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Ch. 11 - Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 11, Problem 11.6.25

Ellipses


Exercises 25 and 26 give information about the foci and vertices of ellipses centered at the origin of the xy−plane. In each case, find the ellipse's standard−form equation from the given information.


Foci: ( ±√2, 0) Vertices: (±2,0)

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Identify the orientation of the ellipse based on the given points. Since the foci and vertices lie on the x-axis (points have the form (±x, 0)), the major axis is horizontal.
Recall the standard form of the ellipse equation centered at the origin with a horizontal major axis: \(\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1\), where \(a\) is the semi-major axis length and \(b\) is the semi-minor axis length.
Determine \(a\) from the vertices. The vertices are at \((\pm 2, 0)\), so \(a = 2\) and therefore \(a^{2} = 4\).
Determine \(c\) from the foci. The foci are at \((\pm \sqrt{2}, 0)\), so \(c = \sqrt{2}\) and therefore \(c^{2} = 2\).
Use the relationship between \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) for ellipses: \(c^{2} = a^{2} - b^{2}\). Substitute the known values to solve for \(b^{2}\), then write the standard form equation \(\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1\).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Standard Form of an Ellipse Centered at the Origin

An ellipse centered at the origin has the equation \( \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 \) if the major axis is along the x-axis, where \(a\) is the semi-major axis length and \(b\) is the semi-minor axis length. Knowing the vertices and foci helps determine \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) (distance from center to foci).
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Graph Ellipses at Origin

Relationship Between Vertices, Foci, and Axes Lengths

For an ellipse, the distance from the center to each vertex is \(a\), and the distance to each focus is \(c\). These satisfy the equation \(c^2 = a^2 - b^2\). Given vertices and foci, you can find \(a\), \(c\), and then calculate \(b\) to write the ellipse equation.
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Foci and Vertices of Hyperbolas

Identifying the Orientation of the Ellipse

The orientation of the ellipse (horizontal or vertical major axis) is determined by the coordinates of the vertices and foci. Since both vertices and foci lie on the x-axis (\(y=0\)), the major axis is horizontal, so \(x^2\) is over \(a^2\) in the standard form.
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Graph Ellipses NOT at Origin
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Shifting Conic Sections


Find the center, foci, vertices, asymptotes, and radius, as appropriate, of the conic sections in Exercises 57-68.


9x² + 6y² + 36y = 0

Textbook Question

Finding Cartesian from Parametric Equations


Exercises 1–18 give parametric equations and parameter intervals for the motion of a particle in the xy-plane. Identify the particle’s path by finding a Cartesian equation for it. Graph the Cartesian equation. (The graphs will vary with the equation used.) Indicate the portion of the graph traced by the particle and the direction of motion.


x = 2 sinh t, y = 2 cosh t, −∞<t<∞

Textbook Question

Circles


Sketch the circles in Exercises 53–56. Give polar coordinates for their centers and identify their radii.


r = −2 cos θ

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Textbook Question

Parabolas


Exercises 9-16 give equations of parabolas. Find each parabola's focus and directrix. Then sketch the parabola. Include the focus and directrix in your sketch.


x = −3y²

Textbook Question

Parabolas


Exercises 9-16 give equations of parabolas. Find each parabola's focus and directrix. Then sketch the parabola. Include the focus and directrix in your sketch.


x² = 6y

Textbook Question

Shifting Conic Sections


You may wish to review Section 1.2 before solving Exercises 39-56.


Exercises 53-56 give equations for hyperbolas and tell how many units up or down and to the right or left each hyperbola is to be shifted. Find an equation for the new hyperbola, and find the new center, foci, vertices, and asymptotes.


x²/4 − y²/5 = 1, right 2, up 2