Lesson Plan

Identify an equation as an ellipse from the fact that both squared terms have the same sign and unequal coefficients

Read the center off (x - h)^2/a^2 + (y - k)^2/b^2 = 1, handling the sign inversion

Determine the two distances from the center to the curve by taking the square roots of the denominators, and state which direction each measures along

State whether an ellipse is wider than tall or taller than wide by comparing the two denominators

Recognize the circle as the special case in which the two denominators are equal, and explain why

Convert an ellipse equation to standard form by dividing through so the right side is 1

G 609. Recognize special characteristics of parabolas and circles (e.g., the vertex of a parabola and the center or radius of a circle) AF 705. Identify characteristics of graphs based on a set of conditions or on a general equation such as y = ax² + c