SOLUTION: what is the equation for the ellipse with foci at (�4, 0) and a minor axis of length 6? Thanks.

Question 628086: what is the equation for the ellipse with foci at (�4, 0) and a minor axis of length 6? Thanks.
Answer by dfrazzetto(283) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
ellipse with foci at (�4, 0) and a minor axis of length 6
F = focal distance to center (0,0) = 4
j = semi major axis
n = semi minor axis = 6/2 = 3
Solve for j:
F = sqrt(j^2 - n^2)
4 = sqrt (j^2 - 3^2)
16 = j^2 - 9
j^2 = 16 + 9 = 25
j = 5
Rewriting ellipse equation in standard form
(x/a)^2 + (y/b)^2 = 1
a = 5 , b = 3
(x/5)^2 + (y/3)^2 = 1
x^2/25 + y^2/9 = 1
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%28x%2F5%29%5E2+%2B+%28y%2F3%29%5E2+%3D+1
RELATED QUESTIONS
Write an equation for each ellipse described below The foci are a (4,0) and (-4,0). Then (answered by lwsshak3)

what is the equation for this conic section with An ellipse with vertices (-4, 0) and (4, (answered by lwsshak3)

Find the equation the ellipse with a length of major axis 6, minor axis 4 and the foci... (answered by KMST)

Which is the equation of an ellipse centered at the origin with foci on x-axis, major... (answered by fractalier)

Which is the equation of an ellipse centered at the origin with foci on x-axis, major... (answered by greenestamps)

What is the equation for the ellipse, the foci are at (12,0) and (-12,0). The endpoints... (answered by venugopalramana)

What is the equation of an ellipse with foci at (-6,-3),(0,-3) and a major axis of length (answered by ikleyn)

find an equation of the ellipse with foci at (-5,0) and (5,0) and minor axis of length... (answered by lwsshak3)

The standard form equation for the ellipse with major axis endpoints (+ or - 5, 0) and... (answered by lwsshak3)