Algebra Examples

$\frac{x^{2}}{4} + \frac{y^{2}}{16} = 1$

Step 1

Simplify each term in the equation in order to set the right side equal to $1$ . The standard form of an ellipse or hyperbola requires the right side of the equation be $1$ .

$\frac{x^{2}}{4} + \frac{y^{2}}{16} = 1$

Step 2

This is the form of an ellipse. Use this form to determine the values used to find the center along with the major and minor axis of the ellipse.

$\frac{{(x - h)}^{2}}{b^{2}} + \frac{{(y - k)}^{2}}{a^{2}} = 1$

Step 3

Match the values in this ellipse to those of the standard form. The variable $a$ represents the radius of the major axis of the ellipse, $b$ represents the radius of the minor axis of the ellipse, $h$ represents the x-offset from the origin, and $k$ represents the y-offset from the origin.

$a = 4$

$b = 2$

$k = 0$

$h = 0$

Step 4

Find the eccentricity by using the following formula.

$\frac{\sqrt{a^{2} - b^{2}}}{a}$

Step 5

Substitute the values of $a$ and $b$ into the formula.

$\frac{\sqrt{{(4)}^{2} - {(2)}^{2}}}{4}$

Step 6

Simplify.

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Step 6.1

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 6.1.1

Raise $4$ to the power of $2$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{16 - 2^{2}}}{4}$

Step 6.1.2

Raise $2$ to the power of $2$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{16 - 1 \cdot 4}}{4}$

Step 6.1.3

Multiply $- 1$ by $4$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{16 - 4}}{4}$

Step 6.1.4

Subtract $4$ from $16$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{12}}{4}$

Step 6.1.5

Rewrite $12$ as $2^{2} \cdot 3$ .

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Step 6.1.5.1

Factor $4$ out of $12$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{4 (3)}}{4}$

Step 6.1.5.2

Rewrite $4$ as $2^{2}$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{2^{2} \cdot 3}}{4}$

Step 6.1.6

Pull terms out from under the radical.

$\frac{2 \sqrt{3}}{4}$

Step 6.2

Cancel the common factor of $2$ and $4$ .

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Step 6.2.1

Factor $2$ out of $2 \sqrt{3}$ .

$\frac{2 (\sqrt{3})}{4}$

Step 6.2.2

Cancel the common factors.

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Step 6.2.2.1

Factor $2$ out of $4$ .

$\frac{2 \sqrt{3}}{2 \cdot 2}$

Step 6.2.2.2

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 \sqrt{3}}{2 \cdot 2}$

Step 6.2.2.3

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$

Step 7

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$

Decimal Form:

$0.86602540 \dots$

Step 8