Conic Sections Teacher Resources

Here, parabolas, circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas are introduced by showing a general graph of each. By showing the intersection of a plane and a cone to create the different conic sections, one can see how these curves are related.

This is the last of three well-done videos on identifying and graphing conic sections from an equation. Here, Sal shows how to graph a circle not centered at the origin and a parabola that opens downward.

After watching this video, you should be able to write an equation for a conic section in standard form and identify the conic section from its equation. In an example problem, Sal reviews how to complete the square and graph an ellipse...

In this video, Sal shows again how to write an equation of a conic section in standard form and identify the conic section it represents. This time, his example is of a hyperbola (not centered at the origin), which he also graphs.

Sal defines a hyperbola's vertex and foci in this video and shows how to locate both. By comparing the hyperbola to an ellipse throughout the video, the listener sees the similarities between these two conic sections. This approach makes...

The equation of a circle is explored in this video by looking first at the equation of a circle with the center at the origin; then building upon that, equations of circles that are shifted off the origin.

Here is an example in this video of graphing a hyperbola centered at the origin. First, Sal shows solving for the equations of the asymptotes and then shows how to determine the direction of the hyperbola. He takes the approach of not...

Continuing with the study of graphing hyperbolas, Sal shows an example of graphing a parabola that is centered at a point off the origin. By looking at the equation, first without shifting it, he helps listeners develop an intuitive...

In this video, Sal starts with the equation of a hyperbola by first comparing it to the equation of the circle, and ellipse. He then shows how to find the equation of the asymptotes by solving for y. He also shows a few intuitive ways to...

This video explores the equation of a circle by first looking at the equation of a circle with the center at the origin and then building upon that, equations of circles that are shifted off the origin.

The foci of an ellipse are explored in this video. First, foci are shown as the two points on the central axis such that the sum of the distance from a point on the ellipse and the foci points is the same as the distance from any point...

This is the last of three well-done videos on identifying and graphing conic sections from an equation. Here, Sal shows graphing a circle, not centered at the origin, and a parabola that opens downward.

After watching this video, you should be able to write an equation of a conic section in standard form, and identify the conic section from its equation. In an example problem, Sal reviews how to complete the square and graph an ellipse...

In this conic section worksheet, students classify 8 conic sections. They write the standard form of 8 conic sections. Students sketch the graph of six shapes. For the graphs, students are directed to find either vertex and focus, or...

In this conic sections worksheet, 11th graders solve and complete 26 various types of problems. First, they identify the eccentricity of each equation shown. Then, students use the information provided to write the standard form equation...

In this video, Sal shows again how to write an equation of a conic section in standard form and identify the conic section it represents. This time, his example is of a hyperbola (not centered at the origin), which he also graphs.

In this video, Sal defines the vertex and the foci of a hyperbola, and shows how to locate both. By comparing the hyperbola to an ellipse throughout the video, the listener sees the similarities between these two conic sections. This...

Following his intuitive manner, Sal considers another set of parametric equations. This time, he looks at two equations using trigonometric functions and, using one of the basic trigonometric identities, removes the parameter from the...

In this conic sections worksheet, students solve and complete 17 various types of problems. First, they write the conics in standard form and graph. Then, students determine the equation that best represents each description that...

Where did conic sections get their name? The equation and graph of a parabola are developed from the definition of the conic section. Teacher examples on graphing the equation and writing an equation from the graph round out the plan.

Students, while using a graphing calculator, graph systems of conic sections as well as identify their solutions. They complete various word problems dealing with conic sections with their calculators. In addition, students sketch graphs...

In this conic sections worksheet, students solve and complete 8 different problems identifying various types of conic sections. First, they write each equation given in standard form. Then, students determine whether the graph of each of...