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Introduction
When looking at a cone, an ellipse will be created if the plane is not perpendicular to the x-axis and does not cut the top of the
cone. An ellipse is the set of all points P in the plane such that the sum of the distances from P to two fixed points is given constant. The equation of a ellipse should be in the form:
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Ellipses
Practice Graphing
Using desmos.com, type the following ellipse equations into the graphing calucaltor.
Compare and contrast graph 1 and 2.
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Practice Identifying
Now you will use a desmos manipulative to identify how h and k effect the equation the graph of the ellipse.
Click here the ellipse graph below. It will take you to the desmos site. Slide the blue bottom under h or k.
How did the h and k effect the graph? Did it have the same effect as the circle equation?
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Your Turn
Now try graphing the following equations on graph paper. Label the center, the major axis, and the minor axis for each
equation. You can check your answers usiing the desmos online graphing calculator or in the back of this book.
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