Graph (x^2)/9+(y^2)/4=1
Problem
Solution
Identify the type of conic section. Since the equation is in the form
(x2)/(a2)+(y2)/(b2)=1 with positive coefficients, it is an ellipse centered at the origin(0,0) Determine the lengths of the semi-axes. Here,
a2=9 andb2=4 which meansa=3 andb=2 Locate the vertices on the x-axis. Since
a=3 is under thex2 term, the horizontal vertices are at(3,0) and(−3,0) Locate the vertices on the y-axis. Since
b=2 is under they2 term, the vertical vertices (co-vertices) are at(0,2) and(0,−2) Calculate the foci using the formula
c2=a2−b2 This givesc2=9−4=5 soc=√(,5) The foci are located at(√(,5),0) and(−√(,5),0) Sketch the graph by drawing a smooth curve through the four vertices
(3,0) (−3,0) (0,2) and(0,−2)
Final Answer
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