OpenStudy (anonymous):

Can anyone help me about this problem..thank you already Find the points on the ellipsoid (x^2)/(5^2)+(y^2)/(2^2)+(z^2)/(10^2)=1 that are closest and farthest away from the point (2,0,4).

6 years ago
OpenStudy (anonymous):

since the point is on the y = 0 can we just consider the cross section cutting the y = 0 ?

6 years ago
OpenStudy (anonymous):

i just want to say i'll try and help, i havent done anything like this before in school

6 years ago
OpenStudy (anonymous):

yes i know it's different than others

6 years ago
OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok i think we can use parametric equations to do it. i worked out the parametric eq for the ellipsoid by stretching the unit sphere. sphere: |dw:1338066190762:dw| $x = \cos \phi \cos \theta \text{ , } y = \cos \phi \sin \theta \text{ , } z = \sin \phi$ so for the ellipsoid we get |dw:1338066364992:dw| $x = acos \phi \cos \theta \text{ , } y = bcos \phi \sin \theta \text{ , } z = csin \phi$ which satisfies the Cartesian equation nicely now i'll try to find the distances

6 years ago