Two cones and a plane
This applet permits you to explore the shape of the curve in space
made by the intersection of a plane cutting a cone.
Selecting Cone A allows you to explore traditional analytic geometry.
Can you write Cone A as a function of X and Y?
Cone B is a parabolic bowl. If you slice Cone B with a plane
the intersection might seem unexpected. Can you explain this shape?
Right click and hold to 'tumble' the 3D view.
[you may have to wait as long as a minute for this to work!]