I keep getting “Eccentricity” questions wrong in Conic Sections. What's the trap?
mixing up which conic each eccentricity range gives.
The usual trap: mixing up which conic each eccentricity range gives. How to avoid it: as e grows from 0, the shape opens up: circle → ellipse → parabola → hyperbola. Go back to the definition — a number e that classifies conics: circle e=0, ellipse e<1, parabola e=1, hyperbola e>1.
Key point
Eccentricity
Common mistake
mixing up which conic each eccentricity range gives.
Memory tip
as e grows from 0, the shape opens up: circle → ellipse → parabola → hyperbola.
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