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Question 449109: Is there any easy way to graph ellipses? I do not understand what the foci, major axis, and minor axis are.
Answer by lwsshak3(11628)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Is there any easy way to graph ellipses? I do not understand what the foci, major axis, and minor axis are
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The major and minor axis of the ellipse are on the x and y axes. Since all ellipses are oval in shape, one axis is longer than the other. The longer one is called the major axis and the other, the minor axis. The length of the major axis is equal to twice the distance from center to its end points. Likewise, length of the minor axis is equal to twice the distance from center to its end points.
The foci which are two points just inside the end points of the major axis. If you pick any point on the ellipse, the sum of the distances measure from this point to both focal points is constant. To graph an ellipse, you must know the coordinates of its center and the distance from center to foci as well as length of major and minor axis.
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