What is the general equation for a conic section?

1 Answer
Oct 19, 2014

The general equation of a conic section is in the form

Ax2+Bx+Cy2+Dy+E=0

When A or C is 0, the equation is that of a parabola.

When A and C have the same value (including signs), the equation is that of a circle.

When A and C have the same sign, the equation is that of an ellipse

When A and C have different signs, the equation is that on a hyperbola