Conic Sections

Definition
Conic sections can be defined as the locus of point that moves so that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point called the focus to its distance from a fixed line called the directrix is constant. The constant ratio is called the eccentricity of the conic.
 

The Circle

The following are short descriptions of the circle shown below.

Tangent - is a line that would pass through one point on the circle.
Secant - is a line that would pass through two points on the circle.
Chord - is a secant that would terminate on the circle itself.
Diameter, d - is a chord that passes through the center of the circle.
Radius, r - is one-half of the diameter.