Introduction
Definition of an Ellipse
An ellipse is the set of all points (x , y ) in a plane,
the sum of whose distances from two distinct fixed
points (foci) is constant 2a.
(x, y)
Ellipses have many real-life
d1 d2
applications. For example a Major axis
Center
lithotripter machine uses the Vertex Vertex
Focus Focus Minor
focal properties of an ellipse to axis
break up kidney stones.
d1 + d2 is constant.
Properties of Ellipse
1. C is the center
2. V 1∧V 2 are vertices
3. V 3∧V 4 are co-vertices
4. V 1 V 2 is a major axis
5. V 3 V 4 is a minor axis
6. R1 R 2 & R3 R4 are latera recta
7. F 1 F 2 = 2 c
8. V 1 V 2=2 a
9. V 3 V 4=2b
10. CD=d
The figures below show generalized horizontal and vertical orientations for ellipses.
( x −h) ( y −k)
2 2
2
( x −h) ( y −k)
2 + =1
2 + 2 =1 b2 a2
a b
(h, k) ( h, k)
2b 2a
2a
x 2b x
Major axis is horizontal. Major axis is vertical.
Example 1: Find the standard form of the equation of the ellipse with foci (0 , 1) and
(4 , 1) and major axis of length 6.
Example 2: Sketch the ellipse 4 x 2+ y 2=36 and identify the center and vertices.
Example 3: Find the center, vertices, and foci of the ellipse x 2+ 4 y 2 +6 x−8 y + 9=0 . Then
sketch the ellipse.
Example 4: Find the center, vertices, and foci of the ellipse 4 x 2+ y 2−8 x + 4 y−8=0.
Then sketch the ellipse.