WyzAnt.comThis a math homework problem and i don't understand it.
Imagine a plane and a cone intersecting to form a parabola. Explain why the plane has to intersect the axis of the cone.
WyzAnt Tutors: Sign In to answer this question.
1 Answer
The question here is wrong the plane must never intersect the axis in order to form a parabola. If the plane intersects the axis then at some point it will form an ellipse. In order to make a parabola the plane would have to be parallel but not on the axis. If the plane was on the axis exactly it would form an angle not a parabola. So the question must be wrong. It is the plane must not intersect the axis of the cone.
