SAN MIGUEL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

San Miguel, Leyte

PRECALCULUS
Lesson: ELLIPSES: Center at (0,0)
At the end of the learning episode, you are expected to:
1. define an ellipse; and,
2. graph an ellipse given an equation in standard form with center at (0, 0).
RECAP
In the previous lesson, you learned the four cases of the standard equation of a
parabola with vertex at (h, k).
When the parabola opens upward, the vertex form is ( x−h )2=4 c( y−k ) and when it
is opens downward, the vertex form is ( x−h )2=−4 c ( y−k ) . If the parabola opens to the
right, this time the vertex form is ( y−k )2=4 c ( x−h), here the role of x and y interchange.
And when the parabola opens to the left, the vertex form is ( y−k )2=−4 c (x−h).
LESSON
Do you have any idea about the shape of an ellipse? Shown below is an image
representing the shape of an ellipse.
An image is a bridge with elliptical arch. Many buildings and bridges use the
ellipse as a pleasing shape and make it strong.

Photo from https://www.pexels.com/photo/train-with-smoke-507410/

Just like parabolas, ellipses have reflective properties that have been used in the
construction of certain structures. That is one of the many uses of an ellipse.

Definition of an Ellipse
An ellipse is the set of all points on the plane, the sum of whose distances from two fixed
points is a constant.

Look at the figure on the right, the fixed points

referred to in the definition are the foci of the
ellipse denoted by 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0). The sum of
the distances from 𝐹1 to point P and from 𝐹2 to point
P is equal to 𝟐𝒂 for some real number 𝒂.

Standard Equation of an Ellipse

The standard equation for an ellipse with a
horizontal major axis is
y 2 x2
2
+ 2 =1
a b
given by 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂 > 𝒃 . Let c= √ a2−b2 .

Features of the graph of an ellipse:

• Center: point of origin (0,0)
• Foci: 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) & 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0)
 Each focus is c units away from the center
• Vertices: 𝑉1 (−𝑎, 0) & 𝑉2 (𝑎, 0)
 These are the endpoints of the major axis
 each vertex is 𝒂 units away from the center
 length of the major axis is 𝟐𝒂
• Covertices: 𝑊1 (0, −𝑏) & 𝑊2 (0, 𝑏)
 These are the endpoints of the minor axis
 Each covertex is 𝑏 units away from the center
 Length of the minor axis is 𝟐𝒃
 Since 𝑎 > 𝑏, the major axis is longer than the minor axis.
If we interchange the roles of x and y in the equation
x2 y 2
+ =1 , a>b
a2 b 2
the equation becomes
2 2
y x
2
+ 2
=1 , a>b
a b
The standard equation for an ellipse with a vertical major
axis.
Features of the graph of an ellipse:
• Center: point of origin (0,0)
• Foci: 𝐹1 (0, 𝑐) & 𝐹2 (0, −𝑐)
 Each focus is c units away from the center
• Vertices: 𝑉1 (0, 𝑎) & 𝑉2 (0, −𝑎)
 These are the endpoints of the major axis
 Each vertex is 𝒂 units away from the center
 Length of the major axis is 𝟐𝒂
• Covertices: 𝑊1 (−𝑏, 0) & 𝑊2 (𝑏, 0)
 These are the endpoints of the minor axis
 Each covertex is 𝑏 units away from the center
 Length of the minor axis is 𝟐𝒃
EXAMPLE
A. Give the coordinates of the foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse with the given
equation. Sketch the graph.
x2 y2
1. + =1
25 9
NOTE: The major axis of the given equation is horizontal since the denominator of 𝑥2 is
25 which is bigger than the denominator of 𝑦2.
Solution: Find first the values of a, b, & c.
𝑎2 = 25 , take the square root of both sides, therefore, 𝑎 = 5
𝑏2 = 9, take the square root of both sides, also 𝑏 = 3
To find c, let .
𝑐=
𝑐= →𝑐=4
• Center: C (0,0)
• Foci: 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) & 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0)
𝐹1 (−4, 0) & 𝐹2 (4, 0)
• Vertices: 𝑉1 (−𝑎, 0) & 𝑉2 (𝑎, 0)
𝑉1 (−5,0) & 𝑉2 (5,0)
• Covertices: 𝑊1 (0, 𝑏) & 𝑊2 (0, −𝑏)
𝑊1 (0,3) & 𝑊2 (0, −3)
 2 2
x y
2. + =1
16 25
NOTE: The major axis of the given equation is vertical since the denominator of 𝑦2 is 25
which is bigger than the denominator of 𝑥2.
Solution: Find first the values of a, b, & c.
𝑎2 = 25 , take the square root of both sides, then, 𝑎 = 5
𝑏2 = 16, take the square root of both sides, and 𝑏 = 4
To find c, let .
𝑐=
𝑐= →𝑐=3
• Center: C (0,0)
• Foci: 𝐹1 (0, 𝑐) & 𝐹2 (0, −𝑐)
𝐹1 (0,3) & 𝐹2 (0, −3)
• Vertices: 𝑉1 (0, 𝑎) & 𝑉2 (0, −𝑎)
𝑉1 (0,5) & 𝑉2 (0, −5)
• Covertices: 𝑊1 (−𝑏, 0) & 𝑊2 (𝑏, 0)
𝑊1 (−4,0) & 𝑊2 (4,0)

B. Find the standard equation of Ellipse satisfying the given conditions, center at (0,0):
1. Foci at (±2,0); one vertex at (4,0)
Solution:
Since the given foci and vertex are located on the x-axis, we can conclude that the
x2 y 2
major axis is horizontal, so the standard equation is in the form of 2 + 2 =1. The foci at
a b
(±2,0), we can find the values of 𝑐 =±2. Given the vertex at (4,0), so 𝑎 = 4, and 𝑎2 = 16.
We need to find the value of 𝑏2.

Let
, squaring both sides
→ 4 = 16 − 𝑏2
𝑏2 = 16 − 4
𝑏2 = 12
The standard equation of an ellipse satisfying the given condition is
2 2
x y
+ =1
16 12

2. Vertices (0, ±5); minor axis of length 6

Solution:
The given vertices are located on the y-axis which means that the major axis is vertical,
y 2 x2
so the standard equation of an ellipse is in the form of 2 + 2 =1.
a b
Given the value of 𝑎 = 5, so 𝑎 = 25. The length of the minor axis is 2𝑏, therefore, 2𝑏 = 6
2

𝑜𝑟 𝑏 = 3. You can find now 𝑏2 = 9.

The standard equation of an ellipse satisfying the given conditions is
y2 x2
+ =1
25 9
Activity A. Complete the table below. Identify if the major axis of an ellipse is
horizontal or vertical. Find the value of 𝑎2 & 𝑏2. (Write on your answer sheet/pad paper.)
Equation Major axis 𝑎2 𝑏2
x2 y2
+ =1
25 9
2 2
x y
+ =1
9 16
x2 y2
+ =1
20 25
x2 y 2
+ =1
9 25
2 2
x y
+ =1
49 36

Activity B.
x2 y2
Graph the given equation + =1 in a rectangular coordinate system and
36 25
complete the table.
Find the values of the following: 𝒂 = _____ 𝒃 = _____ 𝒄 = _____
Center:
Foci: (𝒄, 0)&(−𝒄, 0)
Vertices: (𝑎, 0)&(−𝑎, 0)
Covertices: (0, 𝑏)&(0, −𝑏)
Length of minor axis: 2b
Length of major axis: 2a
Length of foci: 2c

WRAP UP
ELLIPSE WITH CENTER AT (0,0)
Corresponding Graphs

x2 y 2 y 2 x2
2
+ 2 =1 2
+ 2 =1
a b a b
Let c= √ a2−b2 Let c= √ a2−b2
Center: (0,0) Center: (0,0)
Foci: (𝑐, 0)&(−𝑐, 0) Foci: (0, 𝑐)&(0, −𝑐)
Vertices: (𝑎, 0)&(−𝑎, 0) Vertices: (0, 𝑎)&(0, −𝑎)
Covertices: (0, 𝑏)&(0, −𝑏) Covertices: (𝑏, 0)&(−𝑏, 0)
Length of minor axis: 2b Length of minor axis: 2b
Length of major axis: 2a Length of major axis: 2a
 Length of foci: 2c Length of foci: 2c
Major axis: horizontal Major axis: vertical

POST TEST
A. GIVE WHAT IS ASKED.

1. What is the standard equation of an ellipse with a horizontal major axis, center at
(0,0)?
2. It is a set of all points on the plane, the sum of whose distances from two fixed
points is a constant.
2 2
x y
3. In the equation + =1 , what is the value of 𝑏2?
36 25
4. What is the standard equation of an ellipse with a major axis at (0, ±3), minor
axis at (±2,0) with center at (0,0)?
5. Determine the equation of an ellipse which satisfies the given conditions, 𝑎2 =
16, 𝑏2 = 4, center at point of origin, major axis is vertical.
B. Find the standard equation of an ellipse satisfying the given conditions. Sketch the graph.
1. Foci at (±4,0); one vertex at (5,0)
2. Vertices (0, ±6); minor axis of length 8