Table of contents
- 0. Fundamental Concepts of Algebra3h 29m
- 1. Equations and Inequalities3h 27m
- 2. Graphs1h 43m
- 3. Functions & Graphs2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 54m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Measuring Angles40m
- 8. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 9. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 10. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 11. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trig Equations1h 41m
- 12. Trigonometric Identities 2h 34m
- 13. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 14. Vectors2h 25m
- 15. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 16. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 17. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
- 18. Systems of Equations and Matrices3h 6m
- 19. Conic Sections2h 36m
- 20. Sequences, Series & Induction1h 15m
- 21. Combinatorics and Probability1h 45m
- 22. Limits & Continuity1h 49m
- 23. Intro to Derivatives & Area Under the Curve2h 9m
19. Conic Sections
Ellipses: Standard Form
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Determine the vertices and foci of the ellipse (x+1)2+4(y−2)2=1.
A
Vertices: (−1,4),(−1,0)
Foci: (−1,2+3),(−1,2−3)
B
Vertices: (−1,4),(−1,0)
Foci: (−2,2),(0,2)
C
Vertices: (−2,2),(0,2)
Foci: (1,2+3),(1,2−3)
D
Vertices: (−2,2),(0,2)
Foci: (2+3,1),(2−3,1)

1
Identify the standard form of the ellipse equation. The given equation is \((x+1)^2 + \frac{(y-2)^2}{4} = 1\). This is in the form \(\frac{(x-h)^2}{b^2} + \frac{(y-k)^2}{a^2} = 1\), where \(a > b\).
Determine the center of the ellipse. From the equation, \(h = -1\) and \(k = 2\), so the center is \((-1, 2)\).
Identify the values of \(a\) and \(b\). Here, \(a^2 = 4\) and \(b^2 = 1\), so \(a = 2\) and \(b = 1\). Since \(a > b\), the major axis is vertical.
Calculate the vertices. For a vertical ellipse, the vertices are at \((h, k \pm a)\). Thus, the vertices are \((-1, 2 + 2)\) and \((-1, 2 - 2)\), which simplifies to \((-1, 4)\) and \((-1, 0)\).
Find the foci. The distance from the center to each focus is \(c\), where \(c^2 = a^2 - b^2\). Calculate \(c = \sqrt{4 - 1} = \sqrt{3}\). The foci are at \((h, k \pm c)\), which are \((-1, 2 + \sqrt{3})\) and \((-1, 2 - \sqrt{3})\).
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