10.

0 ELLIPSE CONSTRUCTION
10.1 Introduction

Fig i: Parts of an ellipse

An ellipse is a 2-dimensional (or plane) figure bounded by a curved line termed
the circumference.
Its longest diameter is called the major axis and the shortest diameter is called the
minor axis.
If half of the major axis is measured with the compass and using the tip end of the
minor axis as center, an arc is drawn which cuts the major axis at two points called the
foci.
10.2 Definitions
An ellipse is a two-dimensional shape like a stretched circle with slightly longer
flatter sides.
Or
An ellipse is a two dimensional shape resembling oval with a major and a minor
axis.
Or
An ellipse can also be defined as a curve traced out by a point moving in a plane
such that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is a constant.
10.3 Methods of Ellipse Construction
There are different methods of ellipse construction:
The focal point method
The concentric circles method
The rectangular method
The rhombus method etc.
10.3.1 The Focal Point Method of Ellipse Construction
Steps
Set out the major and minor axes. For the major axis, use a horizontal line of
length 120mm and for the minor axis, use a vertical line of length 80mm.
Label the ends of the major axis A and B and the ends of the minor axis C and D
With a compass width equal to half of the major axis (1/2 of |AB|), and using C or
D as centers, describe an arc that cut the major axis at two points.
Label those points F1 and F2. These points are the focal points.

 Draw arcs whose sum of radii is equal to AB, using F1 and F2 as centers. The
intersection of the arcs is a point on the curve. Obtain several other points of
intersection of these arcs.
Join these points of arc intersection with a French curve to form an ellipse.

Fig ii: The Focal Point Method of Ellipse Construction

10.3.2 The Concentric Circle Method of Ellipse Construction
Steps
Draw two concentric circles of diameters equal to 120mm for the major axis and
80mm for the minor axis (major axis is horizontal while the minor axis is
vertical).
Label the center of the circle O.
Divide the circles into twelve equal parts (that is each division should have an
angle of 30).
Draw vertical lines parallel to the minor axis of the ellipse, from the point where
the diagonal lines that divide the big and small circles touches the circumference
of the big circle.
Draw horizontal lines, parallel to the major axis at points where the lines that
divided the small circle into twelve parts touches it circumference and ensure
these lines cut the previous vertical lines, parallel to the minor axis.
Join the points of intersection between the vertical and horizontal lines, with a
French curve to form an ellipse.

Fig iii: The Concentric Circle Method of Ellipse Construction

10.3.3 The Rectangular Method of Ellipse Construction

Steps
Set out the major and minor axes, using 120mm and 80mm for the major and
minor axis respectively.
Complete the rectangle (120mm X 80 mm) and label the rectangle PQRS.
Divide the major axis into 10 equal parts (i.e. 12mm per part) and the sides of the
rectangle parallel to the minor axis into 10 equal parts (i.e. 8 mm per part).
Note: any convenient number of divisions could be used.
Label the major axis XY and the mid-point O.
Label the ends of the minor axis BC.
For the major axis, from the mid-point O, number the points of division 1 to 4 on
both sides.
Use the number 1 to 4 to number or label |XP|, |XS|, |YQ| and |YR|.
From point B, draw lines B4, B3, B2, B1 and from point C, C4, C3, C2,
C1.
From point B, draw lines that cuts the points (1 - 4) on the major axis and
terminates at the previous line drawn. The first originates from B, passes through
3

point 1 on the |OY| axis and terminates on the line C4. The next passes through
point 2 and terminates at C3 and this goes on till the final line crosses point 4.
Repeat the same at point C, for the right and left sides.
Join the points of line termination with a French curve.
An ellipse is formed.

Fig iv: The Rectangular Method of Ellipse Construction

10.3.4 Construction of an Ellipse using the Rhombus Method
Steps
Draw the rhombus ABCD with side; say 60 mm, which is equal to the diameter of
the circle.
Locate EFGH which are the mid points of the sides AB, BC, CD and DA
respectively.
Join points ED and BH to locate J.
Join BG and FD to locate K.
With J as center and using a compass width which is equal to EJ = JH, draw an
arc which terminates at points E and H.
With K as center, and with a compass width equal to KF = KG, draw an arc to
pass through G and H.
With D as center and with a compass width equal to DE = DF, draw an arc to join
the points E and F.
With the same compass width, with B as center, draw an arc to join the points G
and H.
An ellipse is formed.

Fig v: Construction of an Ellipse using the Rhombus Method