ANALYTIC GEOMETRY (Ellipse)

ASSIGNMENT
Solve the following. 2. The major axis of the elliptical path in which the earth moves
around the sun is approximately 186,000,000 miles and the
1. An ellipse with center at the origin has a length of major axis 20
eccentricity of the ellipse is 1/60. Determine the apogee of the
units. If the distance from center of ellipse to its focus is 5, what
earth.
is the equation of its directrix?
SOLUTION:
SOLUTION:

By inspecting the plot, 1

c= ( 93,000,000,000 )
60
By inspecting the plot, c a c
e= = e= c=1,550,000
a d a
2 a=20 2
a =cd c=ea
a=10 2
( 10 ) =5 d
Assuming the radius of the earth and sun to be very small compared to
d=20 a:
Apogee =a+c
By inspection the equation of the directrix is,
= 93,000,000 + 1,550,000
x=± 20
Apogee = 94,550,000 miles
 Apogee = 94,550,000 miles

3. An earth satellite has an apogee of 40,000 km and a perigee of

6,600 km. Assuming the radius of the earth as 6,400 km, what
will be the eccentricity of the elliptical path described by the
satellite with the center of the earth at one of the foci?

SOLUTION:

By inspecting the plot, 1

c= ( 93,000,000,000 )
60
c
e= c=1,550,000
a

c=ea

Assuming the radius of the earth and sun to be very small compared to
a:
Apogee =a+c
= 93,000,000 + 1,550,000