This volume, a reprinting of a classic first published in 1952, presents detailed discussions of 26 curves or families of curves, and 17 analytic systems of curves. For each curve the author provides a historical note, a sketch or sketches, a description of the curve, a discussion of pertinent facts, and a bibliography. Depending upon the curve,…

A mathematical derivation is given, developing the cardioid as an epicycloid locus. Curve-stitched designs are given for a family of epicycloids. (MP)

This is one in a series of manuals for teachers using SMSG high school supplementary materials. The pamphlet includes commentaries on the sections of the student's booklet, answers to the exercises, and sample test questions. Topics covered include definitions, parallel and perpendicular lines, distance formula, midpoint formula, linear equations,…

This is one in a series of SMSG supplementary and enrichment pamphlets for high school students. This series is designed to make material for the study of topics of special interest to students readily accessible in classroom quantity. Topics covered include graphs, slope, distance, mid-point, proof, equations, and circles. (MP)

This column contains brief notes on graphing in three dimensions; patterns in Pascal's triangle; plotting graphs by computer; and an application of the hypocycloid. (MM)

Curve-stitching the parabola is used as a means of confirming many of the parabola's mathematical properties and to construct some visually stimulating designs. (MP)

An example is given of a problem-solving approach by outlining the development of a generalization of the Pythagorean Theorem as applied to points on a unit circle. (MP)

The position of Droopy on a rectangular grid was used to motivate learning of coordinates. (MM)

Topics covered are: a game to provide drill with linear equations; the relationship between area and perimeter in a triangle; a new form for factoring polynomials; and a technique for graphing inverse functions. (MP)

The simultaneous solution of equations in polar form does not always yield the points of intersection of their graphs. An explanation is given. (MP)

A geometric approach to the solution of quadratic equations and more general polynomials is based on finding points with minimum distance from the x-axis. The approach is useful in motivating the definition of complex numbers. (SD)

Theorems about the hyperbola which are ordinarily introduced in calculus courses can be proved without using the calculus. (SD)