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