Find the equation of the ellipse, with major axis along the xx -axis and passing through the points (4,3)(4{,}3) and (−1,4)(-1{,}4).

Answer: 7x2+15y2=2477x^2 + 15y^2 = 247

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Standard Equation of Ellipse

Since the major axis is along the xx -axis, the standard equation of the ellipse is given by x2a2+y2b2=1\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1, where aa is the semi-major axis and bb is the semi-minor axis.

Step 2: Substitute the given points into the equation

The ellipse passes through the points (4,3)(4{,}3) and (−1,4)(-1{,}4). We substitute these coordinates into the standard equation to form two linear equations in terms of 1a2\frac{1}{a^2} and 1b2\frac{1}{b^2}.

Step 3: Solve the system of equations

To solve for a2a^2 and b2b^2, we introduce substitutions X=1a2X = \frac{1}{a^2} and Y=1b2Y = \frac{1}{b^2}. This transforms the system into two linear equations. We then solve this system using substitution or elimination to find the values of XX and YY.

Step 4: Find the values of a2a^2 and b2b^2

Now that we have the values for XX and YY, we can find a2a^2 and b2b^2 by taking the reciprocals.

Step 5: Write the equation of the ellipse

Substitute the calculated values of a2a^2 and b2b^2 back into the standard equation of the ellipse to obtain the final equation.

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