Conic Sections
The following applet will help students explore conic sections.
Directions: Move the planes and cone around by clicking and dragging the planes, cones, and axis. To move the plane, click and drag the points titled A, B, and C and move along their respective axis. Observe the different shapes created by changing the plane and reorienting the cone. Consider the following questions as you explore:
#1. How many different types of shapes can you create by moving the plane and reorienting the cone?
#2. How do these new shapes relate to shapes you already know about?
#3. How would you describe or predict a type of shape based on how you move the plane?