Ellipse

A set of points in a plane such that the sum of the

distances from two fixed points on the plane is a
constant. The fixed points are called the foci.
Derivation of the Standard Equation of the
Ellipse
Ellipse with the center at the origin and vertex on the x-axis.

Let F and F’ be the foci and let; the coordinates of the foci are (c, 0) and (−c, 0). If we let
the sum of the distances from a point P(x, y) of the ellipse to the foci be 2a, we will obtain
Transposing the second radical, squaring and simplifying, we will obtain

Squaring again and simplifying

We can observe from the figure that a > c, so that > 0. By letting, the
equation becomes

Dividing both sides by a2b2, the equation becomes

We will observe that the graph is symmetrical with respect to both
coordinate axes. The segment VV’ which is equal to 2a is called
the major axis and the segment BB’ which is equal to 2b is the
minor axis. The ends of the major axis are called the vertices. The
intersection of the axes of the ellipse is called the center. The
chords through the focus and perpendicular to the major axis is
the latus rectum.
The ends of the latus rectum can be determined by substituting x = c
and using the relationship to the equation

Simplifying would result to

The coordinates of the ends of the latus rectum would be

The length of the latus rectum would be

Ellipse with the center at the origin,
Vertex on the y-axis
If we take the foci of an ellipse on the y-axis at (0, ± c), and using the
same derivation as above, we will come up with the equation

The vertices are at (0, ); minor axis at (± b, 0) and the ends of latus
rectum at.
How to determine the equation of the ellipse that
satisfies specified conditions with vertex at the
origin.
Some of the important things to consider in determining the equation of the
ellipse are as follows:

a) The standard equation of the ellipse should always be in the fraction form.
b) The higher denominator is the value of a2, while the other one is the value
of b2.The value of
c) The distance from the center to the vertices are ±a; from the center to the
foci are: ; and from the center to the minor axis are
d) The length of the latus rectum is
e) Eccentricity is always less than 1.
 Table of Summary

Equation

Vertices )
Foci )
Minor Axis
Latus Rectum
Find the equation of the ellipse if it has its center at
the origin, one focus at (3, 0) and one vertex at (5,
0). Draw the ellipse.
Since the vertex and the focus is on the x-axis, the equation of the
ellipse is of the kind

The distance from the center to one of the foci is 3, then; the distance
from center to one of the vertices is 5,, then . The equation of the
ellipse would be
The coordinates of the other parts are
as follows:
• The other vertex is at (−5, 0)
• The other focus is at (−3, 0)
• Minor axis at (0, ± 4)
• The coordinates of the latus rectum are:
(−3, ± ), ( 3, ±
• Eccentricity =
Drawing
Find the equation of the ellipse if it has its center at
the origin, one focus at (0, − 12) and one end of
minor axis at (5, 0). Draw the ellipse.
Since the vertex and the focus is on the x-axis, the equation of the
ellipse is of the kind

The distance from the center to one of the foci is 12, then; the distance
from center to one end of the minor axis is 5, then. Solving for would
yield . The equation of the ellipse would be
 The coordinates of the other parts are
as follows:
• The vertices are at (0, ± 13)
• The other focus is at (0, 12)
• The other end of minor axis at (0, − 5)
• The coordinates of the latus rectum are:
(± , − 12), (± , 12
• Eccentricity =
Drawing
 Ellipse with center at (h, k)
The equation of the ellipse with center at (h, k), vertices at and foci at
is

The equation of the ellipse with center at (h, k), vertices at and foci at
is
 Table of Summary
Equation

Vertices
Foci
Mnor Axis )

Latus Rectum
Determine the equation and the coordinates
of the remaining parts of an ellipse if it has
its center at (1, 2), one vertex at (6, 2) and
one focus at (− 1, 2)
Since the distance from the center to one vertex is 5, then a = 5; the
distance from center to one focus is 2, then c = 2. Solving for the minor
axis, b = . The foci are on the x-axis, the equation of the ellipse is
 The other parts are as follows:
v: (− 4, 2); f: (3, 2); m.a.: (1, 2 ± ); l.r.: (− 1, 2 ± ) & (3, 2 ± ); e =
Determine the equation and the coordinates of
the remaining parts of an ellipse if it has its
center at (− 2, 2), one focus at (− 2, 0) and
one minor axis at (0, 2).

The major axis is on the y-axis. The distance from the center to one
focus is 2, then c = 2; the distance from one minor axis is also 2, then
b =2. Solving for. The equation is
 The other parts are as follows:
v: (− 2, 2 ± 2√2); f: (− 2, 4); m.a.: (0, 4); l.r.: (− 2 ± , 0) & (− 2 ± , 4); e =
How to convert from the general
equation to the standard form?
Draw the ellipse if its equation is
4x2 + 9y2 – 24x – 72y + 144 = 0.
 Solution
Combine the x’s and the y’s and factor
4x2 – 24x + 9y2 – 72y + 144 = 0
4(x2 – 6x) + 9(y2 – 8y) = − 144

Complete the squares

4(x2 – 6x + 9) + 9(y2 – 8y + 16) = − 144 + 36 + 144
4(x – 3)2 + 9(y – 4)2 = 36

Divide both sides of the equation by the quantity on the right side to make the right
side of the equation equal to 1.
The center is at (3, 4); vertices at (3 ± 3, 4); foci at (3 ±,
4); minor axis at (3, 4 ± 2), latus rectum at (3 − , 4 ± ) &
(3 + , 4 ± ); e =
Draw the ellipse if its equation is
9x2 + 8y2 + 36x – 48y + 36 = 0.
Combine the x’s and the y’s and factor
9x2 + 36x + 8y2 – 48y + 36 = 0
9(x2 + 4x) + 8(y2 – 6y) = − 36
Complete the squares
9(x2 + 4x + 4) + 8(y2 – 6y + 9) = − 36 + 36 + 72
9(x + 2)2 + 8(y – 3)2 = 72

Divide both sides of the equation by the quantity on the right side to make the right side of the
equation equal to 1.
(x + 2)2 + (y – 3)2 = 1
8 9
a = 3, b = 2 and c = 1
The center is at (− 2, 3); vertices at (− 2, 3 ± 3); foci at
(− 2, 3 ± 1) minor axis at (− 2 ± 2, 3); latus rectum: (− 2
±, 2) & (− 2 ±, 4); e =