Question

Write an equation for the orbit of Saturn in the form x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1

Answer 1

Answer:

  x²/2166784 +y²/2159989 = 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between the semi-axes and the eccentricity of an ellipse is ...

  e = √(1 -b²/a²)

In order to write the desired equation we need to find 'b' from 'e' and 'a'.

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semi-minor axis

Squaring the equation for eccentricity gives ...

  e² = 1 -b²/a²

Solving for b², we have ...

  b²/a² = 1 -e²

  b² = a²(1 -e²)

ellipse equation

Using the given values, we find ...

  b² = 1472²(1 -0.056²) = 2166784(0.996864) ≈ 2159989

The desired equation is ...

  x²/2166784 +y²/2159989 = 1