|Graphs and Ellipses|
This lesson provides an introduction (or refresher) of the concept of graphs in Cartesian coordinates, starting with graphs of a straight line and a simple parabola. It is part of a high school course on astronomy, Newtonian mechanics and spaceflight. The implicit relationship x2+y2 = R2 for a circle is given, and from that the Cartesian equation of an ellipse is developed. Students will learn or re-acquire the use of graphs in Cartesian coordinates, become acquainted with linear graphs, the parabola and the rectangular hyperbola and also learn to prepare tables of paired values for plotting a line. Students will also learn about the Cartesian equation of an ellipse, with a worked example and the historical definition of the ellipse.
Intended for grade levels:
Type of resource:
No specific technical requirements, just a browser required
Cost / Copyright:
May be used non-commercially as long as credit is given to the author.
DLESE Catalog ID: DLESE-000-000-005-163
Resource contact / Creator / Publisher:
Author: Dr David P. Stern
Goddard Space Flight Center