Mathematics
Problem Of the Week
Spring
2004
POW 1
Redefining
the wheel!
The distance
between two points, (a,b)
and (c,d) is defined to be 
. Let’s change that. Suppose we define the distance between these
points to be 
. This makes sense if
you are in
The definition of
a circle is the set of all points that are a fixed distance (radius) from a
given point (center). Using the
definition of a circle and this new definition of distance, sketch a circle of
radius 4 with center at the origin.
The definition of
a parabola is the set of all points equidistant from a point (focus) and a line
(directrix). Using this definition of a
parabola and this new definition of distance, sketch a parabola
whose directrix is the x-axis and
the focus is the point (0,2).
Due Friday, January 30th
at Noon .
Solutions should be submitted to Dr. Maegan Bos'
mailbox in the Math office or sent via e-mail to mbos@stlawu.edu.
Presentation counts! The
prize-winning entry will be selected from all correct submissions, based on the
clarity, creativity and elegance of the solution.
Look
for the SLU POW on the Web at http://it.stlawu.edu/~math/activities/