In class last week, we learned about ellipses. The standard form of an ellipse is x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1. The major axis is always the variable with the largest denominator. The minor axis is the variable with the smaller denominator. To find the vertex, you have to take the square root of the largest denominator. The other intercept can be found by taking the square root of the smallest denominator. The length of the major axis is 2 * the square root of the largest denominator and the length of the minor axis is 2 * the square root of the smallest denominator. The focus is always on the major axis. To find the focus, you have to use the following formula: Smallest denominator= Largest denominator - focus^2.

Example: x^2/16 + y^2/25 =1

1) Y is the major axis because it has the largest denominator.

2) X is the minor axis because it has the smallest denominator.

3) Take the square root of the major axis, which is plus/minus 5. Then, put your answer into point form. (0,5) (0,-5)

4) Take the square root of the minor axis, which is plus/minus 4. Then, put your answer into point form. (4,0) (-4,0)

5) Multiply the square root of the major axis (25) by 2. Which will give you 10.

6) Multiply the square root of the minor axis (16) by 2. Which will give you 8.

7) To find the focus, you have to use the following formula: Smallest denominator= Largest denominator- focus^2. Then you take your answer and put it into point form. The answer is (0,3) (0,-3) Notice! The focus is in the y coordinate because that is the major axis.