Graph (x^2)/16+(y^2)/6=1
Problem
Solution
Identify the type of conic section. Since the equation is in the form
(x2)/(a2)+(y2)/(b2)=1 with positive denominators, it is an ellipse centered at the origin(0,0) Determine the lengths of the semi-axes. Here,
a2=16 andb2=6 Taking the square roots givesa=4 andb=√(,6)≈2.45 Locate the vertices on the major axis. Since
a2>b2 the major axis is horizontal. The vertices are located at(±a,0) which are(4,0) and(−4,0) Locate the co-vertices on the minor axis. The co-vertices are located at
(0,±b) which are(0,√(,6)) and(0,−√(,6)) Calculate the foci using the relation
c2=a2−b2 Substituting the values givesc2=16−6=10 soc=√(,10)≈3.16 The foci are at(±√(,10),0) Sketch the graph by plotting the center, vertices, and co-vertices, then drawing a smooth curve to connect them into an oval shape.
Final Answer
Want more problems? Check here!