Ellipse

Ellipse - Solved Examples

SOLVED SUBJECTIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1 :
The tangent at a point P on an ellipse intersect the major axis in T and N is the foot of the perpendicular
from P to the same axis. Show that the circle drawn on NT as diameter intersects the auxiliary circle
orthogonally.
Solution :
x 2 y2
Let the equation of the ellipse be  = 1. Let P(a cos  , b sin  ) be a point on the ellipse. The
a 2 b2
equation of the tangent at P is =1. It meets the major axis at T (a sec  , 0). The
x cos  y sin 

a b
coordinates of N are (acos  , 0). The equation of the circle with NT as its diameter is
(x–asec  ) (x–acos  ) + y2 = 0

.in
 x2 + y2 –ax (sec  + cos  ) + a2 = 0
 It cuts the auxiliary circle x2 + y2 – a2 = 0 orthogonally as 2g.0 + 2f.0 = a2 – a2 = 0, which is true.
ps
Example 2 :
Find the equation of the ellipse having its centre at the point (2, –3), one focus at (3, –3) and one vertex
te

at (4, –3).
Solution :
yS

We have,
C  (2, –3), S  (3, –3) and A  (4, –3)
ud

Now CA = (4  2)2  (3  3)2  2  a = 2

St

Again CS = (3  2) 2  (3  3) 2 = 1

1 1
 ae = 1  e = 
a 2
AS 1
Let the directrix cut the major-axis at Q. Then e 
AQ 2
If Q = (  ,  ), then
SA : AQ = e : 1 = 1 : 2
6 6 6 6
 A=  ,  = (4, –3)   4, 3    6,    3
 3 3  3 3
Slope of CA = 0, therefore directrix will be parallel to y-axis.
Since directrix is parallel to y-axis and it passes through Q (6, –3)
 equation of the directrix is x = 6,
Let P (x, y) be any point on the ellipse, then

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 Ellipse

1 PS ( x  3) 2  ( y  3) 2
e  
2 PN x 6
12
 3x2 + 4y2 – 12x – 24y + 36 = 0
Example 3 :
Show that the area of the quadrilateral formed by common tangents of the cirlce x2 + y2 = c2 and
2 2
the ellipse x 2  y2  1, b  c  a, is 2c 2 (a 2  b 2 )
a b (a 2  c 2 ) (c 2  b 2 )
Solution :
Let m be the slope of the common tangent AB of the given circle and the ellipse in the first
quadrant, intersecting the x and y-axes at A and B respectively. Then c 1  m 2  a 2 m 2  b 2

c2  b2
 m
a 2  c2 y B
Equation of the line passing through A and B is
y  mx  c 1  m 2
.in A x
ps
 a 2  b2   a 2  b2 
Hence A   c c 2  b 2 , 0  B   0, c a 2  c 2 

   
te

Due to symmetry, the quadrilateral formed by the common tangents will be a rhombus having diagonals
yS

a 2  b2 a 2  b2
along the axes of coordinates of lengths 2c and 2c .
c2  b2 a 2  c2
ud

1 a 2  b2 a 2  b2 2c 2 (a 2  b 2 )
  2c  2c 
St

Required area = 2 c2  b2 a 2  c2 (a 2  c 2 ) (c 2  b 2 )

Example 4 :
A tangent to an ellipse is cut by the tangents at the ends of the major axis in T, T  . Prove that the circle
with diameter TT will pass through the foci.
Solution :
Let the equation of ellipse be

x2 y2
 1 ... (1)
a2 b2
Equation of tangent at any point P() is
x y
cos   sin   1 ... (2)
a b
Equation of tangent at A is
x=a ... (3)
and equation of tangent at A is

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 Ellipse

x = –a ... (4)
y
Solving (2) and (3), cos   sin   1
b
b(1  cos )
 y
sin  T’
 b(1  cos )  P
Thus T is  a,
sin  
. B
 T

 b(1  cos )  A’ S’ C S A
Solving (2) and (4), T  is  a,
 sin   (–ae, 0) (ae, 0)

Equation of circle on TT as diameter is B’

 b(1  cos )   b(1  cos ) 

(x – a) (x + a) +  y   y 
sin   sin  
=0


by b 2 (1  cos 2 )
 x 2  y2  (1  cos   1  cos )  a 2  0
sin 

.in
sin 2 
2b
 x 2  y2  y  a 2  b2  0
ps
sin 
2b
te

 x 2  y2  y  a 2e 2  0 since a2 – b2 = a2e2
sin 
yS

The coordinates of foci S(ae, 0) and S (–ae, 0) satisfy it. Hence the circle passes through
S and S .
ud

Example 5 :
St

A man running round a racecourse notes that the sum of the distances of two flag-posts from him is
always 10 meters and the distance between the flag-posts is 8 meters. Prove that the area of the path
he encloses in square meters is 15 .
Solution :
Let P(x, y) be the position of the man at any time. Let S(4, 0) and S (–4, 0) be the fixed
flag-posts, with C as the origin. Since SP + SP = 10 meters i.e., a constant, the locus of P is an ellipse
with S and S as foci
 ae = 4, and 2a = 10  e = 4/5
 b2 = a2 (1–e2)  b2 = 25 (1–16/25) = 9  b = 3.
Hence the area of the ellipse = ab  .5.3 15

Example 6 :
x 2 y2
From a point A on the circle x + y = a , tangents AP and AQ are drawn to the ellipse 2  2 1 .
2 2 2
a b

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 Ellipse

2
 x 2 y2 
Show that the locusof the mid point of the chord PQ describes the curve x  y  2
d  2  2 .
2 2

a b 

Solution :
Let A  (d cos , d sin )
Let R be middle point of PQ. Let R  (h, k)
Equation of the chord of contact FQ is T = 0
xd cos  yd sin 
i.e.,  1 ... (i)
a2 b2
Equation of the chord PQ with middle point R(h, k) is
xh yk h2 k2
T  S1 i.e.,   1   1
a 2 b2 a 2 b2

xh yk h 2 k 2
or    ... (ii)
a 2 b2 a 2 b2

.in
(i) and (ii) are the same equations

 d cos  d sin  1 (h 2  k 2 )
  2  1
ps
h k h k2  h2 k2 
  2 2
a 2 b2 a b 
te

2
 x 2 y2 
yS

Hence locus of (h, k) is (x + y ) = d  2  2 

2
2 2
a b 
ud

Example 7 :
Show that for all real p, the line 2px + y 1  p 2  1 touches a fixed ellipse. Find the eccentricity of the
St

ellipse.
Solution :
x 2 y2
Let the ellipse be 2  2 1 . The line y  mx  a 2 m 2  b 2 touches this ellipse for all m.
a b
2px 1
Hence it is identical with y  
1 p 2
1  p2

2p 1
Hence m   and a2 m2 + b2 =
1  p2 1  p2

4p 2 1
 a2.  b2 
1 p 2
1  p2
 p2 (4a2 – b2) + b2 – 1 = 0
This equation is true for all real p if b2 = 1 and 4a2 = b2.

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 Ellipse

1 x 2 y2
 2 2
b = 1 and a = . Hence the ellipse is  1
4 1/ 4 1
1
If e is its eccentricity, then 1  e2
4

3 3
 e2   e=
4 2

Example 8 :
A variable point P on the ellipse of eccentricity e is joined to the foci S and S . Prove that the locus of
2e
the in-centre of the triangle PSS is an ellipse whose eccentricity is .
1 e
Solution :
x 2 y2
Let the ellipse be  = 1, whose foci are S (ae, 0) and S (–ae, 0). If P(a cos  , b sin  ) is any
a 2 b2

.in
point on the ellipse, then SP = a(1 –ecos  ), SP  a (1  e cos ) and SS = 2ae. Let (h, k) be the in
centre of the triangle PSS .
ps
 ae.a (1  e cos )  ae.a (1  e cos )  a cos .2ae
Then h = = ae cos 
a (1  e cos )  a (q  e cos )  2ae
te

b sin .2ae b sin e

k 
yS

a (1  e cos )  a (1  e cos )  2ae 1 e

h (1  e)k h 2 (1  e) 2 k 2
ud

 cos   , sin     1
ae eb a 2e 2 e2b2
St

x2 y2
Hence the locus of (h, k) is 2 2  1
a e e 2 b 2 /(1  e) 2
which is the equation of an ellipse, whose eccentricity e1 is given by
e 2 a 2 (1  e 2 )
= a2e2 (1–e12)
(1  e) 2

2e
 e1 =
1 e

Example 9 :
If two points are taken on the minor axis of an ellipse at the same distance from the centre as the foci,
prove that the sum of the squares of the perpendiculars from these points on any tangent to the ellipse
is constant.
Solution :

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 Ellipse

Let the equation of the ellipse be

x 2 y2
 1
a 2 b2

Then, the distance of a focus from the centre = ae = a 1  b 2 / a 2  a 2  b 2 , so that the two points
of minor axis are y

   .
P1
S1 0, a b
2 2
and S1 0,  a  b
2 2 S1
P2
Now any tangent to the ellipse is
S S
y = mx + a m b
2 2 2 where m is a parameter..
S1

The sum of the squares of the perpendiculars on this tangent from the two points S1 and S1 is
2 2
 a 2  b2  a 2m2  b2    a 2  b2  a 2m2  b2 
   
 1  m2   1  m2 
   
= 2(a2 – b2 + a2m2 + b2)/ (1 + m2) = 2a2 (constant).
.in
ps
Example 10 :
Prove that in general four normals can be drawn to an ellipse from any point, and the sum of eccentric
te

angles of the co-normal points is equal to an odd multiple of two right angles.
yS

Solution :
Let the ellipse be x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1 ... (i)
ud

The normal at any point (a cos  , b sin  ) on (i) is

ax sec  – by cos ec = a2 – b2 if it passes through a point (x1, y1), then
St

ax1 sec   by1 cos ec  a 2  b 2

 1 t2   1 t2  1
ax1    1
 2t  = a –b , where t = tan 2 
by
 1 t2 
2 2
or
   
or 2ax1(1 + t2) t – by1(1 + t2) (1 – t2) = 2(a2 – b2) t(1–t2)
or by1t4 + 2(ax1 + a2 – b2)t3 + 2(ax1 –a2 + b2) t – by1 = 0 ... (ii)
This being an equation of 4th degree in t, will give in general four values of t i.e., of
1
2
tan i.e., of  . And corresponding to each value of  we shall get one point on the ellipse, normal
at which will pass through the fixed point (x1, y1).
Hence from any fixed point (x1, y1) four normals can be drawn to the ellipse x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1. The four
points on the ellipse the normals at which pass through the fixed point (x1, y1) are called conormal
points.
Let the eccentric angles of these conormal points be 1 ,  2 , 3 and  4 and the corresponding
values of t be t1, t2, t3 and t4 respectively.

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 Ellipse

Then t1, t2, t3 and t4 are the roots of the equation (ii) and hence with the help of trigonometry
s1 =  t1  2(ax1  a 2  b 2 ) / by1 , s 2   t1t 2  0,

s3 = t t t
1 2 3   2(ax1  a 2  b 2 ) / by1
and s4 = t1t2t3t4 = –by1/by1 = – 1
1 s1  s 3 s  s3
 tan ( 1   2   3   4 )   1 which is not defined.
2 1  s2  s4 1  0  1

1 1
Hence (1   2  3   4 )  n   , n  I
2 2
or 1   2  3   4  2n    (2n  1)  = odd multiple of two right angles.

.in
ps
te
yS
ud
St

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 Ellipse

SOLVED OBJECTIVE EXAMPLES

Example 1 :
x 2 y2
If the normal at the point P() to the ellipse  = 1 intersects it again at the point Q(2) , then
14 5
cos  is equal to
(a) 2/3 (b) –2/3
(c) 3/2 (d) –3/2
Solution :
Equation of normal at (a cos , b sin ) is
ax sec  – by cos ec = a2 – b2
Now this normal passes through (a cos 2, b sin 2), so
cos 2 sin 2 2
a.a  b.b  a  b2  18cos 2   9 cos   14  0
cos  sin 
2 7
 cos   
or cos   (Not possible)

.in
3 6
Hence (b) is the correct answer.
ps
Example 2 :
Tangents are drawn from the points on the line x–y–5 = 0 to x2 + 4y2 = 4. Then all the chords of
te

contact pass through a fixed point, whose coordinates are

yS

4 1 1 4
(a)  ,   (b)  ,  
5 5 5 5
ud

4 1  4 1
(c)  ,  (d)   , 
 5 5  5 5
St

Solution :
Any point on the line x–y – 5 = 0 will be of the form (t, t–5). Chord of contact of this point w.r.t curve
x2 + 4y2 = 4 is tx + 4 (t–5) y –4 = 0 or (–20y – 4) + t(x + 4y) = 0 which is a family of straight lines,
each member of this family pass through the point of intersection of straight lines –20y – 4 = 0 and x +
4y = 0.
Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

Example 3 :
x 2 y2
The distance between the directrices of the ellipse  1 is
4 9

9 24
(a) (b)
5 5
18
(c) (d) none of these
5

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 Ellipse

Solution :
4 = 9 (1 – e2)  e = 5 /3
2a 2  3  3 18
Distance between the directrices =  
e 5 5
Hence (c) is the correct answer.

Example 4 :
The distance of the center of the ellipse x2 + 2y2 – 2 = 0 to those tangents of the ellipse which are
equally inclined to both the axes is
3 3
(a) (b)
2 2

2 3
(c) (d)
3 2
Solution :

Equation of ellipse is
x 2 y2
2 1 .in
  1. General tangent to the ellipse of slope m is y = mx  2m 2  1 .
ps
Since this is equally inclined to axes, so m =  1. Thus tangents are
y= x  2 1   x  3
te
yS

3
Distance of any of these tangent these from origin is equal to .
2
ud

Hence (d) is the correct answer.

Example 5 :
St

If   x 2 y2
3 bx + ay = 2ab touches the ellipse 2  2 = 1, then eccentric angle of the point of contact is
a b
 
(a) (b)
6 4
 
(c) (d)
3 2
Solution :

x 3 y1
Equation of tangent is   1 and equation of tangent at the point (acos  , b sin  ) is
a 2 b2
x y
cos   sin   1 .
a b

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 Ellipse

3 1
Both are same i.e., cos  = , sin  =
2 2

  =
6
Hence (a) is the correct answer.

Example 6 :
The line 3x + 5y = k touches the ellipse 16x2 + 25y2 = 400 if k is
(a)  5 (b)  15
(c)  25 (d) none of these
Solution :
Putting 5y = k – 3x in the equation of the ellipse 16x2 + 25y2 = 400,
we get 16x2 + (k – 3x)2 = 400
 25x2 – 6kx + k2 – 400 = 0
Now D = 0  36k2 – 100 (k2 – 400) = 0  k =  25
Hence (c) is the correct answer.

Example 7 :
The point of contact of the line y = x –1 with 3x2–4y2 = 12 is .in
ps
(a) (–3, 4) (b) (4, 3)
(c) (5, 4) (d) (2, 0)
te

Solution :
Putting y = x – 1 in the equation 3x2 –4y2 = 12,
yS

we get 3x2 – 4 (x – 1)2 = 12

D = 0  x = 4, y = 3
ud

Hence (b) is the correct answer.

Example 8 :
St

A line segment of length a + b moves in such a way that its ends are always on two fixed perpendicular
straight lines. Then the locus of the point on this line which divides it into portions of lengths a and b is
(a) a parabola (b) a circle
(c) an ellipse (d) none of these
Solution :
B = ((a + b)cos  , 0) A  (0, (a + b)sin  ) y
A
 a (a  b) cos   b 0 b(a  b) sin   0.a  a
P (h, k)   ; 
 ab ab  P(h, k)

i.e., h = acos  ; k = bsin   b

B x
h2 k2
  = 1, so that locus of (h, k) is an ellipse.
a 2 b2
Hence (c) is the correct answer.

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 Ellipse

Example 9 :
x 2 y2
P is a variable point on the ellipse  = 1 with AA as the major axis. Then the maximum value
a 2 b2
of the area of the triangle APA is
(a) ab (b) 2ab
(c) ab/2 (d) none of these
Solution :
Area of APA will be maximum, when the height of triangle will be maximum i.e., b.
y
1
maximum area of APA   2a  b  ab P
2
x
Hence (a) is the correct answer.
A A
Example 10 :
x 2 y2
If chord of contact of the tangents drawn from the point (  ,  ) to the ellipse  = 1, touches
a 2 b2
the circle x2 + y2 = c2, then the locus of the point (  ,  ) is

x 2 y2 1
(a) 2  2  2 .in
x 2 y2 1
(b) 2  2  4
ps
a b c a b c
x 2 y2 1
(c) 4  4  2 (d) None of these
te

a b c
Solution :
yS

x y
  1 touches the circles x2 + y2 = c2
a 2 b2
ud

 perpendicular distance from centre of the circle to the line = radius of the circle
| 1 |
St

c
i.e.,  2 2

a 4 b4

 x 2 y2  x 2 y2 1
Locus of (, ) is c  4  4  1
2
i.e., 4  4  2
a b  a b c
Hence (c) is the correct answer.

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