Question

question 17 of 25 if a right circular cone is intersected by a plane that is parallel to one edge of the cone, as in the picture below, what shape is produced?
a. a point
b. a parabola
c. an ellipse
d. a line
e. a circle
f. a hyperbola

Explanation:

To determine the shape formed when a right circular cone is intersected by a plane parallel to one of its edges, we refer to the concept of conic sections. A plane parallel to an edge of the cone (a generator) will intersect the cone to form a parabola. A point would be formed by a plane through the vertex, a line by a plane along an edge, a circle/ellipse by a plane perpendicular or at an angle (not parallel to an edge), and a hyperbola by a plane cutting both nappes. Since the plane is parallel to an edge, the intersection is a parabola.

Answer:

B. A parabola