Diagram of an ellipse that can used to illustrate the definition. "The constant ration between the distances of a point on an ellipse from the focus and the directrix equals the linear eccentricity divided by the semi major axis."

Definition of Ellipse

Diagram of an ellipse that can used to illustrate the definition. "The constant ration between the distances…

Diagram of an ellipse that can used to illustrate the different parts. Segment MN is the major axis, segment CD is the conjugate (minor) axis, and point O is the center of the ellipse. Both foci are also labeled in the illustration.

Parts of Ellipse

Diagram of an ellipse that can used to illustrate the different parts. Segment MN is the major axis,…

Each section is an ellipse. The surface is generated by an ellipse moving parallel to itself along two ellipses as directices.

Ellipsoid

Each section is an ellipse. The surface is generated by an ellipse moving parallel to itself along two…

Three dimensional representation of a variable hyperbola moving parallel to itself along the parabolas as directrices.

Hyperbolic Parabaloid

Three dimensional representation of a variable hyperbola moving parallel to itself along the parabolas…

Two dimensional representation of variable hyperbola moving parallel to itself along the parabolas as directrices.

Hyperbolic Parabaloid

Two dimensional representation of variable hyperbola moving parallel to itself along the parabolas as…

The segments between the point of intersection of two tangents to a conic and their points of contact are seen from a focus under equal angles. the ratio of the distances of any point on a conic from a focus and the corresponding directrix is constant.

Parabola Foci Properties

The segments between the point of intersection of two tangents to a conic and their points of contact…

Diagram of a cone intersected by plane J to form a parabola. Also pictured is a circle formed by the intersection of plane K with the cone. "Every point of a parabola is equidistant from the focus and the directrix."

Cone Intersected by a Plane to Form a Parabola

Diagram of a cone intersected by plane J to form a parabola. Also pictured is a circle formed by the…

Illustration showing the definition of a parabola as a conic section. "The section of a right circular cone made by a plane parallel to one, and only one, element of the surface is a parabola."

Conic Section Showing Parabola

Illustration showing the definition of a parabola as a conic section. "The section of a right circular…

Illustration showing the definition of a parabola as a conic section. "The section of a right circular cone made by a plane parallel to one, and only one, element of the surface is a parabola."

Conic Section Showing Parabola

Illustration showing the definition of a parabola as a conic section. "The section of a right circular…

Diagram showing how to construct a parabola when given the directrix (d), the focus (F) and the eccentricity (m).

Construction of a Parabola

Diagram showing how to construct a parabola when given the directrix (d), the focus (F) and the eccentricity…

Illustration of a parabola showing that any point of a parabola is the mean proportional between the latus rectum (focal chord) and the abscissa (x-coordinate).

Parabola With Coordinates and Latus Rectum

Illustration of a parabola showing that any point of a parabola is the mean proportional between the…

Illustration of a parabola - a curve which is the locus of a point that moves in a plane so that its distance from a fixed point in the plane is always equal to its distance from a fixed line in the plane.

Parabola With Focus and Directrix

Illustration of a parabola - a curve which is the locus of a point that moves in a plane so that its…

Illustration of a parabola - a curve which is the locus of a point that moves in a plane so that its distance from a fixed point (focus) in the plane is always equal to its distance from a fixed line (directrix) in the plane.

Parabola With Focus and Directrix

Illustration of a parabola - a curve which is the locus of a point that moves in a plane so that its…

Illustration of a parabola showing point P is equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

Point on Parabola

Illustration of a parabola showing point P is equidistant to the focus and the directrix.

Illustration of a parabola. "If a line PT is drawn from any point P of the curve, bisecting the angle between PF and the perpendicular from P to the directrix, every point of the line PT, except P, is without the curve."

Point on Parabola

Illustration of a parabola. "If a line PT is drawn from any point P of the curve, bisecting the angle…

Illustration of a tangent line drawn from an external point to a parabola.

Tangent to a Parabola

Illustration of a tangent line drawn from an external point to a parabola.

Illustration showing that the area of a parabolic segment made by a chord is two thirds the area of the triangle formed by the chord and the tangents drawn through the ends of the chord.

Tangents and Chords of a Parabola

Illustration showing that the area of a parabolic segment made by a chord is two thirds the area of…

Illustration showing that if two tangents RP and RQ are drawn from a point R to a parabola, the line drawn through R parallel to the axis bisects the chord of contact.

Tangents to a Parabola

Illustration showing that if two tangents RP and RQ are drawn from a point R to a parabola, the line…