Name of Student: _________________________________________________________

Learning Area: Pre-Calculus Grade Level: ________________________

Date: ___________________________________

Learner’s Packet 3: Ellipse

I. Learning Skills from the MELC
After going through the Learner’s Packet, you are expected to:
a. define an ellipse (STEM_PC11AGIc-1); and
b. determine the standard form of equation of an ellipse.
(STEM_PC11AGIc-2)
II. Introductory Concept
In the previous lesson, you have illustrated the different types
of conic sections and one of those is the ellipse where it is
described as a resemblance of an oval. The important concept of
ellipse is often used in real – world applications such as; orbits of
planets, moons, comets and shapes of boat keels. Further, it also
used in engineering designs such as elliptical road; in
architectural designs like ceilings of churches and galleries and in
medicines such as medical equipment.
This lesson contains activities that will help you gain more
knowledge on what ellipses are all about and how to determine the
graph of an ellipse given an equation in standard form.
III. Activities

Let Us Study

Definition of an Ellipse and Its Properties

Definition 1.
An ellipse is the collection of all points in the plane, the sum of whose distances
from two fixed points, called the foci, is a constant. (Pre-calculus – Michael Sullivan)

Consider an ellipse drawn on a rectangular plane see figure 1.

RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3 1
 In the figure, we have distinct points F 1 ¿), F 2 ¿), A(4,2.4), C (0 ,−4) and P.
Also, the distance of B from F 1 𝑖𝑠 3.8 and the distance of B from F 2 is 6.2.

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 and C (0 ,−4) from F 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 F 2?

Before you can get the sum of the distances, you have to find first the
distance between the two points indicated above using the distance formula,

d= √( x 2−x 1)2 +( y 2− y 1)2

By substitution,

A F1 =√ (−3−4)2 +( 0−2.4 )2 A F2 =√ (3−4)2 +(0−2.4)2

A F1 =√(−7)2 +(−2.4 )2 A F2 =√ (−1)2+(−2.4)2

A F1 =√ 49+5.76 A F2 =√1+5.76

A F1 =√ 54.76 A F2 =√ 6.76
A F1 =7.4 A F2 =2.6

C F 1=√ (−3−0)2 +(0−(−4))2 C F 2=√(3−0)2+(0−(−4))2

C F 1=√(−3)2 +( 4)2 C F 2=√(3)2 +(4)2

C F 1=√ 9+16 C F 2=√ 9+16

C F 1=√ 25 C F 2=√ 25
C F 1=5 C F 2=5

Note: B F 1=3.8 𝑎𝑛𝑑 B F 2=6.2 are given already in the figure.

Therefore,

AF 1+ AF 2=7.4+2.6=10
BF 1+ BF 2=3.8+6.2=10
CF 1+CF 2=5+5=10

There are other points 𝑃 such that P F 1 + P F 2=10 . The collection of all such
points forms a shape called an ellipse.

RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3 2
Let us consider another figure.

Figure 2.

Definition 2:
Let F 1 and F 2 be two distinct points. The set of all points 𝑃, whose
distances from 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.

To know more about ellipse, let us study its properties. Please refer to figure 2.
(1) center: C (0,0)
• The center is the point midway between the foci.
(2) foci: F 1(−c ,0)∧F 2 (c , 0)
• The two fixed points of an ellipse.
• From any point on the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci
is constant.
(3) vertices: V 1 (−a , 0)∧V 2( a , 0)
• The vertices are points on the ellipse, collinear with the center and
foci.
• The segment V 1 V 2 𝑖s called the major axis. 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 meets the ellipse at the covertices. It divides the
ellipse into two congruent parts.
• The minor axis W 1 W 2 units long.
Now let us try this one:
Identify the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and covertices of given
ellipse.

RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3 3
 Solution:

Center: C (0,0)
Foci: F 1(−12,0)∧F2 (12,0)
Vertices: V 1 (−13,0)∧V 2 (13,0)
Covertices: W 1 (0 ,−5)∧W 2 (0,5)
Note:
The ellipse we have considered so far are “horizontal” and the center is
located at the origin. Some ellipses have their foci aligned vertically, and their
centers is not in the origin. To help you visualize ellipses in different
orientations, their properties are given in the next table.

Take note!
Orientation Cente Focus Vertices Covertice Standard
r s Form

F 1(−c ,0) V 1 (a , 0) W 1 (0 ,−b) x2 y 2

+ =1
C (0,0)
¿ ¿ ¿ a2 b 2
F 2(c , 0) V 2 (−a ,0) W 2 (0 ,b)
where a> b
Horizontal ellipse

F 1(0 ,−c ) V 1 (0 ,−a) W 1 (−b , 0) x2 y 2

+ =1
C (0,0)
¿ ¿ ¿ b2 a 2
F 2(0 , c) V 2 (0 , a) W 2 (b .0)
Where b> a

Vertical ellipse

F 1(h−c , k ) V 1 (h−a , k ) W 1 (h , k −b)

¿ ¿ ¿ (x−h)2
C (h , k ) +¿¿
F 2(h+c , k ) V 2 (h+ a , k) W 2 ( h ,k +b) a2
Where a> b
Horizontal ellipse
C (h , k ) F 1(h , k−c ) V 1 (h , k −a) W 1 (h−b , k )
¿ ¿ ¿

RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3 4
 (x−h)2
F 2(h , k +c ) V 2 (h , k + a) W 2 ¿) +¿¿
b2
Where b> a
Vertical ellipse

Remember:
𝑎 = the distance of each vertex (𝑉1𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉2) from the center
𝑏 = the distance of each Covertex (W1𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑊2) from the center
𝑐 = the distance of each focus (𝑉1𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉2) from the center
ℎ= the abscissa of the center
𝑘= the ordinate of the center

Do you have now a better understanding about an ellipse? Then, we shall

proceed to its analytic representation, the equation. Take note that in our
discussion focuses only to standard form.

Equation of Ellipses in Standard Form

A. Ellipse with center at the origin

x2 y 2
+ =1, where (0 , 0) is the center and a> b
a2 b 2

Example 1 Determine the standard equation an ellipse whose foci are

F 1(−3,0)∧F2 (3,0), such that for any point on it, the sum of its
distances from the foci is 10.

Solution: The ellipse is horizontal with center at (0,0) . Since 2 a=10, then
a=5. The distance of each Focus from the center is c=3 . To find
𝑏, we use
b=√ a2−c2 = √ ¿ ¿ = √ ¿ ¿= √ 16 = 4
Note: b is the distance of each Covertex (W 1∧W 2) from the center

RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3 5
 x2 y 2
The equation takes the form + =1
a2 b 2
By substitution,
x2 y2
+ =1 is the standard eqution of an ellipse.
25 16

Example 2 Give the coordinates of the foci, vertices, and covertices of the
x2 y2
ellipse with equation + =1.
25 9

RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3 6
Solution: The center is (0, 0), a = 5 and b = 3.
We need to find the foci (c, 0) and (-c, 0). Solve for c using the formula
c= √a 2−b2
2 2
c= √ ( 5 ) − ( 3 )
c=4

Foci: F 1(c , 0)∧F 2 (−c , 0), thus F 1(−4,0)∧F 2 (4,0)

Vertices: V 1 (a , 0)∧V 2 (−a , 0), thus V 1 (−5,0)∧V 2 (5,0)
Covertices: W 1 ( 0 , b )∧W 2 ( 0 ,−b ) , thus W 1 ( 0 ,−3 )∧W 2 ( 0,3 )

x2 y 2
+ =1, where (0, 0) is the center and b > a
b2 a 2

Example 3: Give the coordinates of the foci, and vertices of the ellipse with
x2 y2
equation + =1
64 100

Solution: Foci: F 1(0,6)∧F2 (0 ,−6)

Vertices: V 1 (0,10)∧V 2 (0 ,−10)

B. Ellipse with center at (𝒉, 𝒌)

(x−h)2
+ ¿ ¿, major axis is horizontal, center is (h, k) and a > b.
a2

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RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3 8
Example 4: Give the coordinates of the center, foci, and vertices, and of the
(x−5)2 ( y−1)2
ellipse with equation + =1
36 4
Solution: Center: C (5 ,1)
Foci: F 1(5+ 4 √ 2 , 1)∧F 2 (5−4 √ 2 ,1)
Vertices: V 1 (11,1)∧V 2 (−1 , 1)

(x−h)2
+ ¿ ¿, major axis is vertical, center is (h , k )and b> a .
b2

Example 5: The foci of an ellipse are (−3 ,−6) and (−3 , 2). For any point on
the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is 14. Find its
standard equation.

Solution: The midpoint (−3 ,−2) of the foci is the center of the ellipse. The
ellipse is vertical (because the foci are vertically aligned) and c =
4. From the given sum, 2 a=14 , so a=7. Also b=√ a2−c2 = √ 72−42
= ¿ √ 49−16 = b=√ 33.

(x−h)2
The equation takes form + ¿ ¿,
b2

(x +3)2
By substitution, +¿ ¿ is the required equation of an ellipse.
33

SOLVE.
A. Determine whether each of the following equations is an
ellipse or not.

x2 y2 x2 y 2
Try This! 1. − =1 4. + =0
64 36 4 9
Activity
I 9
RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3
 x2 y2 (x +5)2 y 2
2. + =1 5. + =1
36 25 144 81
3. ¿ ¿

B. Determine whether each of the following equations is an ellipse with

center at (0 , 0) or center (h , k ) .

x2 y 2 (x−2)2 ( y + 4)2
1. + =1 4. + =1
4 25 100 81

x2 y2 (x +5)2 y 2
2. + =1 5. + =1
36 49 144 81
3. ¿ ¿

Do More! Directions: Find the standard equation of the ellipse which

satisfies the given conditions.
Activity I 1. foci (−8,0) and (8,0) , the sum of the distances of any point
from the foci is 20.

2. center (5,3),horizontal major axis of length 20, minor axis of

length 16.

ANSWER THIS!

Give the coordinates of the center, foci, and vertices of the ellipse
Challenge
Yourself! with equation 41x2 + 16y2 +246x - 192y + 289 = 0.

IV. Answer Key

Try This!
A. 1. not an ellipse
2. ellipse
3. ellipse
4. not an ellipse
5. ellipse
B. 1. center at (0, 0)
2. center at (0, 0)
3. center (h, k)
4. center (h, k)
5. center (h, k)
Do More

A. 1.
x2 y2 2.
(x−5)2 ( y−3)2
+ =1 + =1
100 36 100 64

Challenge Yourself
41x2 + 16y2 + 246x – 192y + 289 = 0
Center: (-3, 6) 10
RO_Pre-Calculus_SHS_Q1_LP3
Vertex1: ¿) Vertex2:¿)
Focus1: (-3, 11) Focus2: (-3, 1)
 VI. Reflection
 What are the key concepts that you acquire and the difficulty
that you have encountered in performing and doing the
activities about the Ellipse?

 Based on the learnings that you gained, how are you going to
apply the concepts of Ellipse in your daily life?

VII. References
Department of Education (Bureau of Learning Resources) Pre – Calculus
Learner’s Material. Lexicon Press Inc., Philippines, 2016

Department of Education (Bureau of Learning Resources) Pre – Calculus

Teacher’s Guide. Lexicon Press Inc., Philippines, 2016

Feliciano and Uy. Modern Analytic Geometry. Merriam & Webster Bookstore,
Inc., 1994
https://www.mathwords.com/f/foci_ellipse

https://www.geogebra.org/calculator

RICHARD C. AREVALO JR. (Donsol VHS)

Smile Learner’s Packet Writer
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