In this episode of Algebra Applications, students explore the following scenario: Scientists use conic sections to map the trajectories of spacecraft in flight. The setting for this episode is a planned future flight to Mars.

The relationship between slope and grade in cycling is explored. Go on a tour of Italy through the mountains of Tuscany and apply students' understanding of slope.

Scientists use conic sections to map the trajectories of spacecraft in flight. The setting for this episode is a planned future flight to Mars. As the ship travels from Earth to Mars, parabolic, circular, and elliptical paths are explored.

The liftoff and pre-orbital path of the rock is described by a parabola. Students explore the properties of parabolas from the standpoint of the parametric equations that describe the horizontal and vertical directions of motion for the rocket.

The path of a rocket orbiting the Earth can be modeled with the equation of a circle. Students explore the quadratic relation and the parametric equations that can be used to model the path of a spacecraft orbiting Earth.

The planets orbiting the sun follow elliptical paths. In fact, the trajectory of a spacecraft traveling to Mars would also be elliptical. Students explore these various ellipses.

January 2014. In this issue of Math in the News we examine the Polar Vortex. We examine the physics of the cyclonic winds that make up the Polar Vortex and under what conditions the current expansion of Arctic weather affects a large part of the United States.

This is part of a collection of math quizzes on the topic of conic sections.

This is part of a collection of math quizzes on the topic of conic sections.

This is part of a collection of math quizzes on the topic of conic sections.

This is the transcript for the video of same title. Video contents: In this episode of Algebra Applications, students explore the following scenario: Scientists use conic sections to map the trajectories of spacecraft in flight. The setting for this episode is a planned future flight to Mars.

This is the transcript for the video of same title. Video contents: Scientists use conic sections to map the trajectories of spacecraft in flight. The setting for this episode is a planned future flight to Mars.

This is the transcript for the video of same title. Video contents: The planets orbiting the sun follow elliptical paths. In fact, the trajectory of a spacecraft traveling to Mars would also be elliptical. Students explore these various ellipses.

Scientists use conic sections to map the trajectories of spacecraft in flight. The setting for this episode is a planned future flight to Mars. As the ship travels from Earth to Mars, parabolic, circular, and elliptical paths are explored.

The liftoff and pre-orbital path of the rock is described by a parabola. Students explore the properties of parabolas from the standpoint of the parametric equations that describe the horizontal and vertical directions of motion for the rocket.

The path of a rocket orbiting the Earth can be modeled with the equation of a circle. Students explore the quadratic relation and the parametric equations that can be used to model the path of a spacecraft orbiting Earth.

The planets orbiting the sun follow elliptical paths. In fact, the trajectory of a spacecraft traveling to Mars would also be elliptical. Students explore these various ellipses.