Question

ELLIPSE/HYPERBOLA:

I'm so confused please help
Is this an ellipse or a hyperbola and is it horizontal or vertical

Answer 1

\[\frac{ x^2 }{16}-\frac{ y^2 }{ 9}=1\]

Answer 2

@amistre64

Answer 3

@Hero

Answer 4

Graph the points, by first solving for y algebraically.

Answer 5

I dont know why i have to solve for any variable?

Answer 6

ellipse is x^2/a + y^2/b=1

Answer 7

you don't have to solve for any variable, it just gives you an idea when graphing what it looks like.

Answer 8

@dan815 so it has to be a hyperbola? but the greater value is under the x?

Answer 9

ya its a hyperbola

Answer 10

http://www.wyzant.com/help/math/algebra/conic_sections

Answer 11

check it out
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=x%5E2%2F16+-+y%5E2%2F9%3D1%2C+x%5E2%2F16%2By%5E2%2F9%3D1%2C+x+from+-6+to+6%2C+y+from+-6+to+6

Answer 12

change the x and y from values if u want to see more of the graph

Answer 13

when y is 0, x values must be the same for hyperbola and ellipse

Answer 14

but when x = 0
u will get imaginary solution for y for a hyperbola

Answer 15

thanks you