[b]Move the various sliders in this applet around to investigate what happens to the graph of an ellipse as you change various parameters within the standard form of its equation. [br][/b][br][i]For example moving the blue dot on the left hand side changes something in the graph as well as the equation. Make note of those changes.[br][/i][br][u]Do that for each slider so you can investigate the various parameters (a, b, h, k) observed in the graph and the equation.[/u][br][br][b]Key questions to ponder as you explore: [/b][br][br]Is it ever possible for the graph of an ellipse to become a circle? If so, under what condition(s) will this happen? [br]Is it possible to tell the location of an ellipse's center just by looking at its equation? If so, how? [br]How can the length of an ellipse's semimajor & semiminor axes be determined just by looking at its equation? [br]What must happen to ensure that the graph's major axis is horizontal? Vertical?[br]What must happen to ensure that the graph's minor axis is horizontal? Vertical?

Questions are located above the applet.