The standard form of conics is of the form ax² + by² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0. While this form is easier to use with algebra, it does not tell us much about the shape of the conic, or any of its properties.

Special properties of the form ax² + by² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0

· For a circle a = b

· For an ellipse a and b have the same sign and a b

· For a parabola, either a = 0 or b = 0

· For a hyperbola a and b have opposite signs

Example 1

Identify the conic and write in standard form the conic which is defined as 4x² + 9y² - 16x + 18 - 11 = 0

Solution

Using the above, we see this is an ellipse. To find out the properties of the ellipse, we need to complete the square for both sides:

4x2 + 9y2 - 16x + 18y - 11	= 0
4x2 - 16x + 9y2 + 18y	= 11
4(x2 - 4x) + 9(y2 + 2y)	= 11
4(x2 - 4x+ 4 - 4) + 9(y2 + 2y + 1 - 1)	= 11
4(x - 2)2 - 16 + 9(y + 1)2 - 9	= 11
4(x - 2)2 + 9(y + 1)2	= 36
	= 1

Example 2

Find the equation of the conic for y² + 8x + 2y - 15 = 0

Solution

a=0, so this is a parbola.

y2 + 8x + 2y - 15	= 0
y2 + 8x + 2y	= 15
(y2  + 2y + 1 - 1) + 8x	= 15
(y + 1)2 + 8x	= 15
8x - 16	= 16
8(x - 2)	= -(y + 1)2
x - 2	= -(y + 1)2
x - 2