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Applying Ellipses: Satellites: 1 © Thinkwell Corp

Ellipses CTYJHU Precalc

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40 views2 pages

Applying Ellipses: Satellites: 1 © Thinkwell Corp

Ellipses CTYJHU Precalc

Uploaded by

chunkymonkey323
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Applying Ellipses: Satellites

The standard equation for an ellipse centered at the origin is , where the x-intercepts are at a and the y-intercepts

are at b. If a b, the foci of the ellipse are located at (c, 0), where c2 = a2 b2. If b < c, the foci of the ellipse are located
at (0, c), where c2 = b2a2.

Previously you learned the general equation describing an


ellipse centered at the origin.

If a is greater than or equal to b in the equation, then the foci


are located on the x-axis at (+c, 0), and (c, 0).

You can calculate where the foci are located exactly using
this formula for c2.

If b is greater than a in the equation, then the foci are located


on the y-axis at (0, c).

Use the formula c2 = b2 a2 to find c when b > a.

Try this real-world problem.

Suppose that an ellipse describes the orbit of a satellite around


the Earth with the Earth at a focus. What are the maximum
and minimum distances between the satellite and the Earth?

First, find the equation of the ellipse describing the satellites


orbit using the x- and y-intercepts.

Now you can find the location of the Earth by finding the
location of the foci using the formula from above.

www.thinkwell.com Thinkwell Corp. 1


Once you know where the Earth is located, just do a little


adding and subtracting to find the maximum and minimum
distances between the Earth and the satellite.

Ellipses come up frequently in the real world!

2 Thinkwell Corp. www.thinkwell.com

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