CONIC SECTION

CONIC SECTION

(ii) Section of a right circular cone by a plane parallel

1. CONIC SECTIONS
to its base is a circle as shown in the fig. 3.
A conic section, or conic is the locus of a point which
moves in a plane so that its distance from a fixed point is
in a constant ratio to its perpendicular distance from a
fixed straight line.
• The fixed point is called the Focus.
• The fixed straight line is called the Directrix.
• The constant ratio is called the Eccentricity
denoted by e.
• The line passing through the focus & perpendicular
to the directrix is called the Axis.
• A point of intersection of a conic with its axis is
(iii) Section of a right circular cone by a plane parallel
called a Vertex.
to a generator of the cone is a parabola as shown
2. SECTION OF RIGHT CIRCULAR CONE BY in the fig. 4.
DIFFERENT PLANES
A right circular cone is as shown in the fig. 1

(iv) Section of a right circular cone by a plane neither

parallel to any generator of the cone nor
perpendicular or parallel to the axis of the cone is
an ellipse or hyperbola as shown in the fig. 5 & 6.
(i) Section of a right circular cone by a plane passing
through its vertex is a pair of straight lines passing
through the vertex as shown in fig. 2
CONIC SECTION

3 D View : PARABOLA
5. DEFINITION AND TERMINOLOGY
A parabola is the locus of a point, whose distance from a
fixed point (focus) is equal to perpendicular distance from
a fixed straight line (directrix).

3. GENERAL EQUATION OF A CONIC :

FOCAL DIRECTRIX PROPERTY

The general equation of a conic with focus (p, q) &

directrix lx + my + n = 0 is :
Four standard forms of the parabola are
(l² + m²)[(x – p)² + (y – q)²] = e²(lx + my + n)² { y² = 4ax ; y² = –4ax ; x² = 4ay ; x² = –4ay
ax² + 2hxy + by² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 For parabola y² = 4ax :
(i) Vertex is (0, 0) (ii) Focus is (a, 0)
4. DISTINGUISHING VARIOUS CONICS (iii) Axis is y = 0 (iv) Directrix is x + a = 0
Focal Distance : The distance of a point on the parabola
The nature of the conic section depends upon the position
from the focus.
of the focus S w.r.t. the directrix & also upon the value of
Focal Chord : A chord of the parabola, which passes
the eccentricity e. Two different cases arise. through the focus.
Case (I) When The Focus Lies On The Directrix. Double Ordinate : A chord of the parabola perpendicular
to the axis of the symmetry.
In the case '{ abc + 2fgh – af 2 – bg2 – ch2 = 0 & the
Latus Rectum : A double ordinate passing through the
general equation of a conic represents a pair of straight focus or a focal chord perpendicular to the axis of parabola
lines if : is called the Latus Rectum (L.R.).
For y² = 4ax. Ÿ Length of the latus rectum = 4a
e > 1  { h2 > ab, the lines will be real and distinct
Ÿ ends of the latus rectum are
intersecting at S.
L(a, 2a) & L' (a, –2a).
e = 1 { h2 > ab, the lines will coincident.
e < 1 { h2 < ab, the lines will be imaginary.
Case (II) When The Focus Does Not Lie On Directrix.
a parabola : e = 1, ' z 0, h² = ab (i) Perpendicular distance from focus on directrix
= half the latus rectum
an ellipse : 0 < e < 1; 'z 0, h² < ab
(ii) Vertex is middle point of the focus & the point
a hyperbola : e > 1; 'z 0, h² > ab of intersection of directrix & axis.
rectangular hyperbola : e > 1 ; 'z 0, h² > ab; a + b = 0 (iii) Two parabolas are said to be equal if they have
the same latus rectum.
CONIC SECTION

6. POSITION OF A POINT RELATIVE TO A PARABOLA 9. TANGENTS TO THE PARABOLA y² = 4ax

The point (x1 y1) lies outside, on or inside the parabola (i) y y1 = 2a (x + x1) at the point (x1, y1) ;
y2 = 4ax according as the expression y12 – 4ax1 is positive,
zero or negative. a § a 2a ·
(ii) y = mx + (m z 0) at ¨ 2 , ¸
m ©m m ¹
7. LINE & A PARABOLA
(iii) t y = x + at2 at point (at2, 2at).
The line y = mx + c meets the parabola y² = 4ax in :
• two real points if a > mc
• two coincident points if a = mc
• two imaginary points if a < mc
Ÿ condition of tangency is, c = a/m.
Length of the chord intercepted by the parabola on the Point of intersection of the tangents at the point t1 & t2
line y = mx + c is : is [at1 t2, a(t1 + t2)].

§ 4 · 2
¨ 2 ¸ a(1 + m )(a - mc) 10. NORMALS TO THE PARABOLA y2 = 4ax
©m ¹

–y 1
(i) y – y1= (x – x1) at (x1, y1)
2a
(ii) y = mx – 2am – am3 at point (am2, – 2am)
(iii) y + tx = 2at + at3 at point (at2, 2at).
Length of the focal chord making an angle D with
the x-axis is 4 a cosec2D.

8. PARAMETRIC REPRESENTATION
The simplest & the best form of representing the
co-ordinates of a point on the parabola is (at2, 2at) i.e.
the equations x = at2 & y = 2 at
together represents the parabola y2 = 4ax, t being the
parameter.
The equation of a chord joining t1 & t2 is
2x – (t1 + t2)y + 2 at1t2 = 0.
(i) Point of intersection of normals at t1 & t 2
are, a (t12 + t22 + t1t2 + 2) ; – at1 t2 (t1 + t2)
(ii) If the normals to the parabola y² = 4ax at the
point t1 meets the parabola again at the point
§ 2·
t2 then t2 = – ¨¨ t1  ¸¸
© t1 ¹
(iii) If the normals to the parabola y2 = 4ax at the
points t1 & t2 intersect again on the parabola at
the point 't3' then t1t2 = 2 ; t3 = –(t1 + t2) and the
line joining t1 & t2 passes through a fixed point
(–2a, 0).

If t1 and t2 are the ends of a focal chord of the parabola y2 11. PAIR OF TANGENTS
= 4ax then t1t2 = –1.
The equation to the pair of tangents which can be drawn
Hence the co-ordinates at the extremities of a focal chord from any point (x1 y1) to the parabola y2 = 4ax is given by:
§ a 2a · SS1 = T2 where :
can be taken as : (at2, 2at) & ¨ 2 , ¸
©t t ¹ S { y2 – 4ax ; S1 = y12 – 4ax1 ; T { y y1 – 2a(x + x1).
CONIC SECTION

12. DIRECTOR CIRCLE b2

Locus of the point of intersection of the perpendicular
tangents to a curve is called the director circle. For
parabola y2 = 4ax it's equation is
x + a = 0 which is parabola's own directrix.
13. CHORD OF CONTACT
Equation to the chord of contact of tangents drawn from
a point P(x1, y1) is yy1 = 2a (x + x1) ; (i.e., T = 0)
The area of the triangle formed by the tangents from
the point (x1, y1) & the chord of contact is
(y12 – 4ax1)3/2 ÷ 2a.
14. CHORD WITH A GIVEN MIDDLE POINT
Equation of the chord of the parabola y2 = 4ax whose
middle point is : (x1 y1) is :
2a
y – y1 = y (x – x1) { T = S1.
1
Eccentricity : e 1 , (0 < e < 1)
a2
Foci : S { (a e, 0) & S' { (–a e, 0)
a a
Equations of Directrices : x &x 
e e
Major Axis : The line segment A'A in which the foci
S' & S lie is of length 2a & is called the major axis
(a > b) of the ellipse. Point of intersection of major axis
with directrix is called the foot of the directrix (Z).
Minor Axis : The y-axis intersects the ellipse in the
points B' { (0, –b) and B { (0, b). The line segment
B'B of length 2b (b < a) is called the minor axis of
the ellipse.
Principal Axis : The major and minor axis together are
called principal axis of the ellipse.
Vertices : A' { (–a, 0) & A { (a, 0).
Focal Chord : A chord which passes through a focus is
called a focal chord.
Double Ordinate : A chord perpendicular to the major
axis is called a double ordinate.
Latus Rectum : The focal chord perpendicular to the
major axis is called the latus rectum.
Length of latus rectum (LL’) :

2b 2 (minor axis)2
ELLIPSE = = 2a(1 – e2)
a major axis

15. STANDARD EQUATION AND DEFINITIONS = 2e (distance from focus to the corresponding directrix).
Centre :
Standard equation of an ellipse referred to its principal The point which bisects every chord of the conic drawn
axes along the co-ordinate axes is through it is called the centre of the conic. C { (0, 0)

x2 y2 x 2 y2
+ = 1 where a >b & b2 = a2 (1 – e2). the origin is the centre of the ellipse  1
a2 b2 a 2 b2

(i) If the equation of the ellipse is given as

x2 y2
 1 and nothing is mentioned then the
a 2 b2
rule is to assume that a > b.
(ii) If b > a is given, then the y-axis will become
major axis and x-axis will become the minor axis
and all other points and lines will change
accordingly.
CONIC SECTION

16. AUXILIARY CIRCLE/ECCENTRIC ANGLE 18. POSITION OF A POINT W.R.T. AN ELLIPSE

A circle described on major axis as diameter is called The point p (x1, y1) lies outside, inside or on the ellipse
the auxiliary circle. Let Q be a point on the auxiliary
circle x2 + y2 = a2 such that QP produced is perpendicular according as ;
to the x-axis then P & Q are called as the Corresponding
Points on the ellipse and the auxiliary circle respectively. x 12 y12
 – 1 >0 (outside)
'T' is called the Eccentric Angle of the point P on the a2 b2
ellipse (–S < T d S).

x 12 y12
 – 1 < 0 (inside)
a2 b2

x 12 y12
 – 1 = 0 (on)
a2 b2

19. LINE AND AN ELLIPSE

x 2 y2
The line y = mx + c meets the ellipse  1 in
A( PN) b Semi major axis a 2 b2
A(QN) a Semi major axis
two points real, coincident or imaginary according as
c² is < = or > a2m2 + b2.

x 2 y2
Hence y = mx + c is tangent to the ellipse  1
a2 b2
If from each point of a circle perpendiculars are drawn
upon a fixed diameter then the locus of the points if c2 = a2m2 + b2.
dividing these perpendiculars in a given ratio is an
ellipse of which the given circle is the auxiliary circle. 20. TANGENTS
17. PARAMETRIC REPRESENTATION
(a) Slope form y = mx ± a2 m2 + b 2 is tangent to
The equation x = a cos T & y = b sin T together represent
the ellipse for all values of m.
x 2 y2
the ellipse  1
a 2 b2
xx1 yy 1
(b) Point form + = 1 is tangent to the ellipse
Where T is a parameter. Note that if a 2
b2
P(T) { (a cos T, b sin T) is on the ellipse then;
at (x1 y1).
Q (T) { (a cos T, a sin T) is on the auxiliary circle.
The equation to the chord of the ellipse joining two
xcosθ ysinθ
points with eccentric angles D and E is given by (c) Parametric for + = 1 is tangent to
a b
x α+β y α+β α-β .
cos + sin = cos the ellipse at the point (a cos T, b sin T).
a 2 b 2 2
CONIC SECTION

23. DIAMETER (NOT IN SYLLABUS)

The locus of the middle points of a system of parallel

chords with slope 'm' of an ellipse is a straight line
(i) There are two tangents to the ellipse having the passing through the centre of the ellipse, called its
same m, i.e. there are two tangents parallel to
b2
any given direction. These tangents touches the diameter and has the equation y = – x
ellipse at extremities of a diameter. a2m
(ii) Point of intersection of the tangents at the point
D & E is :

§ D E DE ·
¨ cos sin ¸
¨a 2 ,b 2 ¸
¨ cos D  E cos D  E ¸ All diameters of ellipse passes through its centre.
¨ ¸
© 2 2 ¹

(iii) The eccentric angles of point of contact of two IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS

parallel tangents differ by S.
x 2 y2
Referring to the ellipse  2 1
a2
21. NORMALS
(a) If P be any point on the ellipse with S & S' as
(i) Equation of the normal at (x1 y1) is to foci then l(SP) + l(S'P) = 2a.
(b) The tangent & normal at a point P on the ellipse
a2 x b 2y
- = a2 – b2 = a2e2. bisect the external and internal angles between
x1 y1
the focal distances of P. This refers to the well
(ii) Equation of the normal at the point (acos T, bsin T) known reflection property of the ellipse which
is; states that rays from one focus are reflected
through other focus & vice-versa. Hence we
T – by cosecT
ax secT T = (a2 – b2).
can deduce that the straight lines joining each
(iii) Equation of a normal in terms of its slope 'm' is focus to the foot of the perpendicular from the
other focus upon the tangent at any point P meet
(a 2 - b 2 )m
y = mx - on the normal PG and bisects it where G is the
a2 + b2 m2 point where normal at P meets the major axis.

22. DIRECTOR CIRCLE
Locus of the point of intersection of the tangents which
meet at right angles is called the Director Circle. The
equation to this locus is x2 + y2 = a2 + b2 i.e. a circle
whose centre is the centre of the ellipse & whose radius
is the length of the line joining the ends of the major
& minor axis.
Pair of tangents, Chord of contact, Pole & Polar, Chord
with a given Middle point are to be interpreted as they
are in Parabola/Circle.
(c) The product of the length's of the perpendicular
segments from the foci on any tangent to the
ellipse is b² and the feet of these perpendiculars
lie on its auxiliary circle and the tangents at
these feet to the auxiliary circle meet on the
ordinate of P and that the locus of their point
of intersection is a similar ellipse as that of the
original one.
(d) The portion of the tangent to an ellipse between
the point of contact & the directrix subtends a
right angle at the corresponding focus.
(e) If the normal at any point P on the ellipse with
centre C meet the major and minor axes in G
& g respectively & if CF be perpendicular upon
this normal then :
CONIC SECTION

(i) PF. PG = b2 2
b2 § C.A ·
(ii) PF. Pg = a2 Eccentricity (e) : e2
= 1 + 2 = 1+¨ ¸
a © T.A ¹
(iii) PG. Pg = SP. S'P
(C.A o Conjugate Axis;
(iv) CG. CT = CS2
T.A o Transverse Axis)
(v) locus of the mid point of Gg is another Foci : S { (ae, 0) & S' { (–ae, 0).
ellipse having the same eccentricity as
that of the original ellipse. a a
Equations of Directrix : x &x 
[Where S and S' are the foci of the ellipse and e e
T is the point where tangent at P meet the major Transverse Axis : The line segment A'A of length 2a
axis] in which the foci S' & S both lie is called the transverse
axis of the hyperbola.
* The circle on any focal distance as diameter
touches the auxiliary circle. Perpendiculars from Conjugate Axis : The line segment B'B between
the centre upon all chords which join the ends the two points B' { (0, –b) & B { (0, b) is called
of any perpendicular diameters of the ellipse are as the conjugate axis of the hyperbola.
of constant length. Principal Axes : The transverse & conjugate axis
together are called Principal Axes of the hyperbola.
* If the tangent at the point P of a standard ellipse
meets the axis in T and t and CY is the Vertices : A { (a, 0) & A' { (–a, 0)
perpendicular on it from the centre then : Focal Chord : A chord which passes through a focus is
(i) T t. PY = a2 – b2 and called a focal chord.
Double Ordinate : A chord perpendicular to the
(ii) least value of T t is a + b.
transverse axis is called a double ordinate.
HYPERBOLA Latus Rectum (l) L : The focal chord perpendicular to
the transverse axis is called the latus rectum.
The Hyperbola is a conic whose eccentricity is greater
2b 2 (C.A.)2
thatn unity (e > 1). A= = = 2a (e2 – 1)
a T.A.

24. STANDARD EQUATION & DEFINITION (S)

l (L.R.) = 2 e (distance from focus to directrix).

Centre : The point which bisects every chord of the

conic drawn through it is called the centre of the conic.
C { (0, 0) the origin is the centere of the hyperbola

x y
 1
a b

x2 y 2 Since the fundamental equation to the hyperbola only

Standard equation of the hyperbola is - =1,
a2 b2 differs from that to the ellipse in having –b2 instead
of b2 it will be found that many propositions for the
where b2 = a2 (e2 – 1). hyperbola are derived from those for the ellipse by
simply changing the sign of b2.
CONIC SECTION

25. RECTANGULAR OR EQUILATERAL HYPERBOLA

The particular kind of hyperbola in which the lengths

of the transverse and conjugate axis are equal is called
an Equilateral Hyperbola. Note that the eccentricity of
the rectangular hyperbola is 2.

26. CONJUGATE HYPERBOLA

Two hyperbolas such that transverse & conjugate axes

of one hyperbola are respectively the conjugate & the
transverse axes of the other are called Conjuagate
Hyperbolas of each other.

x2 y2 x2 y2
e.g. – =1 & – + = 1 are conjugate 28. PARAMETRIC REPRESENTATION
a2 b2 a2 b2
hyperbolas of each other.
The equation x = a sec T & y = b tan T together

x2 y2
represents the hyperbola  1 where T is a
a 2 b2
parameter.
(a) If e 1 and e 2 are the eccentricities of the Note that if P(T) { (a secT, b tan T) is on the hyperbola
hyperbola and its conjugate then e1–2 + e2–2 = 1. then ;
(b) The foci of a hyperbola and its conjugate are Q (T) { (a cos T, a tan T) is on the auxiliary circle.
concyclic and form the vertices of a square. The equation to the chord of the hyperbola joining two
(c) Two hyperbolas are said to be similiar if they points with eccentric angles D and E is given by
have the same eccentricity.
x –β y +β α+β .
(d) Two similiar hyperbolas are said to be equal if cos – sin = cos
a 2 b 2 2
they have same latus rectum.
(e) If a hyperbola is equilateral then the conjugate
hyperbola is also equilateral.
29. POSITION OF A POINT 'P' W.R.T. A HYPERBOLA

27. AUXILIARY CIRCLE x12 y12

The quantity S1  1 is positive, zero or
a2 b2
A circle drawn with centre C & T.A. as a diameter is negative according as the point (x1, y1) lies inside, on
called the Auxiliary Circle of the hyperbola. Equation or outside the curve.
of the auxiliary circle is x2 + y2 = a2.
Note from the figure that P & Q are called the 30. LINE AND A HYPERBOLA
"Corresponding Points" on the hyperbola and the
auxiliary circle. The straight line y = mx + c is a secant, a tangent or
In the hyperbola any ordinate of the curve does not meet
x 2 y2
the circle on AA' as diameter in real points. There is passes outside the hyperbola  1 according as
therefore no real eccentric angle as in the case of the a 2 b2
ellipse. : c2 > or = or < a2m2 – b2, respectively.
CONIC SECTION

31. TANGENTS x 2 y2 ax by
 1 is + = a2 + b2 = a2e2.
a 2 b2 secθ tanθ
(i) Slope Form : y = mx + a 2 m 2 - b 2 can be taken (iii) Equation of a normal in terms of its slope 'm' is

x 2 y2 (a 2 + b 2 )m
as the tangent to the hyperbola  1 y = mx - .
a2 b2 a2 - b 2m2
(ii) Point Form : Equation of tangent to the

x2 y2
hyperbola  1 at the point (x1 y1) is
a 2 b2

xx1 yy 1
- =1 Equation to the chord of contact, polar, chord with a
a2 b 2
given middle point, pair of tangents from an external
(iii) Parametric Form : Equation of the tangent to the point is to be interpreted as in parabola/circle.
x2 y2
hyperbola  1 at the point (a sec T, b tan T) 33. DIRECTOR CIRCLE
a2 b2

xsecθ ytanθ The locus of the intersection point of tangents which are
- = 1.
a b at right angles is known as the Director Circle of the
hyperbola. The equation to the director circle is :
x2 + y2 = a2 – b2.
If b2 < a2 this circle is real.
If b2 = a2 (rectangular hyperbola) the radius of the circle
is zero and it reduces to a point circle at the origin. In
(i) Point of intersection of the tangents at T1 & T2 is : this case the centre is the only point from which the
tangents at right angles can be drawn to the curve.
T1  T 2
cos
§ T  T2 · If b2 > a2, the radius of the circle is imaginary, so that
x a 2 ,y b tan¨ 1 ¸
T1  T 2 there is no such circle & so no pair of tangents at right
cos © 2 ¹
2 angle can be drawn to the curve.

(ii) If |T1 + T 2| = S, then tangents at these points
(T1 & T2) are parallel.
(iii) There are two parallel tangents having the same
slope m. These tangents touches the hyperbola
at the extremities of a diameter.
34. DIAMETER (NOT IN SYLLABUS)
The locus of the middle points of a system of parallel
chords with slope 'm' of an hyperbola is called its
diameter. It is a straight line passing through the centre

b2
32. NORMALS of the hyperbola and has the equation y = + x
a2m
(i) The equation of the normal to the hyperbola

x 2 y2
 1 at the point P (x1 , y 1) on it is
a 2 b2

a2 x b 2y All diameters of the hyperbola passes through its centre.

+ = a2 + b2 = a2e2
x1 y1

(ii) The equation of the normal at the point P (a sec

T, b tan T) on the hyperbola
CONIC SECTION

(v) Asymptotes are the tangent to the hyperbola from

35. ASSYMPTOTES (NOT IN SYLLABUS)
the centre.
Definition : If the length of the perpendicular let fall (vi) A simple method to find the co-ordinates of the
from a point on a hyperbola to a straight line tends to centre of the hyperbola expressed as a general
zero as the point on the hyperbola moves to infinity equation of degree 2 should be remembered as :
along the hyperbola, then the straight line is called the Let f(x y) = 0 represents a hyperbola.
Asymptote of the hyperbola.
wf wf
Find & . Then the point of intersection
wx wy

wf wf
of 0& 0 gives the centre of the
wx wy
hyperbola.

36. RECTANGULAR HYPERBOLA (xy = c2)

It is referred to its asymptotes as axes of co-ordinates.

Vertices : (c, c) and (–c, –c) ;

x y x y
Equation of Asymptote :  0 and  0
a b a b

x 2 y2
Pairs of Asymptotes :  0
a 2 b2
Foci : ( 2c, 2c) & (  2c,  2 c),

Directrices : x + y = ± 2c

Latus Rectum (l) : l = 2 2 c = T.A. = C.A.

Parametric equation x = ct, y = c/t, t  R – {0}
(i) A hyperbola and its conjugate have the same
asymptote. Equation of a chord joining the points P(t1) & Q(t2) is
x + t1t2y = c(t1 + t2).
(ii) The equation of the pair of asymptotes different
form the equation of hyperbola (or conjugate x y
hyperbola) by the constant term only. Equation of the tangent at P (x1 y1) is + = 2 and
x1 y1
(iii) The asymptotes pass through the centre of the
hyperbla and are equally inclined to the x
transverse axis of the hyperbola. Hence the at P(t) is + ty = 2c.
t
bisectors of the angles between the asymptotes
are the principle axes of the hyperbola. Equation of the normal at P(t) is xt3 – yt = c(t4 – 1).

(iv) The asymptotes of a hyperbola are the diagonals Chord with a given middle point as (h, k) is kx + hy =
of the rectangle formed by the lines drawn 2hk.
through the extremities of each axis parallel to
the other axis.
CONIC SECTION

(v) If from any point on the asymptote a straight

IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS
(i) Locus of the feet of the perpendicular drawn
x 2 y2
from focus of the hyperbola  1 upon
a2 b2
any tangent is its auxiliary circle i.e.
x2 + y2 = a2 & the product of the feet of these
perpendiculars is b2.
(ii) The portion of the tangent between the point of
contact & the directrix subtends a right angle at
the corresponding focus.
(iii) The tangent & normal at any point of a hyperbola
bisect the angle between the focal radii. This
spell the reflection property of the hyperbola as
"An incoming light ray" aimed towards one
focus is reflected from the outer surface of the
hyperbola towards the other focus. It follows that
if an ellipse and a hyperbola have the same foci,
they cut at right angles at any of their common
point.
line be drawn perpendicular to the transverse
axis, the product of the segments of this line,
intercepted between the point and the curve is
always equal to the square of the semi conjugate
axis.
(vi) Perpendicular from the foci on either asymptote
meet it in the same points as the corresponding
directrix and the common points of intersection
lie on the auxiliary circle.
(vii) The tangent at any point P on a hyperbola
x 2 y2
 1 with centre C, meets the asymptotes
a 2 b2
in Q and R and cuts off a ' CQR of constant
area equal to ab from the asymptotes and the
portion of the tangent intercepted between the
asymptote is bisected at the point of contact. This
implies that locus of the centre of the circle
circumscribing the ' CQR in case of a
rectangular hyperbola is the hyperbola itself and
for a standard hyperbola the locus would be the
curve, 4(a2x2 – b2y2) = (a2 + b2)2.
(viii) If the angle between the asymptote of a hyperbola

x2 y2
 1 is 2T then the eccentricity of the
a2 b2
hyperbola is secT.
(ix) A rectangular hyperbola circumscribing a triangle
also passes through the orthocentre of this triangle.

§ c·
If ¨¨ ct i , ¸¸ i = 1, 2, 3 be the angular points P,,
© ti ¹

§ c ·
Q, R then orthocentre is ¨¨ ,ct1 t 2 t 3 ¸¸.
© t 1t 2 t 3 ¹
x2 y2
Note that the ellipse  1 & the (x) If a circle and the rectangular hyperbola xy =
a2 b2 c2 meet in the four points, t1, t2, t3 and t4, then
x2 y2 (a) t1 t2 t3 t4 = 1
hyperbola  = 1
a 2  k 2 k 2  b2 (b) the centre of the mean position of the four
points bisects the distance between the centre of
(a > k > b > 0) are confocal and therefore
the circle through the points t1, t2, and t3 is :
orthogonal.
(iv) The foci of the hyperbola and the points P and ­° c § 1 · c§1 1 1 ·½°
Q in which any tangent meets the tangents at ® ¨¨ t1  t 2  t 3  ¸¸, ¨¨    t1  t 2  t 3 ¸¸¾
°̄ 2 © t1t 2 t 3 ¹ 2 © t1 t 2 t 3 ¹°¿
the vertices are concyclic with PQ as diameter
of the circle.
 CIRCLE

CIRCLE
A circle is a locus of a point whose distance from a fixed
point (called centre) is always constant (called radius). 4. POSITION OF A POINT WITH RESPECT TO A CIRCLE

1. EQUATION OF A CIRCLE IN VARIOUS FORM The point (x1,y1) is inside, on or outside the
circle S {x1² + y1² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0.
(a) The circle with centre as origin & radius 'r' has the
equation; x² + y² = r².
(b) The Circle with centre (h, k) & radius 'r' has the equation;
(x – h)² + (y – k)² = r²
(c) The general equation of a circle is
x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 with centre as (–g, –f) and according as S1 { x1² + y1² + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c < = or > 0.

radius = g 2  f 2  c . If :
g2 + f 2 – c > 0 Ÿ real circle.
g2 2
+f –c=0 Ÿ point circle
g2 2
+f –c<0 Ÿ imaginary circle, with real
centre, that is (–g, –f) The greatest & the least distance of a point A from a circle
Note that every second degree equation in x & y, in which with centre C & radius r is AC + r & AC – r respectively.
coefficient of x² is equal to coefficient of y² & the coefficient
of xy is zero, always represents a circle.
5. LINE AND A CIRCLE
(d) The equation of circle with (x1, y1) & (x2, y2) as extremities
of its diameter is :
Let L = 0 be a line & S = 0 be a circle. If r is the radius of
(x – x1) (x – x2) + (y – y1) (y – y2) = 0. the circle & p is the length of the perpendicular from the
Note that this will be the circle of least radius passing centre on the line, then:
through (x1, y1) & (x2, y2).
(i) p>r œ the line does not meet the circle i.e. passes
2. INTERCEPTS MADE BY A CIRCLE ON THE AXES outside the circle.

The intercepts made by the circle x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 (ii) p=r œ the line touches the circle.
(It is tangent to the circle)
on the co-ordinate axes are 2 g 2  c and 2 f 2  c
respectively. If : (iii) p < r œ the line is a secant of the circle.

g² – c > 0 Ÿ circle cuts the x axis at two distinct (iv) p = 0 Ÿ the line is a diameter of the circle.
points. Also, if y = mx + c is line and x² + y² = a² is circle then.
g² – c = 0 Ÿ circle touches the x–axis
g² – c < 0 Ÿ circle lies completely above or below the (i) c² < a² (1 + m²) œ the line is a secant of the
x–axis. circle.
3. PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS OF A CIRCLE (ii) c² = a²(1 + m²) œ the line touches the circle.
(It is tangent to the circle)
The parametric equations of (x – h)² + (y – k)² = r² are :
(iii) c² > a²(1 + m²) œ the line does not meet the
x = h + r cos T ; y = k + r sin T ; –S <T < S
circle i.e. passes out side the
where (h, k) is the centre, r is the radius & T is a parameter. circle.
 CIRCLE

6. TANGENT 7. FAMILY OF CIRCLES

(a) Slope form : (a) The equation of the family of circles passing
through the points of intersection of two circles
y = mx + c is always a tangent to the circle x² + y² = a² S1 = 0 and S2 = 0 is : S1 + K S2 = 0
if c² = a² (1 + m²).
(K z –1, provided the co-efficient of x2 & y2 in
S1 & S2 are same)
Hence, equation of tangent is y = mx ± a 1  m and the
2

(b) The equation of the family of circles passing through

§ a 2m a 2 · the point of intersection of a circle S = 0 & a line
point of contact is ¨¨  c , c ¸¸, where c = ± a 1  m .
2
L = 0 is given by S + KL = 0.
© ¹
(c) The equation of a family of circles passing through
(b) Point form : two given points (x1, y1) & (x2, y2) can be written
(i) The equation of the tangent to the circle x² + y² = a² in the form :
at its point (x1, y1) is, x x1 + y y1 = a².
x y 1
(ii) The equation of the tangent to the circle
(x – x1) (x – x2) + (y – y1) (y – y2) + K x1 y1 1 0
x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 at its point (x1, y1) is :
x2 y2 1
xx1 + yy1 + g (x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c = 0.
Where S { x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c ; where K is a parameter.
S1 = x12 + y12 + 2gx1 + 2fy1 + c (d) The equation of a family of circles touching a
fixed line y – y1 = m(x – x1) at the fixed point
T { xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c
(x 1, y1) is
(x – x1)2 + (y – y1)2 + K[y – y1 – m (x – x1)] = 0
where K is a parameter.

In general the equation of tangent to any second degree

curve at point (x1, y1) on it can be obtained by replacing
x  x1 y  y1
x² by x x1, y² by yy1,x by , y by , xy by z Family of circles circumscribing a triangle whose
2 2
sides are given by L1 = 0; L2 = 0 and L3 = 0 is
x1 y  xy1 given by ; L1L2 + O L2L3 + P L3L1 = 0 provided
and c remains as c.
2 co-efficient of xy = 0 and co-efficient of
x² = co-efficient of y².
(c) Parametric form : z Eq uat ion o f circl e cir cumsc rib i ng a
The equation of a tangent to circle x² + y² = a² at q uad r ila tera l who se sid e in o rder a re
(a cos D, a sin D) is : x cosD
D+ D = a.
D y sinD represented by the lines L1 = 0, L2 = 0, L3 = 0 &
L4 = 0 are P L1L3 + OL2L4 = 0 where value of P
and O can be found out by using condition that
co-efficient of x 2 = co-efficient of y 2 and
co-efficient of xy = 0.

The point of intersection of the tangents at the points P(D) 8. NORMAL

& Q(E) is : If a line is normal /orthogonal to a circle then it must pass
through the centre of the circle. Using this fact normal to
§ D E D E · the circle x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 at (x1, y1) is ;
¨ a cos , a sin ¸
¨ 2 2 ¸
¨ cos D  E , cos D  E ¸ y1  f
¨ ¸ y  y1 x  x1
© 2 2 ¹ x1  g

9. PAIR OF TANGENTS FROM A POINT
The equation of a pair of tangents drawn from the point
A (x1, y1) to the circle.
x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is : SS1 = T²
10. LENGTH OF A TANGENT AND POWER OF A POINT
The length of a tangent from an external point (x1, y1) to
the circle :
S { x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 is given by
L x12  y 12  2gx1  2f1y  c S1
Square of length of the tangent from the point P is also
called the power of point w.r.t. a circle. Power of a point
w.r.t a circle remains constant.
Power of a point P is positive, negative or zero according
as the point 'P' is outside, inside or on the circle respectively.
11. DIRECTOR CIRCLE
The locus of the point of intersection of two perpendicular
tangents is called the director circle of the given circle.
The director circle of a circle is the concentric circle
having radius equal to times the original circle.
12. CHORD OF CONTACT
If two tangents PT1 & PT2 are drawn from the point
P (x1, y1) to the circle
S { x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, then the equation of the
chord of contact T1T2 is :
xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c = 0. T = 0
Here R = radius, L = Length of tangent.
(a) Chord of contact exists only if the point 'P' is not
inside.
2LR
(b) Length of chord of contact T1T2 =
R L
CIRCLE
(c) Area of the triangle formed by the pair of the tangents
RL3
& its chord of contact =
R2  L
(d) Tangent of the angle between the pair of tangents
§ 2RL ·
from (x1, y1) = ¨ 2 ¸
©L R ¹
(e) Equation of the circle circumscribing the triangle
PT1 T2 is :
(x – x1) (x + g) + (y – y1) (y + f) = 0.
13. POLE AND POLAR (NOT IN SYLLABUS)
(i) If through a point P in the plane of the circle there be
drawn any straight line to meet the circle in Q and R,
the locus of the point of intersection of the tangents
at Q and R is called the Polar of the point P; also P is
called the Pole of the Polar.
(ii) The equation of the polar of a point P (x1 y1) w.r.t. the
circle x2 + y2 = a2 is given by xx1 + yy1 = a2 and if the
circle is general then the equation of the polar
becomes xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x1) + f(y + y1) + c = 0 i.e.
T = 0. Note that if the point (x1 y1) be on the circle
then the tangent & polar will be represented by the
same equation. Similary if the point (x1 y1) be outside
the circle then the chord of contact and polar will be
represented by the same equation.
(iii) Pole of a given line Ax + By + C = 0 w.r.t. circle
§ Aa Ba ·
x2 + y2 = a2 is ¨¨  , ¸
¸
© C C ¹
(iv) If the polar of a point P pass through a point Q then
the polar of Q passes through P.
(v) Two lines L1 & L2 are conjugate of each other if Pole
of L1 lies on L2 and vice versa. Similarly two points
P and Q are said to be conjuagate of each other if the
polar of P passes through Q and vice-versa.
CIRCLE

14. EQUATION OF THE CHORD WITH A GIVEN

MIDDLE POINT (ii) 3 common tangents r1 + r2 = c1c2.

The equation of the chord of the circle S { x 2 + y 2

+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 in terms of its mid point
(iii) 2 common tangents | r1 – r2 | < c1c2 < r1 + r2
M(x 1 , y 1 ) is xx1 + yy1 + g(x + x 1) + f(y + y1) + c = x12
+ y12 + 2gx 1 + 2fy1 + c which is designated by T = S 1.

(iv) 1 common tangents |r1 – r2| = c1c2.

(v) No common tangent. c1c2 < | r1 – r2|

(i) The shortest chord of a circle passing through a
point 'M' inside the circle is one chord whose
(Here c1c2 is distance between centres of two circles.)
middle point is M.
(ii) The chord passing through a point 'M' inside the
circle and which is at a maximum distance from the
centre is a chord with middle point M.
(i) The direct common tangents meet at a point which
15. EQUATION OF THE CHORD JOINING TWO divides the line joining centre of circles externally
POINTS OF CIRCLE in the ratio of their radii.
Transverse common tangents meet at a point which
The equation of chord PQ of the circle x² + y² = a² joining two divides the line joining centre of circles internally
points P(D) and P(E) on it is given by. The equation of a in the ratio of their radii.
straight line joining two point D and E on the circle x2 + y2
(ii) Length of an external (or direct) common tangent
= a2 is
& internal (or transverse) common tangent to the
αβ α β αβ
xcos  ysin acos two circles are given by : L ext . d 2  (r1  r2 2
2 2 2

16. COMMON TANGENTS TO TWO CIRCLES and L int . d 2  (r1  r2 2

, where d = distance

between the centres of the two circles and r1, r2 are

CASE NUMBER OF CONDITION the radii of the two circles. Note that length of
TANGENTS internal common tangent is always less than the
length of the external or direct common tangent.

17. ORTHOGONALITY OF TWO CIRCLES

(i) 4 common tangents r1 + r2 < c1c2.

Two circles S1 = 0 & S2 = 0 are said to be orthogonal or

said to intersect orthogonally if the tangents at their point
(2 direct and 2 of intersection include a right angle. The condition for
transverse) two circles to be orthogonal is : 2g1g2 + 2 f1f2 = c1 + c2.
 CIRCLE

(a) If two circles intersect, then the radical axis is the

common chord of the two circles.
(a) The centre of a variable circle orthogonal to two
fixed circles lies on the radical axis of two circles. (b) If two circles touch each other then the radical axis
is the common tangent of the two circles at the
(b) If two circles are orthogonal, then the polar of a point
common point of contact.
‘P’ on first circle w.r.t. the second circle passes
through the point Q which is the other end of the (c) Radical axis is always perpendicular to the line
diameter through P. Hence locus of a point which joining the centres of the two circles.
moves such that its polars w.r.t. the circles S1 = 0, (d) Radical axis will pass through the mid point of the
S2 = 0 & S3 = 0 are concurrent is a circle which is line joining the centres of the two circles only if the
orthogonal to all the three circles. (Not in syllabus). two circles have equal radii.
(c) The centre of a circle which is orthogonal to three (e) Radical axis bisects a common tangent between the
given circles is the radical centre provided the two circles.
radical centre lies outside all the three circles. (f) A system of circles, every two of which have the
same radical axis, is called a coaxal system.
18. RADICAL AXIS AND RADICAL CENTRE (g) Pairs of circles which do not have radical axis are
The radical axis of two circles is the locus of points whose concentric.
powers w.r.t. the two circles are equal. The equation of
radical axis of the two circles S1 = 0 & S2 = 0 is given by :
S1 – S2 = 0
i.e. 2(g1 – g2)x + 2(f1 – f2)y + (c1 – c2) = 0
The common point of intersection of the radical axes of
three circles taken two at a time is called the radical centre
of three circles. Note that the length of tangents from
radical centre to the three circles are equal.