co
One of the most important topics from JEE point of view is the conic section. Further ellipse and hyperbola
constitute of 2-3 questions every year. Read and revise all the important topics from ellipse and
hyperbola. Download the pdf of the Short Notes on Ellipse and Hyperbola from the link given at the end of
the article.
Conic Section is the locus of a point which moves such that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to its
perpendicular distance from a fixed line is always constant.
The focus is the fixed point, directrix is the fixed straight line, eccentricity is the constant ratio and axis is
the line passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix.
PS2 = e2 PM2
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, this is the general equation of the conic.
The nature of the conic depends on eccentricity and also on the relative position of the fixed point and the
fixed line.
Case 1: When the fixed point ‘S’ lies on the fixed line i.e., on directrix. Then the discriminant will be 0.
Then the general equation of the conic will represent two lines
Case 2: When the fixed point ‘S’ does not lies on the fixed line i.e., not on directrix. Then the discriminant
will not be 0. Then the general equation of the conic will represent parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola.
2. Hyperbola
Hyperbola is the locus of a point in a plane such that the difference of its distance from two fixed point in
the same plane is always constant.
Let P (h, k)
|PF1 | - |PF2| = 2a
, where b2 = a2 (e2 – 1)
www.gradeup.co
2.1 Nomenclature of hyperbola:
Eccentricity (e):
Transverse axis (TA): The line segment containing the foci is known as the transverse axis and the
length is 2a
Conjugate axis (CA): The line segment containing the points B1 and B2 is called as conjugate axis and
the length is 2b.
Centre of the hyperbola: Point of the intersection of TA and CA is known as the center.
Focal axis: Line containing the fix points F1 and F2 (called as foci) is called as the focal axis
Focal length: The distance between F1 and F2 is called the focal length
Focal chord: A chord passing through a focus is called the focal chord.
Latus rectum (LR): LR is the focal chord which is perpendicular to TA and whose length is 2b 2/a = 2a(e2
– 1)= 2e ( ae – a/e) = 2e (Distance between focus and corresponding foot of directrix)
Directrix: x = ±a/e
Corresponding to every hyperbola there exist a hyperbola such that the conjugate axis and the transverse
axis of one is equal to the transverse axis and the conjugate axis of the other. Such hyperbolas are called
as the conjugate hyperbola
If, hyperbola, H:
If e1 is the eccentricity of the hyperbola and e2 is the eccentricity of the conjugate hyperbola then
www.gradeup.co
A hyperbola will be converted to a rectangular hyperbola if a = b i.e., TA = CA. This hyperbola is also
known as an equilateral hyperbola.
Eccentricity, e =√2
The circle described on the transverse axis of the hyperbola as the diameter is called an auxiliary circle.
x2 + y2 = a2
x2 + y2 = b2
P (a sec θ, b tan θ)
These two points: P and Q are called as the corresponding point and Q is called as the eccentric angle
of the point P.
www.gradeup.co
2.7 Position of a point with respect to the hyperbola
Let, L: y = mx + c
S:
A line can be a tangent to the hyperbola, it may cut the hyperbola or it may not cut/touch the hyperbla at
all.
D=0
L: y = mx + c
www.gradeup.co
2.10 Number of tangents from a given point (h,k) to the hyperbola
We have,
P (h,k)
Thus,
This suggests that from a given point P(h,k) we can draw at maximum two tangents.
Thus,
Point circle: when the length of TA = length of CA ie., in case of a rectangular hyperbola.
Thus, director circle is the locus of all those point from where the ellipse can be seen at angle 90.
www.gradeup.co
2.13 Equation of the chord of a hyperbola joining α and β on it
Tangents:
a) Cartesian Tangent
b) Slope form
Parametric form
Normal:
a) Cartesian Normal
b) Slope form
www.gradeup.co
c) Parametric form
The equation of chord of contact will be similar to that of the tangent. Thus a line when touches the
hyperbola will be tangent and the same line when cuts the hyperbola will be the chord of contact.
SS1 = T2, where S is the equation of the hyperbola, S1 is the equation when a point P (h,k) satisfies S, T is
the equation of the tangent.
T = S1
This is a special kind of hyperbola when the length of traverse and conjugate axis are equal.
The equation is
x2 – y2 = a2
However, rotating the coordinate axis through an angle of 45 0, we get an another form of this rectangular
hyperbola.
i.e., XY = c2
(ct2, c/t2)
2.20 The equation of chord joining t1 and t2 points on the rectangular hyperbola
b) Parametric form
Parametric form:
(y -c/t) = t2 (x – ct)
T = S1
Thus, equation is