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Problem 3 Precal

The document provides the steps to calculate the height of a semi-elliptical ceiling above its two foci. It is given that the ceiling is 9m high and 30m long. It first derives the equation of the ellipse based on the major axis (30m) and minor axis (9m). It then calculates the location of the two foci, which are at (±12,0). Finally, it substitutes the x-value of 12 into the ellipse equation to find the y-value, which is the height above the foci, calculated to be 15m.

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KateAlbero
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610 views6 pages

Problem 3 Precal

The document provides the steps to calculate the height of a semi-elliptical ceiling above its two foci. It is given that the ceiling is 9m high and 30m long. It first derives the equation of the ellipse based on the major axis (30m) and minor axis (9m). It then calculates the location of the two foci, which are at (±12,0). Finally, it substitutes the x-value of 12 into the ellipse equation to find the y-value, which is the height above the foci, calculated to be 15m.

Uploaded by

KateAlbero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PROBLEM NO.

A WHISPERING GALLERY HAS A SEMI


ELLIPTICAL CEILING THAT IS 9M HIGH
AND 30M LONG. HOW HIGH IS THE
CEILING ABOVE THE TWO FOCI
Group 3­ Sottonatics
FIRST, GET THE EQUATION OF THE ELLIPSE.

SINCE 30>18, MAJOR AXIS WILL BE


HORIZONTAL, THE EQUATION WILL BE:
x² + y²
a²    b²  =1

We can put the center at the origin at (0,0), to 
make things easier.

Then form the given since the height of the semi 
ellipse is given which is 9, this will be the value of 
b. And the value of b² is 81.
Since, the width is 30,  so a=15 knowing 
that distance from the center to one vertex 
is the value of a, and a²=225

Substituting all of these to the 
standards equation of ellipse, we'll get:

x²   +   y²
225    81  =1
Now get the foci...
Since we already have a and b, we 
can use the formula:

C= /a²­­b²
C= /225­81
C= /144
C=12 
This means our foci are at  
(12,0)  and (­12,0)
Now to get the height at the 
foci, all we have to do is to 
substitute x=12 to the 
equation:
12²    +    y²  
=1
225         81 Well, technically, y could 
be the ± square root, but 
y² = 225­144 since we are looking for the 
81          225 height, it must be positive 
y²=  81² because therethe no such 
measurement equal to 
       225 negative value.
y= 81
     15
         

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