Conic Sections Explorer

Pick a conic type and adjust the semi-axes. Watch foci, vertices, eccentricity, and directrices update in real-time.

Conic Type

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2.0

Properties

Type
Equation
Foci
Eccentricity
Vertices
Extra

The Math Behind It

Conic Sections

  • General second-degree equation: Ax² + Bxy + Cy² + Dx + Ey + F = 0
  • Circle (e = 0): x² + y² = r² — all points equidistant from center
  • Ellipse (0 < e < 1): x²/a² + y²/b² = 1
  • Foci of ellipse: c = √(a² - b²) when a > b
  • Eccentricity: e = c/a

Hyperbola & Parabola

  • Hyperbola (e > 1): x²/a² - y²/b² = 1
  • Foci of hyperbola: c = √(a² + b²)
  • Asymptotes: y = ±(b/a)x
  • Parabola (e = 1): y² = 4px
  • Focus at (p, 0), directrix at x = -p
  • Relationship: c² = a² ± b² (+ for hyperbola, - for ellipse)