GRADE 11 PRE-CALCULUS, MODULE 1 – WEEK 3

ELLIPSE

I. What I Need to Know?

This module was developed and written as user-friendly and easily understood. This self-
learning module will help you to master the concept of conic sections. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence
of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the
textbook you are now using.

This module is comprised of 2 lessons. And at the end of this, you should be able to:
 define an ellipse (STEM_PC11AG-Ic-1); and
 determine the standard form of equation of an ellipse (STEM_PC11AG-Ic-2)

II. What I know?

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. It is the point of intersection of the line perpendicular to the directrix which passes through
the focus cuts the ellipse.
a. Axis of symmetry b. Directrix c. Focus d. Vertex

2. It is a plane curve surrounding two focal points, such that for all points on the curve, the
sum of the two distances to the focal points is a constant.
a. Parabola b. Focus c. Ellipse d. Axis of symmetry

3. These are the two points inside an ellipse.

a. Foci b. Ellipse c. Parabola d. Axis of symmetry

4. The elongation of an ellipse can be measured by its _________________.

a. Axis of symmetry b. Center c. Eccentricity d. Focal points

5. Which of the following is the equation of a standard ellipse centered at the origin?
 Modified True or False. Identify whether the given statement is true or false. If false, change
the underlined word to make the statement correct.

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

7. Ellipses may have similarities with parabolas and hyperbolas, both of which are close and
bounded.

8. A circle is an ellipse with one focus which is the center.

9. The minor axis is always bigger than the major axis.

10. The focus of the ellipse is the point of intersection between minor and major axis.

Identification. In this activity, you are going to supply what is being asked in each item. Use
the given figure of an ellipse for your answers.

11. What is the coordinate of the center of the ellipse?

12. Find the coordinates of the foci of the ellipse.

13. Give the coordinates two vertices of the ellipse.

14. How long is the major axis of the ellipse?

15. If 𝑓1 and 𝑓2 are segments between the foci and a

certain point in the ellipse, how long is 𝑓1 if 𝑓2 = 9 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠?

DAY 1

III. What Is It?

An ellipse is the set of all points P in a plane in such a way that the sum of its distances
from two fixed points on the same plane is constant. These fixed points are called foci
(plural for focus). The constant sum is the also equal to the length of the major axis of the
ellipse.
 An ellipse has the following parts:

Center (shown in figure 1)

 The center of the ellipse has coordinate (ℎ,𝑘) or (0,0) if it is in the origin.
 The intersection between the major and minor axis.

Foci (shown in figure 1 and 4)

 Focus is singular.
 The foci are two fixed points inside the ellipse which are equidistance from the center
and lays along the major axis.
 For any point P on the ellipse, the sum of the its distance from the foci is equal to the
length of the major axis.

Vertices (shown in figure 1 and 2)

 The vertices are points on the ellipse, collinear with the center and foci.
 A vertex is the endpoint of the major axis and is 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 away from the center. Thus the
segment from one vertex to the other is 2a.

Covertices (shown in figure 1 and 2)

 The endpoints of the minor axis, perpendicular to the major axis.
 The length of the segment from the covertices is 2b.

Latus rectum (shown in figure 3)

 The chord that passes through a focus and is perpendicular to the major axis.

Try this!
In this activity, you are going to supply what is being
asked in each item. Use the given figure of an
ellipse for your answers.
1. What is the coordinate of the center of the ellipse?
2. Find the coordinates of the foci of the ellipse.
3. Give the coordinates of the two vertices of the ellipse.
4. The covertices of the ellipse is found in what coordinates?
5. If l and m are segments between the foci and a certain
point in the ellipse, how long is l and m combined?
IV. What I Have Learned?

Based on the concepts that you have learnd from this module, complete all the following
sentences.

1. _________ is the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of its distance from two
distinct fixed points is constant.

2. Each of the fixed points is called _________.

3. The sum of lengths of segments between the foci and a point on the ellipse is equal to
the length of the __________.

4. The chord that passes through a focus and is parallel to the minor axis is called __________.

5. ___________ are the endpoints of the minor axis.

V. Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. It is the point of intersection of the line perpendicular to the directrix which passes through
the focus cuts the ellipse.
a. Axis of symmetry b. Directrix c. Focus d. Vertex

2. It is a plane curve surrounding two focal points, such that for all points on the curve, the
sum of the two distances to the focal points is a constant.
a. Parabola b. Focus c. Ellipse d. Axis of symmetry

3. These are the two points inside an ellipse.

a. Foci b. Ellipse c. Parabola d. Axis of symmetry

4. The elongation of an ellipse can be measured by its _________________.

a. Axis of symmetry b. Center c. Eccentricity d. Focal points

5. Which of the following is the equation of a standard ellipse centered at the origin?
 Modified True or False. Identify whether the given statement is true or false. If false, change
the underlined word to make the statement correct.

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

7. Ellipses may have similarities with parabolas and hyperbolas, both of which are close and
bounded.

8. A circle is an ellipse with one focus which is the center.

9. The minor axis is always bigger than the major axis.

10. The focus of the ellipse is the point of intersection between minor and major axis.

Identification. In this activity, you are going to supply what is being asked in each item. Use
the given figure of an ellipse for your answers.

11. What is the coordinate of the center of the ellipse?

12. Find the coordinates of the foci of the ellipse.

13. Give the coordinates two vertices of the ellipse.

14. How long is the major axis of the ellipse?

15. If 𝑓1 and 𝑓2 are segments between the foci and a

certain point in the ellipse, how long is 𝑓1 if 𝑓2 = 9 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠?

DAY 2, 3, and 4

I. What I know?

A. Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answers in a separate
sheet.

1. It is the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from two points
(foci) is a constant.
a. ellipse b. foci c. origin d. vertices

2. For any point on the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is _______.
a. 2b b. a2 c. 2a d. b2

3. If y=0 , then 𝑥 = ±𝑎 . Each vertex is a units away from the ____________.

a. ellipse b. center c. foci d. vertices
 4. In the standard equation, if the x-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is
_________________. a. horizontal b. positive c. vertical d. negative

5. In the standard equation, if the y-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is
_________________. a. horizontal b. positive c. vertical d. negative

B. Write the equation of an ellipse from general to standard form. Write your final answers
on the space provided. Kindly use another sheet of paper for the solutions.

C. Write your complete solution on the separate sheet. Determine the standard form of
equation of an ellipse given:

1. foci 𝐹1 (−8,0), 𝐹2 (8,0) and the length of major axis is 20

2. foci 𝐹1 (−9,0), 𝐹2 (9,0) and vertices 𝑉1 (−13,0), 𝑉2 (13,0)
3. point 𝑃(6,0) and vertices 𝑉1(0, −8), 𝑉2 (0,8)
4. the center at the origin and lengths of major axis is 20 and minor axis 16
5. the graph

II. What is it?

Deriving the Standard Equation of an Ellipse

Let 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 be two distinct points. The set of all points P, whose distances from 𝐹1 and
𝐹2 add up to a certain constant, is called an ellipse. The points 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 are called the foci of
the ellipse.
 See figure on the right. Let 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) be a
point on the ellipse. Let the common sum
of the distances be 2a (the coefficient 2 will
make computations simpler).
Thus, we have 𝑃𝐹1 + 𝑃𝐹2 = 2𝑎.

An ellipse is the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from two
points (foci) is a constant.

𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0) be two distinct points. The set of all points 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦), whose distances
from 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and from 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0) add up to a certain constant, is called an ellipse. The points
𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0) are called the foci of the ellipse.
When we let 𝑏2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 , we assumed 𝑎 > 𝑐.
To see why this is true, look at ∆𝑃𝐹1 𝐹2 in figure
on the right. By the Triangle Inequality,
𝑃𝐹1 + 𝑃𝐹2 > 𝐹1 𝐹2 , which implies 2𝑎 > 2𝑐, so 𝑎 > 𝑐.

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

Center: origin (0,0)

Foci : 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0)
 Each focus is c units away from the center.
 For any point on the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is 2a.
Vertices: 𝑉1 (−𝑎, 0) and 𝑉2 (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 𝑉1𝑉2 is called the major axis. Its length is 2𝑎. It divides the ellipse into
two congruent parts.
Covertices: 𝑊1 (0, −𝑏) and 𝑊2 (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.
 If 𝑥 = 0 , then 𝑦 = ±𝑏 . 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.

Standard forms of equations tell us about key features of graphs. By learning to interpret
standard forms of equations, we are bridging the relationship between algebraic and
geometric representations of mathematical phenomena.

There are four variations of the standard form of the ellipse. These variations are
categorized first by the location of the center (the origin or not the origin), and then by the
position (horizontal or vertical). Each is presented along with a description of how the parts of
the equation relate to the graph. Interpreting these parts allows us to form a mental picture
of the ellipse.
 In the standard equation, if the x-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is
horizontal. If the y-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is vertical.

General Form to Standard Form (Completing the Square)

The key features of the ellipse are its center, vertices, co-vertices, foci, and lengths and
positions of the major and minor axes. Just as with other equations, we can identify all of these
features just by looking at the standard form of the equation.
With this, we need to learn first how to write an equation of ellipse from general to
standard form by applying the steps of completing the square.

The Foci and Length of Major Axis

If an equation is not given, we can still determine the standard equation of an ellipse
given its foci and the length of major axis. Let us consider the next example.
The Foci and Vertices

The end points of major axis will be considered as vertices of the ellipse. We will see in
the next example of their relationship. See figure below.
A Point and Vertices
By definition, the set of all points 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦), whose
distances from 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and from 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0) add up to a
certain constant, is called an ellipse. See figure on the right.
In this section, the foci is not given.
Let us take a look at this example

Example 4: Determine the (standard) equation of the ellipse (centered at the origin) with
vertices are 𝑉1 (0, −5) and 𝑉2 (0,5) that passes through the point 𝑃(4,2).

Solutions:
The vertices could describe exactly the features of the major axis. In this case, the major axis
is the y-axis. Thus the equation will have the form
The Center and Length of Major and Minor Axis

The segment 𝑉1 𝑉2 is called the major axis. Its length is 2𝑎. It divides the ellipse into two
congruent parts. Hence, the midpoint of that segment is the center (ℎ, 𝑘). Also, segment 𝑊1 𝑊2
is called the minor axis with length 2𝑏.

The Graph of Ellipse

Earlier we have discussed that we can easily identify the features of ellipse by just
looking at the standard form of the equation.
 This solution is quietly similar to example 5. Moreover, we can vary our solutions
depending on the features that we will be using. You may try to apply solutions from
previous examples to verify the process.

If we already mastered the concepts and can easily identify the features of ellipse
expressed in standard form, we can now proceed to the next lesson which focuses in
graphing the equation. You may have your practice in the next activity.

III. What I have learned?

Fill in the blanks.

1. An ____________________ is the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the
distances from two points (foci) is a constant.

2. For any point on the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is _______________.

3. If 𝑦 = 0, then 𝑥 = ±𝑎. Each vertex is a units away from the ____________.

4. In the standard equation, if the x-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is
_________________.

5. If the y-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is _______________.

IV. Assessment

A. Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answers in a separate
sheet.

1. It is the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from two points
(foci) is a constant.
a. ellipse b. foci c. origin d. vertices

2. For any point on the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is _______.
a. 2b b. a2 c. 2a d. b2
 3. If y=0 , then 𝑥 = ±𝑎 . Each vertex is a units away from the ____________.
a. ellipse b. center c. foci d. vertices

4. In the standard equation, if the x-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is
_________________. a. horizontal b. positive c. vertical d. negative

5. In the standard equation, if the y-part has the bigger denominator, the ellipse is
_________________. a. horizontal b. positive c. vertical d. negative

B. Write the equation of an ellipse from general to standard form. Write your final answers
on the space provided. Kindly use another sheet of paper for the solutions.

C. Write your complete solution on the separate sheet. Determine the standard form of
equation of an ellipse given:

6. foci 𝐹1 (−8,0), 𝐹2 (8,0) and the length of major axis is 20

7. foci 𝐹1 (−9,0), 𝐹2 (9,0) and vertices 𝑉1 (−13,0), 𝑉2 (13,0)
8. point 𝑃(6,0) and vertices 𝑉1(0, −8), 𝑉2 (0,8)
9. the center at the origin and lengths of major axis is 20 and minor axis 16
10. the graph
 References
Department of Education. Bureau of Learning Resources. Precalculus Learner’s Material.
Philippines: Lexicon Press Inc., 2016

Department of Education. Bureau of Learning Resources. Precalculus Teacher’s Guide.

Philippines: Lexicon Press Inc., 2016

Disclaimer
Since the Region IV-A is not developing the modules for this subject yet, this Self-learning
Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN with the primary objective of
preparing for and addressing the new normal. Contents of this module were based on
DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs).