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Question 424511: Ellipsoids (three-dimensional ellipses) are used in health care to avoid surgery in the treatment of kidney stones. An elliptical lithotripter emits underwater ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) shock waves from one focus, with the patient's kidney carefully positioned at the other focus. The ellipse used has a major axis of 12 ft and a minor axis of 5 ft.
a) How far from the center are the foci?
b) How far from the lithotripter is the patient's kidney?
c) Write an equation for the ellipse used.
And if you could show work that would be great so I can check my answers and processes to make sure that I did it right.
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The ellipse used has a major axis of 12 ft and a minor axis of 5 ft.
a) How far from the center are the foci?
b) How far from the lithotripter is the patient's kidney?
c) Write an equation for the ellipse used.
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a^2 = 12^2 = 144
b^2 = 5^2 = 25
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a^2 = b^2 + c^2
c = sqrt(144-25)
c = sqrt(119)
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Focus distance from center = sqrt(119) ft
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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