Conic sections are the curves obtained by intersecting a plane with a double-napped cone. The four primary types of conic sections are circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas. Each type has unique properties and equations that describe its shape and behavior. These shapes are important in various fields, including mathematics, physics, and engineering. For example, ellipses can describe planetary orbits, while parabolas are used in the design of satellite dishes and bridges. Understanding conic sections helps in analyzing and solving real-world problems involving curves and trajectories.