Conic section

In mathematics, a conic section (or just conic) is a curved locus of points, formed by intersecting a cone with a plane. The conic sections were named and studied as long ago as 200 BC, when Apollonius of Perga undertook a systematic study of their properties.

Applications

Conic sections are important in astronomy: the orbits of two massive objects that interact according to Newton's law of universal gravitation are conic sections if their common center of mass is considered to be at rest. If they are bound together, they will both trace out ellipses; if they are moving apart, they will both follow parabolas or hyperbolas. See two-body problem.

Related Topics:
Astronomy - Orbit - Newton's law of universal gravitation - Center of mass - Two-body problem

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In projective geometry, the conic sections in the projective plane are equivalent to each other up to projective transformations.

Related Topics:
Projective geometry - Up to - Projective transformations

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For specific applications of each type of conic section, see the articles circle, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola.

Related Topics:
Circle - Ellipse - Parabola - Hyperbola

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