Need help with Conic project.

Pre-College Issues High School Life
#1

<p>Ok, so math has always been really simple for me but I just cannot grasp conics. And now we have a project due and I don't know what to do!</p>

<p>This is what the project sheet says: </p>

<p>First you will find examples of three different conic sections in the world around you. For each conic section, write a paragraph explaining how proerties that conic section relate to the purpose or usefulness of your example. You should include a picture or diagram of each example with the conic section drawn in. For 2 of your examples, write an equation that models the conic section in your example. Show your work on this part. Draw your axis on your diagram. </p>

<p>Grading scale (we need 2 conic sections): </p>

<p>-Clear explanation of conic property and how it relates to the example
-Picture or diagram with conic section and axis drawn in (axis should match your equation)
-Equation modeling the conic section in the example</p>

<p>I wasn't there the day this was explained (Thursday) and I was at school on Friday and my teacher explained it using a flashlight as an example and it didn't make sense because I have mono and a fever of like 103 so nothing make sense. Anyways, if anybody could help me with this that would be great.</p>

#2

<p>bump.......</p>

#3

<p>Quite simple really. What your project's talking about is a conic section. There are 3 main types, and they're all, surprisingly enough, 2 Dimensional figures that occur when one intersects a cone along different axes. </p>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conic%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conic&lt;/a> is a great starting point.</p>

#4

<p>I do understand what conics are, I just don't understand what she wants us to do for the project.</p>

#5

<p>Oh sorry. :p </p>

<p>Basically: Hyperbola, Ellipse and Parabola. Applications: Parabola: For Parabolic mirrors and the like, etc.</p>

<p>Ellipse: Orbit of the earth around the sun, etc.</p>

<p>Explain what properties of the individual conic cause it to be of use in the world. Draw the conic. Write its equation. Explain how the equation forms the curve. That's it.</p>

#6

<p>Ok, it's the equation part I don't understand then. Do I just write the standard equation or the equation of that particular object? If so, how would I do that?</p>

#7

<p>Standard Equations I suppose, throw in a modified equation as well to be on the safe side.</p>

#8

<p>All right, thank you.</p>

#9

<p>We had to do something similar- we were supposed to use modified equations. You might want to ask your teacher, though.</p>

#10

<p>That's the thing, it's already late. I haven't been at school since the day after she gave it out (I wasn't there the day she gave it out so I couldn't ask questions really). It is due the day I get back.</p>

#11