Problem 313
A line through the origin slides along the circle…
A line through the origin slides along the circle $x^2+y^2=d^2,\ z=c$ ($c\neq0$). Find the surface it describes.
Explanation of Method
A line through the origin sliding along a horizontal circle sweeps a circular cone.
Step 1: Eliminate the parameters
The line through $O$ and $(d\cos\varphi,\ d\sin\varphi,\ c)$ is $t\cdot(d\cos\varphi,\ d\sin\varphi,\ c)$. Then $t=\tfrac zc$, and
\[ x^2+y^2=\frac{d^2z^2}{c^2}. \]
\[\frac{x^2+y^2}{d^2}-\frac{z^2}{c^2}=0\]
This is a circular cone with vertex $O$, axis $Oz$ and half-angle $\alpha$, where $\tan\alpha=\tfrac{d}{|c|}$.
$O$
$x^2+y^2=d^2$
Result
\[\boxed{\,\frac{x^2+y^2}{d^2}-\frac{z^2}{c^2}=0\,}\]