Determine the conic section type
Use the general definition (e = frac{c}{a}) for ellipses and hyperbolas
Find the center of the conic
Find the vertices
Find the foci
Measure (a), the distance from the center to a vertex
Measure (c), the distance from the center to a focus
Compute (e = frac{c}{a})
For a circle, use (e = 0)
For a parabola, use (e = 1)
For an ellipse, use (0 < e < 1)
For a hyperbola, use (e > 1)