SOLUTION: How can you tell from the equation of an ellipse whether the major axis is horizontal or vertical?

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Question 193075This question is from textbook Algebra 2
: How can you tell from the equation of an ellipse whether the major axis is horizontal or vertical? This question is from textbook Algebra 2

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The standard forms for ellipses with centers at the origin are:
x%5E2%2Fa%5E2+%2B+y%5E2%2Fb%5E2+=+1 Major axis is horizontal.
y%5E2%2Fa%5E2+%2B+x%5E2%2Fb%5E2+=+1 Major axis is vertical.
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.