A parabola represents the locus of points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed point and a specific line. The fixed point described is called the locus, while the specific line the directrix. A parabola is symmetric about the line perpendicular to the directrix through the focus. This line is called axis of…
An ellipse forms by the locus of points in a plane, but only when the sum of the distances form two fixed points, called foci (plural for focus), is constant. An ellipse results when an oblique plane cuts a cone, without intersecting the base. Distance from focus to focus equals the distance frmo 1 point to…
Circles fall into the category of ellipses. The difference between a true ellipse and a circle is the eccentricity. Eccentricity is a ratio of c/a. It ranges from 0 to 1. The closer the eccentricity to 1, the longer it will be, and more like an ellipse. However, as it nears 0, the more circular the…
A hyperbola is discontinious, meaning it has gaps on the graphs. It can be defined as the locus of all points in a plane such that the absolute value of the differences of the distances from two foci is constant. The Locus is the various points that form a curve. The graph of a parabola is two disconnected…
The Conic Club 