SOLUTION: What is the eccentricity of the ellipse whose equation is [(x^2) / 25] +[(y-3)^2 / 9] = 1? I do know to use e=c/a to help find the correct answer, but I have no clue where to st

Algebra ->  Quadratic-relations-and-conic-sections -> SOLUTION: What is the eccentricity of the ellipse whose equation is [(x^2) / 25] +[(y-3)^2 / 9] = 1? I do know to use e=c/a to help find the correct answer, but I have no clue where to st      Log On


   

Question 162323: What is the eccentricity of the ellipse whose equation is [(x^2) / 25] +[(y-3)^2 / 9] = 1?
I do know to use e=c/a to help find the correct answer, but I have no clue where to start. I appericiate all you help!
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The general equation for an ellipse is,
%28x-h%29%5E2%2Fa%5E2%2B%28y-k%29%5E2%2Fb%5E2=1
The eccentricity is, as you mentioned,
epsilon=c%2Fa=sqrt%28a%5E2-b%5E2%29%2Fa
Let's compare variables with your equation.
a%5E2=25
a=5
b%5E2=9
.
.
.
That's all we need.
epsilon=sqrt%28a%5E2-b%5E2%29%2Fa
epsilon=sqrt%2825-9%29%2F5
epsilon=sqrt%2814%29%2F5