Maths · Sections of conics, equations of conic sections (parabola, ellipse and hyperbola) in standard forms

The sum of the focal distances of a point on the ellipse is:

The sum of the focal distances of a point on the ellipse \( \frac{x^{2}}{4}+\frac{y^{2}}{9}=1 \) is:

  • A. 4 units
  • B. 6 units
  • C. 8 units
  • D. 10 units

Step-by-step solution

For the ellipse (x^2/4)+(y^2/9)=1, we have a^2=9, b^2=4, so a=3 (major axis along y-axis). The sum of focal distances for any point on the ellipse equals the length of the major axis, 2a = 6.
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