Curated OER
Ellipses
High schoolers investigate the concept of ellipses and how they are used in a variety of geometry problems with a focus upon writing an equation given certain criteria. They draw an ellipse while developing the equation examining the x...
University of Washington
Kepler’s Laws
Introduce your physics or astronomy class to Kepler's laws of planetary motion with this straightforward instructional activity. It covers the basic concepts of each and has learners answer questions to demonstrate their grasp on them....
EngageNY
Curves from Geometry
Escape to investigate hyperbolas. Pupils take a look at what happens to the elliptical orbital path of a satellite that exceeds escape velocity as the opener to the eighth lesson plan in a unit of 23. Scholars analyze basic hyperbolas...
Curated OER
Orbital Bliss
Most young mathematicians are aware that the planets don’t orbit the sun in a circle but rather as an ellipse, but have never studied this interesting feature. This resource looks at the planetary orbits in more detail and helps learners...
EngageNY
Examples of Dilations
Does it matter how many points to dilate? The resource presents problems of dilating curved figures. Class members find out that not only do they need to dilate several points but the points need to be distributed about the entire curve...
Curated OER
Conic Sections and Locii
Pupils differentiate between ellipse and hyperbola. In this algebra lesson, students graph and solve elliptical equations. They use the cabri program to create the different conics and move them around.
Curated OER
Conics and Graphing
In this algebra learning exercise, students solve equations by graphing an ellipse, circle and hyperbola. They match equations to graphs and define each type of function. There are 20 questions total.
Curated OER
Planetary Orbit
Students compare and contrast ellipses of various eccentricities that represent the shape of planetary orbits. They make a circle with the string by trying the two ends togther. Students calculate the eccentricity of their ellipses by...
Curated OER
Conic Sections
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...
Curated OER
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table
In this circumference worksheet, students solve and complete 5 different figures illustrated on the sheet. First, they cut out each shape found on the bottom. Then, students use the shapes on the left as clues to create the corresponding...
Curated OER
Graphs and Equations of Conic Sections Practice Test
In this conic section worksheet, learners complete a thirty-one question practice test containing matching and problem solving conic equation and conic graph problems. The solutions are provided.
Curated OER
Conic Sections
In this Algebra II instructional activity, 11th graders solve problems involving ellipses, parabolas, circles, and hyperbolas. The one page instructional activity contains nineteen problems. Answers are included.
EngageNY
What Is Area?
What if I can no longer justify area by counting squares? Lead a class discussion to find the area of a rectangular region with irrational side lengths. The class continues on with the idea of lower approximations and upper...
Curated OER
Graphing Conics
Learners explore conics using four different graphs. For this calculus lesson, students analyze parabola, hyperbolas, circles and ellipses. They find the directrix and discuss how they relate to each type of graph.
Curated OER
Graphs and Ellipses
Students explore linear graphs, the parabola and the rectangular hyperbola.
Curated OER
Polygon People
Middle schoolers identify polygons. In this polygon people lesson plan, students draw required shapes and construct a polygon person. They identify each shape and its characteristics. The lesson plan may be extended by allowing middle...
Curated OER
Ellipses And Kepler's First Law
High schoolers explain that planets actually orbit the center of gravity of the solar system, and that distant planets may be detected by motions of their central star around the centers of gravity of their planetary systems.
Curated OER
Fly Me to the Moon!
In this Moon travel worksheet, students construct a simple rocket trajectory called the Hohmann Transfer orbit using a compass, string, paper and a pencil. Students solve 2 problems which include finding the number of hours it takes to...
Curated OER
Conic Sections
In this conic sections learning exercise, 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...
Curated OER
Algebra 2 Test
In this algebra instructional activity, students solve problems involving functions, systems and conics. They simplify radicals and graph parabolas identifying the focus and ellipse. There are 20 questions.
Willow Tree
Common Geometric Figures
Geometry could be called the study of figures. An overview of the figures found in a typical geometry course contains a study of different triangles, quadrilaterals, and regular polygons.
Khan Academy
Challenge: Simple Shapes!
Now practice drawing a rectangle, ellipse, circle, and line by writing your own JavaScript code. Don't know where to start? No problem, you will be guided through creating every line of code. Getting an error message? Again, no problem,...
CK-12 Foundation
Orbital Motion
Why do planets orbit the sun in ellipses when moons orbit their planet in circles? Pupils control the semi-major axis, eccentricity of the orbit, and position angle. The resulting orbital appears with the related force vectors as...
Curated OER
Maximum and Minimum Problems
In this maximum and minimum problems instructional activity, students solve and complete 9 various types of problems. First, they find two numbers with a given sum. Then, students find the maximum and minimum value of each equation. They...