princiebebe57 Messages 31 Reaction score 0 Thread starter Apr 25, 2007 #1 Find the y coordinate for the center of the ellipse given by the equation 8x^2 + y^2 - 4y = 2
Astronuc Staff Emeritus Science Advisor Gold Member 2025 Award Messages 22,714 Reaction score 7,806 Apr 25, 2007 #2 Try to rewrite the equation in the general form of an ellipse. A (x - x0)2 + B (y - y0)2 = 0, where the center is at x0, y0
Try to rewrite the equation in the general form of an ellipse. A (x - x0)2 + B (y - y0)2 = 0, where the center is at x0, y0
HallsofIvy Science Advisor Homework Helper Messages 42,895 Reaction score 983 Apr 25, 2007 #4 Do you know how to "complete the square"?
chaoseverlasting Messages 1,051 Reaction score 3 Apr 25, 2007 #5 There is an easier method if you know differentiation. Differentiate the equation wrt x treating y as a constant to get a value for x, and similarly for y by treating x as a constant. The values of x and y you get are the coordinates of the center.
There is an easier method if you know differentiation. Differentiate the equation wrt x treating y as a constant to get a value for x, and similarly for y by treating x as a constant. The values of x and y you get are the coordinates of the center.