( 3
2
)( 3
⫾ , 0 , 0, ⫾ .
5
) point, a line, or a pair of lines. The equation

2x 2 ⫹ y 2 ⫺ 8x ⫹ 6y ⫹ 21 ⫽ 0
3. The graph of the equation 3y 2 ⫺ 4x ⫺ 6 ⫽ 0 is
not a hyperbola. If only one variable appears to the is equivalent to
second degree, the equation is that of a parabola. 2 (x ⫺ 2) 2 ⫹ ( y ⫹ 3) 2 ⫽ ⫺4
4. The safest way to find the intercepts is to let one which is impossible. There are no points we can
variable equal 0 and solve for the other variable. If graph that will satisfy this equation.
482 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

Review Exercises
Solutions to exercises whose numbers are in bold are in the Solutions section in the back of the book.

12.1 In Exercises 1–3 find the distance between the 17. x 2  y 2  4x  6y  10
given pair of points.
18. 2x 2  2y 2  4x  4y  3
1. (4, 6), (2, 1) 2. (3, 4), (3, 2)
19. x 2  y 2  6y  3  0
3. (4, 5), (1, 3)
20. x 2  y 2  2x  2y  8

In Exercises 4–6 find the midpoint of the line seg-

12.4 In Exercises 21 and 22 determine the vertex and
ment whose endpoints are given.
axis of the given parabola. Sketch the graph.
4. (5, 4), (3, 6) 5. (2, 0), (3, 5)
冢
21. ( y  5)2  4 x 
3
2 冣22. (x  1)2  2  y
6. (2, 7), (3, 2)
In Exercises 2328 determine the vertex, axis,
7. Find the coordinates of the point P2 if (2, 2)
and direction of the given parabola.
are the coordinates of the midpoint of the
line segment joining P1 (6, 3) and P2 . 23. y 2  3x  9  0

8. Use the distance formula to show that P1 (1, 24. y 2  4y  x  2  0

2), P2 (4, 3), P3 (1, 1), and P4 (4, 2) are
25. 2x 2  12x  y  16  0
the coordinates of a parallelogram.
26. x 2  4x  2y  5  0
9. Show that the points A (8, 4), B (5, 3), and
C (2, 2) are the vertices of a right triangle. 27. y 2  2y  4x  1  0

10. Find an equation of the perpendicular bisec- 28. x 2  6x  4y  9  0

tor of the line segment joining the points
A (4, 3) and B (1, 3). (The perpendicular 12.5 In Exercises 29–34 write the given equation in
bisector passes through the midpoint of AB standard form and determine the intercepts of its
and is perpendicular to AB.) graph.

29. 9x 2  4y 2  36 30. 9x 2  y 2  9
12.2 In Exercises 11 and 12 analyze the given equation
for symmetry with respect to the x-axis, y-axis, 31. 5x 2  7y 2  35 32. 9x 2  16y 2  144
and origin. 33. 3x 2  4y 2  9 34. 3y 2  5x 2  20
x2
11. y 2  1  x 3 12. y 2  2
x 5 In Exercises 35 and 36 use the intercepts and
12.3 13. Write an equation of the circle with center at asymptotes of the hyperbola to sketch the graph.
(5, 2) and a radius of 4. 35. 4x 2  4y 2  1 36. 9y 2  4x 2  36
14. Write an equation of the circle with center at
(3, 3) and radius 2. 12.6 In Exercises 37–40 identify the conic section
whose equation is given.
In Exercises 15–20 determine the center and 37. 2y 2  6y  3x  2  0
radius of the circle with the given equation.
38. 6x 2  7y 2  5x  6y  0
2 2
15. (x  2)  ( y  3)  9
39. 2x 2  y 2  12x  2y  17  0
冢 冣
2
1 2
1
16. x  ( y  4) 
2 9 40. 9x 2  4y 2  36
 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections 483

Progress Test 12A

1. Find the distance between the points P1 (3, 4) and 9. Find the intercepts and asymptotes of the hyperbo-
P2 (4, 3). la whose equation is
x2
2. Find the midpoint of the line segment whose end- 4y 2   1.
9
points are P1 ( 21 , 1) and P2 (2, 43 ). Sketch.
3. Given the points A (1, 2), B (5, 1), C (2, 7), and 10. Find the equation of the circle having center at ( 32 ,
D (6, 8), show that AC is equal and parallel to BD. 3) and radius 兹3.
4. Show that A (1, 7), B (3, 2), and C (4, 5) are the 11. Find the intercepts and vertex and sketch the graph
coordinates of the vertices of an isosceles triangle. of the parabola whose equation is y  x 2  x  6.
5. Without sketching, determine symmetry with 12. Find the intercepts and sketch the graph of the
respect to the x-axis, y-axis, and origin: equation
3x 2  2x  4y 2  6 x2 y 2
 1
36 9
6. Without sketching, determine symmetry with
13. Identify the conic section whose equation is
respect to the x-axis, y-axis, and origin:
2x 3x 2  2x  7y 2  3y  14  0
y2  2
x 1
14. Identify the conic section whose equation is
7. Find the center and radius of the circle whose
y 2  3y  5x  20
equation is x 2  8x  y 2  6y  15  0. Sketch.
15. Identify the conic section whose equation is
8. Find the vertex and axis of symmetry of the
parabola whose equation is 4y 2  4y  12x  x 2  6x  y 2  0
13. Sketch.

Progress Test 12B

1. Find the distance between the points P1 (6, 7) and 7. Find the center and radius of the circle whose
P2 (2, 5). equation is x 2  x  y 2  6y  9. Sketch.

2. Find the midpoint of the line segment whose end- 8. Find the vertex and axis of symmetry of the
points are P1 ( 23,  21 ) and P2 (2, 1). parabola whose equation is 16x 2  8x  32y 
65  0. Sketch.
3. The point (3, 2) is the midpoint of a line segment
having the point (4, 1) as an endpoint. Find the 9. Find the intercepts and asymptotes of the hyperbo-
other endpoint. la whose equation is 3x 2  8y 2  2. Sketch.

4. Show that the points A (8, 4), B (5, 3), and C (2, 10. Find the equation of the circle having center at
2) are the vertices of a right triangle. (1,  21 ) and radius 兹5.

5. Without sketching, determine symmetry with 11. Find the intercepts and vertex and sketch the graph
respect to the x-axis, y-axis, and origin: of the parabola whose equation is y  x 2  16x
y  3x 3  8x  14.

6. Without sketching, determine symmetry with 12. Find the intercepts and sketch the graph of the
respect to the x-axis, y-axis, and origin: equation

1 4x 2  y 2  9
y 
4  x2
484 Chapter 12 ■ Analytic Geometry: The Conic Sections

13. Identify the conic section whose equation is 15. Identify the conic section whose equation is
2 2
x  4x  y  6y  12  0 x 2  2y 2  4x  3  0

14. Identify the conic section whose equation is

x 2  2x  5y  4  0

Chapter 12 Project
The planet that is usually farthest from the sun is Pluto. The orbit of Pluto, like that of all the planets in
our Solar System, is an ellipse. The ellipse that Pluto traces, however, is much less nearly circular than
that of any other planet. The eccentricity of the orbit of Pluto is about 0.25, which is almost fifteen times
as great as that of Earth.
Review Exercises 59 and 60 in Section 12.5.
For this project, we will imagine ourselves to be NASA scientists, planning to launch a probe to study
Pluto. We must try to determine an equation for the orbit of Pluto, given the following facts: The eccen-
tricity of the ellipse is 0.25, and the value of a is about 3,670 million miles. Recall that e  ac.
From this information, set up and solve an equation for c. Now use the fact that c  兹a2  b2 to
solve a radical equation for b. Then write out an equation for the ellipse that is the orbit of Pluto.
Do some more research into the mathematics of space and space travel. How accurate is your equation?

■ ■ ■