An Introduction to Ellipses (10.2.1)

Question 1

• An ellipse consists of the set of points, the sum of whose distances from two fixed points is always the same. The two fixed points are called the foci of the ellipse. The singular form of foci is focus.

Answer 1

• An ellipse consists of the set of points, the sum of whose distances from two fixed points is always the same. The two fixed points are called the foci of the ellipse. The singular form of foci is focus.

Question 2

• The standard equation for an ellipse centered at the origin is x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2=1, where the x-intercepts are at ±a and the y-intercepts are at ±b.

Answer 2

• The standard equation for an ellipse centered at the origin is x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2=1, where the x-intercepts are at ±a and the y-intercepts are at ±b.

Question 3

• The standard equation for an ellipse centered at (h,k) is (x-h)^2/a^2 + (y-k)^2/b^2=1.

Answer 3

• The standard equation for an ellipse centered at (h,k) is (x-h)^2/a^2 + (y-k)^2/b^2=1.

Question 4

• The long axis of an ellipse is called the major axis. The short axis of an ellipse is called the minor axis.

Answer 4

• The long axis of an ellipse is called the major axis. The short axis of an ellipse is called the minor axis.