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  • University of Michigan Department of Mathematics Fall, 2003 Math 115 Exam 2 Problem 6 (Ellipse) Solution

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    This document summarizes the key properties of the rotated ellipse represented by the equation x2 − xy + y2 = 3: 1) The points where the ellipse crosses the x-axis are (√3, 0) and (-√3, 0). 2) The tangent lines at these two points are parallel, as they both have a slope of 2. 3) A tangent line to the curve would be vertical when 2y = x and y ≠ 2x, making the denominator of the derivative equal to zero.

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    This document summarizes the key properties of the rotated ellipse represented by the equation x2 − xy + y2 = 3: 1) The points where the ellipse crosses the x-axis are (√3, 0) and (-√3, 0). 2) The tangent lines at these two points are parallel, as they both have a slope of 2. 3) A tangent line to the curve would be vertical when 2y = x and y ≠ 2x, making the denominator of the derivative equal to zero.

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    7 views1 page

    University of Michigan Department of Mathematics Fall, 2003 Math 115 Exam 2 Problem 6 (Ellipse) Solution

    Uploaded by

    msm.ele2009
    This document summarizes the key properties of the rotated ellipse represented by the equation x2 − xy + y2 = 3: 1) The points where the ellipse crosses the x-axis are (√3, 0) and (-√3, 0). 2) The tangent lines at these two points are parallel, as they both have a slope of 2. 3) A tangent line to the curve would be vertical when 2y = x and y ≠ 2x, making the denominator of the derivative equal to zero.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
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    of 1

    7

    (6.) (11 points) The equation x2 xy + y 2 = 3 represents a rotated ellipsethat is, an ellipse whose
    axes are not parallel to the coordinate axes.
    (a) Find the points at which this ellipse crosses the x-axis.
    Plug in y = 0 and solve for x:
    x2 = 3

    x = 3, 3
    (b) Show that the tangent lines at these points are parallel.
    Find

    dy
    dx ,

    using implicit differentiation:

    dy
    dy
    + 2y dx
    =0
    2x y x dx
    dy
    dx

    Since

    dy
    dx

    = y2x
    2yx

    When y = 0, x = 3, we have

    dy
    dx

    = 2.

    is the slope of the tangent line, we see that both lines have slope 2, so they are
    parallel.

    (c) Under what conditions on x (if any) would a tangent to the curve be vertical? Explain.
    dy
    The tangent line is vertical when the denominator of dx
    is zero (and the numerator is not
    zero). This happens when 2y = x (and y 6= 2x).

    University of Michigan Department of Mathematics

    Fall, 2003 Math 115 Exam 2 Problem 6 (ellipse) Solution

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