Last modified on August 3rd, 2023

Ellipse Graph

As we know, we can write an equation of an ellipse given its graph, we can also graph an ellipse given its equation. The equations help us to draw an ellipse on a graph with the x & y coordinate planes. This article will demonstrate how we can graph an ellipse from a given equation both in standard and general form.

To graph an ellipse, we first need to find out its center, foci, vertices, and co-vertices. The equations help us to find these parameters. From our ellipse article, we know that ellipses have 2 orientations— horizontal or vertical. The equations in both forms also help us identify its orientation.

How to Graph an Ellipse in Standard Form: Not Centered at Origin

Here we will see how an ellipse equation in standard form, centered at (h,k) is plotted on a graph.

For Horizontal Ellipse

The standard form of an equation for a horizontal ellipse (foci on major axis) centered at (h,k) is:

 (x – h)2/a2 + (y – k)2/b2 = 1, (a>b)

Now, let us learn to plot an ellipse on a graph using an equation as in the above form.

Let’s take the equation (x – 1)2/9 + (y – 2)2/4= 1 and identify whether it is a horizontal or vertical ellipse. We will also label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.

From the given equation, it is clear that the ellipse is horizontal, seeing the positions of a2 and b2 as in the denominators. So, the foci & vertices must be on the x-axis.

Comparing the given equation with standard form (x-h)2/a2 + (y-k)2/b2 = 1, we get:

Center: (h, k); h =1, k = 2, so Center: (1, 2)

Vertices: (h ± a, k) = (4,2) & (-2,2)

Co-vertices: (h, k ± b) = (1,4) & (1,0)

Length of Major Axis: 2a, Length of Minor Axis: 2b

∴ a = 3, b = 2

Foci where F2 = a2 – b2 , F = (h±F, k) {F = distance from center to the foci or focal length}

Equation of focal length F is F2 = a2 – b2  = 9-4 = 5, F = √5 ≈ 2.236

∴ Foci = (1±√5, 2) = (3.236,2) & (-1.236,2)

Now let’s graph the ellipse.

Ellipse Graph 1

Now let’s solve some more examples when the ellipse equation is in standard form, not centered at the origin.

Graph the following ellipse : (x + 3)2/9+ (y – 5)2/3 = 1. Identify whether it is a horizontal or vertical ellipse and then find the vertices & foci.

Solution:

From the given equation:
(h,k) = (-3,5)
a = 3, b = √3
vertices = (0,5) & (-6,5)
co-vertices = (−3,5±√3) = (−3,6.73) & (−3,3.267)
F2 = a2 – b2 , F = (h±F, k) = (-3±√3, 5) = (-1.27, 5) & (-4.73, 5)
Thus, it is a horizontal ellipse as found from the equation.

For Vertical Ellipse

The standard form of an ellipse is for a vertical ellipse (foci on minor axis) centered at (h,k)

(x – h)2/b2 + (y – k)2/a2 = 1 (a>b)

Now, let us learn to plot an ellipse on a graph using an equation as in the above form.

Let’s take the equation x2/25 + (y – 2)2/36 = 1 and identify whether it is a horizontal or vertical ellipse. We will also label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.

From the given equation, it is clear that the ellipse is vertical, seeing the positions of a2 and b2 as in the denominators. So, the foci & vertices must be on the y-axis.

Comparing the given equation with standard form (x-h)2/b2 + (y-k)2/a2 = 1, we get:

∴ h =0, k = 2, Center (h, k)  = (0,2)

Length of Major Axis: 2a, Length of Minor Axis: 2b

a = 6, b = 5

Vertices: (h, k ± a) = (0,8) & (0,-4)

Co-vertices: (h ± b, k) = (5,2) & (-5,2)

Equation of focal length F is F2 = a2 – b2  = 36-25 = 11, F = √11 ≈ 3.316 ≈ 3.32

∴ Foci = (h, k±F) = (0, 2±√11) = (0, 2±3.32) = (0,5.32) & (0,-1.32)

Now let’s graph the ellipse.

Ellipse Graph 2

Graph the following ellipse: x2+(y − 1)2/4=1. Find the foci.

Solution:

From the given equation, we get:
Center(h,k) = (0,1)
a = 2, b = 1
vertices = (0,3), (0,−1)
co-vertices = (1,1) & (−1,1)
F2 = a2 – b2 = 4-1, F = √3
Foci = (h,k±F) = (0,2.73) & (0,-0.73)

How to Graph an Ellipse in General Form: Not Centered at Origin

Here we will see how an ellipse equation in general form, centered at (h,k) is plotted on a graph. Ellipse having equation in general form is px2 + qy2 + cx + dy + e = 0; where (p,q)>0

Now, let us learn to plot an ellipse on a graph using an equation as in the above form.

Let’s take the equation 9x2 + 4y2 + 18x – 16y -11 = 0  and identify whether it is a horizontal or vertical ellipse. We will also label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.

First, let us rewrite the equation in the standard form.

9x2 + 4y2 + 18x – 16y -11  = 0

(p=9, q=4, c=18, d = -16, e = -11)

or, 9x2 + 18x + 4y2 + 16y = 11

or, 9(x2 + 2x) + 4(y2-4x) = 11

Converting the expression to (a±b)2

we can write the expression as following:

9(x2 + 2x + __) + 4(y2-4x + __) = 11

To get the values of __ in above expression,

for x, we divide the co-efficient of x (i.e. 2) by 2. We get 2/2 = 1

Similarly for y, we divide the co-efficient of y (i.e. 4) by 2. We get  4/2 = 2

So we write the expression as :

9(x2 + 2x + 1) + 4(y2-4x + 4) = 11 + 9 + 16 (equating the two sides, we need to add 16 + 9 on both sides)

or, 9(x+1)2 + 4(y-2)2 = 36

or, [9(x+1)2 + 4(y-2)2]/36 = 1

or, [(x+1)2]/4+ [(y-2)2]/9 = 1 (we get this expression as the equation of ellipse in standard form)

From this given equation, , it is clear that the ellipse is vertical, seeing the positions of a2 and b2 as in the denominators. So, the foci & vertices must be on the y-axis.

∴ center (h, k) : h = -1, k = 2 Hence, center = (-1, 2)

a2 = 9; a = 3, b2 = 4; b = 2

so, the vertices are (-1, 5) & (-1, -1)

co-vertices are (1,2) & (-3,2)

F2 = a2 – b2 =  9-4 = 5 , F = √5 ≈ 2.236

Foci = (-1, 2± √5) = (-1,4.236) & (-1, – 0.236)

Now let’s graph the ellipse.

Ellipse Graph 3

Graph the ellipse 4x2 + 8x + 9y2 – 18y – 23 = 0

Solution:

From the given equation, simplifying it to standard form:
4x2 + 8x + 9y2 -18y = 23
or, 4(x2 + 2x + _) + 9 (y2– 2y + _) = 23
or, 4(x2 + 2x + 1) + 9 (y2– 2y + 1) = 23 +4 + 9 (adding +9 + 4 on both sides)
or, 4(x+1)2 + 9(y-1)2 = 36
or, (x+1)2/9 + (y-1)2/4 = 1 (we get standard form of equation of ellipse)
∴ center (h,k) = (-1,1)
Vertices= (h ± a, k) = (2,1) & (-4,1)
Co-vertices: (h, k ± b) = (-1,3) & (-1,-1)

How to Graph an Ellipse in Standard Form: Centered at Origin

Here we will see how an ellipse equation in standard form, centered at the origin is plotted on a graph.

Let’s take the equation x2/9 + y2/1= 1 and identify whether it is a horizontal or vertical ellipse. We will also label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.

Comparing the given equation in the question, with the standard equation of an ellipse x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1centered at (0,0),

From the equation, we understand, the foci & vertices must be on the x-axis  hence it is a horizontal ellipse, seeing the positions of a2 and b2 as in the denominators. So, the foci & vertices must be on the x-axis.

∴Center = (0,0)

a= 3, b = 1

Vertices: (±a, 0) = (3,0) & (-3,0)

Co-vertices: (0, ±b) = (0,1) & (0,-1)

Equation of focal length is F2 = a2 – b2  = 9-1 = 8, F = √8 ≈ 2.83

∴ Foci = (±√8, 0) = (2.83,0) & (-2.83,0)

Now let’s graph the ellipse.

Ellipse Graph 4

Graph the ellipse x2 +  y2/25 = 1

Solution:

From the given equation, we get:
Center = (0,0)
a = 5, b = 1
Vertices = (0,5) & (0,-5)
Co-vertices = (1,0) & (-1,0)

How to Graph an Ellipse in General Form: Centered at Origin

Here we will see how an ellipse equation in general form, centered at the origin is plotted on a graph.

Ellipses centered at zero are represented in general form as px2 + qy2 = e = 0;where (p,q)>0

Now, let us learn to plot an ellipse on a graph using an equation as in the above form.

Let’s take the equation x2 + 16y2 -16= 0 and identify whether it is a horizontal or vertical ellipse. We will also label the center, vertices, co-vertices, and foci.

Rewriting the equation into standard form as follows:

x2 + 16y2 -16= 0

or, x2 + 16y2 = 16

or, x2/16+ 16y2/16 = 16/16 (dividing both sides by 16)

or, x2/16 + y2/1 = 1 (standard form)

From the equation, we understand, the foci & vertices must be on the x-axis  hence it is a horizontal ellipse, seeing the positions of a2 and b2 as in the denominators. So, the foci & vertices must be on the x-axis.

∴, center (h,k) = (0,0), a = 4, b = 1,

Vertices: (±a, 0) = (4,0) & (-4,0)

Co-vertices: (0, ±b) = (0,1) & (0,-1)

F2 = 16-1 = 15, F = √15 ≈ 3.87 ≈ 3.8

∴ Foci = (±√8, 0) = (3.8,0) & (-3.8,0)

Now let’s graph the ellipse.

Ellipse Graph 5

Graph the ellipse 25x2 + 4y2 -100 = 0.

Solution:

From the given equation, writing the equation in standard form,
25x2 + 4y2 = 100
or, x2/4 + y2/25 = 1
∴ we get: Center (h,k) = (0,0)
a = 5, b = 2.
Vertices = (0,5) & (0,-5)
Co-vertices = (2,0) & (-2,0)

Last modified on August 3rd, 2023

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