EllipsoHyperbola A Common Approach that Joins the Conic Sections in 2D and 3D Space
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This work aspires to interactively reveal through the use of the GeoGebra Software the relationship between the Conic Sections in 3D and the 2D symmetric forms of Conic Sections around O in a coordinate system Oxy, that is Circle, Ellipse, axis x'x, and Hyperbola, showing that these Conic Sections arise from the same algebraic formula and therefore have common characteristics. This manuscript includes short research on the four kinds of Conic Sections through a common approach that joins them in the two-but also in three-dimensional space, revealing the role of the slope of the Generator line of the conic surface and the role of the slope of the cutting plane in their equations.
Introduction
This work of mine is a continuation and extension of the work on “Ellipse-Hyperbola” [1] which was presented at the 37th Pan-Hellenic Mathematical Education Conference of the Hellenic Mathematical Society in November 2023, in Argos-Naples. It has been taught to my respective students at least since 2010, as it can easily be certified from a relevant GeoGebra [2] workshop file that has been uploaded since then in my Blog [3].
In this Laboratory presentation, the following topics are investigated algebraically and graphically, i.e., with the interaction of algebraic and computer methods:
- The hidden relationship between Ellipse and Hyperbola, which is none other than their common equation, as I call it the “Ellipse-Hyperbolic” equation, as an explanation of their similarities.
- The explanation of the above is from the position of the “Ellipse-Hyperbola” as a Generalized Conic Section, which results from the section of a Conic Surface with a different inclined plane, in the 3 Dimension space.
For this laboratory presentation, a basic familiarity with the GeoGebra software environment is required, as well as knowledge of the corresponding chapters of Mathematics and some knowledge of 3D Analytical Geometry. Therefore, no extensive bibliography is required beyond textbooks and some authoritative online books, given in the bibliography. It is also not necessary to install any software, since everything has been uploaded to the repository [2] offered by the GeoGebra software and anyone can, through the interfaces (links) of the presentation, execute and verify the mentioned.
It is proposed to be presented by the Mathematician in the classroom or a computer laboratory in a Mathematic Orientation course of the 2ndclass of Greek High School, during the corresponding Conic Sections course, where the students can try and test the mentioned. Then a comparative table of Conic Sections can be constructed by the students and a worksheet can be filled up instead of writing an exam test.
The whole process to serve its educational role is recommended to be done in a good atmosphere in the form of a game, stimulating the students’ interest and motivating them for experimentation, research and action.
For the presentation it will be needed:
- A Computer
- A Projector connected to the computer
- Internet connection.
Teaching Approach
The Experiment ( https://www.GeoGebra.org/m/xcqq3fdj)
The purpose of this object is for the student to discover in an interactive GeoGebra environment that mainly these two conic sections (we consider the circle to be a sub case of the Ellipse when its points coincide) are described by a single equation, that is why they have common characteristics, such as similar definitions and equations, the existence of two points, the eccentricity with ε = γ/α, the base rectangle, their reflective property, etc., which are differentiated, when the values of the parameters α and γ of their equation exceed one another’s value, i.e., Ellipse when α > γ (Fig. 1) and Hyperbola when α < γ (Fig. 2).
Indeed, for any values of α, γ ∈ (0, +∞), with α < γ or α > γ. Because for γ = 0 we have a circle, the horizontal Ellipse for and α > γ and Focus points E(γ, 0) and E′(−γ, 0) it can be written as: for and α < γ, so Horizontal Hyperbola, having also Focus points Ε(γ, 0) and Ε′(−γ, 0).
Similarly, the vertical Ellipse with Focus points Ε(0, γ) and Ε′(0, −γ) , having , and α > γ, is for and α < γ, that is vertical Hyperbola having also Focus points Ε(0, γ) and Ε′(0, −γ).
Regarding the eccentricities, in all cases ε = γ/α, and in both Ellipses α > γ, so 0 < ε < 1, while in their respective Hyperbolas α < γ therefore ε > 1.
Therefore, in both cases by taking the equation of Ellipse and changing the value of α so that from α > γ it becomes α < γ, the eccentricity changes from 0 < ε < 1 to ε > 1 and the Ellipse is converting into Hyperbola with corresponding points. This fact is verified very easily and experimentally with graphic software such as GeoGebra.
Finally, through this spreadsheet of GeoGebra, all the properties of the Ellipse and Hyperbole can be studied also by the help of the right accounting sheet, such as the stability of the sum in the Ellipse and of the absolute difference in the Hyperbola of the distances of their points from their Focus points, the eccentricity 0 < ε < 1 for the Ellipse and ε > 1 for the Hyperbola, their reflective properties, their basic rectangular, the asymptotes, etc.
The Explanation
Let C be an Ellipse and C′ a Hyperbola with their focus points be E′ and E. The equation of both Ellipse and Hyperbola in terms of Oxy coordinates system with axis of x the line E′ E and axis of y the mid-vertical of E′ E with E′(−γ, 0) and Ε(γ, 0).
As we can see in Fig. 3, any Ellipse C must consist of points M(x, y) of which the sum of their distances from E′ and E is constantly 2α, so must be (ME) + (ME′) = 2α.
So, that finally gives [4]:
On the other hand, as we can see in Fig. 4, any Hyperbola C′ must consist of points that the absolute difference of their distances from E′ and E is constant 2α. Therefore, for any point M(x, y) of C′, it will be = 2α, so
that also gives [4] the same from above (1) that I have deliberately also marked up above in yellow on the copies of the pages of the Greek school textbook, which I present in Figs. 3 and 4, for being noticeable, as nothing is written or told anywhere yet about those obviously identical equations.
By turning it to English in order to connect it with the rest script it becomes to:
So, this is actually the common equation for both Ellipse and Hyperbola, as for a > c gives , and for a < c gives But not only the two of them, as for c = 0 (1) equation of a Circle of radius a.
Also, for a = c (1) which indicates the x′x axis. Besides as we can see on the Figs. 5–7 and test in; https://www.geogebra.org/m/zzpwsya6, when we change the value of parameter p in Parabola [4] C: from p > 0 to p < 0 the graph tends to cover the semi-axis Ox and then for p < 0 it turns from right (Fig. 5) to the left (Fig. 6) side of axis y′y. Though in the middle for p = 0 (Fig. 7) it covers the whole of axis x′x: y = 0. So, x′x: y = 0 appears to be a kind of a symmetric around O(0,0) disintegrated parabola.
In the following section, we will show that in this case x′x axis is the projection on the plane Oxy of an intermediate degenerated parabola, where the plane parallel to the origin line of the 3D double conic surface (whose intersection with these cones gives the parabola) passes then through the vertex O and touches on a straight line the two conical surfaces. As (1) produces only Conic Sections having a symmetry centre at the point O(0,0) it produces axis x′x which is the only parabola with O(0,0) as the symmetry centre.
The Relationship of the “Ellipse-Hyperbola” as a Generalized Conic Section in the Space of 3 Dimensions
Experimentally ( https://www.geogebra.org/m/qfpfzjjk)
As it is known from Stereometry, in an orthonormal system of three axes Oxzy in the space of three dimensions, the double conical surface is formed by the rotation of a line (Fig. 3), the Generator line (here purple dashed line) that passes through Ο(0,0,0) and generates the double conic surface by its imaginary circular rotation at a constant angle φ around the vertical (blue) axis z′z. The complementary φ angle θ = 90° − φ has an inclination α = tan θ, where θ is the angle of the Generator line and the gray level Oxy, which changes values from the corresponding bar (slider α), opening or closing the cone on the GeoGebra sheet of previous link and the next Fig. 8.
The gray plane Oxy is the plane of the x′x (red) and y′y (green) axes, while the yellow plane P intersects the double conic surface CS by a conic section of the same or different type depending on the slope of γ = tan θ′, where θ is the angle of the yellow plane P and the gray plane Oxy, which changes with the corresponding bar (slider γ), and the bar δ (slider δ) where δ is the point of intersection of the yellow plane P with the vertical (blue) z axis ′z.
Next to the 3D figure we see on the right the 2D projection of the (purple) conic section being formed on the horizontal (gray) Oxy plane, where the yellow plane P is parallel to the y′y axis. This does not affect the investigation, because we can define the horizontal axis system Oxy so that the y′y axis to be the parallel line to the yellow plane P belonging to the perpendicular to the z′z plane and passing through the point O.
Notice in Fig. 8, that when 0 < γ < α we have an Ellipses, becoming to Circle if γ = 0, as in Fig. 9, the gradient γ = 0 = tan0° so that the yellow plane becomes horizontal.
For γ > α > 0, as you can see in Fig. 10, we have Hyperbolas.
Also, in the transitional case where momentarily γ = α we have Parabola, as we can see in Fig. 11. Notice that the colour of the right 2D right graph is then changed from purple to light blue in case of Parabola as the equation of the reddish graph is:
(all (3)–(5) are justified in the following text).
Notice also that then the yellow plane is parallel to the Generator line of the conic surface and that it intersects only one cone, either the lower or the upper one, except when δ = 0, when as we observe in the next Fig. 12, that the yellow plane touches both conic surfaces along the Generator straight line of the double conic surface CS.
Fig. 12 seems to be the case of the previous paragraph (II. B. iii), where we momentarily have α = γ and between Ellipses and Parabolas appears the x′x axis, which as we said there, is the case of the degenerated symmetric around O(0,0) Parabola.
Here we should emphasize that the names I gave to the variables α and γ for the bars, they have been chosen to remind the variables a and cin the equation of Ellipses and the equivalent equation of Hyperbolas, because they similarly transform the conic sections from one to the other, although they are actually different from them. (Their connection will be later justified in this manuscript).
We also notice that always one of their Focus points of any kind of the materialised conic sections is the point where the vertical axis intersects the yellow plane, so it is the point E1(0,0,δ).
In the case of the Circle where the two points coincide at its centre the vertical axis passes through the centre of the Circle, and in the case of Parabola the Focus point is again the intersection of the vertical axis with the yellow plane, and the other point is disappeared at infinity.
Theoretically
For simplicity reason we will reduce our study in case that the cutting (yellow) plane intersects the lower conic surface and the z′z axis under 0 at z = δ < 0.
Having Generator line’s inclination α ≥ 0, the equation of the double conic surface is given [5] by the formula: while the equation of parallel to the y′y axis of yellow plane is
(Normally P: γ x + β y + δ = z, [6] but β = 0 since P//y′y).
You can easily verify both on a new GeoGebra sheet too. Eliminating z from (2) and (3) we get:
1) If , (8) which as independent of z in 2 dimensions is an equation of a Circle having radius end centre K on O(0,0) on the Oxy plane, but in 3 dimensions points the vertical circular Cylinder [5] (Fig. 13).
And that is because in the rectangular triangle OK1Α1,
1) If , and , which in 2 dimensions is an equation of a displaced [7] Ellipse independent of z, so on a horizontal plane, having the form; with major axis at x, centre , which lies on the left of O(0,0), semi-major axis a = , semi-minor axis b = , focal distance from K, = , eccentricity , but in 3 dimensions indicates the vertical elliptic Cylinder (Fig. 14): [5].
Then the Focus points of the Ellipse are located on the x-axis on either side of at a distance from it, therefore, the Focus points are and , so is Ε′ while is E(0,0), so E′ is on the left of O(0,0), and E is on O(0,0) when δ < 0.
So, we have shown that indeed the z′z axis intersects this Ellipse at one of its Focus points, as we also experimentally found by using GeoGebra.
2) If , and , so which in 2 dimensions is an equation of a displaced [7] Hyperbola independent of z, so on an horizontal plane Oxy, in form Then the focus points of the Hyperbola are located on the x-axis on either side of and at a distance
from it, so and , so lies on and is on the right of the points O, K and E, by and on the left side when . Though in 3 dimensions (Fig. 15) (11) shows the [5] vertical hyperbolic Cylinder:
.
So, we proved again that the z′z axis indeed intersects this Hyperbola at one of its Focus points, as we also experimentally found with GeoGebra.
3) If γ = α, then which in 2 dimensions is an equation of a displaced [7] Parabola C having the form independent of z, so it is on a horizontal plane Oxy, having x′x as axis of symmetry its vertex is the point A so is A that lies on the right of O(0,0), , so C is on the left of the point A for δ < 0 and at the opposite side if δ > 0.
Then the coordinate line d: .
So, the Focus point and we have shown again that axis z′z indeed intersects this Parabola at its Focus point E, as we had also experimentally found by using GeoGebra. Also, in 3 dimensions we take the vertical parabolic Cylinder [5] (Fig. 16).
Then, when δ = 0 the (yellow) plane P tutches (Fig. 17) both of the upper and down part of the double conic surface along a Generator line of the Conic surface and (12) turns to y = 0.
In this case in 2 dimensions we have as solution on the left, the blue projection of the Generator line to Oxy plane that is axis x′x: y = 0 and also on the right graph which is the degenerate parabola we have mentioned before. Also in 3 dimensions, we have the solution of the vertical plane Oxz: y = 0 as a degenerated vertical parabolic Cylinder. And this is of course the case where in the previous paragraph (α) we have α = γ and x′x axis appears between the Ellipse and Hyperbola, which as we said there, is the case of the degenerated parabola.
Summarizing
The above-written (8) is the one depicted on the right of the GeoGebra sheet, and as we have already shown above, in any case it is an equation of a Conic Section independent of z, so on a horizontal plane, i.e., the projection of the common points of the double conic surface with the intersecting (yellow) plane on the (grey) plane Oxy: z = 0, where z = 0 and that is why z does not appear in the equation.
In all three cases, the z′z axis intersects each of the formed conic sections at one of its Focus points.
For the equation of the real conic section in 3dimensioned space on the (yellow) plane (which will also include the z variable), and for its equation on the intersecting (yellow) plane (without the z variable), which needs rotation theory in 3D space, we will write here.
For the first one, that is the 3 dimensional equation of the inclined conic section this it cannot be defined, as all 3 dimensional equations define 3d surfaces. So, this inclined conic section can be defined as the solution of a system of two 3 dimensioned equations; here, the defining system of this 3D curve can be firstly the equation of the yellow plane P: γ x + δ = z, mentioned above as (7) and secondly either the initial equation of the double conic surface , mentioned above as (6), or by the general (8) or one of the equivalent to (8) equations; (9) of the Circle, or (10) of the Ellipse, or (11) of the Hyperbola, or (12) of the Parabola, by changing the values of a and c.
For the second one, that is the 2 dimensional equation of the inclined conic section on a Cartesian coordinates system E1 of two perpendicular axes on the intersecting (yellow) plane P, the axis defined as the intersection of the vertical plane y = 0 (that includes z′z axis) to plane P, and as the second axis ψ′ψ be the parallel to axis y′y straight line including the point E1, that is of course the line = 0 on this coordinates system E1.
So, (in Fig. 18):
- In the case of Ellipse-Hyperbola we have seen that we have a common equation, the equation;
C we found above and
where , b = and .
We will find a1, b1 και c1 of the 2-dimmensional inclined conic section C1: , coresponding of course to the great semi-axis, the small semi-axis and the semi-distance of the two Focus points of the inclined conic section C1.
So, if C2 is the parallel to z′z displacement of C1, units up so that its Focus point E2 comes to O. Then in the rectancular triancle OA′A2′ and KK2//A′A2′ from Thales theorem [8]
and .
and as 0° < θ < 90°, and [7] = λ,
so and .
So, the equation of the inclined Ellipse C1 at coordinates of the coordinates system E2 on the plane P is: having Eccentrisity: .
2) In the same way at the case of having the Parabola C numbered above as (12), for the inclined Parabola C1, at coordinates of Ο1 system on the plane P we can find respectively that and , where λ = , and . So, having χ′χ as axis of symmetry, it has vertex the point A1, that lies on the right of O1(0,0), , so C1 is on the left of A1, if δ < 0 and just the oposite if δ > 0.
Then the coordinate line d1:
The Focus pointis So, is located on O1(0,0), and
In the case of C being a Circle there is no inclined conic section as C1 is horizontal and identical to C, that is a case it has been already studied above.
All these equations of the various types of C1 that we have found before can easily been tested by activating C1by ticking on it to the left algebra window of GeoGebra. Then C1 curve apears in green on the right graph resembling to C as they share the same eccentrisity but bigger than C (as we can see in Fig. 19).
Conclusions
So, as we have proven above and observed by GeoGebra, C and C1 in their coordinate systems are each other displacements: As δ is where the plane P intersects axis z′z, α = tanω is the slope and ω is the inclination of the Generator line of the duble conic surface and γ = tanθ is the slope and θ the inclination of the intersecting plane P to the horisontal plane Oxy, the position of C is at units to the left (in Ellipse) or the equivelent units to the right (in Hperbola), of the symmetric around O(0,0) Conic Sections C0, at the beginning of this work, having equations: C0: (a2 – c2) x2 + a2y2 = a2 (a2 − c2), mentioned above by the (2), where in C0 , a . The Focus points of C0 are is located lefter than O(0,0) in Ellipse for α > γ, and righter than O(0,0) in Hyperbola for α < γ, in both cases for δ < 0 and just oposite when δ > 0. C1 is the displacement of C0 at units to the left (in Ellipse) or the equivelent units to the right (in Hperbola) where in C0, and a . The Focus points of C1 are and is located lefter than O(0,0) in Ellipse as α > γ, and righter than O(0,0) in Hyperbola as α < γ with δ < 0, and just the oposite if δ > 0. So C is the projection of C1 on the horisontal plane Oxy and the symmetrical conic sections C0 of (1) is the displacement of C along axis x′x at units to the right for Helipses or equivelantly at units to the left for Hyperbolas, where a and c are difined as just above in C or C1 depending of which equation of them we know. i.e., from C1 to C and then to C0, the elements of C in terms of the elements of C1 are: a = a1/, c = c1/ and b = b1/ Parabolas are not symmetrical around a point normally, only the disentigrated Parabola ψ = 0 on Plane P, that is the Generator line of the conic surface, it is Symmetrical around O. This C1: ψ = 0 descends from the equation of C1:, mentioned above as (14), for δ = 0 and it has as projection the C: y = 0 that is axis x′x descending from for δ = 0. So, the only symmetrical parabola C0 is axis x′x that comes also from (2) for a = c and δ = 0. Recall that a two-dimensional curve with equation f(x, y) = 0 has center of symmetry O(0,0) if and only if also f(−x, −y) = 0. Obviously all the normally teached equations; of Circles of Ellipses and the equivalent equation of Hyperbolas can be writen as , and , so all these curves are symmetrical arount O(0,0). As a matter of fact Parabola is not usually symmetric around O(0,0), as . Nevertheless if p = 0, (15) , that is axis x′x, that is the disentigrated parabola we have already mentioned above. This is a symmetric arount O(0,0) curve, as and for any . For γ = 0 when P//Oxy, , and the above initial (2) turns to a2 x2 + a2 y2 = a4 x2 + y2 = a2, that is a Circle of radius a (for γ = 0) as we have already calculated above by Geometry (in (9) on section B(i)). So (2) can be tranformed also to a Circle, that is of course also a symmetric curve around the point O(0,0). Therefore the (2) of Ellipso–Yperbola is finally the common equation of all symmetrical Conic Section around O(0,0) that is the Circle, the Ellipse, Hyperbola and the disentigrated Parabola x′x, in their normally teached form. All cases of C and C1 are intersected by axis z′z on one of their Focus points, here on E and E1. All Conic Sections of Ellipse or Hyperbola C and C1 share the same Eccentrisity , where α is the slope of the Generator line of the Conic Surface CS and γ is the slope of the plane P towards plane Oxy. We have also proven (what we have also observed by GeoGebra) that during the transformation of Ellipse to Hyperbola the central point K and the left Focus point Ε′ they both move away from the Focus point E towards −, while the Conic Section is transforming initially from Ellipse to Parabola and then to Hyperbola the Focus point E′ and the central point K both appear as coming from + on the right side of the Focus point Ε, as an indication of a circularity of the two and three-dimensional space, but this is a Topologic matter that needs to be examined separately, as the double conical surface acts as a ``Klein's bottle'', i.e. a three-dimensional surface, where the inner Euclidean half-space communicates with the outer one through the connection point of the upper and lower Cone in the Minkowski 4-dimensional spacetime, while the double conical surface is produced by rotating a generating straight line around the z′z axis by varying the value of time (See an ant walking along the Generator straight line that produces the Conic Surface, by time passing at the link : https://www.geogebra.org/m/pv47kjsk).
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