Introduction to Conics
Conics, an abbreviation for conic sections, are curves that result from the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane.
Play with the applet below and determine the relationship between the angle of intersection between the plane and the cones and the resulting figure (right panel). Specifically ponder these questions:
- What happens when the plane intersects a single cone at an angle?
- What happens when the plane is perpendicular to a single cone?
- What happens when the plane intersects two cones?
- What happens when the plane intersects the cones at their vertex?