Eliminating XY-Term: Solving for Rotated Axes in Conic Sections

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the problem of eliminating the xy-term in a conic section equation through the rotation of axes. The original equation presented is 8x^2 + 64xy + 8y^2 + 12x + 12y + 9 = 0, and the participants are exploring various forms of the equation that could result from this process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the Rotation Theorem for Conics and the introduction of new variables to eliminate the xy-term. There are suggestions to diagonalize the corresponding matrix using linear algebra. Some participants express confusion about the process and seek clarification on how to proceed with substitutions and simplifications.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing various methods and expressions for transforming the original equation. There is a mix of attempts to clarify the algebraic steps involved and questions about the necessity of certain transformations. Guidance has been offered regarding the substitution of variables and the selection of angles for rotation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of distance learning and the need for visual aids in understanding the concepts being discussed. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the problem and the various interpretations of the steps involved in the rotation of axes.

TonyC
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I am having trouble rotating the axes to eliminate the xy-term.
8x^2+64xy+8y^2+12x+12y+9=0

I know Ax^2+Bxy+Cy^2+Dx+Ey+F=0
however, the professor is looking for an equation not an answer.

Here are my choices and I am stumped:
40x^2 + 12 sq rt2 x + 12 sq rt 2 y + 9 = 0

40x^2 - 24y^2 +12 sq rt2y +9 = 0

-24y^2 + 12 sq rt2x + 12 sq rt 2y + 9 = 0

40x^2 - 24y^ + 12 sq rt2x + 9 = 0

I am not sure what the process is to get to this point. I can run the basic Rotation Theorem for Conics and answer the problem with an angle degree.

PLEASE HELP!
 
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You can also reduce these conics to their standard Euclidean form using lineair algebra, by diagonalizing the corresponding matrix.
 
Introduce new variables as follows:
[tex]u=x\cos\theta+y\sin\theta, v=-x\sin\theta+y\cos\theta[/tex]
Here, [tex]\theta[/tex] is the angle between the positive x-axis and the positive u-axis.

Solve for x and y in terms of u and v, and gain:
[tex]x=u\cos\theta-v\sin\theta, y=u\sin\theta+v\cos\theta[/tex]

Substitute these expressions for x and y in your equation, and eliminate the uv-term by making a smart choice of [tex]\theta[/tex]


then, redefine "u" and "v" to be new "x" and "y".
(I don't see much point in doing so, but it seems your professor wants you to do that)
 
Last edited:
Can you show me how?
 
Put the expressions in u and v for x into the x's place, and similar for the expression for y.

For example, [tex]x^{2}=(u\cos\theta-v\sin\theta)^{2}=u^{2}\cos^{2}\theta-uv\sin(2\theta)+v^{2}\sin^{2}\theta[/tex]
 
If you haven't done so already, we also have:
[tex]xy=(u\cos\theta-v\sin\theta)(u\sin\theta+v\cos\theta)=\frac{u^{2}-v^{2}}{2}\sin(2\theta)+uv\cos(2\theta)[/tex]
[tex]y^{2}=(u\sin\theta+v\cos\theta)^{2}=u^{2}\sin^{2}\theta+uv\sin(2\theta)+v^{2}\cos^{2}\theta[/tex]
Use these expressions to your heart's content..
 
You were given [tex]x=u\cos\theta-v\sin\theta, y=u\sin\theta+v\cos\theta[/tex]
Go ahead and replace x and y in your equation by those, do the algebra and then pick θ so that the "uv" term has 0 coefficient.
 
Tony, what happen with all this? You figured the angle via:

[tex]Cot[2\alpha]=\frac{A-C}{B}[/tex]

so you get:

[tex]\alpha=\frac{\pi}{4}[/tex]

Great. Make the substitution:

[tex]x=\overline{x}Cos[\alpha]-\overline{y}Sin[\alpha][/tex]

[tex]y=\overline{x}Sin[\alpha]+\overline{y}Cos[\alpha][/tex]

Substitute those expressions into the equation right. For example the [itex]8x^2[/itex] would be:

[tex]8\left[\frac{\overline{x}}{\sqrt{2}}-\frac{\overline{y}}{\sqrt{2}}\right]^2[/tex]

You can do the rest. Simplify to:

[tex]40\overline{x}^2-24\overline{y}^2+12\sqrt{2}\overline{x}+9=0[/tex]

The [itex]\overline{x}-\overline{y}[/itex] axes are just 45 degrees tilted from the x-y axes. The equation is a hyperbola.

Right?

Edit: Corrected angle formula: it's Cot(2a)
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much. This distance learning is extremely difficult. I am a visual person and your help is truly appreciated.
 

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