Equation of Conic Section

Theorem

The general conic section can be expressed in Cartesian coordinates in the form:

$a x^2 + b x y + c y^2 + d x + e y + f = 0$

for some $a, b, c, d, e, f \in \R$.

By definition, a conic section is the set of points of intersection between a cone and a plane.

Let $P = \tuple {\alpha, \beta, \gamma}$ be the apex of the cone.

Let $Q = \tuple {x, y, z}$ be a point of intersection between the plane and the cone.

$(1): \quad \paren {x - \alpha}^2 + \paren {y - \beta}^2 = \eta \paren {z - \gamma}^2$

$A x + B y + C z + D = 0$

for some real numbers $A, B, C, D$.

Let $C \ne 0$.

Then:

$z = - D - \dfrac {A x + B y} C$

Hence, plugging in $z$ into $(1)$:

$\paren {x - \alpha}^2 + \paren {y - \beta}^2 = \eta \paren {\dfrac {A x + B y} C + D + \gamma}^2$

Opening up the brackets and making the corresponding notation of constants, we get the desired result.

$\Box$

Let $C = 0$.

Then:

$A x + B y + D = 0$

In order for the plane to be well-defined, $A$ or $B$ must be non-zero.

Without loss of generality, since the cone equation $(1)$ is symmetric in $x$ and $y$, we can consider $B \ne 0$ (otherwise interchange coordinates).

Then:

$y = - D - \dfrac {A x} B$

Hence, plugging $y$ into $(1)$:

$\paren {x - \alpha}^2 + \paren {-D - \dfrac {A x} B - \beta}^2 = \eta \paren {z - \gamma}^2$

Opening up the brackets and making the corresponding notation of constants and coordinates ($z \leftrightarrow y$), we get the desired result.

$\blacksquare$

2008: Ian Stewart: Taming the Infinite ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $6$: Curves and Coordinates: Cartesian coordinates