notes
The equation of an ellipse is simplest if the centre of the ellipse is at the origin and the foci are
on the x-axis or y-axis. The two such possible orientations are shown in above Fig.
We will derive the equation for the ellipse shown above in Fig with foci on the x-axis.
Let `F_1` and `F_2` be the foci and O be the midpoint of the line segment
`F_1F_2`. Let O be the origin and the line from O through `F_2` be the positive x-axis and that through `F_1`as the negative x-axis. Let, the line through O perpendicular to the x-axis be the y-axis. Let the coordinates of `F_1` be
(– c, 0) and `F_2` be (c, 0).
Let P(x, y) be any point on the ellipse such that the sum of the distances from P to the two foci be 2a so given
`PF_1` + `PF_2` = 2a. ... (1)
Using the distance formula,
`sqrt((x + c)^2 + y^2) + sqrt((x - c )^2 + y^2) 2a`
i.e., `sqrt ((x + c)^2 + y^2 ) = 2a - sqrt((x - c )^2 + y^2)`
Squaring both sides, we get
`(x + c)^2 + y^2 = 4a^2 – 4a sqrt((x-c)^2 + y^2) + (x - c)^2 + y^2`
which on simplification gives
`sqrt((x - c)^2 + y^2) = a-(c/a) x`
Squaring again and simplifying, we get
`x^2/a^2 + y^2/(a^2 - c^2) = 1`
i.e., `x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1`
Hence any point on the ellipse satisfies
`x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1`
The standard equation of the ellipses for the above Fig.
1. Ellipse is symmetric with respect to both the coordinate axes since if (x, y) is a point on the ellipse, then (– x, y), (x, –y) and (– x, –y) are also points on the ellipse.
2. The foci always lie on the major axis. The major axis can be determined by finding the intercepts on the axes of symmetry. That is, major axis is along the x-axis if the coefficient of `x^2` has the larger denominator and it is along the y-axis if the coefficient of `y^2` has the larger denominator.
