LESSON NO.

3: Ellipse
Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson the students should be able to:
 Recognize the equation and the important characteristics of an ellipse
 Determine the standard form of the equation of an ellipse
 Reduce the equation of an ellipse to its standard form
Overview

Unlike circle and parabola, an ellipse is one of the conic sections that most students have
not encountered formally before. Its shape is a bounded curve which looks like flattened circle.
The orbits of the planets in our solar system around the sun happen to be elliptical in shape.
Also, just like parabolas, ellipses have reflective properties that have been used in the
construction of certain structures. These applications and more will be encountered in this

1) Center : origin (0,0)

2) Foci: F 1(−c ,0) and F 2(c , 0)
 Each focus is c units away from the center.
 For any point on the ellipse, the sym of its distances from the foci is 2 a .
3) Vertices: V 1 (−a , 0 )∧V 2 ( a ,0)
 The vertices are points on the ellipse, collinear with the center and foci.
 If y=0, then x=± a. Each vertex is a units away from the center.
 The segment V 1 V 2 is called the major axis. Its length is 2a. It divides the ellipse into
two congruent parts
4) Covertices: W 1 ( 0 ,−b )∧W 2( 0 ,b)
 The segment through the center, perpendicular to the major axis, is the minor axis.
It divides the ellipse into two congruent parts.
 If x=0 , then y=± b . Each covertex is b units away from the center.
 The minor axis W 1 W 2 is 2b units long. Since a>b, the major axis is longer than the
minor axis.

Pencil, Paper and Graphing Paper

Before we proceed to our lesson, let’s have first an activity that will test your
prior knowledge about the previous lesson, which is all about the parabola.
Answer the following.
1. Formulate an equation in vertex form of a parabola whose vertex is located at the
following:
a. Origin

b. Positive x-axis

c. Negative x-axis

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. Each fixed point is called a focus (plural: foci). When given the

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coordinates of the foci and vertices of an ellipse, we can write the equation of the ellipse in
standard form.
   The San Diego Charger's home is a great example of an ellipse. The equation for
an ellipse was probably used in the making of this stadium. The major axis runs
through the score board and the minor axis runs perpendicular to the major axis.
The foci most likely are on either side of the field while the center must be at the
intersection of the two axes. This conic section is used in most sport stadiums to
allow the most  people possible around a rectangular field.
Source: https://sites.google.com/site/httphappyellispe78com/is-this-real-life

1. Definition and Equation of an Ellipse

Consider the points F 1(−3 ,0) and F 2(3,0), as shown in Figure 1. What is the sum
of the distances of A(4,2.4) from F 1 and from F 2? How about the sum of the distances of
B(¿ C (0 ,−4)) from F 1 and from F 2?
A F1 + A F 2=7.4+2.6=10
B F 1 +B F 2=3.8+6.2=10
A F1 + A F 2=7.4+2.6=10
There are other points P such that PF 1 +¿PF =10.¿ The collection of al such that points forms a
2

shape called an ellipse.

Let F 1∧F2 be two distinct points. The set of all points P, whose distances from
the F 1 and from F 2 add up to a certain constant, is called an ellipse. The points
F 1 and F 2 are called the foci of the ellipse.
Given are two points on the x−axis, F 1(−c ,0) and F 2(c , 0), the foci, both units away from their
center (0,0). See Figure 1.37. Let the common sum of the distances be 2 a (the coefficient 2 will
make computations simpler). Thus, we have PF1 + PF 2 =2 a.
PF 1=2a−PF 2
√(x +c )2+ y2 =2 a−√( x −c)2 + y 2
2 2 2
x 2+ 2 cx+ c2 + y 2 = 4 a −4 a √ (x −c) y + x 2−2 cx +c 2+ y 2

a √ (x−c)2 + y 2 = a 2−cx
a 2 ( x 2−2 cx +c 2 + y 2 )= a 4−2 a2 cx +c 2 x 2
(a ¿ ¿ 2−c 2) x 2+ a2 y2 ¿ = a 4−a2 c2=a2 ( a2−c2 )
b 2 x 2+ a2 y 2=a2 b2 by letting b=√ a2−c2 , so a>b.
x2 y 2
+ =1
a2 b 2
When we let b=√ a2−c2 , we assumed a>c. To see why this is true, look at ∆ PF 1 F 2 in
Figure 2. By the Triangle Inequality, PF 1 + PF 2 > F 1 F 2 , which implies 2 a>2 c , so a> c .

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 We collect here the features of the graph of an ellipse with standard equation
2 2
x y
+ =1, where a>b. Let c= √ a 2−b2
a2 b 2
2. The Equation of an Ellipse with Center at the Origin
The standard form of the equation of an ellipse with center at the origin is given
by
x2 y 2
+ =1
a2 b 2
Where a and b are positive real numbers.
Example1: Express each equation of an ellipse in standard form. Determine the values of
a and b , and the coordinates of the endpoints of the major and minor axes.
a. x 2+ 4 y 2=36
b. 16 x 2+ 9 y 2−144=0
Solution:
x2 y 2
a. The given equation must be expressed in the form 2 + 2 =1. To make the right side
a b
of the equation equal to 1, divide the terms of the equation by 36. Thus,
x 2 4 y 2 36 x2 4 y2
+ = =¿=¿ + =1
36 36 36 36 9
x2 y2
Therefore, the standard form of the equation x 2+ 4 y 2=36 is + =1 , where
36 9
a=6∧b=3. Sincea> b, the major axis are (6,0) and (-6,0), and the endpoints of the
minor axis are (0,3) and (0,-3).
b. To make the right side of the equation equal to 1, divide both sides of the equation by
144.
2 2
16 x 9 y 144 x2 y2
+ = =¿> + =1
144 144 144 9 16
x2 y2
Therefore, the standard form of the equation16 x 2+ 9 y 2=144 is + =1, where a=3∧b=4.
9 16
The vertices of the major axis are (0,4) and (0-4) and the endpoints of the minor axis are (3,0)
and (-3,0).
Given the equation of an ellipse, the value of c in the coordinates of its foci can be
determined using the equation
c 2=a2−b 2=¿>c=± √ a2 −b2 if a>b
c 2=b 2−a 2=¿>c=± √ b2 −a2 if b>a
Example 2: Find the coordinates of the foci of the ellipse defined in each of the following
equations.
x2 y2
a. + =1
25 16
y2
b. x 2+ =1
36
Solution:
a. Note that a=5∧b=4 ; h ence , a>b . T h us ,
c=± √ 52−42
¿ ± √ 25−16
¿± √9
¿±3
Since a> b, then the major axis is located on the x-axis. Therefore , the
foci are at (3,0) and (-3,0).
b. Since a=1 and b=6, then b> a. Solving for the coordinates of the foci,
c=± √ 62−12
¿ ± √ 36−1
¿ ± √35

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 Note that the major axis is located on the y-axis. Thus, the coordinates of the foci are
(0 , √ 35) and ( 0 ,−√35 ) .
3. Equation of an Ellipse with Center at (h,k)
If the major and minor axes are parallel to the coordinate axes, then the center of
the ellipse is a point (h,k).
The standard form of the equation of an ellipse with the center at point (h,k) is
given by
(x−h)2 ( y−k )2
+ =1 ,
a2 b2
where a, b, and c have the same meaning whether the center of the ellipse is at the origin
or not.
In transforming the equation of an ellipse whose center is at (h,k) to its standard
form, the process of completing the square is necessary. Consider the examples below.
Example 3: Transform each equation of an ellipse tom the standard form. Determine also the
coordinates of its center.
a. 5 x 2+ 4 y 2−20 x +8 y−76=0
b. 4 x2 + y 2 +2 y−35=0
Solution:
a. The following are the steps in transforming the equation of an ellipse to its standard form.
(5 x ¿¿ 2−20 x)+(4 y ¿¿ 2+8 y )=76 ¿ ¿ Group all x and y terms and factor out the greatest
common factor (GCF)
2
5 ( x −4 x ) + 4 ( y ¿¿ 2+ 2 y )=76 ¿ Transpose the constant term to the right side of the
equation. Factor the left side of the equation.
( 2
) ( 2
5 x −4 x+ 4 + 4 y +2 y +1 =76+ 20+4 ) Complete the square on x, and then add 5(4) = 20
to the right side of equation. Complete the square
on y, and then add 4(1) =4 to the right side of the
equation.
2 2
5(x−2) +4 ( y +1) =100 Factor the left side of the equation by expressing
each of the x and y terms as a square of a
binomial. Simplify the right side of the equation.
2 2
(x−2) ( y +1) Divide the terms of the equation by 100 to express
+ =1
20 25 (x−h)2 ( y−k )2
the equation in the form + =1
a2 b2
Therefore, the equation 5 x 2+ 4 y 2−20 x +8 y−76=0 of an ellipse can be reduced to
(x−2)2 ( y +1)2
+ =1 . The center of the ellipse is at (2,-1).
20 25
b. Following the steps provided in example 3.a to transform the equation of an ellipse to the
standard form,
4 x2 + y 2 +2 y−35=0
4 x2 + ( y 2 +2 y )=35
4 x2 + ( y 2 +2 y +1 )=35+ 1
4 x2 +( y +1)2=36
2
x2 ( y +1)
+ =1
9 36
Therefore, the center of the ellipse is at (0,-1)

Now that you fully understand our lesson, let’s have some exercises to apply what you
have learned.
Activity 1: Let’s Practice

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 A. Transform the each equation of an ellipse to its standard form, and then identify the
values of a and b, and the coordinates of the end points of the major and minor axes.
Write your answer with complete solution below.
1. x 2+ 4 y 2=4

2. 16 x 2+ 25 y 2 −400 = 0

3. 49 x 2−784=−16 y 2

Activity 2: Application: Apply your skills!

A. Transform each equation of ellipse into standard form and determine the coordinates of the foci
of the ellipse.

1. 16 x 2−224 x +25 y 2+ 250 y −191=0

2. 25 x 2−200 x+16 y 2 −160 y =800

Find the standard equation of the ellipse which satisfies the given conditions.
1. Center (−3 ,−7 ) ,vertical major axis of length 20, minor axis of length 12.

LESSON NO. 3.1:Graph of an Ellipse

Learning Outcomes:
In this lesson, you are expected to
 Sketch the graph of an ellipse in a rectangular coordinate system
 Solve real life problems involving ellipses

Pencil, Paper and Graphing Paper

Answer the question below.

1. As you consider the shape of the graph of an ellipse where a=b, can you
consider a circle as an ellipse? Why or why not?

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 Answer:

To graph an ellipse whose center is at the origin, first, find the x−¿ y−intercepts.
From the standard form of the equation of an ellipse centered at the origin, you may find that
x=± a and y=± b. Therefore, the x- intercepts are (a , 0) and (−a ,0), and the y−¿intercepts are
(0 , b) and (0 ,−b). These intercepts determine the locations of the endpoints of the major and
minor axes which can be used in sketching the graph of an ellipse.
Graph of an Ellipse with Center at the Origin
Example 2: Sketch the graph of an ellipse defined by each of the following equations. Determine
also the length of the major axis.
x2 y2 0,3
a. + =1
16 9
x2 y 2
b. + =1
4 25
Solution:
x2 y2
a. The equation of the ellipse + =1
16 9
0, -3
indicates that a=4∧b=3. Therefore, the x−¿ -4,0
intercepts are ( 4,0) and (0 ,−3). Plotting
these points in the rectangular coordinate
system leads to the graph of the ellipse as
shown in the Figure 3 below.

4,0

Fig. 3 Graph of the ellipse in example 3

x2 y 2
b. The equation of the ellipse + =1 indicates that a=2∧b=5. Thus, the x−¿
4 25
intercepts are (2,0) and (−2,0), and the y−¿inercepts are (0,5) and (0−5). Observe that
b> a; hence the major axis is located on the y−axis and its length is 10 units. The graph
of the ellipse is shown in Figure 4 below.
0,5

-2,0 2,0

0,5
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 x2 y 2
Fig. 4 Graph of the ellipse defined by the equation + =1
4 25
Graph of an Ellipse with Center at (h,k)
To graph an ellipse with center at (h,k), first, transform the equation to the
standard form, if necessary. Then, determine the coordinates of the center of the ellipse
and the coordinates of the endpoints of the axes. Next, plot the center (h , k ) and the ends
of the axes by moving a units in each directiom along the minor axis and b units in each
direction along the minor axis. Finally, draw a smooth curve passing through the four
points that correspond to the endpoints of the major and minor axes.
(x +1)2 ( y +1)2
Example 3: Sketch the graph of the ellipse defined by + =1. Determine the
9 4
coordinates of the foci and the length of the major axis.
Solution:
The equation is already in the standard form; hence, the center and the values of
a∧bcan be readily determined. The center of the ellipse is at (−1 ,−1), a=3 , and b=2.
The vertices are at (2 ,−1) and (−4 ,−1 ) . The endpoints of the minor axis are (−1,1) and
(−1 ,−3). The length of the major axis is 6 units. The graph of the ellipse is shown in
Figure 5.

-1,1

-4,-1 -1,-1 2,-2

Fig. 5. Graph of the ellipse in
Example 3.

-1,-3

In addition, the foci are at (−1−√ 5 ,−1) and

(−1+ √ 5 ,−1).
Example 4: Sketch the graph of the ellipse defined by
16 x 2+ 9 y 2−64 x−18 y−71=0. Determine the coordinates of the
foci and the length of the major axis.
Solution:
First, transform the equation to its equivalent standard
form. By following the steps presented in example 4, the equation
16 x 2+ 9 y 2−64 x−18 y−71=0 can be written as
(x−2)2 ( y −1)2
+ =1. Using the standard form of the equation, the
9 16
center of the ellipse is at (2,1), and a=3 and b=4. The vertices
are at (2,5) and (2,-3). The endpoints of the minor axis (−1,1)
and (5,1). The foci are at (2 , 1+ √7) and (2 , 1−√ 7). The graph of
the ellipse is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Graph of the ellipse in example 4.

Activity 1: Let’s Practice
Sketch the graph of the ellipse in each equation. Determine the lengths of the major and minor
axes, and the coordinates of the foci. Write your answers on the graphing sheet below.
x2 y 2 x2 y2 2
2 x
1. + =1 2. + =1 3. x + =1
9 4 16 9 4

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Activity 2: Keep Practicing
A. Sketch the graph of the ellipse defined by each of the following equations. Transform the
equation to the standard form, if necessary. Also, determined the coordinates of the
center, the foci, the ends of the major and minor axes, and the length of the major axis.
Write your answers on the graphing sheet below.
1. 9 x 2+ 4 y 2 +32 y +28=0
7 2
(x + )
2. 2 ( y+5)2
+ =1
125 40
Application: Apply your skills!
Give the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse with the given
equation. Sketch the graph, and include these points in the graphing sheet below.
2
x 2 ( y−2)
1. + =1
16 25

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References
Ascano, J., et.al (2016). Precalculus Learner’s Material. 3F Maine City Tower, 236 Tomas
Morato Avenue,
Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City. Sunshine Interlinks Publishing House, Inc.

Mathematics 11 – Precalculus Page 9