Question 736556
Which part corresponds to the variable, b, in your given ellipse equation?  The minor axis length is taken as b in the standard form equation for an ellipse, which is the way that your equation is given.  


Just to handle some confusion, when the major axis of ellipse is on a horizontal line, a is under the x^2 expression and b  is under the y^2 expression.  When the major axis of ellipse is on a vertical line, a is under the y^2 expression and b is under the x^2 expression.  This is just one more detail to remember about ellipse equations in standard form.