Thread: Help with Ellipse Problem

The Ellipse (x^2/9)+(y^2/16)=1 is _________

A) A vertical ellipse with foci at (0, +-sqroot7)
B) A horizontal ellipse with foci at (+-sqroot7, 0)
C) An ellipse with a minor axis of length 8
D) An ellipse with a major axis of length 6

thanks

Hello, Andy!

We can "eyeball" the equation . . .

The ellipse . .is:

(A) A vertical ellipse with foci at
(B) A horizontal ellipse with foci at
(C) An ellipse with a minor axis of length 8
(D) An ellipse with a major axis of length 6

We see that the major (longer) axis is in the y-direction, a "vertical" ellipse.
. . The length of the major axis is 8; the minor axis has length 6.

This eliminates answer-choices

thanks