[Math] the equation of an ellipse that is not aligned with the axis

conic sectionsgeometry

I have the an ellipse with its semi-minor axis length $x$, and semi major axis $4x$. However, it is oriented $45$ degrees from the axis (but is still centred at the origin). I want to do some work with such a shape, but don't know how to express it algebraically. What is the equation for this ellipse?

Best Answer

Let's suppose it was semi-major axis $4k$ and semi-minor axis $k$ to avoid confusion.

Aligned with the axes it would be

$$\frac{x^2}{(4k)^2}+\frac{y^2}{k^2}=1$$

but you want this rotated, so replace $x$ by $\frac{x+y}{\sqrt 2}$ and $y$ by $\frac{y-x}{\sqrt 2}$ to get

$$\frac{(x+y)^2}{32k^2}+\frac{(y-x)^2}{2k^2}=1$$ which you can also write as

$$17\,{y}^{2}-30\,x\,y+17\,{x}^{2} - 32\,{k}^{2} = 0.$$