| Start with a given ellipse with its major and minor axes shown. |
 |
| 1. With the compass point on the center, set the compass width to half the width (major axis) of the ellipse. |
 |
| 2. Move the compass point to one end of the minor axis of the ellipse and draw two arcs across the major axis. |
 |
| 3. Where these arcs cross the major axis are the foci of the ellipse. Label them F1, F2. |
 |
| 4. Done. The two points F1, F2, define the foci of the ellipse. |
|