This applet permits you to explore the shape of the curve in space[br]made by the intersection of a plane cutting a cone.[br][br]Selecting Cone A allows you to explore traditional analytic geometry.[br]Can you write Cone A as a function of X and Y?[br][br]Cone B is a parabolic bowl. If you slice Cone B with a plane[br]the intersection might seem unexpected. Can you explain this shape?[br][br][color=#c51414][i][b]Right click and hold to 'tumble' the 3D view.[br][br][you may have to wait as long as a minute for this to work!][/b][/i][/color]