Parabola Archives - The Nature of Mathematics

Video Links 15-4

August 11, 2015July 22, 2015 by elaine

Videos:
This video provides a nice introduction to the conic sections (time: 0:51)

Constructing a parabolic reflector using a satellite dish (time: 10:59)
… See the whole entry

Reference Topics 15-3

November 10, 2015July 22, 2015 by elaine

Here is a good site for graphing equations of the form “y =”.
http://www.calculator.com/graphing/

This is a general site for graphing lines, parabolas, and exponentials.
https://www.desmos.com/calculator

… See the whole entry

Homework Hints 15-4

May 23, 2024July 22, 2015 by elaine

Problems 1-8
These problems are basically definitions that you need to know for this section. It would be a good idea not only to look them up to answer these questions, but also to study.

Problems 9-13
See the box … See the whole entry

Problems 1-2
There are many problems throughout the text labeled IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Just relax; do not be afraid to give your opinion. For the most part, these questions do not have “right” or “wrong” answers. You should spend … See the whole entry

Section 15.4: Conic Sections

September 26, 2015July 22, 2015 by elaine

15.4 Outline

Introduction
1. definition
2. model
Geometric definition of conic sections
1. parabola
  1. focus
  2. directrix
  3. axis
  4. vertex
2. ellipse
  1. foci
  2. major axis
  3. center
  4. minor axis
3. circle
  1. center
  2. radius
4. hyperbola
  1. transverse axis
  2. center
  3. conjugate axis
Algebraic definition of conic sections
1. general form
  1. first-degree equation

… See the whole entry

Section 15.3: Graphing Curves

September 26, 2015July 22, 2015 by elaine

15.3 Outline

Curves by plotting points
1. path of a cannonball
2. graph an equation
3. parabola
  1. vertex
  2. standard parabolas
Exponential curves
1. definition
2. general shape

15.3 Essential Ideas

This section graphs two important types of curves by plotting points; parabolas and exponentials. … See the whole entry