What are conics?

Answer 1

Conics, or conic sections, are the intersection of a plane with an infinite double cone. If that plane cuts both cones, it is a hyperbola. If it is parallel to the edge of the cone, you get a parabola. If neither is the case, it is an ellipse. The ellipse is also a circle if the plane is perpendicular to the altitude of the cone. Note that none of these are the case if the plane passes through the vertex of the cone.