I.

Introduction
Much of real-world situations can be represented by ellipse, including satellites,
moons and comets, shapes of boats and some airplane wings, and orbits of planets in
our solar system around the sun happen to be elliptical in shape. These are common in
physics, astronomy, and engineering. Also, just like parabolas, ellipses have reflective
properties that have been used in the construction of certain structures. Discussion on
the definition of ellipses will be encountered in this lesson.

II. Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. define an ellipse;
2. identify the different parts of an ellipse;
3. determine the standard equation of an ellipse and;
4. solves problems involving ellipse.

III. Content

Lesson 4: Ellipses
Definition of an Ellipse

An ellipse is the set of points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from
each point to two fixed points is constant. Each of the two fixed points is called a focus
(plural, foci). The line containing the foci intersects the ellipse at points called vertices
(singular, vertex). The line segment between the vertices is called the major axis, and
its midpoint is the center of the ellipse. A line perpendicular to the major axis through
the center intersects the ellipse at points called the co-vertices, and the line segment
between the co-vertices is called the minor axis.

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An ellipse has the following parts:

(1) Center
 The center of the ellipse has coordinate (ℎ,k) or (0,0) if it is in the origin.
 The intersection between the major and minor axis.
(2) Foci
 Focus is singular.
 The foci are two fixed points inside the ellipse which are equidistance from the
center and lays along the major axis.
 For any point P on the ellipse, the sum of its distance from the foci is equal to the
length of the major axis.
(3) Vertices
 The vertices are points on the ellipse, collinear with the center and foci.
 A vertex is the endpoint of the major axis and is 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 away from the center.
Thus the segment from one vertex to the other is 2a.
(4) Co-vertices
 The endpoints of the minor axis, perpendicular to the major axis.
 The length of the segment from the co-vertices is 2b.
(5) Latus rectum
 The chord that passes through a focus and is perpendicular to the major axis.

Equation of an Ellipse

Center Major axis Standard Equation TypGraph

2 2
x y
(0, 0) x-axis + =1 , a>b horizontal
a2 b 2
x2 y 2
(0, 0) y-axis 2
+ 2 =1 , a<b vertical
a b
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
(h, k) x-axis 2
+ 2
=1 ,a >b horizontal
a b
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
(h, k) y-axis + =1 ,a <b vertical
a2 b2

Properties of an Ellipse:

 If a>b, (shows in Figure1) then the Ellipse was graphed horizontally, then the
major axis is along with the x-axis and the minor axis is along with the y-axis.

 If a<b, (shows in Figure 2) then the Ellipse was graphed vertically, then the
major axis is along with the y-axis and minor axis is along with the y-axis

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 Figure 1 Figure 2

Example 1. Determine the (standard) equation of the ellipse (centered at the origin)
with horizontal major axis length is 8 and minor axis length is 6.

Solutions:

It is clearly stated in the problem that we have a horizontal ellipse, centered in

x2 y 2
the origin. Thus, the equation will be used is in the form, 2 + 2 =1
a b

The length of the major axis is 2 a=8, so a=4 and a 2=16

The length of the minor axis is 2 b=6, so b=3 and b 2=9

2 2
x y
The Standard equation of an Ellipse is + =1
16 9

Example 2. Determine the (standard) equation of an ellipse whose major axis is

vertical, with the center located at (-1, 3) the distance between the center and one of the
covertices equal to 4, and the distance between the center and one of the vertices equal
to 6.

Solutions:
As stated above, we have a vertical ellipse centered at h, k(-1, 3). Thus, the
( x−h )2 ( y−k )2
equation will be used is in the form, + =1 where, ¿ b .
a2 b2

Center at (-1, 3) so, h=−1, k =3

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 The length of the major axis is 2 a=4 , so a=2 and a 2=4

The length of the minor axis is 2 b=6, so b=3 and b 2=9

( x+1 )2 ( y −3 )2
The Standard equation of an Ellipse is 2
+ 2
=1.
4 9

Example 3. Determine the (standard) equation of the ellipse (center at the origin)
whose foci are F1(-3, 0) and F2(-3, 0), such that for any point on it, the sum of its
distances from the foci (major axis) is 10.

Solutions:
According to the problem, we have a horizontal ellipse because it was stated in
the problem that the sum of distances of our foci is 10 which is our major axis, and our
x2 y 2
center is at the origin. Thus, the equation of an ellipse is in the form, 2 + 2 =1 ;a>b .
a b

The length of the major axis is 2 a=10, so a=5 and a 2=25

To find the value of b , please study the illustrations bellow;

Figure 3

According to the definition, An ellipse is the set of all points in a plane such that
the sum of the distances from two points (foci) is a constant.

F1(-c, 0) and F2(c, 0) be two distinct points in. The set of all points P(x, y), whose
distances from F1(-c, 0) and F2(c, 0) add up to a certain constant.

We let b 2=a2−c 2, we assumed a> b. To see why this is true, look at ∆ P F1 F2 in

Figure 3. By The Triangle Inequality F 1 + PF 2 > F 1 F 2 , which implies 2 a>2 b, so a> b.

The constants a , b , and c are related by the equation;

2 2 2
b =a −c
or a
2 2 2 b
b + a =c

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 where a> b. c
Now, if we let the value b (minor axis) as points P(x, y) in the ellipse we can solve
the value b (minor axis) by applying this equation b 2=a2−c 2.

Thus, to find b ,
2 2 2
b =a −c
b= √ a −c
2 2

b=√ (5)2−(3)2 substitute the values ofa and c .

b=√ 25−9
b=√ 16
b=4
The length of minor axis 2 b = 8, so b = 4 and b 2=16.
2 2
x y
The Standard equation of an Ellipse is + =1
25 16

Example 4. Determine the (standard) equation of the ellipse whose foci are F1(-5, 0)
and F2(5, 0), and vertices are V1(-8,0) and V2(8,0)

Solution:

The foci are on the x-axis, so the major axis is the x-axis and the center of an
2 2
x y
ellipse is at the origin. Thus, the equation will be in the form, 2 + 2 =1.
a b

The vertices are V1(-8,0) and V2(8,0), so a=8 and a 2 = 64

The foci are F1(-5, 0) and F2(5, 0), so c=5 and a 2 = 25

We know that vertices and foci are related by the equation c 2=a2−b 2.
Solving for b 2, we have
2 2 2
b =a −c
b 2=642 −252 substitute c 2 and a 2
2
b =39 solve for b 2

Now we need to substitute a 2=64 and b 2=39 into the standard form of the equation.
2 2
x y
The Standard equation of an Ellipse is + =1
64 39

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Example 5. The orbit of the planet Pluto around the Sun can be modeled by an ellipse,
with the Sun at one focus. The Sun is approximately 1467.74 million kilometers from the
center of the ellipse. At its closest point, Pluto is approximately 4445.78 million
kilometers from the Sun. The minimum distance from Pluto to the center of the ellipse is
approximately 5728.48 million kilometers. Write an equation for the model and sketch
the graph of the equation.

Solution:
A sketch using the given information will help us to determine the model.

Therefore, we know the following:

a=4445.78+1467.74=5913.52 million kilometers

b=5728.48 million kilometers.

The Standard Equation of an Ellipse that models the orbital path of Pluto is

x2 y2
+ =1
5913.522 5728.48 2

IV. Assessment
A. Multiple Choice.
Directions: Read and understand each question. Encircle the letter of the correct
answer.

1. It is the point of intersection of the line perpendicular to the directrix which passes
through the focus cuts the ellipse.
a. Axis of Symmetry c. Foci
b. Vertex d. Center

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 2. These are the two points inside of an ellipse.
a. Foci c. Ellipse
b. Parabola d. Vertex

3. Which of the following is the standard equation of an ellipse centered at the

origin?
2 2 2 2
x y x y
a. 2 2 =1 c. 2 =2
a b z

x2 y 2 x2 y 2
b. 2 + 2 =1 d. 2 − 2 =1
a b a b

4. Defined as the set of all points in a plane such that the sum of the distances from
two points (foci) is a constant.
a. Parabola c. Circle
b. Hyperbola d. Ellipse

5. For any point in the ellipse, the sum of its distances from the foci is __________.
a. 2 a c. 2 b
2
b. a d. b 2

B. Modified True or False.

Directions: Identify whether the given statement is true or false. If false, change
the underlined word to make the statement correct.

6. An ellipse may also be defined in terms of one focal point and a line outside the
ellipse called the directrix.

7. Ellipses may have similarities with parabolas and hyperbolas, both of which are
close and bounded.

8. A circle is an ellipse with one focus which is the center.

9. The minor axis is always bigger than the major axis.

10. The focus of the ellipse is the point of intersection between minor and major axis.

C. Problem Solving.
Directions: Read the problem and answer the questions that follow. Write your answer
on the space provided.

A whispering gallery is an elliptical-shaped

room with a dome-shaped ceiling. If two people stand
at the foci of the ellipse and whisper, they can hear
each other, but others in the room cannot. Statuary
Hall in the U.S. Capitol Building is a whispering

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gallery. The dimensions of the elliptical-shaped hall are 95 feet by 75 feet. Write an
equation that models the shape of the hall.

Answer: ____________________________
V. References
Albay, Eduard M. (2016) DIWA Senior High Series: Precalculus. DIWA Learning
System Inc. Makati, Philippines

Department of Education. Bureau of Learning Resources. Precalculus Learner’s

Material. Philippines: Lexicon Press Inc., 2016

Department of Education. Bureau of Learning Resources. Precalculus Teacher’s Guide.

Philippines: Lexicon Press Inc., 2016

Pelias, John Gabriel P.( 2016) REX: Precalculus. REX Book Store. Manila, Philippines