Graph the equation. Describe the graph and its lines of symmetry.
4x^2 + 9y^2 = 36
The only thing I know about this is I think it's an ellipse. This is a problem from my conic sections class, please help!

Question

Graph the equation. Describe the graph and its lines of symmetry.
4x^2 + 9y^2 = 36
The only thing I know about this is I think it's an ellipse. This is a problem from my conic sections class, please help!

anonymous · Answer

it is definitely an ellipse

anonymous · Answer

maybe it would be easier if you divided both sides by 36

anonymous · Answer

I've never tried that. The formula says that the 36 when square rooted is the radius, or so I thought, but an ellipse.

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{x^2}{9}+\frac{y^2}{4}=1$$ puts it in the form where you can read off what you need

anonymous · Answer

What is frac?

anonymous · Answer

this looks just like 
$$\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$ where 
ok latex is not working for you
refresh your browswer and you should see what i wrote

anonymous · Answer

I do not.

anonymous · Answer

the form you want it 
$$\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$ so here you see that a =3 and b = 2

anonymous · Answer

can you read that?

anonymous · Answer

Yeah, thank you for your help!

anonymous · Answer

yw

anonymous · Answer

you can also just cheat http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=ellipse+4x^2+%2B+9y^2+%3D+36

anonymous · Answer

You're a lifesaver. This test is due today and I've got three problems I just can't understand!

anonymous · Answer

keep posting!

anonymous · Answer

I only have one more question, do you know of a website that is really good at showing you how to memorize equations, because often times after you learn to read an equation it become easier.