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SHS STEM

Pre-Calculus

"Future Engineer/Scientist! Conic Sections at Trigonometry - mga foundation topics para sa Calculus at Engineering. Wag mahilo sa ikot, master mo ang patterns!"

1 Introduction to Conic Sections

Conic sections are curves formed when a plane intersects a double cone.

Named "conics" because they come from slicing a cone at different angles.

Circle

Plane perpendicular to axis

🥄

Parabola

Plane parallel to slant

Ellipse

Plane at an angle

Hyperbola

Plane parallel to axis

2 Circle - Standard and General Form

Standard Form

(x - h)² + (y - k)² = r²

  • Center: (h, k)
  • Radius: r
  • Example: (x - 2)² + (y + 3)² = 16
  • Center: (2, -3), Radius: 4

General Form

x² + y² + Dx + Ey + F = 0

  • h = -D/2
  • k = -E/2
  • r² = h² + k² - F
  • Convert by completing the square

3 Parabola - Vertex, Focus, Directrix

Opens Standard Form Focus Directrix
Up (x-h)² = 4p(y-k) (h, k+p) y = k - p
Down (x-h)² = -4p(y-k) (h, k-p) y = k + p
Right (y-k)² = 4p(x-h) (h+p, k) x = h - p
Left (y-k)² = -4p(x-h) (h-p, k) x = h + p

Key Terms:

Vertex: (h, k) | Focus: Point inside | Directrix: Line outside | p: Distance from vertex to focus

4 Ellipse - Major and Minor Axis

Horizontal Major Axis (a > b)

(x-h)²/a² + (y-k)²/b² = 1

  • Center: (h, k)
  • Vertices: (h±a, k)
  • Co-vertices: (h, k±b)
  • Foci: (h±c, k)

Vertical Major Axis (a > b)

(x-h)²/b² + (y-k)²/a² = 1

  • Center: (h, k)
  • Vertices: (h, k±a)
  • Co-vertices: (h±b, k)
  • Foci: (h, k±c)

Important Relationship:

c² = a² - b²

where a = semi-major axis, b = semi-minor axis, c = distance from center to focus

5 Hyperbola - Two Separate Branches

Horizontal Transverse Axis

(x-h)²/a² - (y-k)²/b² = 1

  • Opens: Left and Right
  • Vertices: (h±a, k)
  • Foci: (h±c, k)
  • Asymptotes: y-k = ±(b/a)(x-h)

Vertical Transverse Axis

(y-k)²/a² - (x-h)²/b² = 1

  • Opens: Up and Down
  • Vertices: (h, k±a)
  • Foci: (h, k±c)
  • Asymptotes: y-k = ±(a/b)(x-h)

Hyperbola Relationship (different from ellipse!):

c² = a² + b²

6 Trigonometric Functions and Identities

SOH-CAH-TOA

sin θ = O/H

Opposite / Hypotenuse

cos θ = A/H

Adjacent / Hypotenuse

tan θ = O/A

Opposite / Adjacent

Reciprocal Functions

  • csc θ = 1/sin θ (cosecant)
  • sec θ = 1/cos θ (secant)
  • cot θ = 1/tan θ (cotangent)

Pythagorean Identities

  • sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
  • 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ
  • 1 + cot²θ = csc²θ

7 The Unit Circle - Must Memorize!

Common Angle Values (First Quadrant)

Degrees Radians sin θ cos θ tan θ
0010
30°π/61/2√3/2√3/3
45°π/4√2/2√2/21
60°π/3√3/21/2√3
90°π/210undefined

Quadrant Signs (ASTC)

All Students Take Calculus

  • Q1: All positive
  • Q2: Sin positive
  • Q3: Tan positive
  • Q4: Cos positive

Radian Conversion

180° = π radians

  • Degrees to Radians: × π/180
  • Radians to Degrees: × 180/π

Practice Questions

1. What is the center and radius of (x-3)² + (y+2)² = 25?

Show Answer

Center: (3, -2), Radius: 5. From standard form (x-h)² + (y-k)² = r², we get h=3, k=-2, r=√25=5.

2. For the ellipse x²/16 + y²/9 = 1, what is the value of c?

Show Answer

c = √7. Using c² = a² - b², we get c² = 16 - 9 = 7, so c = √7.

3. What is sin 60°?

Show Answer

sin 60° = √3/2. This is one of the special angles you should memorize from the unit circle.

4. Convert 120° to radians.

Show Answer

2π/3 radians. 120° × (π/180) = 120π/180 = 2π/3.

Exam Tips for Pre-Calculus

  • Memorize the unit circle - 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° values for sin, cos, tan
  • Ellipse vs Hyperbola: Ellipse uses c²=a²-b², Hyperbola uses c²=a²+b²
  • ASTC mnemonic: All Students Take Calculus for quadrant signs
  • Completing the square: Essential for converting general to standard form
  • Practice graphing: Know the shapes and key features of each conic section

Test Your Knowledge! 🧠

Ready ka na ba? Take the practice quiz for Pre-Calculus to reinforce what you just learned.

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