MATH04

Pre-Calculus
Course Outcome 6
Lesson 1: Ellipses

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Ellipse
Ellipse is the locus of a point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) in a plane which moves such
that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is constant.

𝑓1 𝑓2

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Ellipse
Ellipse is the locus of a point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) in a plane which moves such
that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is constant.

𝑑1 𝑑2

𝑓1 𝑓2

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Ellipse
Ellipse is the locus of a point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) in a plane which moves such
that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is constant.

𝑑1 𝑑2
𝑑2′
𝑑1′

𝑓1 𝑓2

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Ellipse
Ellipse is the locus of a point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) in a plane which moves such
that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is constant.

𝑑1 + 𝑑2 = 𝑑1′ + 𝑑2 ′

𝑓1 𝑓2

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Ellipse
Ellipse is the locus of a point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) in a plane which moves such
that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is constant.
Minor Axis

Major Axis
𝑉1 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 𝑉2
𝑓1 𝑓2

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 The two fixed points are called foci
COURSE OUTCOME 6 Major Axis – segment cut by the ellipse on
the line containing the foci.
Minor Axis – segment cut by the ellipse that
is perpendicular to the major axis.
Vertices – the endpoints of the diameter
through the foci.
Latus Rectum – the segment cut by the
Minor Axis ellipse passing through the foci
Eccentricity – measure the degree of flatness
𝑎 of an ellipse

𝑐 𝑏

Major Axis
𝑉1 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 𝑉2
𝑓1 𝑓2

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Standard Equation of Ellipse: Horizontal
𝑥−ℎ 2 𝑦−𝑘 2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
Minor Axis
𝑎

𝑐 𝑏

Major Axis
𝑉1 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 𝑉2
𝑓1 𝑓2

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Standard Equation of Ellipse: Horizontal
𝑥−ℎ 2 𝑦−𝑘 2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
Minor Axis

For an ellipse,
𝑎 By Pythagorean Relations:
𝑏
𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2
Major Axis
𝑉1 𝑐 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘 𝑉2
𝑓1 𝑓2
(semi) Major Axis

(semi) Minor Axis

𝒅 from Center to focus

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Latus Rectum(length) Standard Equation of Ellipse: Horizontal
2𝑏 2 𝑥−ℎ 2 𝑦−𝑘 2
𝐿𝑅 = + =1
𝑎 𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
Eccentricity: 𝑎2 𝑏 2
𝑐 Latus Latus
𝑒=
𝑎 Rectum Rectum
For an ellipse,
𝑒 < 1, 𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠𝑒 By Pythagorean Relations:
Eccentricity:
𝑒 = 0, 𝐶𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2
𝑒 = 1, 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑎
𝑒 < 1, 𝐸𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠𝑒
𝑒 > 1, 𝐻𝑦𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑎 (semi) Major Axis

(semi) Minor Axis

𝒅 from Center to focus

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COURSE OUTCOME 6
Major Axis
𝑉2
Standard Equation of Ellipse: Vertical
𝑦−𝑘 2 𝑥−ℎ 2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑎 𝑓1 𝑦2 𝑥2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
𝑐 𝑏

Minor Axis
𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘

𝑓2

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𝑉1
COURSE OUTCOME 6
Major Axis
𝑉2
Standard Equation of Ellipse: Vertical
𝑦−𝑘 2 𝑥−ℎ 2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑓1 𝑦2 𝑥2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
𝑎
𝑐
For an ellipse,
By Pythagorean Relations:
Minor Axis
𝑏 𝐶 ℎ, 𝑘
𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2

𝑓2
(semi) Major Axis

(semi) Minor Axis

𝒅 from Center to focus

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𝑉1
COURSE OUTCOME 6
Standard Equation of Ellipse: Vertical
𝑦−𝑘 2 𝑥−ℎ 2
+ =1
Latus 𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑦2 𝑥2
Rectum + =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2

For an ellipse, Latus Rectum(length)

By Pythagorean Relations: 2𝑏 2
𝐿𝑅 =
𝑎
𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2
Eccentricity:
𝑐
Latus 𝑒=
𝑎
Rectum (semi) Major Axis
𝑒 < 1, 𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠𝑒
(semi) Minor Axis

𝒅 from Center to focus

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Summary Table
𝒙−𝒉 𝟐 𝒚−𝒌 𝟐 𝒚−𝒌 𝟐 𝒙−𝒉 𝟐
Standard Form + =𝟏 + =𝟏
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐
Center 𝐶(ℎ, 𝑘) 𝐶(ℎ, 𝑘)
Foci 𝑓1 ℎ − 𝑐, 𝑘 , 𝑓2(ℎ + 𝑐, 𝑘) 𝑓1 ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑐 , 𝑓2 (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑐)
Length of Major Axis 2𝑎 2𝑎
Vertices of Major Axis ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘 , (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘) ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑎 , (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑎)
Length of Minor Axis 2𝑏 2𝑏
Vertices of Minor Axis ℎ, 𝑘 − 𝑏 , (ℎ, 𝑘 + 𝑏) ℎ − 𝑏, 𝑘 , (ℎ + 𝑏, 𝑘)
2𝑏 2 2𝑏 2
Length of Latera Recta
𝑎 𝑎
𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑏2
ℎ − 𝑐, 𝑘 − , ℎ − 𝑐, 𝑘 + and ℎ − ,𝑘 −𝑐 , ℎ + ,𝑘 − 𝑐 and
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
Vertices of Latera Recta 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑏2
ℎ + 𝑐, 𝑘 − , ℎ + 𝑐, 𝑘 + ℎ− ,𝑘 + 𝑐 , ℎ + ,𝑘 + 𝑐
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
𝑐 𝑐
Eccentricity
𝑎 𝑎
Area 𝜋𝑎𝑏 𝜋𝑎𝑏 shs.mapua.edu.ph
Real-life Applications of Ellipses
• Orbits of planets, comets,
moons, and satellites.
• Shape of boats and some
airplane wings
• A medical device called a
lithotripter uses elliptical
reflectors to break up kidney
stones
• Some buildings, called
whispering chambers, are
designed with elliptical domes

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 EXAMPLES
1. Given the ellipse 16𝑥 2 + 25𝑦 2 − 64𝑥 − 50𝑦 − 311 = 0,
Determine the following:
a. Center
b. Length of Major Axis
c. Length of Minor Axis
d. Length of Latus Rectum
e. Vertices
f. Foci
g. Eccentricity
h. Area

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Given the ellipse 16𝑥 2 + 25𝑦 2 − 64𝑥 − 50𝑦 − 311 = 0
By Completing the square,
16𝑥 2 − 64𝑥 + + 25𝑦 2 − 50𝑦 + = 311
16 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + + 25 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 + = 311 + 16 + 25
2 2 2 2
16 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 2 + 25 𝑦 − 2𝑦 + 1 = 311 + 16 2 + 25 1 2 2

16 𝑥 − 2 2 + 25 𝑦 − 1 2 = 400
16 𝑥 − 2 2 25 𝑦 − 1 2 400
+ =
400 400 400
𝑥−2 2 𝑦−1 2
+ = 1, 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
25 16

𝑥−2 2 𝑦−1 2
+ = 1, 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚
52 42

a.
Center (h,k)
ℎ=2
𝑘=1
𝐶 2,1

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b.
Length of Major Axis = 2a
Length of Major Axis = 2(5) = 10 units

c. 𝑏 = 4 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Length of Minor Axis = 2b
Length of Minor Axis = 2(4) = 8 units
8 units
𝐶 −3,1 𝐶 2,1 𝐶 7,1
d.
2𝑏2 𝑎 = 5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Length of Latus Rectum =
𝑎
24 2
Length of Latus Rectum = = 32/5 units
5

e.
𝑉1 2 − 𝑎, 1
𝑉2 2 + 𝑎, 1

𝑉1 2 − 5,1 10 units
𝑉2 2 + 5,1

𝑉1 −3,1
𝑉2 7,1
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e.
By Pythagorean Relation in an ellipse:
𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2
If a = 5, b = 4
𝑐 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 𝑏 = 4 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑐= 5 2− 4 2 𝑓1 −1,1 𝑓2 5,1
𝑐 = 3 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 8 units
𝐶 −3,1 𝑐=3 𝐶 2,1 𝐶 7,1
Foci:
𝑎 = 5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑓1 2 − 𝑐, 1
𝑓2 2 + 𝑐, 1

𝑓1 2 − 3,1
𝑓2 2 + 3,1

𝑓1 −1,1
𝑓2 5,1
10 units

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g.
𝑐
Eccentricity =
𝑎
3
𝑒=
5
𝑏 = 4 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
h. 𝑓1 −1,1 𝑓2 5,1
Area: 8 units
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝑙 𝑥 𝑤 𝐶 −3,1 𝑐=3 𝐶 2,1 𝐶 7,1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒 = 𝜋𝑟 𝑟
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠𝑒 = 𝜋 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 = 5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠𝑒 = 𝜋 5 4
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠𝑒 = 20𝜋 𝑠𝑞. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

10 units

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 EXAMPLES
2. Find the equation of an ellipse with the given conditions
a. Center is at 0,0 , Focus at ± 3, 0 , b = 1
3
b. Center at 1,0 , Focus at 1, 3 , 𝑒 =
2
1
c. Center at 0,0 , Vertex at 0,4 , 𝑒 =
2
3. A satellite orbits around the earth in an ellipse orbit of eccentrically of 0.80
and semi – major axis of length 20,000 km. If the center of the earth is at one
focus, find the maximum altitude (apogee) of the satellite.
4. An arch in the form of a semi – ellipse has a span at 45m and its greatest
height is 12m. There are two vertical supports equidistant from each other and
the ends of the arc. Find the height of the support.

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Center is at 0,0 , Focus at ± 3, 0 Recall:
Distance from Center → Focus is ‘c’
Horizontal Ellipse: 𝑐= 3
Note: Center & Focus is aligned with one another (same axis)

𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2

@𝑏 = 1
𝑓1 − 3, 0 𝑓2 + 3, 0 𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2
𝐶 0,0 𝑎= 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2
2
𝑎= 1 2 + 3
𝑎 = 1+3= 4
𝑎 = 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
By Substitution,
Recall:
Distance from Center → Focus is ‘c’ 𝑥2 𝑦2
+ = 1, 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚
2 2 12
𝑐 = 0− − 3 𝑥2 𝑦2
𝑐= 3 4 + =1 4
4 1
𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 − 4 = 0, 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚
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𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
 3 Recall:
b. Center at 1,0 , Focus at 1, 3 , 𝑒 =
2 Distance from Center → Focus is ‘c’
𝑐 = 3−0
Vertical Ellipse:
Note: Center & Focus is aligned with one another (same axis) 𝑐= 3

Eccentricity:
𝑐
𝑒=
𝑎
3
𝑒=
2

𝑎=2
𝑓 1, 3 By Pythagorean Relations in an Ellipse:
𝑐= 3
𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2
𝑏 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2
𝐶 1,0
2
𝑏= 2 2 − 3
𝑏 = 4 − 3 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡

By Substitution,
𝑦−𝑘 2 𝑥−ℎ 2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑦−0 2 𝑥−1 2 shs.mapua.edu.ph
+ = 1, 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚
22 12
 3 𝑦−0 2 𝑥−1 2
b. Center at 1,0 , Focus at 1, 3 , 𝑒 = + = 1, 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚
2
22 12
Vertical Ellipse:
𝑦2 𝑥−1 2
Note: Center & Focus is aligned with one another (same axis) 4 + =1 4
4 1
𝑦2 + 4 𝑥 − 1 2 = 4
𝑦 2 + 4 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 = 4
𝑦 2 + 4𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 4 = 4
4𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 8𝑥 = 0, 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚

𝑓 1, 3
𝑐= 3

𝐶 1,0

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 1 Recall:
c. Center at 0,0 , Vertex at 0.4 , 𝑒 =
2
Distance from Center → Vertex is ‘a’
Vertical Ellipse: 𝑐 = |4 − 0|
Note: Center & Vertex is aligned with one another (same axis) 𝑐=4

V 0,0 Eccentricity:
𝑐 1
𝑒 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒 =
𝑎 2
𝑐 1 a 4
= ,c = =
𝑎 2 2 2
𝑎=4 𝑐=2
By Pythagorean Relations in an Ellipse:
𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2
𝑏 = 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2
𝑏= 4 2− 2 2
𝐶 0,0 𝑏 = 16 − 2 = 12 𝑜𝑟 2 3 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡

By Substitution,
𝑦−𝑘 2 𝑥−ℎ 2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2

𝑦−0 2 𝑥−0 2
+ = 1, 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚
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42 (2 3)2
3. A satellite orbits around the earth in an ellipse orbit of 𝑒 = 0.80
eccentrically of 0.80 and semi – major axis of length 20,000 𝑐
𝑒=
km. If the center of the earth is at one focus, find the 𝑎
maximum altitude (apogee) of the satellite. Then,
𝑐 = 𝑎𝑒
𝑐 = 20000 0.8
𝑐 = 16000 𝑘𝑚𝑠

𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑒 = 𝑐 + 𝑎
𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑒 = 16000 + 20000
𝑐 𝑎 𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑒 = 36000 𝑘𝑚𝑠

20,000 kms
𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒

Perigee
Apogee

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4. An arch in the form of a semi – ellipse has a span at 45m 3𝑥 = 45𝑚
and its greatest height is 12m. There are two vertical supports 45
𝑥=
equidistant from each other and the ends of the arc. Find the 3
height of the support. 𝑥 = 15 𝑚
7.5 m
Horizontal Ellipse 𝐶 0,0
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
Welcome to Mapua University 𝑎2 𝑏 2
𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦
b = 12 meters, a = 22.5 meters, P(7.5,y)
12m By Substitution,
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
7.5 2 𝑦 2
15 m 15 m 𝑃 𝑥, 0 15 m + =1
22.52 122
1 𝑦2
+ =1
45m 9 144
𝑦2 1
=1−
144 9
2
8
22.5 m 𝑦 = 144
9
8
𝑦= 144
9
𝑦 = 11.31 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑟 8 2 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
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 EXERCISES
A. Reduce the equation to standard form. Determine the center, vertices, ends
of the minor axis, foci, latera recta, length of major and minor axis.
1. 36𝑥 2 + 16𝑦 2 = 576
2 2
2. 3 𝑥 + 3 + 12 𝑦 − 4 = 36
3. 25𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 − 4𝑦 − 48 = 0
4. 16𝑥 2 + 25𝑦 2 − 32𝑥 + 50𝑦 − 359 = 0

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 EXERCISES
B. Find the equation of an ellipse satisfying the given conditions.
1. 𝐶(0,0), 𝑉1(0,3), 𝑉2(0, −3), 𝐹1(0,1), 𝐹2(0, −1).
2. 𝐶(0,0), major axis horizontal of length 12, minor axis of length 4
3. 𝐶(1, −2), major axis vertical , passes through 𝑃1 (1, −4) and 𝑃2 (2, −2).
4. 𝐶( −2, 3), 𝑓(4,3), eccentricity is 3/4.

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shs.mapua.edu.ph