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How to Find the Equation of an Ellipse with Center (0,0)(0, 0) from its Graph

To find the equation of an ellipse centered at the origin from its visual graph, follow these steps: First, verify the center of the ellipse is located at the origin (0,0)(0, 0). Next, determine the distance from the center to the intercepts on the xx-axis; square this distance to find the denominator for the x2x^2 term. Then, determine the distance from the center to the intercepts on the yy-axis; square this distance to find the denominator for the y2y^2 term. Finally, substitute these squared values into the general pattern x2exthorizontaldistance2+y2extverticaldistance2=1\frac{x^2}{ ext{horizontal distance}^2} + \frac{y^2}{ ext{vertical distance}^2} = 1. In standard mathematical terminology, if the major axis is horizontal, this is written as x2a2+y2b2=1\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 (where a>ba > b); if the major axis is vertical, it is written as x2b2+y2a2=1\frac{x^2}{b^2} + \frac{y^2}{a^2} = 1 (where a>ba > b).

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Updated 2026-05-25

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