Scribd
Upload
194 views2 pages

Math Essay About Conic Sections

Megan O'Donnell learned about graphing ellipses using both calculators and non-calculator methods in an ellipse lab. She used a graphing calculator in degree and polar modes to graph the polar equation r= after inputting it. An ellipse is a plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane in a way that produces a closed curve, with circles being special cases when the cutting plane is orthogonal to the cone's axis. Ellipses can also be drawn by using two pins as foci, a string, and a pencil to trace the locus of points where the sum of distances to the foci is constant.

Uploaded by

Megan O'Donnell
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
194 views2 pages

Math Essay About Conic Sections

Megan O'Donnell learned about graphing ellipses using both calculators and non-calculator methods in an ellipse lab. She used a graphing calculator in degree and polar modes to graph the polar equation r= after inputting it. An ellipse is a plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane in a way that produces a closed curve, with circles being special cases when the cutting plane is orthogonal to the cone's axis. Ellipses can also be drawn by using two pins as foci, a string, and a pencil to trace the locus of points where the sum of distances to the foci is constant.

Uploaded by

Megan O'Donnell
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Megan ODonnell Reflection Entry #2

3/27/13 Pipitone Period 2

When I did the Ellipse Lab, I learned a lot about how to graph an ellipse both using a calculator and not using a calculator. In order to graph a polar function you need; a graphing calculator, a polar curve, pencils, an eraser, and an equation. I put the graphing calculator in degree and polar modes after turning it on. I hit the y= button which in Polar mode is r= and input the equation below. In mathematics, an ellipse (from Greek elleipsis, a "falling short") is a plane curve that results from the intersection of a cone by a plane in a way that produces a closed curve. Circles are special cases of ellipses, obtained when the cutting plane is orthogonal to the cone's axis. An ellipse is also the locus of all points of the plane whose distances to two fixed points add to the same constant. The characterization of an ellipse as the locus of points so that sum of the distances to the foci is constant leads to a method of drawing one using two drawing pins, a length of string, and a pencil.[11] In this method, pins are pushed into the paper at two points which will become the ellipse's foci. A string tied at each end to the two pins and the tip of a pen is used to pull the loop taut so as to form a triangle. The tip of the pen will then trace an ellipse if it is moved while keeping the string taut. Using two pegs and a rope, this procedure is traditionally used by gardeners to outline an elliptical flower bed; thus it is called the gardener's ellipse. The distance from the center C to either focus is f = ae, which can be expressed in terms of the major and minor radii:

The eccentricity of the ellipse (commonly denoted as either e or

) is

(where again a and b are one-half of the ellipse's major and minor axes respectively, and f is the focal distance) or, as expressed in terms using

the flattening factor

You might also like