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Ellipses 10-3

An ellipse is a set of points where the sum of the distances from two fixed foci points is constant. An ellipse has two axes of symmetry, with the major axis being the longest and the minor axis being the shortest. The distance from the center to the vertices along each axis and the distance from the center to the foci can be used to determine the standard equation of an ellipse. For a given ellipse equation, the orientation, center, vertices, foci, and eccentricity can be calculated using relationships between the variables in the standard form.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
167 views7 pages

Ellipses 10-3

An ellipse is a set of points where the sum of the distances from two fixed foci points is constant. An ellipse has two axes of symmetry, with the major axis being the longest and the minor axis being the shortest. The distance from the center to the vertices along each axis and the distance from the center to the foci can be used to determine the standard equation of an ellipse. For a given ellipse equation, the orientation, center, vertices, foci, and eccentricity can be calculated using relationships between the variables in the standard form.

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Franklin Razon
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Ellipses

Lesson 10-3
Ellipses

Ellipse: the set of all points in a plane, the sum of whose


distances from two fixed points, called foci, is constant.

Creating your own ellipse is easy if you can affix a loose string at
both ends and use a pencil.
Diagram of an Ellipse (horizontally oriented)

 The center has coordinates (h, k)


 2 axes of symmetry … longest is major axis, shortest is minor
axis.
 Ellipse has 4 vertices – the endpoints of each of the axes.
 Distance from center along semi-major axis to vertex is “a.”
 Distance from center along semi-minor axis is “b.”
 Distance from center to either foci is “c.”
 For all ellipses, a2 – b2 = c2
 The measure of distortion from pure circularity is called
eccentricity (e) and the equation e = c/a (as e approaches 0,
more circular, as e approaches 1, greater distortion)
The Standard Form of the equation of an ellipse.

 x  h   y  k   1
2 2

a2 b2

This ellipse is horizontally oriented … “a” is the largest segment and it is


the denominator of the “x” term.

 y k  x  h
2 2

 1
a2 b2
This ellipse is vertically oriented … “a” is the largest segment and it is
the denominator of the “y” term.
 x  3  y  2
2 2
For the ellipse   1 find the center, vertices, foci,
and eccentricity. 25 16

Orientation: horizontal. Largest denominator under the “x” term.


Center: ( 3, - 2) pull directly from the equation.
Vertices: to find these we need the distances labeled
“a” and “b.” These are the square roots of
the denominators.
a2 = 25, so therefore a = 5
b2 = 16, so therefore b = 4

Vertices are: (-2, -2) (8, -2) (3, 2) (3, -6)

Foci: these are a distance “c” from the enter along the major axis.
Remember: a2 – b2 = c2 ... By substitution we have
25 – 16 = c2 Foci are located 3 units to either
9 = c2 side of the center: (0, -2) & (6, -2)

3=c
Find the orientation, center, foci, vertices, eccentricity of each ellipse.

 y  2  x  5
2 2

 1
169 144

Orientation: vertical
Center: (5, 2)

a = 13 and b = 12

Vertices: (5, 15) (5,-11) (17, 2) ( -7,2)

c=5

Foci: (5, 7) and (5, -3)

e = c/a = 5/13
The Summary:

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