Question

Can someone do step-by-step on writing the equation of an ellipse?

Answer 1

an ellipse looks like a circle right?

Answer 2

do you know the equation of a circle?

Answer 3

x^2 y^2
--- + --- = 1
a^2 b^2

Answer 4

a circle is (x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2, i think.

Answer 5

\[x^2 + y^2 = a^2\]

where a can be any number. in this case the length from the origin to one side of an ellipse is not the same all throughout like in a circle so its smaller in some sides.

So X or Y can be divided by any number to get an ellipse