SPECIAL CURVES

CONICS SECTIONS ELLIPSE PARABOLA HYPERBOLA

Topics to be covered in the class

Curves used in engineering practices: Conics Construction of ellipse, parabola and hyperbola by eccentricity method

Introduction
The section obtained by the intersection of a right circular cone by a cutting plane in different positions to the axis of a cone are called conics or conical sections.

Types of curves produced are 1. 2. 3. 4. Circle Ellipse Parabola Hyperbola

Position of cutting planes

Sl.no.
1

Position of cutting planes

Perpendicular to axis of the cone.

Shape of the section

Circle

Inclined to the axis and not a parallel to any generator, it cuts generator.
Inclined to the axis and parallel to generator also passes through the base. Here the axis is cut by the plane. Inclined to the axis at an angle smaller than the angle of generators to the axis and passes through the base.

Ellipse

Parabola

Hyper bola

Definition
1. It may be defines as locus of a point which moves in such a way that its distance from a fixed point( focus) is always in a constant ratio with its perpendicular distance

from a fixed straight line(directrix).

2. The ratio FP/QP is constant

Terminologies

Focus: The fixed point on the axis . Directrix : The fixed straight line. Axis: The line perpendicular to the directrix and passing through the focus . Vertex: The point of intersection of

the conic section with the axis.

vertex

Ellipse
1. The circle is the simplest of all curves. 2. However, the ellipse is the curve most often

"seen" in everyday life .

3. This is because every circle, viewed obliquely, appears elliptical . 4. The orbits of the planets are ellipses . 5. The electrons of an atom move in an approximately elliptical orbit with the nucleus at one focus

Applications of Ellipse
1. Bridges

2. Dams
3. Arches 4. Pressure vessels 5. Reflectors

Methods to draw Ellipse

1. Pin and string

2. Trammel
3. Major axis and minor axis 4. Concentric circles 5. Foci 6. Four centre 7. Parallelogram 8. Eccentricity

Eccentricity method
Step 1 a. Directrix (vertical line) DD and AB (horizontal line) is drawn. The

focus F is drawn on the axis at a given distance. (e= ) .

b. In the CC line X is drawn at any distance , here the X is 4 units and perpendicular line Y is drawn from the point X for 3 units.

D F C X C

Eccentricity value is X axis is 4 units and y axis is 3 units { we need to add 4+3 = 7 units in AB}

Step 3

a. The C and Y is connected by the straight line. From the focus point F the straight line intersect CY at 45o and mark as point S. b. Then from point S perpendicular line is drawn and mark as point as vertex
sv1 xy fv 3 1 1 cv1 cx cv1 4

V1. Now ,

c. From the focus point F1 the straight line is drawn at an angle 45o intersect the CY line and the intersected point marked as T. The perpendicular line is D drawn from the point T it intersects the CC that point is Vertex V2 . V1 F1 X V2

S
D

45O

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

Step 3
a. The vertex V1 and V2 are measured and divided into equal segments. b. Then lines are named as 1 1 and 2 2 and so on up to the

D V1 F1 X V2

vertex V2 .

1 2

3 4 Y 5

S
D

9 T

Step 4
a. The 1 &1 distance is measured and focus F1 as centre arc is drawn in the vertical line. b. The same is carried out for the rest of the points. c. The arc is connected by a line and D 2 X V1 1 F1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 V2

it represents the ellipse.

S
D

1 2

4 Y 5

Now, the normal and tangent to

be drawn at any point in the N ellipse. a. The line is extended from the D P focus point F to the directrix DD and marked as Q. b. From the point Q the line is

Q
C 2 X V1 1 F1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

drawn to the ellipse. (any point

V2

in the ellipse ) C c. The point marked as P ( tangent) . The perpendicular

S
D

1 2

line is drawn form the point P 4 Y 5 6 is the normal 7 8 9

Parabola
It is a general plane curve generated by a point moving so that at any position, its distance from a fixed point( focus) is always exactly equal to its distance from a fixed straight line(Directrix)

Terminologies
1. Ordinate any line perpendicular

to the axis
2. Double ordinate the extension ordinate up to other side of the parabolic curve. 3. Latus rectum the double ordinate, if passing through the focus .

Parabola
1. When a golf ball is hit into the air, it follows a parabolic path. 2. The parabola is used by engineers in designing some suspension bridges. 3. This property is used in the design of flashlights and headlights.

Methods to draw Parabola

1. Parallelogram

2. Offset
3. Rectangle 4. Tangent 5. Envelop 6. Eccentricity

Eccentricity method

Procedure is same as the ellipse. Go through the

ellipse

steps

with

eccentricity as 1

Hyperbola
1. It is plane curve generated by a point

moving so that the difference of its

distances from two fixed points, called the focuses or foci is a constant.

2. The mathematical equation for a hyperbola is x2 /a2 y2 /b2 =1

Where a is the distance from the center

to the x intercept ,B is the distance from the center to the y intercept.

Terminologies
Transverse axis The horizontal axis equal to the distance between two vertices of a pair hyperbola Conjugate axis The line perpendicular to the transverse axis and passing through the centre of transverse axis. Foci The two fixed points which lie on the extension of transverse axis.

Asymptotes The straight lines which intersect each other at centre of the
transverse axis o. They never touch the curve but approach very nearer to the curves.

Applications
1. Sound waves travel in hyperbolic paths, and so there are applications of the

hyperbola in navigation (GPS systems) 2. The hyperbolic shape of water cooling towers helps the tower do its job more

efficiently

Eccentricity method