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. These
applications and more will be encountered in this lesson.

Definition of Ellipse

Ellipses are the set of all points in the Cartesian plane, which have a sum of distances from two fixed
points that is equal to a constant. The fixed points are called the foci of the ellipse. (Figure 1.)

We can also define ellipses as conic sections that are formed by cutting a cone with a plane. For the
ellipse to be formed, the plane must be inclined at an angle to the base of the cone (Figure 2.)

Figure 1. Figure 2.

Parts of Ellipse

The following are parts of an ellipse:

Foci
Major axis /Minor axis
Center
Focal length
Vertices /Covertices
Semi-minor axis /Semi-major axis
Foci

Ellipses have two foci, which are fixed points that are located on the major axis. Along with
the vertices, the foci are used to define the ellipses. The foci can be denoted by the letter F.

Major axis

The axes are lines of symmetry of the ellipse. The axes are segments that extend from one
side of the ellipse to the other side through the center. Therefore, the axes are diameters, and the
major axis is the longest diameter of the ellipse.

The length of the major axis is equivalent to the sum of the lengths from any point on the
ellipse to the two foci.

Minor axis

The minor axis is perpendicular to the major axis. This axis is the shortest diameter of the
ellipse. The minor axis cuts the major axis into two equal parts.

Center

The center of the ellipse is located at the intersection of the major axis and the minor axis.
Ellipses can have a center at the origin (0, 0) or a center at any other point (h, k).

Focal length

The focal length is the length of the segment that extends from one focus to the other.

Vertices

The vertices are the endpoints of the major axis. These points represent the intersection
between the major axis and the ellipse.

Covertices

The covertices are the endpoints of the minor axis. These points represent the intersection
between the minor axis and the ellipse.

Semi-major axis

The semi-major axis represents the segment that extends from the center to a vertex of the
ellipse. The semi-major axis passes through one of the foci and is exactly half of the major axis.

Semi-minor axis
 The semi-minor axis is the segment perpendicular to the semi-major axis. The semi-minor
axis extends from the center to the covertex and is exactly half of the minor axis.

In this section, we will restrict ellipses to those that are positioned vertically or horizontally in
the coordinate plane. That is, the axes will either lie on or be parallel to the x– and y-axes. We will also
see ellipses that are rotated in the coordinate plane.

To work with horizontal and vertical ellipses in the coordinate plane we consider two cases:
those that are centered at the origin and those that are centered at a point other than the origin. First,
we will learn to derive the equations of ellipses and then we will learn how to write the equations
of ellipses in standard form. Then, we will draw the graph of the ellipse.

Derivation of a
Standard Equation of Ellipse

To derive the equation of an ellipse centered at the origin, we begin with the foci (−𝑐,0) and (𝑐,0).
The ellipse is the set of all points (𝑥, 𝑦) such that the sum of the distances from (𝑥, 𝑦) to the foci is constant.
Look at the figure below.

Consider the points F1(−3, 0) and F2(3, 0), as shown in the figure below. What is the
sum of the distances of A (4, 2.4) from F1 and from F2? How about the sum of the distances of B (and C (0,
−4)) from F1 and from F2?
Recall: AF1 + AF2 = 7.4 + 2.6 = 10
The Distance BF1 + BF2 = 3.8 + 6.2 = 10
Formula CF1 + CF2 = 5+5 = 10

There are another points P such that

PF1 + PF2 = 10.

The collection of all such points

forms a shape called an ellipse.

Given are two points on the x-axis, F1(−c, 0) and F2(c, 0), the foci, both c units away from their center
(0, 0). See Figure below.

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.

From the figure below, assume a > c which gives this relation b2 = √ a2−c 2

By the Triangle Inequality, PF1 + PF2 > F1F2, which implies 2a > 2c, so a > c.
 Therefore,
(Standard Equation of an ellipse)

(1) center: origin (0, 0)

(2) 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.

(3) 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 unit away from the center
 The segment V1V2 is called the major axis. Its length is 2a. It divides the ellipse into two congruent
parts.
(4) 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 W1W2 is 2b unit

Standard Forms of Equation

and It’s Graph
 The key features of the ellipse are its center, vertices, co-vertices, foci, and lengths and positions of the major
and minor axes. Like other equations, we can identify these features by looking at the standard form of the equation.
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.

Standard Form of Equation of the Ellipse with Center (0,0)

Horizontal ellipse with center (0,0) Vertical ellipse with center (0,0)

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/precalctwo/chapter/the-ellipse/

Here are the important steps to remember when solving an ellipse with center (0,0)

1. Determine whether the major axis lies on the x-or y-axis.

 a) If the given coordinates of the vertices and foci have the form (±𝑎,0) and (±𝑐,0) respectively, then
2 2
x y
the major axis. Use the standard form 2 + 2 = 1
a b
.
b) If the given coordinates of the vertices and foci have the form (0, ±𝑎) and (0, ±𝑐) respectively, then
x2 y2
the major axis. Use the standard form 2 + 2 = 1
b a

2. Use the equation 𝑐2= 𝑎2− 𝑏2, along with the given coordinates of the vertices and foci to solve for 𝑏2.

3. Substitute the values for 𝑎2 and 𝑏2 into the standard form of the equation determined in Step 1.

Example. 1
What is the standard form equation of the ellipse that has vertices (±8,0) and foci (±5,0)?

Solution:

 foci are on the x-axis, so the major axis is the x-axis.

 vertices are (±8,0), so 𝑎=8 and 𝑎2=64.
 foci are (±5,0), so 𝑐=5 and 𝑐2=25.

We know that the vertices and foci are related by the equation 𝑐2=𝑎2−𝑏2. Solving for 𝑏2, we have:

25=64− 𝑏2 substitute for 𝑐2 and 𝑎2.

𝑏2=39 solve for 𝑏

a>b

Thus, the equation will have the form

x2 y2
+ =1
a2 b2

.
Substituting 𝑎2=64 and 𝑏2=39 into the standard form of the equation.

The equation of the ellipse is

2 2
x y
+ =1
64 39

Example 2.
 x2 y 2
Graph the ellipse given by the equation, + =1. Identify and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and
9 25
foci.

Solution:

 center of the ellipse is (0,0)

 with a2 = 9 and b2 = 25, a = 3 and b = 5
 the coordinates of the vertices are (0, ±𝑎) = (0, ±5)
 and co-vertices are (±𝑏,0) = (±3,0)
 the coordinates of the foci are (0, ±𝑐), where 𝑐2= 𝑎2− 𝑏2. Solving for 𝑐, we have:

Therefore, the coordinates of the foci are (0, ±4).

Next, we plot and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci and draw a smooth curve to form the ellipse.

Example 3.
Give the coordinates of the foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse with equation

Working Exercises
1. What is the standard form equation of the ellipse given the following conditions?
 a.) center at the origin, one vertex at (9,0), and one focus at (6√ 2 , 0)

b.) vertices at (0, ±4) and foci (0, ± √ 15)

x2 y 2
2. Graph the ellipse given by the equation + =1. Identify and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and
9 49
foci.

x2 y2
3. Graph the ellipse given by the equation + =1 . Identify and label the center, vertices, co-vertices,
25 16
and foci.

Standard Form of Equation of the Ellipse with Center (h,k)

 The same with the ellipse centered at the origin, ellipse that are centered at a point (ℎ,𝑘) have
vertices, co-vertices, and foci that are related by the equation 𝑐2= 𝑎2−𝑏2. We can use this relationship
along with the midpoint and distance formulas to find the equation of the ellipse in standard form
when the vertices and foci are given.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/precalctwo/chapter/the-ellips

Here are the important steps to remember when solving an ellipse with center (h, k)

1. Determine whether the major axis lies is parallel to the x-or y-axis.
a) If the y-coordinates of the given vertices and foci are the same, then the major axis is parallel to the
( x−h)2
x-axis. Use the standard form 2
+¿¿
a
b) If the x-coordinates of the given vertices and foci are the same, then the major axis is parallel to the
2
( x−h)
y-axis. Use the standard form 2
+¿¿
a

2. Identify the center of the ellipse (ℎ,𝑘) using the midpoint formula and the given coordinates for the vertices.

3. Find 𝑎2 by solving for the length of the major axis, 2𝑎, which is the distance between the
given vertices.

4. Find 𝑐2 using ℎ and 𝑘 found in Step 2 along with the given coordinates for the foci.

5. Solve for 𝑏2 using the equation 𝑐2=𝑎2−𝑏2.

6. Substitute the values for ℎ, 𝑘, 𝑎2 and 𝑏2 into the standard form of the equation determined in Step 1.

Watch this video. Click the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPLzCX3So

Example 1.
Give the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse with the given equation. Sketch
the graph and include these points.

Example 2.
 ( x−4)2
Graph the ellipse given by the equation +¿ ¿ . Identify and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and
36
foci.

Solution:
Center: (4,2); vertices: (−2,2) and (10,2); co-vertices: (4,2−2√5) and (4,2+2√5); foci: (0,2) and (8,2).

Working Exercises
( x−2 )2
1. Graph the ellipse given by the equation, +¿ ¿. Identify and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.
25

( x−5 )2
2. Graph the ellipse given by the equation, +¿ ¿ . Identify and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.
4

General Form of Equation of an Ellipse

Here’s how you can transform the general form to standard form equation of ellipse. • Recognize that an
ellipse described by an equation in the form 𝐴𝑥2+𝐵𝑦2+𝐶𝑥+𝐷𝑦+𝐸=0 is in general form.

1. Rearrange the equation by grouping terms that contain the same variable. Move the constant term to
the opposite side of the equation.
2. Factor out the coefficients of the 𝑥2 and 𝑦2 terms in preparation for completing the square.
3. Complete the square for each variable to rewrite the equation in the form of the sum of multiples of
two binomials squared set equal to a constant, 𝑚1(𝑥−ℎ)2+𝑚2(𝑦−𝑘)2= 𝑚3, where 𝑚1, 𝑚2 and 𝑚3 are
constants.
4. Divide both sides of the equation by the constant term to express the equation in standard form.

Video Presentation. Click the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSJuu4Qm2qQ

Additional references:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPSCKXXvWiM&t=1237s
https://fl01000126.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/FL01000126/Centricity/Domain/261/Ch9_Section1.pdf

Example.1

Graph the ellipse given by the equation 4𝑥2+9𝑦2−40𝑥+36𝑦+100. Identify and label the center, vertices,
co-vertices, and foci.
 Next, we plot and label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci, and draw a smooth curve to form the
ellipse.
Additional reference: Read this article about ellipse. Click the link https://byjus.com/maths/ellipse/

Applications of Ellipse in Real-World

 Many real-world situations can be represented by ellipses, including orbits of planets, satellites, moons
and comets, and shapes of boat keels, rudders, and some airplane wings. A medical device called a lithotripter
uses elliptical reflectors to break up kidney stones by generating sound waves. Some buildings, called
whispering chambers are designed with elliptical domes so that a person whispering at one focus can easily be
heard by someone standing at the other focus. This occurs because of the acoustic properties of an ellipse.
When a sound wave originates at one focus of a whispering chamber, the sound wave will be reflected off the
elliptical dome and back to the other focus.

Let us look some applications of ellipses in the real-world.

Can you imagine standing at one end of a large room and still being able to hear a whisper from a person
standing at the other end?

The National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. is such a room. It is an oval-shaped room called a
whispering chamber because the shape makes it possible for sound to travel along the walls. In this section,
we will investigate the shape of this room and its real-world applications, including how far apart two people
in Statuary Hall can stand and still hear each other whisper. http://www.aoc.gov.

If one considers the inside of the ellipse as a mirror, all the rays of light passing through one focus of the
ellipse pass after reflection pass through the other focus. Following picture says it all:

Another example of ellipse is the path (orbital motion) that is followed by objects in space. The orbit
of an object around its ‘parent’ is a balance between the force of gravity and the object’s desire to move in a
straight line. If the balance of forces is exact, then we get a circular orbit, but this is rarely the case.

Usually, an orbiting object possesses just enough speed to pull away slightly from its parent (but not
escape it). This slightly larger orbit causes the orbital speed to reduce, so eventually the object will be moving
slow enough to be pulled back in. Hence, the object’s distance from its parent oscillates, resulting in an
elliptical orbit.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F537124693045768873%2F&psig=AOvVaw3w-
e0wcrkrqfdsalfseHYT&ust=1627910961891000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCMjM1ob3j_ICFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalexpo.com%2Fprod%2Fmedispec%2Fproduct-76768-
684753.html&psig=AOvVaw2g3LlR49Gyevmtg821cVT-&ust=1627911309357000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjR

We now apply the concept of ellipse to some situational problems. Here are some of the examples.

Example 1.

The moon travels about Earth in an elliptical orbit with Earth at one focus, as shown in Figure 10.26.
The major and minor axes of the orbit have lengths of 768,800 kilometers and 767,640 kilometers,
 respectively. Find the greatest and smallest distances (the apogee and perigee), respectively from
Earth’s center to the moon’s center.

Example 2.

A carpenter has been hired to construct a sign for a pet grooming business. The plans for the sign call for an elliptical
shape with an eccentricity of 0.60 and a length of 36 inches.

a. What is the height of the sign?

b. Write an equation for the ellipse if the origin is located at the center of the sign.
Example 3.

Solution.

Because your truck’s width is 10 feet, to determine the clearance, we must find the height of the archway 5
feet from the center. If that height is 9 feet or less, the truck will not clear the opening.

we have constructed a coordinate system with the 𝑥−𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 on the ground and the origin at the center of the
archway. Also shown is the truck, whose height is 9 feet.
.
 https://fl01000126.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/FL01000126/Centricity/Domain/261/Ch9_Section1.pdf

Working Exercises

Solve the following problems.

1. A one-way road has an overpass in the form of a semi-ellipse, 15 feet high at the center, 40 feet wide.
Assuming a truck is 12 feet wide, what is the tallest truck that can pass under the overpass?

2. A whispering gallery is constructed such that its ceiling is a semi-ellipse. A person standing at the focus can
whisper and be heard by another person standing at the other focus because all the sound waves that reach the
ceiling from one focus are reflected to the other focus. How high will the ceiling be at the center of such a
whispering gallery if the hall is 80 feet in length and the foci are 60 feet apart?

POST TEST

Using the Microsoft Forms.

KEY TERMS & LESSON SUMMARY
Ellipses are the set of all points in the Cartesian plane, which have a sum of distances from two fixed points
that is equal to a constant. The fixed points are called the foci of the ellipse.

We can also define ellipses as conic sections that are formed by cutting a cone with a plane. For the ellipse
to be formed, the plane must be inclined at an angle to the base of the cone

The standard equation of an ellipse is as follows.

For Center at (0,0)

x2 y2
1. x axis as the major axis + = 1 where a > b
a2 b2

x2 y2
2. Y axis as the major axis + = 1 where b > a
b2 a2

For Center at (h, k)

1. X axis as the major axis

2. Y axis as the major axis

The general form of the equation of the ellipse is the second-degree polynomial in two variables; that is,

𝐴𝑥2+𝐵𝑦2+𝐶𝑥+𝐷𝑦+𝐸=0 where 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶,𝐷,𝐸,∈ ℝ and 𝐴𝐶 >0.

Ellipse Major axis Vertices Semi-major axis

Foci Focal length Covertices
Center Minor axis Semi-minor axis

REFERENCES
Barnette, R.A., Ziegler, M.R., and Byleen, K.E., Precalculus: Functions and Graphs. McGraw-Hill Higher
Education, McGraw-Hill Companies., Inc. New York, USA., 5th ed., 2003

E.A. Cabral, M.L.A.N. De Las Penas, E.P. De Lara-Tuprio, F.F. Francisco, I.J.L. Garces, R.M. Marcelo, and
J.F. Sarmiento, Precalculus, Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2010.

Garces, I.J.L., Bacani, J.B., Eden, R.B., et al. Teaching Guide for Senior High School-Precalculus.
Commission of Higher Education. 2016.

Mateo, R.R, Pantino, N.R. and et al. PreCalculus for Senior High School. C.E. Publishing, Inc. Quezon City,
Philippines., 2018.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/precalculus
https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/find-the-equation-for-the-ellipse-that-satisfies-the-given/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/collegealgebra2017/chapter/introduction-the-parabola/
https://www.cbsd.org/cms/lib/PA01916442/Centricity/Domain/
2023/333202_1003_744-752.pdf
.
REFERENCE