Thread: excuse me, conic SECTIONS

I'm in an algebra 2 class and can't figure out how to graph conic sections!!!!

example

3y^2-x^2 = 25?



also, how do you tell what an ellipses equation looks, versus a circle or hyperbola?

Originally Posted by peepsrock09

I'm in an algebra 2 class and can't figure out how to graph conic sections!!!!

example

3y^2-x^2 = 25?



also, how do you tell what an ellipses equation looks, versus a circle or hyperbola?

this is a (North-South opening) hyperbola. see post #2 here

Originally Posted by peepsrock09

I...can't figure out how to graph conic sections!

...also, how do you tell what an ellipses equation looks, versus a circle or hyperbola?

The reason textbooks usually take an entire chapter to cover conics is that it really can't be taught in something as simple as a forum posting.

To learn how to recognize the type of conic represented by a given equation, try the flowchart on this page. To learn how to work with the equations and how to graph the various conics, follow the conic-specific links at the bottom of the page in the above link.