How can you tell the difference between the major axis and the minor axis of an ellipse?

The major axis is always the longer axis and half of the major axis is always "a" (used in formula of an ellipse). The minor axis is always the shorter axis and half of the minor axis is always "b". remember a>b in every ellipse

If you need an equation, it would be y=2x+8, y would be how long it grew, x being weeks.if you need how long he was asleep, it would be 4 weeks if he started with no beard, the equation would be x=8÷2if he did have a beard before hand, the equation would be 2w+x=8