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Cones: Geometry & Conic Sections

From ice cream to advanced mathematics, the cone is everywhere.

A Cone is a 3D shape that tapers smoothly from a flat base (usually circular) to a point called the apex or vertex.

Apollonius and Conic Sections

The Greek geometer Apollonius of Perga (c. 200 BC) wrote a famous treatise called Conics. He studied what happens when you slice a cone at different angles.
Depending on the angle of the slice, you get different 2D shapes:

These "conic sections" are fundamental to understanding planetary orbits and physics.

[Image of conic sections diagrams showing circle ellipse parabola hyperbola]

Real World Examples

Traffic cones, party hats, ice cream cones, and volcanic mountains (like Mt. Fuji) are all examples of conical shapes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the "Slant Height"? A: The slant height is the distance from the apex to a point on the edge of the base, moving along the curved surface.
Q: Does a cone have an edge? A: Yes, it has 1 edge—the circular rim of the base.