Ellipse with foci on the x-axis Ellipse with foci on the y-axis

Center (0,0)
(Horizontal) (Vertical)
Equation 𝒙 𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒙 𝟐 𝒚𝟐
+ =𝟏 + =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒂𝟐

Where 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 and 𝑎 > 𝑏 Where 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 and 𝑎 > 𝑏

Vertices Coordinates: (±𝑎, 0) Coordinates: (0, ±𝑎)
(Major Axis) Length: 2𝑎 Length: 2𝑎
Foci Coordinates: (±𝑐, 0) Coordinates: (0, ±𝑐)
Covertices Coordinates: (0, ±𝑏) Coordinates: (±𝑏, 0)
(Minor Axis) Length: 2𝑏 Length: 2𝑏
Latus Rectum Endpoints: (−𝑐, ±
𝑏2
) (𝑐, ±
𝑏2
) Endpoints: (±
𝑏2
, −𝑐) (±
𝑏2
, 𝑐)
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
2𝑏2 2𝑏2
Length: Length:
𝑎 𝑎
Equation: 𝑥 = ±𝑐 Equation: 𝑦 = ±𝑐

Ellipse with foci on a line Ellipse with foci on a line

Center (h,k) parallel to the x-axis parallel to the y-axis
(Horizontal) (Vertical)
Equation (𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝒉) 𝟐 (𝒚 − 𝒌)𝟐
+ =𝟏 + =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒂𝟐

Where 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 and 𝑎 > 𝑏 Where 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 and 𝑎 > 𝑏

Vertices Coordinates: (ℎ ± 𝑎, 𝑘) Coordinates: (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑎)
(Major Axis) Length: 2𝑎 Length: 2𝑎
Foci Coordinates: (ℎ ± 𝑐, 𝑘) Coordinates: (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑐)
Covertices Coordinates: (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑏) Coordinates: (ℎ ± 𝑏, 𝑘)
(Minor Axis) Length: 2𝑏 Length: 2𝑏
Latus Rectum Endpoints: Endpoints:
𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑏2
(ℎ − 𝑐, 𝑘 ± ) (ℎ + 𝑐, 𝑘 ± ) (ℎ ± , 𝑘 − 𝑐) (ℎ ± ,𝑘 + 𝑐)
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
2𝑏2 2𝑏2
Length: Length:
𝑎 𝑎
Equation: 𝑥 = ℎ ± 𝑐 Equation: 𝑦 = 𝑘 ± 𝑐

Note: The FOCAL AXIS always contains the foci, vertices, and the center.