Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Parañaque City
Self-Learning Modules
Precalculus Quarter 1 Week 3
The Ellipse
Objectives

In this lesson, students should understand the idea of the third conic section: the ellipse. It will
focus on the definition, as well as its graph given an equation in standard form.

Learning Competencies

After going through this module, you are expected to:

• define an ellipse
• graph an ellipse given an equation in standard form

Let’s Recall

Hello there! Two concepts are prerequisite to our study of ellipse: the circle and the Triangle
Inequality. Do you still remember circle and its graph? Circle is formed by points equidistant from the center
and has an equation (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 𝑟 2
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
or, equivalently, + =1
𝑟2 𝑟2
Meanwhile, the Triangle Inequality is an inequality involving absolute values: for any 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝑅,
|𝑥 + 𝑦| ≤ |𝑥| + |𝑦|

Where this Triangle Inequality tells us that the length of a side of any triangle cannot exceed
the sum of the lengths of the other two sides.

Let’s Understand
The Ellipses

I am sure you are familiar with an oval shape. An ellipse is like an oval or a "squished" circle. You can
actually draw a figure of ellipse in the sand by following the process: Push two sticks into the sand. Take a piece
of string and form a loop that is big enough to go around the two sticks and still have some slack. Take a third
stick, hook it inside the string loop, pull the loop taut by pulling the stick away from the first two sticks, and drag
that third stick through the sand at the furthest distance the loop will allow. The resulting shape drawn in the
sand is an ellipse.

Each of the two sticks you first pushed into the sand is a "focus"
of the ellipse; the two together are called "foci" (FOH-sigh). If you draw
a line in the sand "through" these two sticks, from one end of the ellipse
to the other, this will mark the "major" axis of the ellipse. The points
where the major axis touches the ellipse are the "vertices" of the ellipse.
 Precalculus Quarter 1 Week 3
The point midway between the two sticks is the "center" of the ellipse. If you draw a chord perpendicular to the
major axis through the center, it is called the “minor” axis. Then, the point where the minor axis touches the
ellipse are the “intercepts”. The chord through a focus and perpendicular to the
major axis is called the “latus rectum”.

We define formally an ellipse as set of points on a plane such that the sum of the
distances from two fixed points is a constant. Each fixed point is called a focus of
the ellipse.
𝒅𝟏 + 𝒅𝟐 is constant
Note that in the illustration, d1 + d2 is constant, meaning, even if you move the point (x, y) at any point
in the ellipse, the resulting d1 + d2 will always be the same. Constant sum makes a perfect ellipse and this makes
ellipse special. You should also know that there are things that if you do constantly, it will lead you to greater
accomplishment, a greater person. And you can easily do these things when hooked up to a person
who does constant works for us to be better. As Isaiah 33:6 tells us, “He is your constant source of
stability; he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; he gives all this to those who fear him.”
Isn’t that great?

Ellipse with Center at the Origin

Now, analyze the table for the equation of the ellipse whose center is at the origin.
Equation Graph Sample Equation Graph of the sample
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1 a>b + = 1 or + =1
𝑎2 𝑏2 42 32 16 9

𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2
+ 𝑎2 = 1 a>b
𝑏2
2 2 + 52
= 1 or
4
+
25
=1

From the example above, can you graph these equations?

𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1 + =1
36 9 49 81

There are some properties which you should learn also. Look at the measure of a, b and c
on the illustration and study the table below.

Length of Length of
Major Minor Length of the
Equation the Major the Minor Vertices Intercepts Foci Eccentricity Latus Rectum
Axis Axis Axis Axis
𝑥2 𝑦2 x-axis y-axis (±𝑎, 0) (0, ±𝑏) (±𝑐, 0) 𝑐 2𝑏 2
+ =1 𝑒= 𝐿𝑅 =
𝑎2 𝑏 2 or or 2a 2b 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒
𝑎 𝑎
a>b y=0 x=0 𝑐 = √ 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2

𝑥2 𝑦2 y-axis x-axis (0, ±𝑎) (±𝑏, 0) (0, ±𝑐) 𝑐 2𝑏 2

+ =1 𝑒= 𝐿𝑅 =
𝑏 2 𝑎2 or or 2a 2b 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒
𝑎 𝑎
a>b x=0 y=0 𝑐 = √ 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2

* Eccentricity is a measure of how 'out of round' an ellipse is. If you think of an ellipse as a 'squashed' circle,
the eccentricity of the ellipse gives a measure of just how 'squashed' it is.

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 Precalculus Quarter 1 Week 3
Example 1
Complete the table and graph the ellipse.
Length of Length of
Major Minor Length of the
Equation the Major the Minor Vertices Intercepts Foci Eccentricity
Axis Axis Latus Rectum
Axis Axis
𝑥2 𝑦2 x-axis y-axis (±4, 0) (0, ±3) (±√7, 0) 𝑐 2𝑏 2
+ =1 𝑒= 𝐿𝑅 =
16 9 or or 2(4) 2(3) 𝑎 𝑎
a=4 b=3 y=0 x=0 or or √7 2(3)2
8 6 𝑒= 𝐿𝑅 =
4
𝑐= √42 − 32 4
𝑐 = √7 e = 0.66 LR = 4.5

Graph:

Example 2

Find the equation of an ellipse with center at the origin, foci at (±2, 0) and vertices at (±3, 0). Then find the
length of the latus rectum, eccentricity and sketch the graph.

Solution:

One of the focus is at c = 2, the vertex is 3 units from the origin, therefore a = 3. Using
𝑐 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 (2)2 = (3)2 − 𝑏 2 𝑏 2 = (3)2 − (2)2

𝑏2 = 9 − 4 𝑏2 = 5 𝑏 = √5
2𝑏2 2(√5)2
𝐿𝑅 = 𝐿𝑅 = 𝐿𝑅 = 3.33
𝑎 3
𝑐 2
𝑒=𝑎 𝑒 = 3 or 0.66

Equation: Graph:
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏 2
𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = √5, 𝑐 = 2

𝑎2 = 9, 𝑏 2 = 5, 𝑐 2 = 4
𝑥2 𝑦2
9
+ 5
=1 equation

Ellipse with Center at (h, k)

Study the equations of ellipse with center (h, k).

Length Length Length of
Major Minor of the of the
Equation Major Minor Vertices Intercepts Foci Eccentricity the Latus
Axis Axis Rectum
Axis Axis
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 y=k x=h (ℎ ± 𝑎, 𝑘) (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑏) (ℎ ± 𝑐, 𝑘) 𝑐 2𝑏 2
+ =1 𝑒= 𝐿𝑅 =
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑎
2a 2b 𝑐 = √ 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
a>b
(𝑥 − ℎ)2 (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 x=h y=k (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑎) (ℎ ± 𝑏, 𝑘) (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑐) 𝑐 2𝑏 2
+ =1 𝑒= 𝐿𝑅 =
𝑏2 𝑎2 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑎
2a 2b 𝑐 = √ 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
a>b

3
 Precalculus Quarter 1 Week 3
Example 3
2
Find the equation of the ellipse with vertices at (-2, 1) and (4, 1) with eccentricity .
3
Solution:
The center of the ellipse is at the midpoint of the major axis between ( -2, 1) and (4, 1). Finding the x-coordinate
of the midpoint, we get
1 1
𝑥̅ = 2 (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ) 𝑥̅ = 2 (−2 + 4) 𝑥̅ = 1

while the y – coordinate of the midpoint is

1 1
𝑦̅ = 2 (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 ) 𝑦̅ = 2 (1 + 1) 𝑦̅ = 1

Therefore, the center of the ellipse is at the point (h, k) = (1, 1).
2
From the eccentricity is 𝑒 = 3, we get c = 2 and a= 3. We can find the value of b from b2 = a2 – c2 so that 𝑏 2 =

(3)2 − (2)2 𝑏2 = 5
Since the ellipse has a horizontal major axis, its equation is Graph:
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2 (𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−1)2
𝑎2
+ 𝑏2
=1 9
+ 5
= 1 equation

Example 4
(𝑥−3)2 (𝑦−2)2
Discuss the graph of the equation + =1.
4 9

Solution: With the given equation, the center of the ellipse is (3, 2). Graph:
The major axis is vertical with a = 3 and b = 2.
The foci can be solved through 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 . Hence,
𝑐 2 = (3)2 − (2)2 𝑐 = ±√5
Foci: (ℎ, 𝑘 ± 𝑐) (3, 2 ± √5)

Then, the rest of the properties are shown below.

Length Length Length of
Major Minor of the of the
Equation Major Minor Vertices Intercepts Foci Eccentricity the Latus
Axis Axis Rectum
Axis Axis
x=3 y=2 6 4 (3, 2 ± 3) (3 ± 2,2) (3, 2 ± √5) √5 2(2)2
(𝑥 − 3)2 (𝑦 − 2)2 𝐿𝑅 =
or (3,5) and (3, -1) or (5,2) and (1, 2) 𝑒= 3
+ =1 3
4 9 LR = 2.66

Let’s Apply

A. Write the equation for the ellipse whose graph is shown.

1. Eq.:____________________ 2. Eq.: ____________________ 3. Eq.: __________________

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 Precalculus Quarter 1 Week 3

4. Eq.: _______________ 5. Eq.: _______________

B. Complete the table below. Sketch the graph.

Length Length Length
Major Minor of the of the of the
Equation Vertices Intercepts Foci Eccentricity
Axis Axis Major Minor Latus
Axis Axis Rectum
𝑥2 𝑦2
1. + =1
25 9
(𝑥−4)2 (𝑦−4)2
2. + =1
16 36

Graph # 1 Graph # 2

Let’s Analyze

Try to analyze the following problems.

A. Find the equation of an ellipse in standard form with center at the origin and which
satisfies the given conditions.
1. Foci (±4, 0) , vertices (±5, 0)
Solution:

1
B. Find the equation of the ellipse with vertex at (3, 1); corresponding focus at (2, 1); eccentricity 2 .

Sketch the graph.

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 Precalculus Quarter 1 Week 3

Let’s Evaluate
A. Match the equation with its graph.
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2
_____ 1. + =1 _____ 3. + 𝑦2 = 1
4 16 4
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑦2
_____ 2. 16 + 4
=1 _____ 4. 𝑥 2 + 4
=1

a. b. c.

d. e. f.

B. Find the equation given the graph.

5 Eq. : ________________ 6. Eq. : ________________

C. Complete the table below.

Length Length Length
Major Minor of the of the of the
Equation Vertices Intercepts Foci Eccentricity
Axis Axis Major Minor Latus
Axis Axis Rectum

𝑥 2 𝑦2
7. + =1
36 25
8.
(𝑥 − 4)2 (𝑦 − 4)2
+ =1
9 49

Let’s Create
Hey, better try this one! Get 2 push pins, a pencil, a string, and a board.

Do this and show your work to your teacher. Picture/Activity taken from
http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/ellipse.html