conic section

American  

noun

Geometry.

1. a curve formed by the intersection of a plane with a right circular cone; an ellipse, a circle, a parabola, or a hyperbola.

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conic section British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: conic.  one of a group of curves formed by the intersection of a plane and a right circular cone. It is either a circle, ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola, depending on the eccentricity, e , which is constant for a particular curve e = 0 for a circle; e <1 for an ellipse; e = 1 for a parabola; e>1 for a hyperbola

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conic section Scientific  

1. A curve formed by the intersection of a plane with a cone. Conic sections can appear as circles, ellipses, hyperbolas, or parabolas, depending on the angle of the intersecting plane relative to the cone's base.

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Etymology

Origin of conic section

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

In the equation on the left, the major axis of the conic section is horizontal, and in the equation on the right, the major axis is vertical.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

To determine the angle θ of rotation of the conic section, we use the formula cot 2θ = A − C .

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Using the definitions of the focal parameter and eccentricity of the conic section, we can derive an equation for any conic section in polar coordinates.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

If the plane is parallel to the generating line, the conic section is a parabola.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

The particular form of conic section which denotes the orbit of a planet is known by the name of the ellipse: it is spoken of somewhat less accurately as an oval.

From The Story of the Heavens by Ball, Robert S. (Robert Stawell), Sir