Question

Where do conic sections come from?

Answer 1

Conic section

A conic section is formed when a plane intersects a right circular cone at different angles.

The four basic conics are:

1. Circle
2. Ellipse
3. Parabola
4. Hyperbola

• A circle is formed when the cutting plane is parallel to the base of the cone.

• An ellipse is formed when the cutting plane is slightly inclined.

• A parabola is formed when the plane is steeper towards the base.

• A hyperbola is formed when a plane is parallel to the axis of a regular double cone.