Math  /  Geometry

QuestionWhat is the length of the major axis of the conic section shown below? (x+2)264+(y1)281=1\frac{(x+2)^{2}}{64}+\frac{(y-1)^{2}}{81}=1

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? How long is the long diameter of this oval? Watch out! Don't mix up the *a* and *b* values!
Remember which one goes with which axis!
Also, remember that the equation gives us a2a^2 and b2b^2, not *a* and *b* directly!

STEP 2

1. Identify the conic section.
2. Find the major and minor axes.
3. Calculate the length of the major axis.

STEP 3

The equation is in the form (xh)2a2+(yk)2b2=1\frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} + \frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} = 1.
This tells us we're dealing with an **ellipse**!
It's centered at (2,1)(-2, 1), but that doesn't matter for this problem.

STEP 4

We see that a2=64a^2 = 64 and b2=81b^2 = 81.
Taking the square root of both sides gives us a=8a = 8 and b=9b = 9.
Remember, we only care about the *positive* root since lengths can't be negative!

STEP 5

Since b>ab > a, the **major axis** is vertical and has length 2b2b, and the **minor axis** is horizontal and has length 2a2a.
We know this because the bigger number is under the yy term, and yy controls vertical movement.

STEP 6

The major axis has length 2b2b.
We found that b=9b = 9, so the length of the major axis is 29=182 \cdot 9 = 18.
Boom!

STEP 7

The length of the major axis of the ellipse is **18**.

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