Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION III – CENTRAL LUZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF PAMPANGA
PRE-CALCULUS
MODULE 4
MARVIN P. ZAPATA
SPECIAL SCIENCE TEACHER I
WRITER
JANE P. VALENCIA, EdD
EPS I-MATHEMATICS
✓ Graph an ellipse in a rectangular coordinate
system.
An ellipse is the set of all points ( x , y) in a plane
such that the sum of their distances from two
fixed points is a constant.
You Can Draw an Ellipse Yourself!
We can draw an ellipse using a piece of cardboard,
two thumbtacks, a pencil, and string. Place the
thumbtacks in the cardboard to form the foci of the
ellipse. Cut a piece of string longer than the
distance between the two thumbtacks (the length
of the string represents the constant in the
definition). Tack each end of the string to the
cardboard, and trace a curve with a pencil held
taut against the string. The result is an ellipse.
The blue and green thumbtacks
here represent the two foci of
an ellipse.
Parts of an Ellipse
Aside from the two foci (singular: focus), there are parts of an ellipse you
should familiarize yourself with!
Every ellipse has two axes of symmetry. The longer axis is called the major
axis, and the shorter axis is called the minor axis. Each endpoint of the major
axis is the vertex of the ellipse (plural: vertices), and each endpoint of the
minor axis is a co-vertex of the ellipse. The center of an ellipse is the midpoint
of both the major and minor axes. The axes are perpendicular at the center.
The foci always lie on the major axis, and the sum of the distances from the
foci to any point on the ellipse (the constant sum) is greater than the distance
between the foci.
STANDARD FORMS OF THE EQUATION OF AN
ELLIPSE WITH CENTER (0, 0)
The key features
( of the ellipse are its center, vertices, co-vertices, foci, and
lengths and positions of the major and minor axes. Just as with other
equations, we can identify all of these features just by looking at the standard
0
form of the equation. There are four variations of the standard form of the
ellipse. These variations are categorized first by the location of the center
,
(the origin or not the origin), and then by the position (horizontal or vertical).
Each is presented along with a description of how the parts of the equation
relate to the 0
graph. Interpreting these parts allows us to form a mental picture
of the ellipse.
)
Note that the vertices, co-vertices, and foci are
related by the equation c2 = a2- b2.
When we are given the coordinates of the foci and
vertices of an ellipse, we can use the relationship to
find the equation of the ellipse in standard form.
Given the vertices and foci of an ellipse centered
at the origin, how will I write its equation in
standard form?
Writing Equations of Ellipses Centered
at the Origin in Standard Form.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Writing Equations of Ellipses Centered at the
Origin in Standard Form.
Type equation here.
EXAMPLE 1
What is the standard form equation of the ellipse that has
vertices (±8,0) and foci (±5,0)?
STEP 1
The foci are on the x-axis, so the major axis is the x-axis. Thus, the equation will have
𝑥2 𝑦2
the form: + 𝑏2 = 1
𝑎2
STEP 2
The vertices are (±8,0), so a= 8 and a2= 64.
The foci are (±5,0), so c= 5 and c2= 25.
We know that the vertices and foci are related by equation c2= a2-b2. Solving for b2
we have
c2 = a2 – b2
25 = 64 – b2 Substitute for c2 and a2
b2 = 39 Solve for b2
STEP 3
Now we need only to substitute a2 = 64 and b2 = 39 into the standard form of the
equation. Therefore, the equation of the ellipse is
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
64 39
EXAMPLE 2
Give the equation in standard form of the ellipse centered at the
origin with foci at (0,±2), and vertices at (0,±3).
STEP 1
The foci are on the y-axis, so the major axis is the y-axis.
𝑥2 𝑦2
Thus, the equation will have the form: + 𝑎2 = 1
𝑏2
STEP 2
The vertices are (0, ±3), so a= 3 and a2= 9.
The foci are (0, ±2), so c= 2 and c2= 4.
We know that the vertices and foci are related by equation c2= a2-b2. Solving for b2 we have
c2 = a2 – b2
4 = 9 – b2 Substitute for c2 and a2
b2 = 5 Solve for b2
STEP 3
Now we need only to substitute a2 = 9 and b2 = 5 into the standard form of the
equation. Therefore, the equation of the ellipse is
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
5 9
STANDARD FORMS OF THE EQUATION OF AN
ELLIPSE WITH CENTER (h, k)
Like the graphs( of other equations, the graph of an ellipse can be translated.
If an ellipse is translated h units horizontally and k units vertically, the center
of the ellipse0will be (h,k). This translation results in the standard form of the
equation we saw previously, with x replaced by (x−h) and y replaced by
(y−k).
,
0
)
Just as with ellipses centered at the origin, ellipses
that are centered at a point (h,k) have vertices, co-
vertices, and foci that are related by the equation
c2=a2−b2.
We can use this relationship along with the midpoint
and distance formulas to find the equation of the
ellipse in standard form when the vertices and foci
are given.
Given the vertices and foci of an ellipse centered
NOT at the origin, how will I write its equation in
standard form?
Writing Equations of Ellipses Centered
NOT at the Origin in Standard Form.
Writing Equations of Ellipses Centered NOT at the
Origin in Standard Form.
EXAMPLE 1
What is the standard form equation of the ellipse that has
vertices (−2,−8) and (−2,2) and foci (2,−7) and (−2,1)?
STEP 1
The x-coordinates of the vertices and foci are the same, so the major axis is parallel
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
to the y-axis. Thus, the equation of the ellipse will have the form + =1
𝑏2 𝑎2
STEP 2
First, we identify the center, (h,k). The center is halfway between the vertices, (−2,−8)
and (−2,2). Applying the midpoint formula, we have:
−2+(−2) −8+(2)
(ℎ, 𝑘 ) = ( , ) = (-2,-3)
2 2
STEP 3
Next, we find a2. The length of the major axis, 2a, is bounded by the vertices. We
solve for a by finding the distance between the y-coordinates of the vertices.
2a = 2- (-8)
2a = 10
a=5
STEP 4
So a2=25. Now we find c2. The foci are given by (h, k±c). So, (h, k−c) = (−2,−7) and
(h, k+c) = (−2,1). We substitute k=−3 using either of these points to solve for c.
k + c =1
-3 + c =1
c =4
So c2 = 16
STEP 5
Next, we solve for b2 using the equation c2=a2−b2..
c2=a2−b2.
16=25−b2
b2=9
STEP 6
Finally, we substitute the values found for h, k, a2, and b2 into
the standard form equation for an ellipse:c2=a2−b2.
(𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑦 + 3)2
+ =1
9 25
Writing Equations of Ellipses Centered at the
Origin in Standard Form.
EXAMPLE 2
What is the standard form equation of the ellipse that has center
(4,1), foci at (9,1) (-1, 1) and vertices at (11, 1) (-3, 1)?
STEP 1
The y-coordinates of the vertices and foci are the same, so the major axis is parallel
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
to the x-axis. Thus, the equation of the ellipse will have the form + =1
𝑎 𝑏2
STEP 2
First, we identify the center, (h,k). The center of the ellipse is given. It’s at (4, 1 )
Therefore, h= 4 and k= 1.
STEP 3
Next, we find a2. The length of the major axis, 2a, is bounded by the vertices. We
solve for a by finding the distance between the x-coordinates of the vertices.
2a = 11- (-3)
2a = 14
a=7
STEP 4
So a2=49. Now we find c2. The foci are given by (h, k±c). So, (h+c, k) = (9,−1) and
(h-c, k) = (-1,1). We substitute h=4 using either of these points to solve for c.
h + c =9
4 + c =9
c =5
So c2 = 25
STEP 5
Next, we solve for b2 using the equation c2=a2−b2..
c2=a2−b2.
25= 49−b2
b2=24
STEP 6
Finally, we substitute the values found for h, k, a2, and b2 into
the standard form equation for an ellipse:c2=a2−b2.
(𝑥 − 4)2 (𝑦 − 1)2
+ =1
49 24
How is the graph of an ellipse drawn?
That is very easy!
GRAPHING THE STANDARD FORMS OF THE
EQUATION OF AN ELLIPSE WITH CENTER (0, 0)
Just as we can write(the equation for an ellipse given its graph, we can graph
an ellipse given its equation. To graph ellipses centered at the origin, we use
0
𝑥2 𝑦2
the standard form + 𝑏2 = 1, a>b for horizontal ellipses and
𝑎2
𝑥2 𝑦2 ,
+ 𝑎2 = 1, a>b for vertical ellipses.
𝑏
0
GENERAL STEPS
)
GRAPHING THE STANDARD FORMS OF THE
EQUATION OF AN ELLIPSE WITH CENTER (0, 0)
EXAMPLE
( 1
𝑥2 𝑦2
Graph the ellipse given by the equation, + 25 = 1
0 9
,
First, we determine the position of the major axis. Because 36>4, the major
0 𝑥2 𝑦2
axis is on the y-axis. Therefore, the equation is in the form , + 𝑎2 = 1
𝑏2
) b2=9and a2=25. It follows that:
where
• the center of the ellipse is (0,0)(0,0)
• the coordinates of the vertices
are (0,±a)=(0,±√25)=(0,±5)(0,±a)=(0,±25)=(0,±5)
• the coordinates of the co-vertices
are (±b,0)=(±√9,0)=(±3,0)(±b,0)=(±9,0)=(±3,0)
• the coordinates of the foci are (0,±c)(0,±c), where c2=a2−b2,
c2=a2−b2 Solving for c2, we have c= ±4.
Therefore, the coordinates of the foci are (0,±4).
Next, we plot and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci, and draw
a smooth curve to form the ellipse.
EXAMPLE 1
𝑥2 𝑦2
Graph the ellipse given by the equation + = 1.
36 4
. Identify and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.
First, we determine the position of the major axis. Because 36>4, the major
𝑥2 𝑦2
axis is on the x-axis. Therefore, the equation is in the form , + 𝑏2 = 1
𝑎2
where b2=4 and a2=36. It follows that:
• the center of the ellipse is (0,0)(0,0)
• the coordinates of the vertices are (±a,0)=(0,±6)
• the coordinates of the co-vertices are (0,±b)=(0,±b)
• the coordinates of the foci are (±4√2,0) since
c2=a2 -b2 gives us c= ±4√2.
Next, we plot and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci, and draw
a smooth curve to form the ellipse.
GRAPHING THE STANDARD FORMS OF THE
EQUATION OF AN ELLIPSE WITH CENTER (h, k)
(
When an ellipse is not centered at the origin, we can still use the standard
forms to find the key0features of the graph. When the ellipse is centered at
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
some point, (h,k), we use the standard forms + = 1, a>b for
𝑎 𝑏2
,
horizontal ellipses and
(𝑥−ℎ)2
+
(𝑦−𝑘)2
= 1,a>bfor vertical ellipses. From these
𝑏2 𝑎2
standard equations, we can easily determine the center, vertices, co-
0
vertices, foci, and positions of the major and minor axes.
GENERAL STEPS
Can you give me some examples?
Sure!
GRAPHING THE STANDARD FORMS OF THE
EQUATION OF AN ELLIPSE WITH CENTER (h, k)
EXAMPLE
( 1
(𝑥+2)2 (𝑦−5)2
Graph the ellipse given by the equation, + =1
0 4 9
,
First, we determine the position of the major axis. Because 9>4, the major
0
axis is parallel to the y-axis. Therefore, the equation is in the form
(𝑥−ℎ)2
)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
+ = 1, where b2=4 and a2=9 . It follows that:
𝑏 𝑎2
• the center of the ellipse is (h,k)=(−2,5).
• the coordinates of the vertices are
(h,k±a)=(−2,5±√9)
=(−2,5±3)
= (−2,2) and (−2,8).
• the coordinates of the co-vertices are
(h±b,k)=(−2±√4,5)
=(−2±2,5) or (−4,5)(−4,5) and (0,5)(0,5)
• the coordinates of the foci are (h,k±c) where c2=a2−b2.
Solving for c2, we have: c= ±√5
Therefore, the coordinates of the foci are (−2,5−√5) and (−2,5+√5).
Next, we plot and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci, and draw
a smooth curve to form the ellipse.
GRAPHING THE STANDARD FORMS OF THE
EQUATION OF AN ELLIPSE WITH CENTER (h, k)
EXAMPLE
( 2
(𝑥−4)2 (𝑦−2)2
Graph the ellipse given by the equation, + =1
0 36 20
,
First, we determine the position of the major axis. Because 36>20, the major
0
axis is parallel to the x-axis. Therefore, the equation is in the form
(𝑥−ℎ)2
)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
+ = 1, where b2=20, and a2=36 . It follows that:
𝑎 𝑏2
• the center of the ellipse is (h,k)=(4,2).
• the coordinates of the vertices are
(h±a,k)=(4±6,2)
= (−2,2) and (10,2).
• the coordinates of the co-vertices are
(h, k±b)=(4, 2±√20)
=(4, 2±2√5) or (4, 2-2√5), (4, 2+2√5)
• Since c2= 36 -20, c2= 16, c=4
the coordinates of the foci are (h±c,k)
Therefore, the coordinates of the foci are (8,2) and (0,2).
Next, we plot and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci, and draw
a smooth curve to form the ellipse.
Activity Card
Are you confident enough to answer some
problems that involve ellipses? If so, can
you answer these?
Hi, I am Sir Oliver. I am here to assess your learnings
about ELLIPSES. Here are some quiz boards.
It’s easy as 1, 2, 3! You just have to determine the
equation of the ellipse given the center, foci and
vertices. Good luck!
1
What is the equation of an
ellipse with foci at the points
(5, 4 ) and (13 ,4) with vertices at
the points (4 , 4) and (14 ,4)?
2
What is the equation of an
ellipse with foci at the points
( 2 , 2 ) and ( 14 , 2 ) and with
vertices at the points (- 2 ,2 ) and
( 18 ,2) ?
3
What is the equation of an
ellipse with vertices at ( ±10 , 0)
and foci at ( ±8 , 0 )?
Assessment Card
Given the equation of an ellipse in standard form, determine
its center, orientation, major radius, and minor radius.
Determine the standard form for the equation
of an ellipse given the following information.
Can you do these?
Enrichment Card
You knew it that we illustrate equations using
by graphing. Can you show me how will
these equation s appear on the cartesian
plane?
2
1
3 4
Answer Card
Activity Card
(𝑥−9)2 (𝑦−4)2 (𝑥−8)2 (𝑦−2)2 𝑥2 𝑦2
1. + =1 2. + =1 3. + 36 = 1
25 9 100 64 100
Assessment Card
Enrichment Card
1 3
2 4
0
Reference Card
Kally, can you share with me again your
takeaways from our discussion? What have
you learned?
The orbits of the planets take the
shape of an ellipses.
Ellipses look like stretched circles. It
has two foci. Sum of the distances
of these foci from any point in an
ellipse is constant.
The graph of an ellipse is
completely determined by its
center, orientation, major radius,
and minor radius.
The center, orientation, major
radius, and minor radius are
apparent if the equation of an
ellipse is given in standard form:
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Ellipse.html
https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Ellipse.html
https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_intermediate-
https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_intermediate-
algebra/s11-03-ellipses.html
algebra/s11-03-ellipses.html
https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/ellipse.html
https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/ellipse.html
