MODULE 3: EXPLORING THE ELLIPSE

Learning Targets
At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:
1. define ellipse as a conic section;
2. determine the standard form and general form of equation of an ellipse;
3. transform the standard from of equation into general for and vice versa;
4. graph ellipses in a rectangular coordinate system; and
5. solve situational problems involving ellipse.

LESSON 3.1 UNDERSTANDING THE GENERAL AND STANDARD EQUATIONS OF AN ELLIPSE

Ellipse is the set of all points on a plane such that the sum of the distance of its points from two fixed
point is constant. The two fixed points are called foci (singular: “focus”).
An ellipse has two axes of symmetry called the major axis (also called as the principal axis and focal
axis) and the minor axis. The major axis is the longer axis which always contains the foci, vertices, and center
of the ellipse; while minor axis is the shorter axis which is also the perpendicular bisector of the major axis.
In an ellipse, the foci are always inside the ellipse and are contained by the major axis.
The endpoints of the major axis are called vertices which are represented by ±a; while, the endpoints of
its minor axis are called co-vertices which are represented by ±b.
Another part of an ellipse is its center. The center of an ellipse is the intersection of the two axes of
symmetry. This is the midpoint between the two foci, and also the midpoint between the two vertices.
A chord passing through a focus of an ellipse which is perpendicular to its major axis is called the latus
rectum.
A line outside the ellipse that is parallel to the minor axis and has the same distance from the vertex like
the focus, is called the directrix.
Since an ellipse has two foci, there are also two latera recta (plural latus rectum) and two vertices (plural
of directrix).
Types of Ellipses
An ellipse can be classified as horizontal ellipse or vertical ellipse.
An ellipse is horizontal if it major axis is the x-axis or is parallel to the x-axis.
An ellipse is vertical if its major axis is the y-axis or is parallel to the y-axis.

The General and Standard Equations of an Ellipse

A. General Form – where A, B, C, D, and E are constants.
1. Ellipse with center at the origin
Ax2 + By2 – C = 0

2. Ellipse with center at (h, k)

Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0

B. Standard Form – where (h, k) are the coordinates of the center and a2 refers to the square of the
vertices and b2 refers to the square of the co-vertices.
1. Ellipse with center at the origin

1|PRECALCULUS, 1st Semester, AY 2023-2024 MSU-Binidayan CHS

 2 2
x y
2
+ 2 =1 (Horizontal Ellipse)
a b
2 2
x y
2
+ 2
=1 (Vertical Ellipse)
b a
2. Ellipse with center at the (h, k)
( x−h )2 ( y −k )2
+ =1 (Horizontal Ellipse)
a2 b2
( x−h )2 ( y −k )2
+ =1 (Vertical Ellipse)
b2 a2

Transforming the Equations of an Ellipse from General Form to Standard Form

It is very essential to learn how to transform a general form of equation in its standard form especially in
cases of graphing a curve on the rectangular coordinate system. Let us recall that the general form of equation
of an ellipse is either Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0 or Ax2 + By2 – C = 0.

CASE 1. When the center of the Ellipse is at the Origin

Examples:
1. Write the equation 4x2 + 9y2 – 36 = 0 in standard form.
2. Write the equation 9x2 + 16y2 – 144 = 0 in standard form.

CASE 2. When the center of the Ellipse is at (h, k)

Examples:
1. Write the equation 3x2 + 2y2 – 6x – 12y + 15 = 0
2. Write the equation x2 + 2y2 – 2x + 8y – 11 = 0
Transforming the Equations of an Ellipse from Standard Form to General Form
CASE 1. When the center of the Ellipse is at the Origin
Examples:
2 2
x y
1. Express the equation of an ellipse + =1 in general form.
4 1
2 2
x y
2. Express the equation of an ellipse + =1 in general form.
9 25
CASE 2. When the center of the Ellipse is at (h, k)
Examples:
( x−1 )2 ( y−2 )2
1. Express the equation of an ellipse + =1 in general form.
9 4
( x+3 )2 ( y−5 )2
2. Express the equation of an ellipse + =1 in general form.
4 16
LESSON 3.2 SKETCHING THE GRAPH OF AN ELLIPSE IN A RECTANGULAR COORDINATE
SYSTEM
To graph an ellipse given its equation, we have to determine its type and its major axis to easily locate
the other parts.

CASE 1. Characteristics of an Ellipse with Center at the Origin (0, 0)

Center: (0, 0) Ellipse with foci on the x - axis Ellipse with foci on the y - axis
2 2 2 2
x y x y
2
+ 2
=1 2
+ 2
=1
Equation a b b a
Where a> b, b≠0 and Where a> b, b≠0 and
c= √ a −b
2 2
c= √ a −b
2 2

Vertices (± a , 0) (0 , ± a)
Co-Vertices (0 , ± b) (± b , 0)
Foci (± c ,0) (0 , ± c)
Major Axis Equation: y=0 Equation: x=0
Location: On the x – axis Location: On the y – axis
Length: 2 a Length: 2 a

2|PRECALCULUS, 1st Semester, AY 2023-2024 MSU-Binidayan CHS

 Endpoints: (± a , 0) Endpoints: (0 , ± a)
Equation: x=0 Equation: y=0
Location: On the y – axis Location: On the x – axis
Minor Axis
Length: 2 b Length: 2 b
Endpoints: (0 , ± b) Endpoints: (± b , 0)
2 2
a a
Directrices x=± y=±
c c
Equation: x=± c Equation: y=±c
Direction: Vertical Direction: Horizontal
2 2
2b 2b
Latus Rectum Length: Length:
a a

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 2
b b b b
Endpoints: −c , ± and −c , ± Endpoints: ± ,−c and ± , c
a a a a
−a ≤ x ≤ a −b ≤ x ≤ b
Permissible Values
−b ≤ y ≤b −a ≤ y ≤ a

Note that the focal axis always contains the foci, vertices, and the center.

Examples:
2 2
x y
1. Graph the ellipse with the equation + =1
24 16
2 2
x y
2. Graph the ellipse with the equation + =1
36 16
3. Graph the ellipse with the equation 9 x 2+ 16 y 2−144=0

CASE 2. Characteristics of an Ellipse with Center at (h, k)

Center: (h, k) Ellipse with foci on a line parallel to Ellipse with foci on a line parallel to
the x - axis the y - axis
( x−h )2 ( y −k )2 ( x−h )2 ( y −k )2
+ =1 + =1
Equation a2 b2 b2 a2
Where a> b, b≠0 and Where a> b, b≠0 and
c= √ a −b
2 2
c= √ a −b
2 2

Vertices (h ± a , k ) (h , k ± a)
Co-Vertices (h , k ± b) (h ± b , k )
Foci (h ± c , k) (h , k ± c)
Equation: y=k Equation: x=h
Direction: Horizontal Direction: Vertical
Major Axis
Length: 2 a Length: 2 a
Endpoints: (h ± a , k ) Endpoints: (h , k ± a)
Equation: x=h Equation: y=k
Location: Vertical Location: Horizontal
Minor Axis
Length: 2 b Length: 2 b
Endpoints: (h , k ± b) Endpoints: (h ± b , k )
2 2
a a
Directrices x=h ± y=k ±
c c
Equation: x=h ± c Equation: y=±c
Direction: Vertical Direction: Horizontal
2 2
2b 2b
Length: Length:
a a
Latus Rectum
( ) ( )
2 2
b b
Endpoints: h−c , k ± and Endpoints: h ± , k −c and
a a

( ) ( )
2 2
b b
h+ c , k ± h± ,k+c
a a
h−a ≤ x ≤ h+a h−b ≤ x ≤ h+b
Permissible Values
k −b ≤ y ≤ k + b k−a ≤ y ≤ k+ a

3|PRECALCULUS, 1st Semester, AY 2023-2024 MSU-Binidayan CHS

 Note that if a 2 is the denominator of ( x−h )2, the major axis is horizontal. If a 2 is the denominator of
( y−k )2, the major axis is vertical.

Examples:
( x+2 )2 ( y−3 )2
1. Graph the ellipse with the equation + =1.
9 25
( x−1 )2 ( y −2)2
2. Graph the ellipse with the equation + =1.
169 25
3. Graph the ellipse with the equation x 2+ 2 y 2 −2 x +8 y−11=0 .

LESSON 3.3 FINDING THE EQUATION OF AN ELLIPSE, GIVEN CERTAIN CONDITIONS

Given some conditions, we can find the equation of an ellipse by following certain steps. Study the
following examples.

Example 1. Find the equation of an ellipse with center at the origin, vertices at (±17, 0), and co-vertices at (0,
±15). Express the answer in standard form.

Example 2. Write the standard form of equation of an ellipse that has its center at the origin, has a horizontal
major axis which is 20 units long and has its foci at (±8, 0).

Example 3. Write the standard form of equation of an ellipse that has vertices at (5, 3) and (-5, 3) and
has co-vertices at (0, 6) and (0, 0).

Example 4. The major axis of an ellipse is 8 units long. Write its general form of equation when its center is at
the origin and its co-vertices are located at (0, ±2).

Example 5. Express the general form of equation of a vertical ellipse with its center at (1, -5), with a 2 = 3 and b2
= 2.

LESSON 3.4 SOLVING APPLIED PROBLEMS INVOLVING ELLIPSES

Let us now solve problems involving ellipses.

Example 1. The arch of a bridge is in the shape of a semi-ellipse, with its major axis at the water level. Suppose
the arch of 22 ft high in the middle, and 100 ft across its major axis. How high above the water
level in the arch, at a point 30 ft from the center (horizontally)?

Example 2. A 10-feet tall, 10-feet wide truck is approaching a tunnel on a one-way road. The arch at the
tunnel’s entrance forms the upper half of an ellipse with a height of 15 feet at the center and a
base of 12 feet wide. Consider that the center is at the origin, will the truck be able to fit through
the arch?

Example 3. If an elliptical ceiling of a city hall is 82 feet long and 18 feet wide, where are the foci of this
ceiling?

4|PRECALCULUS, 1st Semester, AY 2023-2024 MSU-Binidayan CHS