STO. DOMINGO INSTITUTE INC.

Gov’t. Recognition No. 317 Series of 1961

Nabua, Camarines Sur

PRE-CALCULUS
MODULE 4

QUARTER 1
Name: _________________________________________ Score: ____________
Year and Section: ________________________________ Date: _____________

GET UP AND GO!

I. Introduction

Ellipse, commonly described as “oval-shaped” has significant purposes,

not just in mathematics but in other fields as well. Often, we associate ellipses
with astronomy since it is known by fact that the planetary orbits are elliptical.
In this module, you will find out the definition of ellipse and its other
properties as one of the conic sections.

II. Objective
After performing the activities in this module, you are expected to define
ellipse (STEM_PC11AG-Ic-1) and determine the standard form of equation of an
ellipse (STEM_PC11AG-Ic-2).

UNLOCK!

In exploring this module, we should be familiar with the following terms:

Foci are two fixed points contained in the major axis of the ellipse and are always inside
the ellipse

Major axis is the longer axis which always contains the foci, vertices, and center of the
ellipse; while minor axis is the shorter axis which is also the perpendicular bisector of
the major axis.

The axis of symmetry of a parabola is a vertical or horizontal line that divides the
ellipse into two congruent halves.

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 20

 TURN ON!

Directions: This test will evaluate your knowledge and skills prior to starting this module. Read
each question carefully then write then encircle the letter of your choice.

1. What is the name for the two set points that help form an ellipse?
a. foci c. circle
b. ellipse d. triangle

2. Convert the equation to the standard form for an ellipse.

36x2 + 16y2 + 72x + 96y – 396 = 0
(𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−3)2 (𝑥+3)2 (𝑦+1)2
a. + =1 c. + =1
16 36 16 36
(𝑥+1)2 (𝑦+3)2 (𝑥+1)2 (𝑦+3)2
b. + =1 d. + =1
16 36 36 16

3. The equation 25x2 + 16y2 – 150x + 128y + 81 = 0 has its center at?
a. (3, -4) c. (4, -3)
b. (3, 4) d. (3, 5)
4. An ellipse has _____ vertices and _____ foci.
a. one, two c. two, one
b. two, two d. one, one
5. The center of ellipse is same as a vertex.
a. True
b. False

EXPLORE!
Lesson 3

Exploring the Ellipse

The concept and form of ellipses are used in architectural designs such as roads,
arenas, bridges, and the like. In the Philippines, the most common infrastructure which uses an
elliptic design is the Elliptical Road in Quezon City. The Philippine Arena and Philippine Sports
Stadium in Ciudad Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan are examples of architectural designs which
applied the concepts of ellipse.

ELLIPSE
When you cut at an angle, observe that you can form a closed curve which is oval in
shave or looks like a squished circle. This shape is known as an ellipse. Notice that as you
rotate the plane, you can form various ellipses.

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 21

 Ellipse is the set of all points on a plane such that the sum of distances of its points
from two fixed points is constant. The two fixed points are called foci (singular: focus)

Axes of Symmetry
An ellipse has two axes of symmetry called the major axis (also called principal axis and
focal axis) and the minor axis. The major axis is the longer axis which always contains the foci,
vertices, and center of the ellipse; while the minor axis is the shorter axis which is also the
perpendicular bisector of the major axis.

Foci
In an ellipse, the foci are always inside the ellipse and are contained by the major axis.

Vertices
The endpoints of the major axis are called vertices which are represented by ±a; while,
endpoints of its minor axis are called co-vertices which are represented by ±b.

Center
Another part of an ellipse is its center. The center of an ellipse is the intersection of the
two axes of symmetry. This is the midpoint between the two foci, and also the midpoint
between the two vertices.

Latus Rectum
A chord passing through a focus of an ellipse which is perpendicular to its major axis is
called latus rectum.

Directrix
A line outside the ellipse that is parallel to the minor axis and has the same distance
from the vertex like the focus, is called the directrix.

Note:
Since an ellipse has two foci, there are also two latera recta (plural of latus
rectum) and two directrices (plural of directrix).

Types of Ellipses
 Horizontal ellipse – the major axis of the ellipse is the x-axis or is parallel to the
x-axis (See figure a)
 Vertical ellipse – the major axis of the ellipse is the y-axis or is parallel to the y-
axis (see figure b)

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 22

THE GENERAL AND STANDARD EQUATIONS OF AN ELLIPSE

Just like the other conic sections, the equation of an ellipse can also be expressed and
written in general and standard forms.

A. General Form – where A, B, C, D, and E are constants.

1. Ellipse with center at the origin
Ax2 + By2 – C = 0
2. Ellipse with center at (h, k)
Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0

B. Standard Form – where (h, k) are the coordinates of the center and a2 refers to the square
of the vertices and b2 refers to the square of the co-vertices.
1. Ellipse with center at the origin.
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ 𝑏2 = 1 (Horizontal Ellipse)
𝑎2
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ 𝑏2 = 1 (Vertical Ellipse)
𝑎2
2. Ellipse with center at (h, k)
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
+ =1 (Horizontal Ellipse)
𝑎2 𝑏2
(𝑥−ℎ)2 (𝑦−𝑘)2
+ = 1 (Vertical Ellipse)
𝑏2 𝑎2

TRANSFORMING THE EQUATIONS OF AN ELLIPSE FROM GENERAL FORM TO

STANDARD FORM

It is very essential to learn how to transform a general form of equation in its standard
form especially in cases of graphing a curve on the rectangular coordinate system. Let us
recall that the general form of equation of an ellipse is either Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0 or
Ax2 + By2 + C = 0.

Case 1: When the Center of the Ellipse is at the Origin

Example 1: Write the equation 𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 2)2 − 3 in standard form. Determine the
vertex and the axis of symmetry of each parabola.
Solution:
Step 1 Move the constant term to the right side of the equation.
4x2 + 9y2 – 36 = 0
4x2 + 9y2 = 36

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 23

 Step 2 Divide the whole equation by the constant term.
Since the equation must be written in standard form, the right hand side of
the equation must be equal to 1.
4x2 + 9y2 – 36 = 0
1 𝑥2 𝑦2
(4x2 + 9y2 – 36 = 36)36 + =1
9 4
𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
Therefore, the standard form of 4x2 + 9y2 = 36 is + =𝟏
𝟗 𝟒
Case 2: When the Center of the Ellipse is at (h, k)

Example 2: Write the equation 3x2 + 2y2 – 6x – 12y + 15 = 0 in standard form.

Solution:
Step 1 Move the constant term to the right side of the equation.
3x2 + 2y2 – 6x – 12y + 15 = 0
3x2 + 2y2 – 6x – 12y = -15

Step 2 Group the terms with same variables.

3x2 + 2y2 – 6x – 12y = -15
(3x2 – 6x) + (2y2 – 12y) = -15

Step 3 Extract the common factor from each group.

(3x2 – 6x) + (2y2 – 12y) = -15
3(x2 – 2x) + 2(y2 – 6y) = -15

Step 4 Create two perfect square trinomials by completing the squares. To keep
the statement true, observe that the product of the common factor and last
term of the trinomial is added to the right side of the equation.

3(x2 – 2x) + 2(y2 – 6y) = -15

3(x2 – 2x + 1) + 2(y2 – 6y + +9) = -15 + 3(1) + 2(9)

Step 5 Simplify both sides of the equation.

3(x2 – 2x + 1) + 2(y2 – 6y + 9) = -15 + 3(1) + 2(9)
3(x2 – 2x + 1) + 2(y2 – 6y + 9) = -15 + 3 + 18
3(x2 – 2x + 1) + 2(y2 – 6y + 9) = 6

Step 6 Express the perfect square trinomials as Square of Binomials

3(x2 – 2x + 1) + 2(y2 – 6y + 9) = 6
2(x – 1)2 + 2(y – 3)2 = 6

Step 7 Divide both sides of equation by the constant term.

2(x – 1)2 + 2(y – 3)2 = 6
[3(x – 1)2 + 2(y – 3)2 = 6] ÷ 6
(𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−3)2
2
+ 3
=1

Therefore, the standard form of equation of 3x2 + 2y2 – 6x – 12y + 15 = 0

(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐 (𝒚−𝟑)𝟐
is + = 𝟏.
𝟐 𝟑

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 24

TRANSFORMING THE EQUATIONS OF AN ELLIPSE FROM STANDARD FORM TO
GENERAL FORM
When transforming a general form of equation to standard form, we use the completing
the square method, which means that we have to reverse the process when we have to
change the equation from its standard form to its general form.

Case 1: When the Center of the Ellipse is at the Origin

𝑥2 𝑦2
Example 3: Express the equation of an ellipse + = 1 in general form.
4 1
Solution:
Step 1 Determine the least common denominator (LCD) of the expressions.
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1 ⟶ where a2 = 4 and b2 = 1
4 1
The LCD is 4.

Step 2 Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD.

𝑥2 𝑦2
[ + = 1] (4)
4 1
𝑥2 𝑦2
[4 ( ) + 4 ( ) = 4(1)]
4 1
x2 + 4y2 = 4

Step 3 Write the equation in the form Ax2 + By2 – C = 0

x2 + 4y2 = 4
x2 + 4y2 – 4 = 0
𝑥2 𝑦2
Therefore, the general form of + = 1 is x2 + 4y2 – 4 = 0
4 1

Case 2: When the center of the Ellipse is at (h, k)

(𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−2)2
Example 4: Express the equation of an ellipse + = 1 in general form.
9 4
Solution:
Step 1 Determine the least common denominator (LCD) of the expressions.
(𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−2)2
+ =1 ⟶ where a2 = 9 and b2 = 4
9 4
The LCD is 36.

Step 2 Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD.

(𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−2)2
[ + = 1](36)
9 4
(𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−2)2
[36 ( ) + 36 ( ) = 36(1)]
9 4
4(x – 1)2 + 9(y – 2)2 = 36

Step 3 Expand each binomial.

4(x – 1)2 + 9(y – 2)2 = 36
4(x2 – 2x + 1) + 9(y2 – 4y + 4) = 36

Step 4 Simplify both sides of the equation.

4(x2 – 2x + 1) + 9(y2 – 4y + 4) = 36
4x2 – 8x + 4 + 9y2 – 36y + 36 = 36
4x2 – 8x + 4 + 9y2 – 36y + 36 – 36 = 0
4x2 – 8x + 9y2 – 36y + 4 = 0

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 25

 Step 5 Write the equation in the form Ax2 + By2 + Cx + Dy + E = 0.
4x2 – 8x + 9y2 – 36y + 4 = 0
4x2 + 9y2 – 8x – 36y + 4 = 0

(𝑥−1)2 (𝑦−2)2
Therefore, the general from of + = 1 is 4x2 + 9y2 – 8x – 36y +
9 4
4=0

LINK!

Try this!
A. Change the following equation to general form.
𝑥2 𝑦2
1. + =1 ________________
6 8
𝑥2 𝑦2
2. + =1 ________________
4 7
𝑥2 𝑦2
3. 144
+ 1
=1 ________________

B. Write the following in standard form.

4. x2 + 4y2 + 2x + 8y + 1 = 0 ________________
5. x2 + 2y2 + 4x – 4 = 0 ________________

EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Open the given link and watch the video about converting equation of ellipse
from General Form to Standard Form
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQOiW_7MTCk

WRAP IT UP!

SUMMARY of Key Ideas

Write down the steps in transforming the equation of an ellipse from general form to
standard form.
Case 1: When the center of the ellipse is at the origin

Case 2: When the center of the ellipse is at (h, k)

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 26

 THINK IT OVER!

Direction: Match the equations in Column B with their general form in Column A. Write the
letter of the correct answer on the blank before the number.
Column A Column B
𝑥2 𝑦2
____ 1. 9x2 + 25y2 – 225 = 0 a. + =1
7 3
𝑥2 𝑦2
____ 2. 25x2 + 9y2 – 225 = 0 b. + =1
9 25
(𝑥+1)2 (𝑦+1)2
____ 3. 7x2 + 10y2 – 56x + 100y + 292 = 0 c. + =1
4 1
(𝑥+1)2 (𝑦+4)2
____ 4. 16x2 + 25y2 – 400 = 0 d. + =1
4 1
𝑥2 𝑦2
____ 5. 3x2 + 7y2 – 21 = 0 e. 25 + =1
9
(𝑥−4)2 (𝑦+5)2
____ 6. 36x2 + y2 + 216x – 4y + 292 = 0 f. + =1
10 7
(𝑥+1)2 (𝑦+4)2
____ 7. 8x2 + 6y2 – 48 = 0 g. + =1
1 4
𝑥2 𝑦2
____ 8. x2 + 4y2 + 2x + 8y + 1 = 0 h. 25
+ 16 = 1
𝑥2 𝑦2
____ 9. x2 + 4y2 + 2x + 32y + 61 = 0 i. + =1
6 8
(𝑥+3)2 (𝑦−2)2
____ 10. 4x2 + y2 + 8x + 8y + 16 = 0 j. + =1
1 36

LET’S REFLECT!

What is/are the importance of ellipse in real-life situations?

GATEWAY!

Answer Key (Pre-test)

b 5.
b 4.
a 3.
b 2.
a 1.

Parent’s Signature over Printed Name: ___________________________

Date: ____________

Approved by:
CHRISTYN B. RAMOS
School Principal

Pre-Calculus Teacher: Mr. Mark Anthony N. Ramos 27