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Varying a and b in the Standard Equation
of an Ellipse Centred at the Origin

Use the action figure below to explore what happens to the shape of the ellipse when a and b in the equation x2/ a2 + y2/ b2 = 1 are varied.
Explore when:
  1. a < b
  2. a > b
  3. a = b
Once you've completed your explorations, use the questions below to check your understanding. Then, check out the summary to bring everything in pages 3 and 3a together.
Note: The case when a = 0 and/or b = 0 will not be dealt with in this course.

x2 + y2 = 1
a2 b2



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