Analytical Geometry

Chapter 6

Parabola

6.1  INTRODUCTION

If a point moves in a plane such that its distance from a fixed point bears a constant ratio to its perpendicular distance from a fixed straight line then the path described by the moving point is called a conic. In other words, if S is a fixed point, l is a fixed straight line and P is a moving point and PM is the perpendicular distance from P on l, such that constant, then the locus of P is called a conic. This constant is called the eccentricity of the conic and is denoted by e.

If e = 1, the conic is called ...