A line has a linear equation. A conic has a quadratic equation. It follows that a line and a conic meet at most twice. If the equations result in two coincident roots, then we say that the line is a tangent to the conic at the point where they meet. For the general conic, obtaining tangents algebraically is tedious. We shall look at some special cases. The Parabola P : y2 = x. (1) The line y = k cuts P exactly once. (2) The line x = ny+c cuts P twice if n2+4c > 0, is a tangent to P if n2+4c = 0, and does not meet P if n2+4c < 0. proof Note that each family {L : y = nx+c, c real} of parallel lines contains exactly one tangent, namely that with c = n2/4. Although we are used to the hyperbola as x2-y2=1, we can rotate through the angle π/4 anticlockwise to get the equation xy = 1, with asymptotes x = 0 and y = 0. The Hyperbola H : xy = 1. (1) The lines x = 0 and y = 0 do not meet H. (2) For c ≠ 0, the lines x = c and y = c each meet H exactly once, (3) For m ≠ 0, the line y = mx+c, cuts H twice if m > 0 or c2+4m > 0, is a tangent to H if c2+4m = 0, does not meet H if c2+4m < 0. proof Note that the family {L : y = mx+c, c real} contains no tangents if m > 0, and two tangents if m < 0, these are given by the c with c2=-4m. The families {L : x = c, c real} and {L : y = c, c real} are rather different. Each contains one line which does not meet H - these are the asymptotes - while the other lines cut H exactly once, but are not tangents. Although we do not regard the circle as a euclidean conic, the results for the circle give a useful pointer to the situation for the ellipse. Here the proof is purely geometrical. The Circle For any circle C, each family of parallel lines contains exactly two tangents to C, and these occur at diametrically opposite points of C. proof This generalises to ellipses, as we shall see when we look at affine geometry.

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