SOLUTION: Please help: If we graph 9x^2 + 36y^2 =36, determine whether the minor axis would lie on the x-axis or y-axis and find its length. Thank you.

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: Please help: If we graph 9x^2 + 36y^2 =36, determine whether the minor axis would lie on the x-axis or y-axis and find its length. Thank you.      Log On


   

Question 38068: Please help:
If we graph 9x^2 + 36y^2 =36, determine whether the minor axis would lie on the x-axis or y-axis and find its length.

Thank you.
Answer by fractalier(6550) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well we need to get this ellipse in proper form so we divide both sides by 36...
9x^2 + 36y^2 = 36
x^2 / 4 + y^2 / 1 = 1
The semi-minor axis is 1 (the square root of the number under the y), so the full minor axis is 2, and lies along the y-axis.