is this correct? (conics q) (1 Viewer)

[hatty]

what have i done wrong?

please open attachment

(i am trying to find the eccentrix)

 

[wogboy]

The formula for the eccentricity of an ellipse is as follows:

a) e = sqrt(1 - b^2/a^2) when a>=b or;
b) e = sqrt(1 - a^2/b^2) when a<=b

in this case choose b) since a <= b

e = sqrt(1 - 12/48)
= sqrt(3) / 2

i.e. when you don't get a real value for e, then simply switch a & b around.

 

[abdooooo!!!]

yeah just switch the "a" and "b" since the major axis of the ellipse is vertical.

that 4 looks that like triangle...

 

[hatty]

thankyou very much

i never knew you could do that

cheers mate

 

[KeypadSDM]

Originally posted by hatty
what have i done wrong?

What, you mean apart from using paint, and NOT the text function within the program?

 

[Grey Council]

he could have typed it in here too. lol, go hatty.

 

[hatty]

i hate typing equations with keyboard

it took me about half an hour to work out what this meant

e = sqrt(1 - b^2/a^2) when a>=b or;
e = sqrt(1 - a^2/b^2) when a<=b

 

[Grey Council]

half an hour!! whoa

just hafta get used to it, thats all. You should go and read the "notation" thread started by Mclake. It'll help you understand the basics. Trust me, typing in equations here is very easy

EDIT
That thread is stickied

 

[victorling]

post your problem in my thread nexttime

 

[hatty]

Originally posted by victorling
post your problem in my thread nexttime

no victor, you come to me

 

[KeypadSDM]

Dude, stop provoking him.