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Question
how do you graph the ellipse (y+11)^2 over 144 + (x-5)^2 over 121 =1?
Your major axis is your y axis because 144 > 121. a is 12 so the vertices are at (5,-11+12) and (5,-11-12). That means the vertices are (5,1) and (5,-23). b is 11 so b^2 = a^2-c^2 is the relationship and you know both a and b so you also know c. 121 = 144-c^2 -> c^2 = 23 so c is +-sqrt(23), so the center is at (5,-11) and the foci is (5,-11+sqrt23), and (5,-11-sqrt23).
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Sherry Wallin
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I can answer most questions up through Calculus and some in Number Theory and Abstract Algebra.
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I have had my Bachelor's Degree since 1987 and have been a teacher since 1988. I earned my Masters Degree in Mathematics May 2010. I have been teaching at the same community college since 2002.
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I have taught 12 years at the community college level, medical college, and technical college as well as a high school instructor and alternative education instructor and charter school instructor.
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