PURPOSE: To illustrate conic sections.

DESCRIPTION: The wooden cone has four separable parts. Dissecting the cone yields cross sections with differing orientation with respect to the axis of the cone: the circle, the ellipse, the parabola, and the hyperbola.

SUGGESTIONS:

See Question of the Week #208 for information on using this demonstration to enhance class involvement.

REFERENCES: (PIRA 1L20.40)

EQUIPMENT: Dissectible cone, as photographed.

SETUP TIME: None.