HOW TO CONSTRUCT CONIC SECTIONS

Now is your turn to work. You have to follow these simple steps in order to obtain a conic by applying its definition. a) Draw a straight line (DIRECTRIX) and a point F (FOCUS). b) Take a point A on the directrix and trace the perpendicular line at this point; c) Let V be the middle point of the segment FA; d) Trace at any point above the focus F two parallel lines to the directrix; e) Trace a circumference centered in F and having radius= d(dir,r1); f) Trace a circumference centered in F and having radius= d(dir,r2), and plot the intersection points of each circumference and the parallel lines; c) Draw the LOCUS THROUGH FIVE POINTS, passing the fours points and point V. Now if you move the DIRECTRIX or the VERTEX V you can observe how the curve LOCUS represent a conic.