Convert ellipsoid from cartesian to spherical equation

[ArcanaNoir]

Homework Statement

In order to advance on a problem I'm working, I need to covert this ellipsoid from cartesian to spherical coordinates.
[tex] \frac{x^2}{a^2} +\frac{y^2}{b^2} +\frac{z^2}{c^2} = 1 [/tex]

Homework Equations

[tex] x^2 +y^2+z^2= \rho ^2 [/tex]
[tex] x=\rho sin \phi cos \theta [/tex]
[tex] y= \rho sin \phi sin \theta [/tex]
[tex] z= \rho cos \phi [/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not sure how to use those formulas because they look like they would only work with a sphere. I don't know. It's been a semester since calc three and we didn't do spherical coordinates anyway. What do I do?

 

[ArcanaNoir]

using what I foud here: http://math.wikia.com/wiki/Ellipsoid

would I have
[tex] x=asin\phi cos \theta [/tex]
[tex] y=bsin \phi sin \theta [/tex]
[tex] z= ccos\phi [/tex]

Thus, [tex] \rho ^2= a^2 sin^2 \phi cos^2 \theta + b^2 sin^2 \phi sin ^2 \theta + c^2 cos ^2 \phi [/tex] ?

 

[I like Serena]

Looks like you've solved it! :)