Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1305071751
ISBN 13: 978-1-30507-175-9

Chapter 11 - Section 11.2 - Ellipses - 11.2 Exercises - Page 797: 46

Answer

$\frac{x^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1$

Work Step by Step

RECALL: The standard equation of an ellipse with whose center is at (0, 0) is: (i) $\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$ (horizontal major axis) (ii) $\frac{x^2}{b^2} + \frac{y^2}{a^2}=1$ (vertical major axis) where $a \gt b$ 2a = length of major axis 2b = length of minor axis $a^2=b^2+c^2$ The foci are on the x-axis which means that the major axis of the ellipse is horizontal. The length of major axis is 6 $\longrightarrow 2a=6 \longrightarrow a=3$ The length of minor axis is 4 $\longrightarrow 2b=4 \longrightarrow b=2$ Therefore, the equation of the ellipse is: $\\\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2}=1 \\\frac{x^2}{3^2} + \frac{y^2}{2^2}=1 \\\frac{x^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1$
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