Answer: 8
Step-by-step explanation:
Here we have the equation of a vertical ellipse (this means the major axis is in the y-axis) with a center [tex](x_{o}, y_{o})[/tex] in the form:
[tex]\frac{(x-x_{o})^{2}}{b^{2}} + \frac{(y-y_{o})^{2}}{a^{2}}=1[/tex]
Where [tex]a[/tex] is the semimajor axis and [tex]b[/tex] is the semiminor axis, being the major axis [tex]2a[/tex].
So, if we have this given equation:
[tex]\frac{(x-7)^{2}}{4} + \frac{(y +3)^{2}}{16}=1[/tex]
Then:
[tex]a^{2}=16[/tex]
Hence:
[tex]a=\sqrt{16}=4[/tex]
[tex]2a=2(4)=8[/tex] This is the major axis of the ellipse
