Finding the equation for the conic described . . . Please Help?

Find the equation for the conic described
Ellipse with endpoints of the major axis at (-4,3) and (2,3) and endpoints of the minor axis at (-1,5) and (-1,1)

Thanks!!!

?2011-05-12T22:15:23Z

Favorite Answer

Center is at (–1, 3), the semimajor axis is 3 units long and is horizontal, the semiminor axis is 2 units long. The equation is then

(x + 1)²/9 + (y – 3)²/4 = 1

David2011-05-12T22:18:59Z

From your data we can determine that the center is at (-1, 3), that the axes of the are parallel to the x and y axes, that a = 3 parallel to the x axis, and that b = 2 parallel to the y axis.

So the equation is
((x + 1)^2 / 9) + ((y - 3)^2 / 4) = 1
or
4 (x + 1)^2 + 9 (y - 3)^2 = 36.