Vertices

Definition

Vertices are the points where two or more line segments or curves intersect to form the corners or endpoints of a geometric shape. They are the fundamental building blocks that define the structure and shape of various conic sections, including ellipses, hyperbolas, and rotated coordinate systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The vertices of an ellipse are the points on the major axis where the ellipse intersects the x-axis, and the points on the minor axis where the ellipse intersects the y-axis.
2. For a hyperbola, the vertices are the points on the transverse axis where the hyperbola intersects the x-axis, and the points on the conjugate axis where the hyperbola intersects the y-axis.
3. When a conic section is rotated, the vertices of the new coordinate system are defined by the intersection of the major and minor axes with the new x-axis and y-axis.
4. In polar coordinates, the vertices of a conic section are defined by the values of the radius (r) and angle (θ) that describe the location of the points on the curve.
5. The distance between the vertices of a conic section is an important characteristic that, along with the eccentricity, determines the overall shape and size of the curve.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of vertices in the definition and properties of an ellipse.
  • The vertices of an ellipse are the points where the ellipse intersects the major and minor axes. They are crucial in defining the shape and size of the ellipse, as the distance between the vertices on the major axis determines the length of the major axis, and the distance between the vertices on the minor axis determines the length of the minor axis. The vertices, along with the foci, also play a key role in the equation of an ellipse and in calculating its eccentricity, which describes how much the ellipse deviates from a perfect circle.
• Describe how the vertices of a conic section change when the coordinate system is rotated.
  • When a conic section is rotated, the vertices of the new coordinate system are defined by the intersection of the major and minor axes with the new x-axis and y-axis. This means that the coordinates of the vertices will change, as they are now expressed in the new rotated coordinate system. The shape and size of the conic section, however, will remain the same, as the vertices still define the fundamental structure of the curve. Understanding how the vertices transform under a rotation of the axes is essential for working with conic sections in different coordinate systems.
• Analyze the relationship between the vertices, foci, and eccentricity of a hyperbola, and explain how these elements collectively define the properties of the curve.
  • The vertices of a hyperbola are the points where the hyperbola intersects the transverse axis, and they play a crucial role in defining the shape and size of the curve. The distance between the vertices on the transverse axis determines the length of the transverse axis, which is one of the key parameters in the equation of a hyperbola. The foci, on the other hand, are the two fixed points that, along with the vertices, determine the eccentricity of the hyperbola. The eccentricity, a value between 1 and infinity, describes how much the hyperbola deviates from a pair of intersecting lines. Collectively, the vertices, foci, and eccentricity work together to define the unique properties and characteristics of a hyperbola, such as its asymptotes, conjugate axis, and overall shape.

Related terms

Foci: The foci are the two fixed points that define the shape and orientation of an ellipse or hyperbola. They play a crucial role in determining the properties and equations of these conic sections.

Eccentricity: Eccentricity is a measure of how much a conic section deviates from being circular. It is a value between 0 and 1 that describes the shape of an ellipse or hyperbola based on the relationship between the vertices and foci.

Conic Sections: Conic sections are the geometric shapes formed by the intersection of a plane and a cone. The four main conic sections are circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas, each with their own unique properties and equations.