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From: rab@well.UUCP (Bob Bickford)
Newsgroups: net.math
Subject: Re: Question came up at a party
Message-ID: <548@well.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 25-Jan-86 18:26:26 EST
Article-I.D.: well.548
Posted: Sat Jan 25 18:26:26 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 26-Jan-86 20:28:46 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Whole Earth Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 21


   Many thanks to all those who answered my request for help.

   Yes, to all who said so, I'm well aware that this is really
a high-school-math problem (at least, that's where most of us
were taught it).  But, when it's been ten years since high-school,
it's a little difficult to derive the answer (especially at a party).

   Most answers I got included the generic quadratic equation, which
isn't much help by itself, but several gave examples of coefficient
values to obtain the various conic sections, which is exactly what
I wanted.  I've downloaded the whole mess to paper (paper!?) and
given it to the unbeliever...

   Now, pardon me while I review my ancient and dusty algebra and
calculus texts so I don't look so dumb next time...

       Robert Bickford     (rab@well.uucp)
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|  I doubt if these are even my own opinions.  |
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