Thread: ellipse axes

Hi,

Once I have found the max and min values of (X^2)+(y^2), how would I go about finding the lengths of the major and minor semi-axes of a specified central ellipse.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by jedoob

Hi,

Once I have found the max and min values of (X^2)+(y^2), how would I go about finding the lengths of the major and minor semi-axes of a specified central ellipse.

Thanks.

Max x^2+y^2 occurs at (x,y) = (a,0) because ellipse is inside circle of radius a. So max x^2+y^2 = a^2. Likewise min x^2+y^2 = b^2.