Solve Math Ellipse Question: Find Equation & Depth 2m from Edge

  • Thread starter seiferseph
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In summary, to find the depth 2 m from the edge of a canal with a semi-ellipse cross-section, you would use the equation x2+y2= 1 and solve for y.
  • #1
seiferseph
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How would i do this question?

A canal with cross-section a semi-ellipse of width 20 m is 5 m deep at the centre. Find the equation for the ellipse, and use it to find the depth 2 m from the edge.

I think i have a way to get it using major axis length 20 and minor axis length 10, but what would the specific points be (where is the centre?) thanks.
 
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  • #2
You could put the center of the ellipse on the origin here. It should not matter in terms of the geometry of the ellipse itself.
 
  • #3
You major and minor axes sound fine. :biggrin:

It sounds like there are no constraints for defining your coordinate system.
How about calling the midpoint across your canal, at surface level (0,0).
[you're not obligated to do this, you can still solve this even if you defined the near or far edge or your canal as (0,0)]

Do you already know the general formula for an ellipse?
(hint: take a look at equ. 11 at this URL---> http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Ellipse.html

How far from the centre would 2m from either edge be?
Just plug in your given information into the equation for an ellipse and you can find the depth at 2m from either edge.
 
  • #4
for the equation i got

x^2/100 + y^2/25 = 1

then to solve for the depth 2 m from the edge, so i substitute 8 for x? i got +/- 3. what does that mean? the depth would be 3 m deep at 2 m in from either side, right?
 
  • #5
The numbers you did get indicate that it is that depth at either side of the ellipse.
 
  • #6
I just want to expand on codyg1985 and Ouabache's point that you can ASSUME the center of the ellipse is at (0,0).


Canals don't have coordinate systems attached! You are free to set up a coordinate system yourself- in this case it is simplest to choose your coordinate system so that (0,0) is at the center of the ellipse.

In fact you DON'T have to use meters as your units. Let's do this: take half the length of the horizontal axis as your unit of length in the x-direction and half the length of the vertical axis as your unit of length in the y-direction.
What? different units along the x and y axes? Yep, that's perfectly valid. Of course, it messes up the geometry a bit! Now that the semi-axes along the x and y axes are both one, this ellipse (in this rather peculiar coordinate system) has equation x2+ y2= 1- the equation of a circle (you have to kinda "squash" your eyeballs to make them fit this coordinate system!).
(At least I am choosing the coordinate axes along the axes of the ellipse. It would be legitimate to choose them some other angle but that would really complicate the calculations. Even I am not that crazy!)
So how do we "use it to find the depth 2 m from the edge."?

Our coordinate unit in the x-direction corresponds to half the horizontal width of the canal- 10 m. As seiferseph calculated, that is 8 m from the center and so 0.8 "x- units". Put x= 0.8 in x2+ y2= 1 to get (0.8)2+ y2= 0.64 + y2 = 1 so y2= 1- 0.64= 0.36 and so
y= 0.6 (do you see the "3-4-5 right triangle" there?) At this point the y-coordinate is 0.6 of a unit. But a unit in the y direction is the depth of the canal- 5 m. 0.5 of 5 m is 3 m just as seiferseph got before!
 
  • #7
Thats interesting HallsofIvy, and thanks to everyone.
 

1. What is a math ellipse?

A math ellipse is a geometric shape that resembles a flattened circle. It is defined as the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from two fixed points, called the foci, is constant.

2. How do you find the equation of an ellipse?

The general equation of an ellipse is (x-h)^2/a^2 + (y-k)^2/b^2 = 1, where (h,k) is the center of the ellipse and a and b are the lengths of the semi-major and semi-minor axes, respectively. To find the equation of an ellipse, you need to know the coordinates of the center and the lengths of the axes.

3. What is the difference between a major and minor axis in an ellipse?

The major axis of an ellipse is the longer of the two axes, passing through the two foci and the center of the ellipse. The minor axis is the shorter axis, passing through the center and perpendicular to the major axis.

4. How do you graph an ellipse?

To graph an ellipse, you first need to find the coordinates of the center, the lengths of the major and minor axes, and the foci. Then, you can plot these points on a coordinate plane and sketch the ellipse using these points as a guide.

5. What real-life applications use ellipses?

Ellipses have many practical applications in fields such as astronomy, engineering, and architecture. They are used to describe the orbits of planets and satellites, design curved mirrors and lenses, and create aesthetically pleasing architectural features.

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