SOLUTION: The sum of the distance from a point P to (8,0) and (-8,0) is 20. If the abscissa of P is 6, Find the ordinate?

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Question 885384: The sum of the distance from a point P to (8,0) and (-8,0) is 20. If the abscissa of P is 6, Find the ordinate?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Ellipse Description.
2a=20 and c=8.
a=20%2F2=10.

Using the typical labeling for an ellipse, b%5E2%2Bc%5E2=a%5E2,
b%5E2=a%5E2-c%5E2
b%5E2=10%5E2-8%5E2
b%5E2=100-64
b%5E2=36.

You can plug-in everything into the standard form equation and solve for whichever coordinate you need:
highlight%28x%5E2%2F100%2By%5E2%2F36=1%29