Basic-Summary-of-Conics

Circle

A conic section defined by all points equidistant from a central point (h,k) with a radius r.

Parabola

A conic section characterized by a vertex, a focus, and a directrix.

Ellipse

A conic section with a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis; defined by its center, vertices, and foci.

Hyperbola

A conic section which has two distinct branches, defined by its center, vertices, foci, and asymptotes.

Major Axis

The longer axis of an ellipse or hyperbola.

Minor Axis

The shorter axis of an ellipse.

Vertex (of a parabola)

The point where the parabola changes direction.

Focus (of a conic section)

A fixed point used to define and describe a conic section.

Directrix (of a parabola)

A line used alongside the focus to define a parabola.

Transverse Axis

The line segment that connects the vertices of a hyperbola.

Asymptotes

Lines that a hyperbola approaches but never reaches, used to describe its shape.

Standard Form (for conic sections)

The specific equation form used to represent different types of conic sections.