ELLIPSE

Objective/s:
• Define an ellipse
• Determine the standard form of equation of an ellipse
• Graph an ellipse in a rectangular coordinate system
• Solve situational problems involving ellipse

Definition of Terms:

Ellipse → is the locus of all points in the plane the sum of whose distances from two fixed
points, 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 , is a constant.
Foci → two fixed points (two foci), denoted by 𝐹1 and 𝐹2
Center → the midpoint of the segment between the foci, major axis and the minor axis
Principal Axis → the line that passes through the foci which hits the ellipse at exactly two points
Vertex → the point of intersection of the axis with the ellipse. Note that there two vertices
Major Axis → the segment between the vertices; its length is 2a
Minor Axis → the segment whose endpoints are on the ellipse, perpendicularly bisecting the major
axis; its length is 2b
→ the segment between the foci has length 2c

𝑑1 + 𝑑2 = 𝑑 for all (𝑥, 𝑦) on the ellipse

In order to derive the standard equation of an ellipse, we assume that the ellipse has its center at (0,0), its major
axis along the x-axis, and has foci(𝑐, 0) and (−𝑐, 0) and vertices (−𝑎, 0) and (𝑎, 0).
Note that since (𝑎, 0) is a point on the ellipse, it must satisfy the definition of an ellipse. That is, the distance
from (−𝑐, 0) to (𝑎, 0) plus the distance from (𝑐, 0) to (𝑎, 0) must equal to the fixed distance d. Since all of
these points lie on the x-axis, we get

√(𝑎 + 𝑐)2 + (0 − 0)2 + √(𝑎 − 𝑐)2 + (0 − 0)2 = 𝑑

√(𝑎 + 𝑐)2 + √(𝑎 − 𝑐)2 = 𝑑
𝑎+𝑐+𝑎−𝑐 =𝑑
2𝑎 = 𝑑

Take note that 𝑎 > 𝑏, therefore, 𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 .

In finding a, 𝑎 = √𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 . In finding b, 𝑏 = √𝑎2 − 𝑐 2. In finding c, 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 .

Types of Ellipse

1. Vertical Ellipse
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
- has the equation in standard form 𝑏2 + 𝑎2 = 1 where (ℎ, 𝑘) is the center
- the denominator of y variable is greater than the denominator of x variable
𝑥2 𝑦2
- if the center is at (0,0) then the equation in standard form is + 𝑎2 = 1
𝑏2
- Center : (ℎ, 𝑘)
- Vertices : (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑎)
- Co-vertices : (ℎ ± 𝑏, 𝑘)
- Foci : (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑐)

2. Horizontal Ellipse
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
- has the equation in standard form 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 1 where (ℎ, 𝑘) is the center
- the denominator of x variable is greater than the denominator of y variable.
𝑥2 𝑦2
- if the center is at (0,0) then the equation in standard form is + 𝑏2 = 1
𝑎2
- Center : (ℎ, 𝑘)
- Vertices : (ℎ ± 𝑎, 𝑘)
- Co-vertices : (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑏)
- Foci : (ℎ ± 𝑐, 𝑘)
Example 1:
(𝑥+1)2 (𝑦−2)2
Sketch the ellipse given the equation + = 1. Identify its center, vertices, co-vertices and foci.
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Solution:
Given the equation above, we can say that it is a vertical ellipse because the denominator of y variable is greater
than the denominator of x variable. So, 𝑎 = 5 and 𝑏 = 3. Let’s find c by using this formula 𝑐 =
√𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 → 𝑐 = √25 − 9→ c = 4. Therefore,

Center : (−1,2)
Vertices : (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑎) → (−1,2 ± 5) (-1,7)
: (−1,7) and (−1, −3)
Co-vertices : (ℎ ± 𝑏, 𝑘) → (−1 ± 3,2)
: (2,2) and (−4,2) (-1,6)
(𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝟐)𝟐
Foci : (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑐) → (−1,2 ± 4) + =𝟏
𝟗 𝟐𝟓
: (−1,6) and (−1, −2)
(-1,2) (2,2)
(-4,2)

(-1,-2)

(-1,-3)

Example 2:
Graph 𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 + 24𝑦 + 33 = 0. Find its center, vertices, co-vertices and foci.

Solution:
Since we have a sum of two squares and the squared terms have unequal coefficient, then we can say that it is
an ellipse. For us to be able to graph the ellipse, we need to change the equation in its standard form.

𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 − 2𝑥 + 24𝑦 + 33 = 0
(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) + (4𝑦 2 + 24𝑦) = −33 Group those terms with the same variables
(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) + 4(𝑦 2 + 6𝑦) = −33 Factor out 4 which is the leading coefficient of 4𝑦 2 + 24𝑦
To perform Completing the Square, the leading coefficient
must be equal to 1
2 2
(𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 1) + 4(𝑦 + 6𝑦 + 9) = −33 + 1 + 4(9)Completing the Square, Addition Property of Equality
(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) + 4(𝑦 2 + 6𝑦 + 9) = −33 + 1 + 36
(𝑥 − 1)2 + 4(𝑦 + 3)2 = 4 Factoring
(𝑥−1)2 +4(𝑦+3)2 =4
Dividing the whole equation by 4 to obtain only 1
4
on the right side of the equation
(𝑥−1)2
+ (𝑦 + 3)2 = 1 Equation of the ellipse in standard form
4
Having the equation above, we can conclude that the ellipse is horizontal because the denominator of x is
greater than the denominator of y. So, = 2 , 𝑏 = 1 and 𝑐 = √3.

Center : (ℎ, 𝑘)
: (1, −3)
Vertices : (ℎ ± 𝑎, 𝑘) → (1 ± 2, −3)
: (3, −3) and (−1, −3)
Co-vertices : (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑏) → (1, −3 ± 1)
: (1, −2) and (1, −4)
Foci : (ℎ ± 𝑐, 𝑘) → (1 ± √3, −3)
: (1 + √3, −3) and (1 − √3, −3)
1 + √3 ≈ 2.7 and 1 − √3 ≈ −0.7

(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐
+ (𝒚 + 𝟑)𝟐 = 𝟏
𝟒

Example 3:
Find the equation of the ellipse in standard form with foci at (2,1) and (4,1) and vertex (0,1).

Solution:
Note that the important components in determining the equation of an ellipse are its center and the values of
𝒂𝟐 and 𝒃𝟐 . Since, the y-coordinates of the foci and the vertex are the same, then we can say that the ellipse is
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
horizontal. We have to obtain an equation of this form 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 1. We know from our discussion that
the midpoint of the foci and the vertices as well as the midpoint of the co-vertices is the center of the ellipse. By
the midpoint formula, the center of the ellipse is (𝟑, 𝟏). We already have the center at (3,1), given the vertex
at (0,1), so 𝒂 (the distance from the center to the vertex) is equal to 3 therefore 𝒂𝟐 = 𝟗. Now, we need to know
the value of 𝒃𝟐 . Given the focus at (2,1), then 𝒄 (the distance from the center to the focus) is equal to 1. Let’s
find 𝒃𝟐 using the formula 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 → 𝑏 2 = 9 − 1 → 𝒃𝟐 = 𝟖. The equation of the ellipse is,

(𝑥 − 3)2 (𝑦 − 1)2
+ = 1.
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Example:
The orbit of the planet has the shape of an ellipse, and on one of the foci is the star around which it
revolves. The planet is closest to the star when it is at one vertex. It is farthest from the star when it is at the
other vertex. Suppose the closest and farthest distances of the planet from this star, are 420 million kilometres
and 580 million kilometres, respectively. Find the equation of the ellipse, in standard form, with center at the
origin and the star at the x-axis. Assume all units are in millions of kilometres.
The center of the ellipse is at the origin (0,0).
Now, let’s determine the value of a.
2𝑎 = 1000
𝑎 = 500
Now, let’s determine the value of b.
𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2
𝑏 2 = 5002 − 802
𝑏 2 = 250000 − 6400
𝑏 2 = 243600

𝑥2 𝑦2
+ 243600 = 1 → Equation of the ellipse
250000

References:

Teaching Guide for Senior High School Precalculus (Commission on Higher Education)

Precalculus Version [𝜋] = 3, Corrected Edition