what are the x-intercepts, and the y-intercepts and the foci of the ellipse

x^2/25 + y^2/36 = 1

2 answers

a = 5, b = 6,
the major axis is along the y-axis

so x-intercepts (5,0) (-5,0)
y-intercepts (0,6) (0.-6)
Notice that the denominators are perfect squares. So, either remember sqrts or just substitute in zeroes to get intercepts. Reiny did not give you the foci for some reason.