- #1
Niaboc67
- 249
- 3
Homework Statement
The Attempt at a Solution
I thought that an ellipse shares vertices on the y-axis and the x-axis. Making it neither vertical major axis. I am unsure about the question.[/B]
Ellipse Major Axis Determination
- Thread starter Niaboc67
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Ellipse Properties Specific
In summary, an ellipse is a geometric shape that resembles a flattened circle and is defined as a set of points in a plane with a constant sum of distances from any point on the curve to two fixed points (foci). Some specific properties include having two foci, a major and minor axis, and varying distances from the center to different points on the curve. An ellipse differs from a circle in that it has two radii and varying distances from the center to points on its curve. The standard form equation for an ellipse is (x-h)^2/a^2 + (y-k)^2/b^2 = 1, and ellipses have practical applications in astronomy, engineering, optics, and architecture.
I thought that an ellipse shares vertices on the y-axis and the x-axis. Making it neither vertical major axis. I am unsure about the question.[/B]
- #2
Svein
Science Advisor
- 2,302
- 801
Now, can you see the answers?
- #3
HallsofIvy
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 42,988
- 975
What you should have learned is that if the "x^2" term has the larger denominator then the x-axis is the major axis. If the "y^2" term has the larger denominator, then the y-axis is the major axis..
(Was there really a choice that said "neither a major axis nor a major axis"? That makes no sense!)
(Was there really a choice that said "neither a major axis nor a major axis"? That makes no sense!)
Related to Ellipse Major Axis Determination
1. What is an ellipse?
An ellipse is a geometric shape that resembles a flattened circle. It is defined as a set of points in a plane, where the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to two fixed points (called the foci) is constant.
2. What are the specific properties of an ellipse?
Some specific properties of an ellipse include: it has two foci, it has a major axis and a minor axis, the length of the major axis is twice the length of the minor axis, and the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to the two foci is constant.
3. How is an ellipse different from a circle?
An ellipse and a circle are both round shapes, but a circle has the same distance from its center to any point on its circumference, while an ellipse has varying distances from its center to different points on its curve. Additionally, a circle has one radius, while an ellipse has two radii (major and minor).
4. What is the equation for an ellipse?
The standard form equation for an ellipse is (x-h)2/a2 + (y-k)2/b2 = 1, where (h,k) is the center of the ellipse, a is the length of the semi-major axis, and b is the length of the semi-minor axis.
5. How are ellipses used in real life applications?
Ellipses have many practical applications, such as in astronomy for predicting the orbits of planets and other celestial bodies, in engineering for designing machinery and structures, in optics for creating lenses and mirrors, and in architecture for creating curved shapes and patterns in building design.
Similar threads
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
-
Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
-
Introductory Physics Homework Help
-
Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help