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Basic Concepts On Ellipses

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24 views

Basic Concepts On Ellipses

Uploaded by

qsmath
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic Concepts on Ellipses

Qiang Song MathClass

1. Definition: An ellipse is the set of all points P in a plane such that the sum of the
distances from P to two distinct points (the foci) is constant.

2. The longer axis is called major axis, which is 2a in length. The shorter one is called
minor axis, which is 2b in length. a is the distance from the center to the
intersection of the ellipse and the axis of symmetry, and so is b.

3. Relation between foci and axis: where c is the distance from the center to
each of the foci.

4. If the foci are on a line which is horizontal, then, the standard form of the equation is
where a > b and the center is (h, k).

If the foci are on a line that is vertical, then the standard form of the equation is
where a > b and the center is (h, k).

5. Foci: (h-c, k) and (h+c, k) if major axis is horizontal


Vertices: (h-a, k) and (h+a, k) if major axis is horizontal
Covertices: (h, k-b) and (h, k+b) on minor axis

Foci: (h, k-c) and (h, k+c) if major axis is vertical


Covertices: (h-b, k) and (h+b, k) on minor axis
Vertices: (h, k-a) and (h, k+a) if major axis is vertical

6. Use complete square to obtain the standard from the general form

7. Eccentricity (optional)
8. Area formula: A =
9. Latus Rectum:

1
How to solve:

 Given end points of major axis and end points of minor axis, how to write
standard form of equation?

 Given a general form of equations, how to write standard form?

 Given vertices and foci, how to write the standard form?

 Given foci and end points of major axis (minor axis), how to write the standard
form?

 Given a graph, how to write the standard form?

 Given center, a focus, and a vertex, how to write the standard form?

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