Exploring Ellipses
This worksheet introduces sixth-grade students to the basic properties of ellipses, including their shape and key features.
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Exploring Ellipses
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show your work where applicable.
An ellipse is a closed curve that looks like a stretched circle. It has two focal points. The sum of the distances from any point on the ellipse to these two focal points is constant.
Describe an ellipse in your own words. How is it different from a circle?
1. Which of the following best describes the shape of an ellipse?
A perfect circle
A square with rounded corners
A stretched circle
A triangle
2. How many focal points does an ellipse have?
One
Two
Three
Zero
1. An ellipse is a curve.
2. The sum of the distances from any point on an ellipse to its two focal points is always .
1. All circles are ellipses.
True
False
2. The orbit of Earth around the Sun is an example of an elliptical path.
True
False
1. Draw an ellipse and label its two focal points (F1 and F2).
2. Give an example of where you might see an ellipse in the real world.