Question

if a vertex is 5 units away from the center and a focus is 2 units away from the center, how far is a covertex from the center of the parabola

Answer 1

In an ellipse, the distance from the center to the vertex is called the semi-major axis, while the distance from the center to the focus is called the focal length. The distance from the center to the covertex is equal to the difference between the semi-major axis and the focal length. Therefore, the covertex is 3 units away from the center of the parabola.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an ellipse, the distance from the center to the vertex is called the semi-major axis, while the distance from the center to the focus is called the focal length. We can use these terms to solve the given problem. Given that the vertex is 5 units away from the center and the focus is 2 units away from the center, we can conclude that the distance from the center to the covertex is equal to the difference between the semi-major axis and the focal length, i.e., 5 - 2 = 3 units. Therefore, the covertex is 3 units away from the center of the parabola.