Monday, May 5, 2008

Sketching/Analyzing Graphs Part 1

We began class today with Mental Math. Remember that we have two more left and then we can remove our two worst marks. There was also a discussion about a makeup time for any Mental Maths anyone may have missed. Then we began our notes for today. We're talking about sketching and analyzing graphs of conics. We got through ellipses today, and will hopefully be finished hyperbolas and parabolas by Wednesday before our test on Thursday. So the first ellipse we talked about is when the bigger number (always 'a' in our examples) is associated with the x values. This diagram shows where the axes and vertices are found. I think of this as a horizontal ellipse because the major axis is horizontal.
Following with that, an ellipse where the bigger value ('a') is associated with the y value could be called a vertical ellipse. This slide shows the equation and sketch of a vertical ellipse.
Here are a few examples of sketching and analyzing ellipses.

Here are the standard form equations for ellipses with all the components. The h and k describe the centre and are also used to find vertices as described below.


And for homework we have these two examples to do. Mr. Max said it's quite possible he will check these for homework tommorow but he will not be checking from the cumulative exercises. However, we should now be able to do Exercise 37 with the notes he gave us today.

In regards to the pretest, we omitted long answer number 6, and you can basically insert parentheses wherever there are some crazy symbols.


I think that basically covers the math stuff. Just a quick note on some totally unmathematicallyrelated stuff. Something about badgers...(and falling in holes and hamstrings and Chuck Norris...)


This is a real sign from the Parks Canada website. (http://www.pc.gc.ca/apprendre-learn/prof/sub/badger/badger_img_e.asp) If you see the sign, don't get out of the car and wait for a badger to come by. I hear they're dangerous.
Till next time,
Bethany

1 comment:

gregoir said...

haha thanks for the heads up bethany!