Cute Conic Calculations
Who: Mrs. Iverson’s Pre-Calculus Honors Students
What: “Art” project done on graph paper
When (due): MONDAY 4/14/14!
Why: To help us work with conic equations and allow our creative minds to flow freely through
the use of our Pre-Calculus (H) knowledge, graph paper, and our artistic beauty.
Directions:
o Research:
 Use the internet to find ALL four real life conic illustrations. **(2 of these must be from
the Chicago-land area)
 Highlight each conic section with a highlighter.
 Each illustration must include: the location, artist, and creation date.
o Picture: On the graph paper supplied by me, you must create a design (school appropriate,
people, sports, landscape, cartoon, etc…..) that in some way relates to your life. Within this
picture needs to be the following conics:
2 parabolas
&
2 ellipses
&
2 circles
&
1 hyperbola
For each TYPE of conic (4 total), the following information MUST be written on a separate sheet
of paper.
 Key characteristics such as center, Vertices, Co-vertices, Foci, Eccentricity, etc.
 Any additional points used for the calculations
 The equations of each conic in standard form (circles: conic form)
On the picture you should include:
 ***A number written small next to the conic to designate which conic corresponds to each
equation. While the numbers should be small, make sure I can find them easily!
 ***The points you used should be marked and labeled with the coordinates. (Center and
extra points needed)
Also, you must color your drawing appropriately and include a minimum of 2 sentences
explaining why you drew the picture you drew and how it relates to you.
Conic Equations
Parabola:
( y  k )2  4 p( x  h)
( x  h)2  4 p( y  k )
Ellipse:
Circle:
( x  h) 2 ( y  k ) 2

1
r2
r2
Hyperbola:
( x  h) ( y  k )

1
a2
b2
2
2
( x  h) ( y  k )

1
b2
a2
2
2
( x  h)2 ( y  k )2

1
a2
b2
( y  k )2 ( x  h)2

1
a2
b2
Rubric
Criteria
Points Possible Your Points
RESEARCH
____4 real life conic section pictures that are
highlighted (2 from Chicagoland area) (1 each)
___ Each picture has required information (1 each)
PICTURE
The 7 conics listed are included and drawn
accurately.
 2 parabolas
 2 ellipses
 2 circles
 1 hyperbola
All points/conics are labeled accurately on the
drawing and on the calculation sheet*** (see
instructions).
Equations for each conic are correct including all
the key characteristics
 Parabolas (with additional point)
 Ellipses
 Circles
 Hyperbola (with additional point)
Neatness/ Creativity
Includes
 2 sentences minimum of why you drew the
picture you drew (2 points)
 Colored neatly (1 points)
Total Possible
8
4
1
2 points
3 points
1 point
3 points
3
25/25
TURN IN THIS RUBRIC WITH YOUR PROJECT.
Good luck and have fun!!
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