SOLUTION: How long is the minor axis for the ellipse shown below? (X+4)^2/81 + (y-1)^2/36 =1

Algebra ->  Quadratic-relations-and-conic-sections -> SOLUTION: How long is the minor axis for the ellipse shown below? (X+4)^2/81 + (y-1)^2/36 =1      Log On


   

Question 1151785: How long is the minor axis for the ellipse shown below?
(X+4)^2/81 + (y-1)^2/36 =1
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, greenestamps:
Answer by ikleyn(52800) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

From the equation, the length of the minor semi-axis is  sqrt%2836%29 = 6 inits,


and the length of the minor axis is 2 times 6 units, i.e. 12 units.    ANSWER

---------------

See the lessons
    - Ellipse definition, canonical equation, characteristic points and elements
    - General equation of an ellipse
    - Transform a general equation of an ellipse to the standard form by completing the square
    - Identify elements of an ellipse given by its general equation
in this site.


Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


The lengths of the semi-major and semi-minor axes are sqrt%2881%29=9 and sqrt%2836%29=6; since by definition the major axis is the longer axis, the semi-major axis is 9 and the semi-minor axis is 6.

Then of course the length of the minor axis is 2*6=12.