A conic section is a curve obtained by intersecting a plane with a double-napped cone. The four primary types of conic sections are circle, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola. Each type has unique properties and equations that describe its shape and behavior. Conic sections are important in various fields, including mathematics, physics, and engineering. They can model real-world phenomena, such as the orbits of planets and the paths of projectiles. Understanding conic sections helps in solving problems related to distance, area, and other geometric properties.