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Section 6.3 Ellipsoid

We now consider the case where from equation (6.1) where
\begin{equation*} A = 1/4, B= 1/9, C= 1/16, D= 0, E= 1 \end{equation*}
Under these conditions, the general equation of a quadric surface reduces to the following equation:
\begin{equation*} \frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{9} + \frac{z^2}{16} = 1 \end{equation*}
By allowing fixed values of surface to intersect the coordinate planes (\(x=0\text{,}\) \(y=0\text{,}\) and \(z=0\)), we find the following traces, as shown in Figureย 6.8:
\begin{align*} \frac{y^2}{9} + \frac{z^2}{16} \amp= 1 \amp\amp (ellipse)\\ \frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{z^2}{16} \amp= 1 \amp\amp (ellipse)\\ \frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{9} \amp= 1 \amp\amp (ellipse) \end{align*}
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Figure 6.7. The traces of the ellipsoid \(\frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{9} + \frac{z^2}{16} = 1\) in the coordinate planes \(x = 0\text{,}\) \(y = 0\text{,}\) and \(z = 0\text{.}\)

Instructions.

Use the buttons to slice the surface \(\frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{9} + \frac{z^2}{16} = 1\) with planes \(x=c\text{,}\) \(y=c\text{,}\) or \(z=c\text{,}\) and drag the slider to vary \(c\text{.}\) The equation of each cross-section is displayed above the figure. Drag the figure to view it from a different angle, or press the โ€œRotateโ€ button to spin it automatically.
Figure 6.8. Slicing the ellipsoid \(\frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{9} + \frac{z^2}{16} = 1\) with planes \(x = c\text{,}\) \(y = c\text{,}\) and \(z = c\text{.}\)
The animation in Figureย 6.9 shows these slices being taken one at a time.
Figure 6.9. Slicing \(\frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{9} + \frac{z^2}{16} = 1\) with planes \(z = c\text{,}\) \(x = c\text{,}\) and \(y = c\text{.}\)
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