Find the constant sum for an ellipse with foci F1 (-5, 0), F2 (5, 0) and the point on the ellipse (0, -12). The constant sum is: _____. Enter only a number.

Question

anonymous · Answer

23

anonymous · Answer

here are the big guns ;)

amistre64 · Answer

the sum of the lengths of the lines from foci to point is the constant sum; since an ellipse is defined as the locus of points that are a constant sum from the foci

amistre64 · Answer

they was nice enough to even put everything on one axis for ya :)

amistre64 · Answer

well, then again ; i think a transposed some coords

anonymous · Answer

constant sum= sum of the distances between any point on the ellipse to the two foci
constant sum=sqrt((0+5)^2+(-12-0)^2)+sqrt((0-5)^2+(-12-0)^2)
                    =sqrt(25+144)+sqrt(25+144)
                    =sqrt(169)+sqrt(169)
                      =13+13
                       =26

amistre64 · Answer

|dw:1334695192506:dw|

anonymous · Answer

wow, really thorough answers guys! thankyou i actually get it now