Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 16m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 6m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 19m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
8. Conic Sections
Ellipses: Standard Form
3:55 minutes
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionGraph the ellipse and locate the foci. (y^2)/25 + (x^2)/16 = 1
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Ellipse Definition
An ellipse is a set of points in a plane where the sum of the distances from two fixed points, called foci, is constant. The standard form of an ellipse's equation is (y^2/a^2) + (x^2/b^2) = 1, where 'a' and 'b' are the semi-major and semi-minor axes, respectively. In this case, the equation indicates a vertical ellipse due to the placement of y^2 over a larger denominator.
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Graphing an Ellipse
To graph an ellipse, identify the lengths of the semi-major and semi-minor axes from the equation. For the given equation, a = 5 (since 25 = 5^2) and b = 4 (since 16 = 4^2). The center of the ellipse is at the origin (0,0), and the graph extends vertically 5 units and horizontally 4 units from the center, forming an elongated shape.
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Foci of an Ellipse
The foci of an ellipse are located along the major axis and are crucial for its definition. The distance from the center to each focus, denoted as 'c', can be calculated using the formula c = √(a^2 - b^2). For this ellipse, c = √(25 - 16) = √9 = 3, meaning the foci are located at (0, ±3) on the y-axis.
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