Any conic section can be defined as the locus of points whose distances to a point (the [b]focus[/b]) and a line (the [b]directrix[/b]) are in a constant ratio (the [b]eccentricity[/b]). [br][br]In this activity, we shall explore how [b]eccentricity [/b]affects the shape of the conics.

1. Drag to set the fixed point [i]F[/i]; drag the red dot to set the fixed line [i]d[/i].[br]2. Use the slider to adjust the eccentricity [i]e[/i].[br]3. Click the checkbox to construct the locus of the variable point [i]P[/i] satisfying [b][i]PF[/i]/[i]Pd[/i] = [i]e[/i][/b].[br]4. Click the 'Erase' button before constructing a new locus.

1. How does the eccentricity [i]e[/i] affect the locus of [i]P[/i]?[br]2. Predict the locus when [i]e[/i] = 0.