Definition:Chord of Conic Section

Definition

Let $\KK$ be a conic section.

Let $A$ and $B$ be distinct points on $\KK$.

Then the straight line segment $AB$ is a chord of $\KK$.

Chord of Circle

A chord of a circle is a straight line segment whose endpoints are on the circumference of the circle.

In the diagram above, the lines $CD$ and $EF$ are both chords.

Chord of Ellipse

A chord of an ellipse is a straight line segment whose endpoints are on the perimeter of the ellipse.

In the diagram above, the line $AB$ is a chord.

Chord of Parabola

 

A chord of a parabola is a straight line segment whose endpoints are on the parabola.

In the diagram above, the lines $AB$ and $C$ are chords.

Chord of Hyperbola

 

A chord of a hyperbola is a straight line segment whose endpoints are on the hyperbola.

In the diagram above, the lines $AB$, $CD$ and $EF$ are all chords.

Also see

• Results about chords of conic sections can be found here.