Find the perihelion and aphelion distances of Saturn given it travels in an elliptical orbit with the Sun at one focal point and has a semi-major axis of 1427 Gm and an eccentricity of .056

Question

anonymous · Answer

eccentricity = c/a
aphelion= a+c 
perihelion = a-c
But I don't know what the semi-major axis is

anonymous · Answer

@amistre64

amistre64 · Answer

the letter for an ellipse relate to a rt triangle; but they are mixed up from the usual pythag thrm set up

amistre64 · Answer

|dw:1335983372282:dw|

anonymous · Answer

Which letter is the semi-major axis?

amistre64 · Answer

a is the semi (half-part) of the major (biggest) axis

anonymous · Answer

So a, right?

amistre64 · Answer

b is the minor; and c is the focal distance from center

anonymous · Answer

Thank you

amistre64 · Answer

your welcome, and good luck