La Consolacion College of Daet, Inc.
MODULE 2
Froilan Pimentel Avenue Daet, Camarines Norte 4600 Basic Education Department
Tel. Nos. (054) 721-2181/440-2002 Fax No. (054) 571-3467
School Year 2024-2025
Subject : PRE CALCULUS Grade & Section : GRADE 12- ST. SEPTIMUS OF GAFSA
Quarter: First Subject Teacher : Mr Kenneth C. Navea
ELLIPSE
What is Ellipse?
Ellipse is a set of all coplanar points such that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is
constant. The fixed are called the foci of the ellipse. An ellipse has two axes of symmetry. Each of these
axes is important when dealing with ellipse. The longer the axis is called the major axis, and the shorter
axis is called the minor axis. The major axis contains the foci. Consequently, the foci are inside the ellipse.
The intersection of the two axis is called the center of the ellipse. The center is the midpoint between the
two foci, and also the midpoint between the two vertices. The ellipse intersects the major axis in two
points called the vertices of the ellipse. These vertices are the endpoints of the major axis. A segment
passing through a focus of the ellipse that is perpendicular to the major axis is called a latus rectum. A
line outside the ellipse that is parallel to the minor axis and has less than or the same distance from a
vertex as the focus is the directrix. Since there are two foci, there are also two directrices.
There are three ways by which an ellipse can be drawn
i. Pins-and-string method
By definition, two fixed points, represented by the two pins serve as the foci of the ellipse. A
pin and a string tied together at each end are used to draw the ellipse by moving the pen with
the string held tightly
ii. Trammel Method
The trammel method makes use of two shuttles that are confined to perpendicular tracks, and
a rod that are attached to the shuttle. The shuttles are made to move back and forth along its
track, while the end of the rod is made to move in an elliptical path. This idea is used in
inventing the ellipsograph.
iii. Parallelogram Method
Using equally spaced grid paper, each point of the ellipse is plotted using the intersection of
two segments whose endpoints are placed in corresponding points on the axes.
Ellipse with Center at (0,0)
To derive the equation of an ellipse whose center is at the origin (0,0) and the two foci are the
on the x-axis, let points F1(c,0) and F2(-c,0) be the foci. This implies that the distance between
the two foci is 2c. Let 2a be the sum of the distances of a point P(x,y) of the ellipse from F1 and
F2 that is:
|P F1 |+|P F2 |=2a
Let b2 = a2 – c2, and divide both sides of the resulting equation by a2b2:
(b2)x2 + a2y2 = a2(b2)
2 2 2
(b ¿¿ 2) x a y (b ¿¿ 2)
2 2
+¿ ¿ 2 2 =
a2 2 2 ¿
a b a b ab
2 2
x y
2
+ 2 =1
a b
This equation is referred to as the standard form of equation of ellipse with the center at the
origin and foci at (c,0) and (-c,0) on the x axis.
2 2
x y
2
+ 2 =1
a b
The standard form of equation of ellipse with the center at the origin and foci at (0,c) and (0, -
c) on the y axis.
2 2
x y
2
+ 2 =1
b a
The characteristics of graph of these ellipse are as follows:
Lets us try the following:
Find the coordinates of the foci and vertices, the endpoints of the major axis, minor axis, and
the latus rectum for each ellipse whose center is at (0,0). Draw the ellipse, its foci and its
directrices.
2 2
x y
a. + =1
36 25
b. 9x2 + 16y2 -144 = 0
