Chapter 10
Getting Creative with Conics
IN THIS CHAPTER
Determining the centers of circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas
Graphing parabolas using vertex and direction
Using equations to sketch graphs of all conics
Conic is the name given to a special group of curves. The four conic sections are a parabola, circle, ellipse, and hyperbola.
Each conic section has a specific form or type of equation, and I cover each in this chapter. You can glean a good deal of valuable information from a conic section’s equation, such as where it’s centered in a graph, how wide it opens, and its general shape. I also discuss the techniques that work best for you when you’re called on to graph conics.
The graphs of circles and ellipses are closed curves. Parabolas and hyperbolas open upward, downward, left, or right — depending on the type you’re graphing. Just to acquaint you with what conic sections look like, I show you some graphs in Figure 10-1. Then, in subsequent sections, I give you all the details in terms of the characteristics and important features of the individual conics.
FIGURE 10-1: The ...
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