Introduction to Conics

Conics, an abbreviation for conic sections, are curves that result from the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane.[br][br]Play with the applet below and determine the relationship between the angle of intersection between the plane and the cones and the resulting figure (right panel). Specifically ponder these questions:[br][br][list=1][*]What happens when the plane intersects a single cone at an angle?[/*][*]What happens when the plane is perpendicular to a single cone?[/*][*]What happens when the plane intersects two cones?[br][/*][*]What happens when the plane intersects the cones at their vertex?[/*][/list]

Information: Introduction to Conics