The Math Forum: Ask Dr. Math: The Origins of Conic Sections

Dr. Math gives an inspiring and clear discussion about equations of lines and lines as functions. The Dr. discusses the benefits of the standard form of a line and prompts the student with an equation which can not be written in the...

Three geometric constructions students like to say are "impossible" are explained here. Trisecting an angle, squaring a circle, and doubling a cube are examined as being either possible or impossible, depending on the "rules" you use.

This site provides links to questions sent in to Dr. Math about proofs. Topics covered include what proofs are, how to understand them, and how to build them, and much more. Be sure to click on the links which you believe may be helpful.

This page brings you to a table of contents of three-dimensional figures. Selecting a figure will bring you to a page defining and illustrating the figure with applicable formulas listed.

"Why is any number raised to the zero power equal to one?" A good question and an even better answer

A student asks Dr. Math for help to understand the concept of direct and inverse variation. The Dr. begins with the very basics and gives a great discussion on variation. The Dr. includes the thinking process and examples.

A student asks Dr. Math how to evaluate a composite function. Dr. Math gives a systematic way to evaluate composite functions. Be sure to read the second response as well to findout how to evaluate functions of several compositions and...

The inverse, converse and contrapositive are defined as Dr. Math answers a question to prove the validity of such statements for a specific problem. The Dr. explains the thinking process for the proof well.

This site is an archive of questions posed by students and the general public about geometry which are responded to by "Dr. Math."

Explains what conditional statements are in mathematical proofs, explaining an if then clause, be sure to read the second response to the initial question if this topic appeals to your curiosity.