Difference between revisions of "Conic section"
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| − | A [[conic section]] is the two dimensional curve that is the intersection of a plane with a cone. In mathematics, a cone extends to infinity, and goes in both directions from its apex. | + | [[image:Conic sections.gif|right|A two dimensional representation of the four major conic sections]] |
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| + | A [[conic section]] is the two dimensional curve that is the intersection of a plane with a right circular [[cone]]. In mathematics, a cone extends to infinity, and goes in both directions from its apex. | ||
Depending on the orientation of the plane relative to the cone, the conic section produced will be: | Depending on the orientation of the plane relative to the cone, the conic section produced will be: | ||
Revision as of 19:46, April 22, 2007
A conic section is the two dimensional curve that is the intersection of a plane with a right circular cone. In mathematics, a cone extends to infinity, and goes in both directions from its apex.
Depending on the orientation of the plane relative to the cone, the conic section produced will be:
- A circle, if the plane is perpendicular to the cone's axis
- An ellipse, if the plane intersects the axis at an angle greater than the angle of the cone's apex.
- A parabola, if the plane is parallel to the side of the cone (so it only intersects one half of the cone)
- A hyperbola, if the plane is at an angle to the axis smaller than the cone's apex. Most hyperbolas are thus two separate curves, resulting from the plane intersecting both "halves" of the cone.
Special cases
- If the plane is tangent to the cone, a line is produced
- If the plane intersects the apex of the cone only, the result is a point.