Ellipse Activity Name: _______________________

Part 1:

Go to the following link and watch the video until 4:30. You do not need to watch past
the 4:30 minute mark.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/conic-sections/conic_ellipses/v/conic-sections--intro-
to-ellipses

1) What is the general equation of an ellipse centered at the origin?

2) Fill in the coordinates on the ellipse below.

( , )

( , ) ( , )

( , )

3) What is bigger, the major or minor axis?

Part 2:

Go to Interactive Ellipse. Begin with h=0, k=0, a=3, and b=3. (You can adjust these
values with the sliders on the left).

4) What shape do you have?

5) Slide a so that it is big and small. Describe what is happening.

6) Set a = 3 again. Slide b so that it is both big and small. Describe what is happening.
7) Set a = 5 and b = 3. Describe the shape of the ellipse using the terms major/minor axis and
horizontal/vertical.

8) Set a = 2 and b = 6. Describe the shape of the ellipse using the terms major/minor axis and
horizontal/vertical.

9) Now use the slider for h. Describe what happens when it is negative and positive.

10) Use the slider for k. Describe what happens when it is negative and positive.

Part 3:

You may use the Interactive Ellipse to assist you in this section but it is not required.

Graph the following equations:

( x−3 )2 ( y +1 )2 ( x +1 )2 ( y−2 )2
+ =1 + =1
11) 16 25 12) 49 4
y y
10 10

-10 10 x -10 10 x

-10 -10

Write the equation for the ellipses below. y

y 5
13) 10 14)

-5 10 x

-10 x -5

-5