What is the sum of the distances from any point on the curve to its foci for the described conic section?

In the context of conic sections, particularly ellipses, a key characteristic is the sum of the distances from any point on the ellipse to its two foci, which is always constant and equal to the length of the major axis of the ellipse.

If the given option is 20 units, this implies that the length of the major axis of the ellipse is 20 units. Therefore, the sum of the distances from any point on the ellipse to the two foci is 20 units, adhering to the fundamental definition of an ellipse.

Understanding the nature of the conic section is crucial; in an ellipse, this fixed distance distinguishes it from other conic sections, such as parabolas or hyperbolas, which have different distance properties. Keeping that in mind, the choice of 20 units aligns with the established geometry of ellipses, confirming that it is indeed the right answer for this scenario.