JEE Maths
JEEMathsConic SectionsClass 11

What is the difference between ellipse and hyperbola?

An ellipse is a closed curve with e<1 (sum of focal distances constant); a hyperbola is an open two-branch curve with e>1 (difference of focal distances constant).

An ellipse is a closed curve with e<1 (sum of focal distances constant); a hyperbola is an open two-branch curve with e>1 (difference of focal distances constant). A reliable way to keep them apart is to focus on what each one is defined by, not just the similar-sounding words.

Key point

ellipse vs hyperbola

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