Plane Analytical Geometry

The curves that we learn about in this chapter are called conic sections. They arise naturally in many situations. They are the result of slicing a cone at various angles, as you can see in the animation.

Why study analytical geometry?

Science and engineering involves the study of quantities that change relative to each other (for example, distance-time, velocity-time, population-time, force-distance, etc).

It is much easier to understand what is going on in these problems if we draw graphs showing the relationship between the quantities involved.

The study of calculus depends heavily on a clear understanding of functions, graphs, slopes of curves and shapes of curves. For example, in the Differentiation chapter we use graphs to demonstrate relationships between varying quantities.