Chapter 13: Problem 35
Use a graphing calculator to graph each equation. See Using Your Calculator: Graphing Ellipses. $$ \frac{x^{2}}{4}+\frac{(y-1)^{2}}{9}=1 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The ellipse is centered at (0, 1) with axes lengths 3 (vertical) and 2 (horizontal).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Equation Components
The given equation is \( \frac{x^{2}}{4} + \frac{(y-1)^{2}}{9} = 1 \). This represents an ellipse in standard form, centered at \((0, 1)\) since the equation can be rewritten as \((x-h)^2/a^2 + (y-k)^2/b^2 = 1\) where \(h=0\), \(k=1\), \(a^2=4\), and \(b^2=9\).
02
Determine the Values of a and b
The denominators of the equation are the squares of \(a\) and \(b\). Solving these, \(a = \sqrt{4} = 2\) and \(b = \sqrt{9} = 3\). This tells us that the semi-major axis has length 3 (since 9 > 4) and runs along the y-axis, and the semi-minor axis has length 2 and runs along the x-axis.
03
Setup the Graphing Calculator
Power on your graphing calculator and navigate to the graphing mode. To graph the equation \( \frac{x^{2}}{4} + \frac{(y-1)^{2}}{9} = 1 \), you need to isolate \(y\). Rearrange the equation to get \( (y-1)^2 = 9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2 \).
04
Solve for y and Enter the Equations
Solve for \(y\) by taking the square root of both sides: \( y - 1 = \pm \sqrt{9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2} \). Therefore, \( y = 1 \pm \sqrt{9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2} \). Enter these two separate equations in the graphing calculator: \( y_1 = 1 + \sqrt{9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2} \) and \( y_2 = 1 - \sqrt{9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2} \).
05
Graph the Ellipse
After entering the two equations, adjust the window settings to ensure the ellipse is properly visible. Set the x-range from -4 to 4 and the y-range from -2 to 4. This ensures that the entire ellipse will be displayed. Press the graph button to see the graph of the ellipse centered at \((0, 1)\) with a semi-major axis along the y-axis of length 3 and a semi-minor axis along the x-axis of length 2.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Standard Form of Ellipse
The standard form of an ellipse is a specific way of writing the equation of an ellipse to make its characteristics easy to identify. It is written as:
- \( \frac{(x-h)^2}{a^2} + \frac{(y-k)^2}{b^2} = 1 \)
- \((h, k)\).
- \( \frac{x^{2}}{4} + \frac{(y-1)^{2}}{9} = 1 \),
- the center is at \((0, 1)\),
- \(a\) is \(2\), and \(b\) is \(3\).
Graphing Calculator
A graphing calculator is a super useful tool for plotting equations like ellipses. To graph an ellipse such as
- \( \frac{x^{2}}{4} + \frac{(y-1)^{2}}{9} = 1 \),
- First, rearrange to \( y = 1 \pm \sqrt{9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2} \)
- Enter these into your graphing calculator as two separate equations:
- \( y_1 = 1 + \sqrt{9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2} \)
- \( y_2 = 1 - \sqrt{9 - \frac{9}{4}x^2} \)
Semi-Major and Semi-Minor Axes
Ellipses have two axes: the semi-major and the semi-minor axes. These are crucial because they define the shape and orientation of the ellipse.
- The semi-major axis is the longest diameter of the ellipse.
- The semi-minor axis is the shortest diameter.
- \( \frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{(y-1)^2}{9} = 1 \),