EXERCISE 8: Let the quadratic equation 9 x 2+ 16 y 2+ 36 x −128 y=−148

a/ Which conic does it represent?

b/ Write standard equation.
c/ Use question b/ to quickly sketch this conic.

a/ The quadratic equation 9x^2 + 16y^2 + 36x - 128y = -148 represents an

ellipse.

To determine the type of conic, we can check the coefficients of x^2 and y^2. Since both
coefficients are positive and unequal, it indicates that the conic is an ellipse.

b/ To write the standard equation, we complete the square for both x and y
terms.

First, let's rearrange the equation:

9x^2 + 16y^2 + 36x - 128y = -148

Group the x terms together and the y terms together:

(9x^2 + 36x) + (16y^2 - 128y) = -148

To complete the square for x terms, we take half of the coefficient of x, square it, and add
it inside the parentheses. For y terms, we do the same process.

9(x^2 + 4x) + 16(y^2 - 8y) = -148

To make the x term a perfect square, we add (4/2)^2 = 4 inside the parentheses. For the
y term, we add (8/2)^2 = 16 inside the parentheses.

9(x^2 + 4x + 4) + 16(y^2 - 8y + 16) = -148 + 9(4) + 16(16)

Simplifying the equation further:

9(x + 2)^2 + 16(y - 4)^2 = -148 + 36 + 256

9(x + 2)^2 + 16(y - 4)^2 = 144

Dividing both sides by 144 to simplify the equation:

(x + 2)^2/16 + (y - 4)^2/9 = 1

Therefore, the standard equation of the given conic is:

(x + 2)^2/16 + (y - 4)^2/9 = 1

c/ To sketch the conic, we can use the standard equation obtained in part b/.
The center of the ellipse is (-2, 4). The semi-major axis is the square root of the
denominator of the x term, which is 4, and the semi-minor axis is the square root of the
denominator of the y term, which is 3.

With this information, we can draw an ellipse centered at (-2, 4), with the major axis
along the x-axis, semi-major axis length of 2, and semi-minor axis length of 3.

In this sketch, the center of the ellipse is (-2, 4), represented by a dot.

The major axis is along the x-axis, and the semi-major axis has a length of 2 units. The
major vertices V1 and V2 are located on the x-axis, 2 units to the left and right of the
center (-2, 4).

The minor axis is along the y-axis, and the semi-minor axis has a length of 3 units. The
minor vertices V3 and V4 are located on the y-axis, 3 units above and below the center (-
2, 4).

This sketch provides an approximate visualization of the ellipse, illustrating its shape
and orientation.