Pre-Calculus

Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Ellipses
Pre-Calculus – SHS
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Ellipses
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Michael O. Dagohoy
Editor: Geric D. Del Rosario
Reviewer: Steve G. Zacal, PhD
Management Team: Reynaldo M. Guillaena, CESO V
Emma A. Camporedondo, CESE
Basilio P. Mana-ay Jr., CESE
Alma C. Cifra, EdD.
Aris B. Juanillo, PhD
Antonio A. Apat

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Pre-Calculus
Quarter 1 Module 3:
Ellipses
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Pre-Calculus – Grade 11 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Ellipses!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed by educators both
from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher, or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their
personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st-century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the
module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You
also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their
learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they
do the tasks included in the module.

2
For the learner:

Welcome to the Pre-Calculus Grade 11 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Ellipses!

The hand is one of the most symbolized parts of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands, we may learn, create, and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner is
capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at
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This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
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This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or

What I Need to competencies you are expected to learn in
Know the module.
This part includes an activity that aims to
What I Know check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
What’s In the current lesson with the previous one.

In this portion, the new lesson will be

What’s New introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity, or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of
What is It the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.
This comprises activities for independent
What’s More practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
This includes summary of what you learned
What I Have from the lesson.
Learned

This section provides an activity that will

What I Can Do help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real-life situations or concerns.

3
 This is a task which aims to evaluate your
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competency.
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Additional to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
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retention of learned concepts.
This contains answers to all activities in the
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The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module.
Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities included in
the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to
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We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain a
deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the concept of Ellipses. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different
learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But
the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you
are now using.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. define an ellipse; and
2. determine the standard form of equation of an ellipse;

4
 What I Know

A. Identify the correct answer of the following statements. Write your answer on the
space provided before each number.
_______________1. It is a line segment that connects the vertices of an ellipse.

_______________2. What is the sum of the distances of the foci to any point on the ellipse
𝑥2 2
𝑎2
+ 𝑦2 = 1?
𝑏

(𝑥 + 2)2 𝑦2
_______________3. Find the center of the ellipse + = 1.
9 25

_______________4. What is the standard form of an ellipse defined by the equation 𝑥 2 +

2𝑦 2 + 2𝑥 − 12𝑦 + 11 = 0 ?
𝑥2 𝑦2
_______________5. Determine the foci of the ellipse + = 4 225.
169 25

B. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

𝑥2 𝑦2
6. Which of the following is the graph of the equation + = 36 ?
4 9

a. c.

b. d.

5
 (𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑦 − 3)2
7. Find the length of the minor axis of + = 1.
25 16

a. 6 b. 10 c. 12 d. 8

8. Which of the following equations represents an ellipse?

3(𝑥 + 4)2 (𝑦 − 1)2
a. (𝑥 + 2)2 + (𝑦 + 1)2 = 10 c. − =1
16 25

(𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑦 + 2)2
b. + =1 d. (𝑥 − 2)2 = −2(𝑦 − 5)
20 24

9. Determine the equation of the ellipse that defines the graph below.

(𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑦 + 1)2 (𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑦 − 1)2

a. + =1 c. + =1
9 16 16 9

(𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑦 + 1)2 (𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑦 − 1)2

b. + =1 d. + =1
16 9 9 16

10. Find the standard equation of an ellipse if the foci are (−7, 6) and (−1, 6), the sum of
the distances of any point from the foci is 14 .
(𝑥 − 6)2 (𝑦 − 6)2 (𝑥 + 4)2 (𝑦 − 6)2
a. + =1 c. + =1
40 49 49 40

(𝑥 + 3)2 (𝑦 − 3)2 (𝑥 + 7)2 (𝑦 + 1)2

b. + =1 d. + =1
49 40 40 49

6
 Lesson
Ellipses
1
What’s In

Let us consider the ellipse below.

𝑃2 (−2, 2.75) 𝑃1 (2, 2.75)

𝑃3 (−4, 1.8) 𝑃 (4, 1.8)

𝑉1 (5, 0) 𝑉2 (5, 0)
2𝑏
𝐹1 𝐹2

𝑃4 𝑃7
𝑃5 𝑃6

2𝑎

Figure 1

Determine the lengths of the following segments?

1.) a. F2V2 4.) a. F2P2

b. F1V2 b. F1P2

2.) a. F2P 5.) a. F2P3

b. F1P b. F1P3

3.) a. F2P1 6.) a. F2V1

b. F1P1 b. F1V1

7
 What’s New

Let us find the sum of lengths of the following segments in figure 1.

a.) F2V2 and F1V2

b.) F2P and F1P
c.) F2P1 and F1P1
d.) F2P2 and F1P2
e.) F2P3 and F1P3
f.) F2V1 and F1V1

Solution:

a.) F2V2 + F1V2 = 1 + 9 = 10

b.) F2P + F1P = 1.8 + 8.2 = 10

c.) F2P1 + F1P1 = 3.4 + 6.6 = 10

d.) F2P2 + F1P2 = 6.6 + 3.4 = 10

e.) F2P3 + F1P3 = 8.2 + 1.8 = 10

f.) F2V1 + F1V1 = 9 + 1 = 10

Based on the graph of the previous page, V1, P, P1, P2, P3 and V2 are the points
around the curve while the points F1 and F2 collinear to the vertices V1 and V2 are the
foci. We have observed that sum of the lengths of these segments are equal. If we are
going to find the length of the segment that connects the vertices V1 and V2, the sum is
also equal to 10.
The collection of all such points around the curve forms an ellipse.

8
 What is It

Let F1 and F2 be two distinct points. The set of all points P,

whose sum of its distances from F1 and from F2 is a constant (2a), is
called an ellipse. The points F1 and F2 are called the foci of the ellipse.

𝑊2 (0, 𝑏)
𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦)
(((a.0)

𝑉1 𝑉 2𝑏
𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) 𝐶(0,0) 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0) 2

𝑊1 (0, −𝑏)

2𝑎

Figure 2

We will now derive the standard form of an ellipse centered at (0,0). Let 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) be
a point on the ellipse, 𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) and 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0) be the foci and 2𝑎 be the sum of the distances
of the foci from point P. Thus, we have 𝑃𝐹1 + 𝑃𝐹2 = 2𝑎.

Solution:

𝑃𝐹1 = 2𝑎 − 𝑃𝐹2

√(𝑥 + 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑎 − √(𝑥 − 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2

𝑥 2 + 2𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎2 − 4𝑎√(𝑥 − 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 − 2𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2

𝑎√(𝑥 − 𝑐)2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐𝑥
𝑎2 (𝑥 2 − 2𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 + 𝑦 2 ) = 𝑎4 − 2𝑎2 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 𝑥 2
𝑎2 𝑥 2 − 𝑐 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 𝑦 2 = 𝑎4 − 𝑎2 𝑐 2
2
(𝑎2 − 𝑐2 )𝑥2 + 𝑎2 𝑦2 = 𝑎2 (𝑎2 − 𝑐 )

We let 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 , where 𝑎 > 𝑐. Hence, we have 𝑏 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 𝑏 2. Divide both

𝑥2 𝑦2
sides by 𝑎2 𝑏 2. Therefore, the standard form is 2 + = 1.
𝑎 𝑏2

9
Properties of an Ellipse
Consider again the ellipse below.

𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝑊2 (0, 𝑏)
(((a.0)

𝑉1 (−𝑎, 0) 𝑉2 (a,0) 2𝑏
𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) 𝐶(0,0) 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0)

𝑊1 (0, −𝑏)

2𝑎

Figure 3

1. Center : origin C(0, 0)

2. Foci: F1(−c, 0) and F2(c, 0)

• Each focus is c units away from the center.

• The sum of the distances of any point P on the ellipse from the foci is 2a.
3. Vertices: V1(−a, 0) and V2(a, 0)
• The vertices are opposite points on the ellipse, collinear with the center and foci.
• If y = 0, then x = ± a. Each vertex is a units away from the center.
• The segment whose endpoints are V1 and V2 is called the major axis. Its length is
2a. It divides the ellipse into two congruent parts. Its half which is a is known as
semi-major axis.
4. Covertices: W1(0, −b) and W2(0, b)
• The segment through the center, perpendicular to the major axis, is the minor axis
whose endpoints are the covertices W1 and W2. Its length is 2b units long. Since
a > b, the major axis is longer than the minor axis. Minor axis also divides the
ellipse into two congruent parts. Its half which is b is known as semi-minor axis.
• If x = 0, then y = ±b. Each covertex is b units away from the center.

10
a. Horizontal Ellipse Centered at (0,0)

𝑊2 (0, 𝑏)
(((a.0)

𝑉1 (−𝑎, 0) 𝑉2 (𝑎, 0) 2𝑏
𝐹1 (−𝑐, 0) 𝐶(0,0) 𝐹2 (𝑐, 0)(((a.0)

𝑊1 (0, −𝑏)
2𝑎

𝑥2 𝑦2
𝑎 2 + 2 = 1 (where a > b)
𝑏
Figure 4

b. Vertical Ellipse Centered at (0,0)

𝑉2 (0, 𝑎)
(((a.0)
𝐹2 (0, 𝑐)

𝑊1 (−𝑏, 0) 𝑊2 (𝑏, 0)
(((a.0) 2𝑎
𝐶(0,0)

𝐹1 (0, −𝑐)

𝑉1 (0, −𝑎)
2𝑏
𝑦2 𝑥2
𝑎 2 + 2 = 1 (where a > b)
𝑏
Figure 5

11
c. Horizontal Ellipse Centered at (h,k)

𝑊2 (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑏)
(((a.0)

𝑉1 (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘) 𝑉2 (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘)
• •
𝐹1 (ℎ − 𝑐, 𝑘) 𝐶(ℎ, 𝑘) 𝐹2 (ℎ + (((a.0)
𝑐, 𝑘)

𝑊1 (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑏)

2 2
(𝑥−ℎ)
𝑎2
+ (𝑦−𝑘)
2 =1 (𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 > 𝑏)
𝑏
Figure 6

d. Vertical Ellipse Centered at (h,k)

𝑉2 (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑎)
(((a.0)
• 𝐹2 (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑐)

𝑊1 (ℎ − 𝑏, 𝑘) 𝑊2 (ℎ + 𝑏, 𝑘)
𝐶(ℎ, 𝑘) (((a.0)

• 𝐹1 (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑐)

𝑉1 (ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑎)

(𝑦−𝑘)2 (𝑥−ℎ)2
+ =1 (𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 > 𝑏)
𝑎2 𝑏2
Figure 7

12
 𝑥2 𝑦2
Example 1. Given the ellipse + = 1, determine the points of the foci, vertices, and
25 9
covertices of the curve. Sketch the graph, and include these points.
Solution:

This is an example of horizontal ellipse whose center is at (0,0) since the

denominator of 𝑥 2 is greater than the denominator of 𝑦 2 . To solve for the foci,

c = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = √25 − 9 = 4.

Since 𝑎2 = 25 and 𝑏 2 = 9, it follows that a = 5 and b = 3. Therefore,

Foci: (4,0) and -4,0)
Vertices: (5,0) and (-5,0)
Covertices: (0,3) and (0,-3)

Graph:
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ = 1
25 9
•(0,3)

(−5,0)• •(−4,0) (4,0)• •(5,0)

•(0, −3)

Figure 8

Example 2. Give the coordinates of the center, foci, vertices, and covertices of the ellipse
with the given equation. Sketch the graph, and include these points.

( 𝑥 + 2) 2 (𝑦 – 3)2
a. + = 1
12 16
(𝑥 − 7)2 (𝑦 + 2)2
b. + = 1
64 36

Solution:
a. This is an example of vertical ellipse whose center (h, k) is at (-2, 3) since the
denominator of (𝑦 − 3) 2 is greater than the denominator of (𝑥 + 2)2 . To solve for the foci,
c = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = √16 − 12 = 2.

13
 Since 𝑎2 = 16 and 𝑏 2 = 12, then a = 4 and b = 2√3 ≈ 3.5. Therefore,
Foci: (h, k + c) = (-2, 5) and (h, k - c) = (-2, 1)
Vertices: (h, k + a) = (-2, 7 ) and (h, k - a) = (-2, -1)
Covertices: (h + b, k) = (−2 + 2√3, 3) and (h - b, k) = (−2 − 2√3, 3)

Graph:

( 𝒙 + 𝟐) 𝟐 ( 𝒚 – 𝟑) 𝟐
•(−2,7) + = 𝟏
𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟔

•(−2,5)

•(−5.5,3) •(−2,3) •(1.5,3)

•(−2,3)

•(−2, −1)

Figure 9

b. This is an example of horizontal ellipse whose center is at (7,-2) since the

denominator of (𝑥 − 7) 2 is greater than the denominator of (𝑦 + 2)2 . To solve for the foci,
c = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = √64 − 36 = √28 = 2√7 ≈ 5.3.

Since 𝑎2 = 64 and 𝑏 2 = 36, then a = 8 and b = 6. Therefore,

Foci: (h + c, k) = (12.3, -2) and (h - c, k) = (1.7, -2)
Vertices: (h + a, k) = (15, -2) and (h - a, k) = (-1, -2)
Covertices: (h, k + b) = (7, 4) and (h, k - b) = (7, -8)

14
Graph:
( 𝒙 − 𝟕) 𝟐 ( 𝒚 + 𝟐) 𝟐
+ = 𝟏
𝟔𝟒 𝟑𝟔

•(7,4)

•(−1, −2) •(1.7, −2) •(7, −2) •(12.3, −2)•(15, -2)

•(7, −8)

Figure 10

Example 4. The foci of an ellipse are (−4 −5) and (8, -5). For any point on the ellipse,
the sum of its distances from the foci is 20. Find the standard equation of
the ellipse.
Solution:

Since the sum of any point on the ellipse from the foci is 20, then 2a =20. Hence,
a = 10. Determine the midpoint of the foci to get the center. So, the midpoint is
−4+8 −5+(−5)
( , ) = (2, −5).
2 2

The distance between the foci is solved by half the absolute value of the difference
between the x-coordinates of the foci since they are collinear horizontally. That is,
1
𝑐= |(8 − (−4)| = 6.
2

Finally, solve for b. Note that b = √𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 . Since a = 10 and 𝑐 = 6. Thus,

b = √102 − 62 = 8.
(𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑦 + 5)2
Therefore, the standard equation of the ellipse is + = 1 or
102 82

(𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑦 + 5)2
+ = 1.
100 64

15
 What’s More

Activity 1.1
Identify the correct answer of the following statements. Write your response on
the blank.

_______________1. It is a segment whose endpoints are the vertices of an ellipse.

_______________2. It is an intersection point of the major-axis and minor axis.

(𝑥 − 3)2 (𝑦−2)2
_______________3. What are the foci of the ellipse + = 1?
64 100

_______________4. What is the center of an ellipse defined by the equation

𝑥2
+ (𝑦 + 12)2 = 1?
12

Activity 1.2
(𝑥 − 7)2 (𝑦 + 2)2
Using the ellipse whose equation is + = 1, identify the following
64 36
properties. Write your response on the blank.

________________5. Vertices

________________6. Covertices

________________7. Center

________________8. Foci

________________9. Length of the Major Axis

________________10. Length of the Minor Axis

16
 What I Have Learned

Summary

➢ An ellipse is a conic formed by the set of all points P(x, y) whose sum of its
distance from the foci is a constant 2a. The constant 2a is also the length of its
major axis while 2b is the length of the minor axis.
➢ The intersection of the major and minor axis is the center of an ellipse. The
endpoints of the major axis and minor axis are called vertices and covertices_
respectively.
➢ The points that lie on the major axis of an ellipse are called foci (c). This can be
obtained by using the formula 𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 where a is the semi-major axis while
b is the semi-minor axis.
2 2
(𝑥−ℎ)
➢ The standard form of a horizontal ellipse is
𝑎2
+ (𝑦−𝑘)
2 = 1 while vertical ellipse
𝑏
2 2
(𝑦−𝑘)
is
𝑎2
+ (𝑥−ℎ)
2 = 1.
𝑏

What I Can Do

Draw the graph of the following ellipses. Identify the center, vertices, covertices and foci.
𝑥2 𝑦2
1. + 25 = 1
20
(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑦 − 5)2
2. + =1
64 9

17
 Assessment

A. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

𝑥2 𝑦2
1. Which of the following are the foci of the equation + =1?
8 4

a. (−2,0) and (2,0) c. (4,0) and (−4,0)

b. (2√3, 0) and (−2√3, 0) d. (4√3, 0) and (−4√3, 0)

(𝑥 + 3)2 (𝑦 + 8)2
2. Find the length of the major axis of + = 1.
28 16

a. 4√11 b. 4√3 c. 8 d. 4√7

3. Which of the following equations is a horizontal ellipse?

𝑥2 (𝑦 + 3)2 (𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑦 − 1)2
a. + =1 c. − =1
25 169 16 9

(𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑦 − 4)2 (𝑥 − 5)2 (𝑦 − 4)2

b. + =1 d. − =1
36 25 4 10

4. The coordinates of the ellipse that are terminal points of the major axis are called
a. foci b. vertices c. covertices d. center

𝑥2 (𝑦 − 2 )2
5. Which of the following is the center of the ellipse + = 1?
9 4

a. (3, 2) c. (0, 2)
b. (2, 3) d. (2, 0)

6. Find the length of the segment formed by the center, and one of the foci of the ellipse
in the item number 5.

a. √5 c. √13
b. 5 d. 13

18
B. Given the graph below, identify the following properties of the ellipse. Write your
answer on the blank provided before each number.

________________7. Vertices

________________8. Foci

________________9. Center

________________10. Covertices

________________11. Length of the major axis

________________12. The standard form of the equation

19
 20
What I know
A.
4. Major axis
5. 2a
6. (-2,0)
(𝑥+1)2 (𝑦−3)2
4. + =1
8 4
5. (-12,0) & (12,0)
B.
6. a
7. d
8. b
9. d
10. c
What's More Assessment
Activity 1.1 A.
1. a
1. major axis
2. center 2. d
3. (3, 5) & (3, -1)
4. (0, -12) 3. b
Activity 1.2 4. b
5. c
5. (-1, -2) & (15, -2) 6. a
6. (7, -8) & (7, 4)
7. (7, -2) B.
8. (1.7, -2) & (12.3, -2) 7. (-2,-3) & (-2,5)
9. 8 8. (-2, 1+√7) & (-2, 1-√7
10. 6 9. (-2, 1)
10. (-5,1) & (1,1)
11. 4
(𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑦 − 1)2
12. + =1
9 16
Answer Key
References

DepEd BLR (2016). Precalculus: Learner’s Material. Department of Education.

Quirino and Mijares (1993). Analytic Geometry. Royal Publishing House, Inc.

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