IV.

Assessment
A. Multiple Choice.
Directions: Read and understand each question. Encircle the letter of the correct
answer.

b. Vertex d. Center

1. These are the two points inside of an ellipse.

a. Foci c. Ellipse
b. Parabola d. Vertex

2. Which of the following is the standard equation of an ellipse centered at the

origin?
2 2 2 2
x y x y
a. 2 2 =1 c. 2 =2
a b z

x2 y 2 x2 y 2
b. + =1 d. − =1
a2 b 2 a2 b2

3. Defined as the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from
two points (foci) is a constant.
a. Parabola c. Circle
b. Hyperbola d. Ellipse

4. For any point in the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is __________.
a. 2 a c. 2 b
2
b. a d. b 2

B. Modified True or False.

Directions: Identify whether the given statement is true or false. If false, change
the underlined word to make the statement correct.

5. An ellipse may also be defined in terms of one focal point and a line outside the
ellipse called the directrix. (TRUE)

6. Ellipses may have similarities with parabolas and hyperbolas, both of which are
open and unbounded.

7. A circle is an ellipse with one focus which is the center. (TRUE)

8. The minor axis is always bigger than the major axis. (TRUE)

10.The center of the ellipse is the point of intersection between minor and major axis.
C. Problem Solving.
Directions: Read the problem and answer the questions that follow. Write your answer
on the space provided.

A whispering gallery is an elliptical-shaped

room with a dome-shaped ceiling. If two people stand
at the foci of the ellipse and whisper, they can hear
each other, but others in the room cannot. Statuary
Hall in the U.S. Capitol Building is a whispering
gallery. The dimensions of the elliptical-shaped hall
are 95 feet by 75 feet. Write an equation that models
the shape of the hall.

( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
Answer: + =1 ,a> b
a2 b2