Conic Section: The Circle
Understanding the Circle in Conic Sections
A circle is formed by the intersection of a plane and a cone when the plane is perpendicular to the axis of the cone. The circle is a set of all points in a plane that are at a fixed distance (radius) from a fixed point (the center). It is the simplest of the conic sections, as all points on the circle have the same distance from the center.
Meaning of Circle in Conic Sections
A circle is formed when the intersecting plane is perpendicular to the axis of the cone and parallel to the base of the cone. This means that the plane cuts through the cone in such a way that it creates a perfectly round shape where all points on the curve are equidistant from a central point.