Conic Application

• 0.25 inch

• 1.5 inches

• 3 inches

• 6 inches

The reflector of a large, commercial flashlight has a shape of a parabolic dish, with diameter of 10 cm and a depth of 5 cm. How far from the vertex will the bulb (focus) be placed? (Hint: place the vertex at the origin and plug in the ordered pair to solve for the coefficient, then find p)

• 1.25 cm from the vertex

• 2.5 cm from the vertex

• 3.75 cm from the vertex

• 5 cm from the vertex

A planet's orbit around the sun is elliptical with the sun at one focus. The maximum distance from the sun (aphelion) of planet Mars is approximately 156 million miles, while its minimum distance from the sun (perihelion) is about 128 million miles. Which equation models the orbit?

• None of the above choices

How far from the edge of a

8 feet by 5 feet plywood must the ends of a string be fastened so that an ellipse is drawn and has dimensions 8 feet by 5 feet as well? (Hint: at what points would be string be fastened?)

• approximately 0.9 feet from the edge

• approximately 0.4 feet from the edge

• approximately 1.8 feet from the edge

• none of the above

How many points of intersection are there between the two conic sections?

• None.

• One.

• Two.

• Three.

• Four.