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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

An ellipse has foci at and The ellipse intersects the -axis at the origin, and one other point. What is the other point of intersection?
Solution
The distance between the origin and is 2, and the distance between the origin and is 3, so every point on the ellipse satisfies So, if is an intercept of the ellipse, then We can write this as If then so Squaring both sides, we get which leads to This solution corresponds to the origin.

If then so Squaring both sides, we get which leads to Thus, the other -intercept is
Final answer
\left( \frac{15}{4}, 0 \right)