For ellipse x^2/16 + y^2/9 = 1, identify the major axis length, minor axis length, and the coordinates of the vertices and co-vertices.

• A. Major axis length 8 (along x); minor axis length 6 (along y); vertices (±4,0); co-vertices (0,±3)
• B. Major axis length 6 along y; minor axis length 8 along x; vertices (0,±4); co-vertices (±3,0)
• C. Major axis length 4 along x; minor axis length 6 along y; vertices (±2,0); co-vertices (0,±3)
• D. Major axis length 8 along y; minor axis length 6 along x; vertices (0,±4); co-vertices (±3,0)

Answer: (B)

In this ellipse in standard form, x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1, the major axis is along the axis with the larger denominator, and the lengths are 2a and 2b. Here a^2 = 16 and b^2 = 9, so a = 4 and b = 3. Since 16 > 9, the major axis runs along the x-axis. The major axis length is 2a = 8, and the minor axis length is 2b = 6. The vertices lie on the major axis at (±a, 0) = (±4, 0), and the co-vertices lie on the minor axis at (0, ±b) = (0, ±3). This matches the description: major axis length 8 along x; minor axis length 6 along y; vertices (±4, 0); co-vertices (0, ±3).