_ 4.4 DEFINITION OF ELLIPSE An ellipse is defined as the locus of a point which moves such that the eum of its distances from two fixed points is constant, The fixed points are called foci and the line joining them is called the principal axis or major axis, MA. . From this definition, we can draw an ellipse mechanically, This can be done by placing tacks at the foci F, and F, (Figure 4.1). The end of a string is fastened at these foci, As the pencil at P mavea (keeping the string tight), the curve traced ia an ellipse. Pts, y) Figure 4.1 It is evident from the construction that an ellipse is symmetric with respect to the major axis and also with respect to the line B, By (perpendicular bisector of F, F,). The point of intersection of By By and rE is called the center of the ellipse. The chords of an ellipse passing through the conter are called drameters. The longer chord passing through the foci is called the major axis and its endpoints are called the vertices of the ellipse. The shorter chord perpendicular to the major axis is callad the minor axis.length from the center to the vertex, then wy. iv denaton eA he length from the center to the focus aa ¢ and a agin f om the center to one of the endpoints of the minor axis ag b one obtain the basic relation: a? = b? + c? Since B, By is also a, this relation indicates that b is less than a 4.4.1 STANDARD EQUATION oF AN ELLIPSE a) Center at the origin and major axis on the x-axis, The equation of an ellipse with center at the.origin and taajor axis on the x-axis ig: x 2 + adn, on : =1 where a is greater than b Proof: Let the coordinates of the foci, vertices and end points of the minor axis be (e, 0) and (-¢, 0), (a,0) and (-a, 0) and (0, b) and (0,'~b), respectively. ‘* . . Let P(x, y).be the generating point. By definition, : . F\P + PF, = 2a, ° In terms of coordinates we have fas ora y? + ie~ os y* =2aTransposing the second term, we get fox — oc}? + y? = 2a fe oy + y? Squaring both sides again and collecting similar terms, we have (a? - 02) x2 4 ay? = a? (a? - c?) Since from a? = b? + c? or b? = a? — c? we get bx? + ay? + a%b?, divide both sides by a*b? be 2 . . x yea we obtain oy pz = 1 @ “This is called the standard equation of an ellipse with center at the origin and major axis on the x-axis. To find the length of the latus rectum, we substitute x = ¢ in equation 1 to obtain From this result, we can now say that the length of the latus rectum 2 ig a aRemark: Jt can be proven similarly that the equation of an ellipse with center at the origin aod major axis on the y-axis is =l =] *, 2 ¥ + at Hence in summary we have: 2 to : bd oa + a = 1, center at the origin, major axis is the x-axis 2 2° 2) i+ 45 = J conter at the origin, major axis is the y-axis Vi(-a, 0)ee ‘Another Definition of an Ellipse Etlipse is a conic section for which eccentricity is leas than one. Note: The standard equation of an ellipse can be derived using the © concept of eccentricity. The proof of this left as an exercise. 4.4.2 IMPORTANT RELATIONS ON ELLIPSE Let the distance from the center to the vertex be g, the distance from the center. to the focus be ¢ and the distance from the center to the directrix as d. . Note that F,V, = a~e and V,D, =d—a VaFysa+e and VD, =a4+d By definition of a conic, we have" AM AN “vp, od °* vp By substituting the former relations to the latter, we get acc are eso ad oe= q-e ™ d+a By algebraic manipulation, we obtain a c= ae and d=—Illustration: Find the coordinates of the center, verticea, facil and endpointa of the minor axis and trace the following curves: a) dx? + Sy? = 36 B,(0, 2) b) 25x? + Sy? = 225 Solution: Vi-3, 0) VB. 07 a) 4x74 gy? = 36 or z 2 > - BO, —2) X,Y oy : y . . eo, 4 for which (9, 0) and the major axis lies on the x-axis at = 9,053; b?e4;b= 2; sat b?ogeaed e= f5 = 224 The vital coordinates are: C(O, 0), V3(8, 0), Vel-B, 0), F,(2.24, 0), F,(-2.24, 0), B,(0, 2), and.{0, —2) b) 25x? + Sy? = 295, dividing hoth sides by 225 2 2 . > + a = 1, for which the center is at (0, 0) and MA is on the y-axis of : , at=25 a=5,; b?29' bag a 16 caf” ~ The required coordinates are; C(O, 0) (0, 8 V2(0;°-5) FiO, 4) Fa(0. A) B,(3, 0) B,{-3, 0) V2 (0, ~5)4.4.3 OTHER STANDARD FORMS OF ELUPSE . If the center is (h, k), using translation of axes, we obtain the following standard of equations: =b? - » ce ~~ Ook? 2 p27 1; major axia is parallel to x-axis Phy be for which a is always greater than b 2) =1, major axis is parallel to y-axis Mlustration: Determine at sight the coordinates of the center, vertices, foci and the minor axis and trace the curve of Ge oF, oa 16 Solution: : on The center is(-2; 1) with the major axis parallel to x-axis. a? = 16 bez ee Gr bed ew aie? bea > en) The required coordinates ar are: v2, Db ° A} (—2 73D . Byl2,4> « V4-6, 1) Pe? 2 5 Sil y Bea 2 Bead y : V2, D4.4.4 GENERAL EQUATION OF AN eLupse pend the vicnderd eauatig, Gob? . &- If we expand the standard equation , distance between directrices is 24. cole Fosi (45, 0), e = Center at (0, 1}, one vertex (-7, 1) and one end of the minor axis is (0, 5) . Vertices. at (4, 0) and (-4, 0) and passing through (3, 2