How can you graph conics (parabola, ellipse, hyperbola)? I know they have formulas... I just forgot.

Question

phi · Answer

That is a pretty open question.  Do you mean by hand?  Or by using a graphing calculator?  Or using a computer (try wolfram (google it))?

anonymous · Answer

manually. by hand. We're not allowed to use calculators in exams anyway

phi · Answer

In that case, learn what the equation looks like for each type.
for example, an ellipse is
$$ \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} =1 $$
It is centered at 0,0.    It looks like an oval.  pick some easy points.  if x=0, then y= ±b (you need to be able to figure that out)  . that is (0,+b),  and (0,-b) plot those points.
Do the same for y=0 .  you get (+a,0) and (-a,0).    connect the dots with a smooth curve.
Use wolfram to check your answers, or to see what it should look like.

anonymous · Answer

Yeah this is pretty open question. I can help with ellipses. Before drawing ellipses you need to know how to draw circles. The most simple drawing of a circle is 

X^2 + Y^2 = 1

That's the unit circle. From there you add coefficients to x and y in order to strech the circle out isentially drawing an ellipse.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks I'll try the doing the ellipse