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Grade Level: ________ Section: ____________ Date: _______________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

ELEMENTARY ANALYSIS
Quarter 3 - Module 2:
Introduction to Conic Section: Ellipse

What I Need to Know

In this module, you are expected to:

(1) define an ellipse;
(2) determine the standard form of equation of an ellipse; and,
(3) determine the properties of an ellipse.

What’s In

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 a 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.

Definition:

Let 𝑭𝟏 and 𝑭𝟐 be two distinct points. The set of all points P, whose
distances from 𝑭𝟏 and from 𝑭𝟐 add up to a certain constant, is called an
ellipse. The points 𝑭𝟏 and 𝑭𝟐 are called the foci of the ellipse.

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 What’s New

We collect here the features of the graph of an ellipse with standard equation with
horizontal orientation,
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
where 𝑎 > 𝑏 and we let 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏2 .

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 Alternatively, we have also features of the ellipse with the same standard form as
stated previously and have its orientation vertical,

𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
where 𝑏 > 𝑎 and we let 𝑐 = √𝑏2 − 𝑎2 .

We can also take note of the following properties:

(1) center: Origin (0,0)
(2) foci: 𝐹1 = (0, 𝑐) and 𝐹2 = (0, −𝑐)
 For any point on the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is 2a.
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 (3) vertices: 𝑉1 = (0, 𝑏) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉2 = (0, −𝑏)
 The vertices are points on the ellipse, collinear with the center and foci.
 If x = 0, then 𝑦 = ±𝑏. Each vertex is a units away from the center.
 The segment 𝑉1 𝑉2 is called the major axis. Its length is 2a. It divides the ellipse
into two congruent parts

(4) covertices: 𝑊1 = (−𝑎, 0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑊2 = (𝑎, 0)

 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.
 If y = 0, then 𝑥 = ±𝑎. Each covertex is b units away from the center.
 The minor axis 𝑊1 𝑊2 is 2b units long. Since a > b, the major axis is longer
than the minor axis.

Example 1. Give the coordinates of the foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse with
equation

𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
25 9

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Example 2: Find the (standard) equation of the ellipse whose foci are 𝐹1 (−3,0) and 𝐹2 (3,0),
such that for any point on it, the sum of its distances from the foci is 10.

Activity 1: Look for Coordinates!

Directions: Determine the coordinates of the foci, vertices, and covertices of the
following ellipse.
𝑥2 𝑦2
1. Vertical Ellipse: + =1
4 9

𝑥2 𝑦2
2. Horizontal Ellipse: + 16 = 1
36

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Activity 2: My Equation!
Directions: Determine the orientation of the ellipse and its equation given the
following properties.

Standard Equation of
Orientation
the Ellipse
Properties of the Ellipse (Horizontal or
𝑥2 𝑦2
Vertical Ellipse) ex. + =1
4 9
1. Ellipse center at the origin
Foci (0, −2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (0,2)
Vertices (0, −2√2)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (0,2√2)
Covertices (2,0)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−2,0)

2. Ellipse center at the origin

Foci (3,0)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−3,0)
Covertices (0, −√7)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (0, √7)
𝑐 = √𝑎 2 − 𝑏 2

What is it

The ellipses we have considered so far are “horizontal" and have the origin as their
centers. Some ellipses have their foci aligned vertically, and some have centers not at the
origin. Their standard equations and properties are given in the box. The derivations are
more involved, but are similar to the one above, and so are not shown anymore.
In all four cases below, a > b and 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏2 when the ellipse is horizontal otherwise
𝑏 > 𝑎 and 𝑐 = √𝑏2 − 𝑎2 when the ellipse is vertical. The foci 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 are c units away from
the center.
When an ellipse is horizontal, the vertices 𝑉1 and 𝑉2 are a units away from the center,
the major axis has length 2a, the covertices 𝑊1 and 𝑊2 are b units away from the center,
and the minor axis has length 2b. Recall that, for any point on the ellipse, the sum of its
distances from the foci is 2a.
When an ellipse is vertical, the vertices 𝑉1 and 𝑉2 are b units away from the center,
the major axis has length 2b, the covertices 𝑊1 and 𝑊2 are a units away from the center,
and the minor axis has length 2a. Recall that, for any point on the ellipse, the sum of its
distances from the foci is 2b.

Center and Orientation of Standard Equation of the Properties of the Ellipse

the Ellipse Ellipse
Center at the Origin 𝑥2 𝑦2 Foci (𝑐, 0)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−𝑐, 0)
+ =1
Horizontal Ellipse 𝑎2 𝑏 2 Vertices (𝑎, 0)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−𝑎, 0)

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 𝑎 > 𝑏, 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏2 Covertices (0, 𝑏)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (0, −𝑏)

Center at the Origin 𝑥2 𝑦2 Foci (0, 𝑐 )𝑎𝑛𝑑 (0, −𝑐)

+ =1
Vertical Ellipse 𝑎2 𝑏 2 Vertices (0, 𝑏)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (0, −𝑏)
Covertices (𝑎, 0)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−𝑎, 0)
𝑏 > 𝑎, 𝑐 = √𝑏 2 − 𝑎 2
Center at a Point (ℎ, 𝑘) (𝑥 − ℎ)2 (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 Center (ℎ, 𝑘)
+ =1
Horizontal Ellipse 𝑎2 𝑏2 Foci (ℎ + 𝑐, 𝑘 )𝑎𝑛𝑑 (ℎ − 𝑐, 𝑘)
Vertices
𝑎 > 𝑏, 𝑐 = √𝑎 2 − 𝑏 2
(ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 )𝑎𝑛𝑑 (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘)
Covertices
(ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑏)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑏)
Center at a Point (ℎ, 𝑘) (𝑥 − ℎ)2 (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 Center (ℎ, 𝑘)
+ =1
Vertical Ellipse 𝑎2 𝑏2 Foci (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑐 )𝑎𝑛𝑑 (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑐)
Vertices
𝑏 > 𝑎, 𝑐 = √𝑏 2 − 𝑎 2
(ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑏)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑏)
Covertices
(ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 )𝑎𝑛𝑑 (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘)

Example 3: Give the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and covertices of the
ellipse with the given equation
(𝑥 + 3)2 (𝑦 − 5)2
+ =1
24 49

Note: If the coordinates contains radical numbers then it suffices as the final
answer of the coordinates.

Example 4: Give the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse
with the given equation
9𝑥 2 + 16𝑦 2 − 126𝑥 + 64𝑦 = 71

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 Assessment
Directions: Determine the letter of the correct answer.
For numbers 1 -4
Determine the center, foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse with the equation
(𝑥 + 5)2 (𝑦 − 2)2
+ =1
49 121

1. Determine the center of the ellipse.

A. (5,2) B. (−5,2) C. (2, −5) D. (2,5)
2. Determine the foci of the ellipse.
A. (−5, 13) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5, −9) C. (−5, 2 + 6√2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5, 2 − 6√2)
B. (2, 2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−12, 2) D. (−5 + 6√2, 2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5 − 6√2, 2)

3. Determine the vertices of the ellipse.

A. (−5, 13) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5, −9) C.
B. (2, 2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−12, 2) D.
4. Determine the covertices of the ellipse.
A. (−5, 13) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5, −9) C.
B. (2, 2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−12, 2) D.
(6,2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−16, 2)
(−5 + 6√2, 2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5 − 6√2, 2)
(−5, 2 + 6√2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5, 2 − 6√2)
(−5,9) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−5, −5)

For numbers 5 -4

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. Determine the following:

5. Determine the center of the ellipse. Hint: The midpoint of the foci, vertices and
covertices is the center of the ellipse.
A. Center (3,2) B. Center (2, 3) C. Center (−3, 2) D. Center (−3, −2)
6. Determine the orientation of the ellipse
A. Vertical Ellipse B. Horizontal Ellipse C. Could not be determine
7. Determine the value of 𝑎, 𝑏, and c variables in the ellipse
A. 𝑎 = 4, 𝑏 = 7, 𝑐 = √33 C. 𝑎 = √33, 𝑏 = 7, 𝑐 = 4
B. 𝑎 = 7, 𝑏 = 4, 𝑐 = √33 D. 𝑎 = √33, 𝑏 = 4, 𝑐 = 7
8. Determine the equation of the ellipse
(𝑥+3)2 (𝑦+2)2 (𝑥−3)2 (𝑦−2)2
A. + 49 = 1 C. + 49 = 1
33 16
(𝑥−3)2 (𝑦+2)2 (𝑥+3)2 (𝑦−2)2
B. + =1 D. + =1
49 16 49 33