Let x=rcosθ and y=rsinθ . Then the equation of the ellipse becomes
r2cos2θ+r2cosθsinθ+r2sin2θ=3
r2(1+cosθsinθ)=3
r2(1+21sin2θ)=3
r2=1+21sin2θ3=2+sin2θ6
The distance from the origin is r=2+sin2θ6 .
The minimum value of 2+sin2θ is 2−1=1 . Thus, the maximum value of r is 16=6 .
The maximum value of 2+sin2θ is 2+1=3 . Thus, the minimum value of r is 36=2 .
Therefore, the shortest distance is 2 and the longest distance is 6 .