<s>[INST] The ellipse $x^2+2y^2=2.$ Question: The ellipse $x^2+2y^2=2$ is given by $x=a\cos{t}, \quad y=b\sin{t}, \quad t\in[0,2\pi],$ for what values of $a$ and $b$?
a) $(a,b)=(2,1)$
b) $(a,b)=(1,2)$
c) $(a,b)=(1,\sqrt{2})$
d) None of the above.
Attempt: Substitute the trig-values for $x$ & $y$ in the elliptic equation:
$$x^2+2y^2=2\Longleftrightarrow a^2\cos^2{t}+2b^2\sin^2{t}=2.$$
Trig identities gives 
$$a^2(1-\sin^2{t})+2b^2\sin^2{t}=a^2-a^2\sin^2{t}+2b^2\sin^2{t}=a^2-\sin^2{t}(a^2+2b^2)=2.$$
Solving for $\sin{t}$ gives
$$\sin{t}=\pm\sqrt{\frac{a^2-2}{a^2+2b^2}}=\pm f(a,b).$$
Since $$-1\leq\sin{t}\leq1\Longleftrightarrow -1\leq\pm f(a,b)\leq1.$$
Answer a) gives $f(2,1)=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} \in[-1,1]$. OK!
Answer b) gives $f(1,2)=\frac{i}{3}\in \mathbb{C}$. Disregard.
Answer c) gives $f(1,\sqrt{2}) = \frac{i\sqrt{5}}{5}\in \mathbb{C}$. Disregard.
So according to me, the correct answer should be a). But correct answer is d). Where did I go wrong?
 [/INST] Write it in the standard form:
$$\frac{x^2}{(\sqrt 2)^2}+\frac{y^2}{1^2}=1$$
Note that the equation
$$\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$
is an ellipse with parametric representation $x=a\cos t$ and $y=b\sin t$.
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