document.write( "Question 193075This question is from textbook Algebra 2
\n" ); document.write( ": How can you tell from the equation of an ellipse whether the major axis is horizontal or vertical? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #144941 by Earlsdon(6294) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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The standard forms for ellipses with centers at the origin are:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2%2Fa%5E2+%2B+y%5E2%2Fb%5E2+=+1\"$ Major axis is horizontal.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"y%5E2%2Fa%5E2+%2B+x%5E2%2Fb%5E2+=+1\"$ Major axis is vertical.
\n" ); document.write( "One way to remember which is which is; The major axis = 2a and is longer than the minor axis (2b), so...if the larger denominator ( $\"a%5E2%29\"$ ) is under the $\"x%5E2\"$ term, the major axis is horizontal. If the larger denominator ( $\"a%5E2\"$ ) is under the $\"y%5E2\"$ term, the major axis is vertical. \n" ); document.write( "

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