Question

the conic section below is ______.
a. a circle
b. an ellipse
c. a parabola
d. a hyperbola
e. a degenerate

Explanation:

Step1: Recall conic section shapes

A circle is symmetric, all radii equal. An ellipse is oval, symmetric, two foci. A parabola is U - shaped (or open in one direction). A hyperbola has two separate branches. A degenerate conic is a special case (like a point, line, etc.).

Step2: Analyze the graph

The given graph has an oval - like shape, symmetric, with two foci (implied by the ellipse shape). It's not a circle (since it's stretched more in one direction), not a parabola (no U - shape or single - open - side), not a hyperbola (no two branches), not degenerate. So it's an ellipse.

Answer:

b. an ellipse