BOARD

STUDY
MATERIALS

ELLIPSE
COMPOSED BY:

DWAIPAYAN RAY
B.E. (JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY)

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 ELLIPSE
(S.N. Dey)

SECTION – I In each of the following cases, state whether the

statement is true or false:
Fill in the blanks:
x2 y 2
1. (i) If e be the eccentricity of the ellipse 2. (i) Every chord of the ellipse + =
1 through
a 2 b2
x2 y 2 its centre is bisected at the centre.
+ =
1 , then e = _______ .
a 2 b2 x2 y 2
x2 y 2 (ii) One portion of the graph of the ellipse +
(ii) The ellipse + =1 is _______ with a 2 b2
a 2 b2 = 1 extends towards infinity.
respect to both co-ordinates axes.
x2 y 2
(iii) The parametric equations of the ellipse (iii) Let P be any point on the ellipse + =
1;
a 2 b2
x2 y 2 then the distance of P from the focus of the ellipse is
+ =
1 are _______ .
a 2 b2 greater than its perpendicular distance from the
(iv) The equation of auxiliary circle of the ellipse directrix.
x2 y 2 x2 y 2
+ =
1 is _______ . (iv) The ellipse + =
1 is limited in all
a 2 b2 a 2 b2
(v) If a point moves on a plane in such a way that directions and is a closed curve.
the sum of its distances from two fixed points on (v) If e be the eccentricity of the ellipse
the plane is always a constant then the locus traced
x2 y 2
out by the moving point on the plane will be + =
1 , then 0 < e < 1.
_______ . a 2 b2
(vi) The length of latus rectum of the ellipse
9 x 2 + 25 y 2 =225 is _______ .
(vii) The coordinates of the vertices of the ellipse SECTION – II
4x2 + y 2 = 16 are _______ .
(viii) The eccentricity of the ellipse 1. Find the length of latus rectum and coordinates of
4 x + 25 y =
2 2
100 is _______ . the foci of the ellipse 25 x 2 + 4 y 2 =
100 [HS 84]
(ix) The length of latus rectum of the ellipse
25x 2 + 9 y 2 = 225 is _______ . 2. Find the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse
(x) The coordinates of the vertices of the ellipse x2 y 2
+ =
1 [HS
x2 + 4 y 2 = 16 are _______ . 9 16
89]
(xi) The length of major axis of the ellipse 4x 2 +
9 y 2 = 36 is _______ . 3. Calculate the eccentricity of the ellipse
(xii) The eccentricity of the ellipse 25 x 2 + 4 y 2 x2
y 2
+ =
1 [HS 87]
= 100 is _______ . 169 144
(xiii) The length of minor axis of the ellipse 9x 2 +
4 y 2 = 36 is _______ . 4. (i) Find the equations of the directrices of the
ellipse x 2 + 4 y 2 =
4 [HS 86]
(ii) Find the distance between the foci of the ellipse
3x 2 + 4 y 2 = 12 [HS 88]

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 ELLIPSE
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5. Find the eccentricity of the ellipse if:

(i) The length of latus rectum is equal to half the SECTION – III
minor axis of the ellipse.
(ii) The length of minor axis is equal to half the 1. Find (i) the lengths of axes (ii) the length of latus
distance between the foci of the ellipse. rectum (iii) co-ordinates of vertices (iv) eccentricity
(iii) The length of minor axis is equal to the distance (v) coordinates of foci and (vi) equations of
between the latera recta. directrices of each of the following ellipse:
(a) 16 x 2 + 9 y 2 =400 [HS
x2 y 2 x2 y 2 98]
6. (i) If the ellipse 2 + 2 =1 and 2 + 2 =1 have
a b p q (b) 9 x 2 + 4 y 2 =36 [HS 91]
the same eccentricity, show that aq = bp (c) x 2 + 4 y 2 =
16
x2 y 2 (d) 4 x 2 + 3 y 2 =
1
(ii) The ellipse + = 1 has the same
169 25
x2 y 2 2. Find the eccentricity and equations of the directrices
eccentricity as the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 . Find the ratio
a b x2 y 2
of the ellipse + =
1 . Show that the sum of
a 100 36
b the focal distances of any point on this ellipse is a
constant. [HS 86, 94]
7. Find the positions of the points (i) (-3, 1) (ii) (-2, -3)
(iii) (5, -2) with respect to the ellipse 3 x 2 + 4 y 2 3. Taking major and minor axes as x and y – axes
respectively, find the equation of the ellipse:
= 48

8. For what values of a2 does the point (2√3, 1) lie (i) Whose lengths of major and minor axes are 6
x2 y 2 and 5 respectively.
outside the ellipse 2 + =
1? [HS 92]
a 4 (ii) Whose lengths of minor axes and latus rectum
are 4 and 2
9. The coordinates of a point on the ellipse 3
(iii) Whose eccentricity is and coordinates of foci
 3 3 5
9 x 2 + 16 y 2 = 144 are  2,  ; find the eccentric are (± 3, 0) [HS 95]
 2 
1
angle of the point. (iv) Whose eccentricity is and length of latus
2
10. Find the coordinates of the point on the ellipse rectum 3 [HS 97]
(v) Which passes through the points (1, 3) and (2,
4 whose eccentric angle is 600.
x2 + 2 y 2 =
1)
2
(vi) Whose eccentricity is and passes through
5
the point (-3, 1)
(vii) Whose coordinates of vertices are (± 4, 0) and
the coordinates of the ends of minor axes are (0, ±
2).
(viii) Whose distance between the foci is 2 and the
distance between the directrices is 4

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1 (v) Coordinates of foci are (0, ± 8) and the

(ix) Whose eccentricity is and the sum of the
4
2 eccentricity is [HS 90]
squares of major and minor axes is 24 5
(x) Whose coordinates of vertices are (± 5, 0) and
the coordinates of one focus are (4, 0) 7. Find the equation of the ellipse whose:
18 1
(xi) Whose length of latus rectum is units and (i) Eccentricity is , focus is (2, 0) and directrix is x
5 2
the coordinates of one focus are (4, 0). –8=0
(xii) Whose distance between the foci is 4√3 units 7
and minor axis is of length 4 units. [HS 96] (ii) Eccentricity is , focus is (0, − 7) and
4
2 directrix is √7y + 16 = 0
(xiii) Whose eccentricity is and the length of
3 1
(iii) Eccentricity is , focus is (-1, 1), directrix is x – y
semi-latus rectum is 2 units. 2
+3=0
4. (i) Find the lengths of axes of the ellipse whose (iv) Focus is (3, 4), directrix is 3x + 4y = 5 and
3 2
eccentricity is and the distance between focus eccentricity is
5 3
and directrix is 16
(ii) (1, 3) and (4, -1) are two foci of an ellipse whose 8. A point moves so that its distance from (0, -3) is
1 1
eccentricity is . Find the length of the major axis. times its distance from the line 3x – 4y + 1 = 0.
4 2
[Jt. Ent 97] Show that the locus of the moving point is an ellipse
whose equation you are to determine. [HS 2000]
5. The length of the latus rectum of an ellipse is 8 units
and that of the major axis, which lies along the x- 9. Find the equation of the ellipse whose major axis is
axis, is 18 units. Find its equation in the standard parallel to x-axis and
form. Determine the coordinates of the foci and the
7
equations of its directrices. [HS 93] (i) centre is (-3, 2), eccentricity is and the
4
6. Taking major and minor axes along y and x-axes, length of latus rectum is
9
find the equation of the ellipse whose: 2
(i) Coordinates of foci are (0, ± 1) and the length of (ii) centre is (-2, 1), length of major axis 2 3 and
minor axis is 2. the coordinates of foci are (-1, 1) and (-3, 1)
3
(ii) Eccentricity and the length of latus rectum
7 10. Find the equation of the ellipse, for which the foci
8 are (0, 1) and (0, -1) and length of the minor axis is 1
unit. Explain how the ellipse is reduced to a circle
7 when its two foci coincide.
(iii) Length of minor axis is 2 and the distance
between the foci is √5 1
(iv) Coordinates of one vertex are (0, -6) and the 11. The eccentricity of an ellipse is , focus is S (0, 0)
coordinates of one end of minor axis are (-3, 0).
2
and the major axis and the directrix intersect at Z (-
1, -1). Find the coordinates of the centre of the
ellipse.

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12. The lengths of major and minor axes of an ellipse

are 8 and 6 and their equations are y – 1 = 0 and x + SECTION – IV
3 = 0 respectively. Find the equation of the ellipse.
1. Find (i) the centre, (ii) vertices, (iii) equations of the
axes, (iv) lengths of the axes, (v) eccentricity, (vi) the
 2 
13. Show that the point  2,  lies on the ellipse length of latus rectum, (vii) coordinates of foci and
 5 (viii) the equations of the directrices of each of the
4x + 5 y =
2
20 . Show further that the sum of its
2
following ellipse:
distances from the two foci is equal to the length of ( x + 1) 2 ( y − 2) 2
its major axis.
(a) + = 1
9 5
(b) 3 x 2 + 4 y 2 + 6 x − 8 y = 5
14. Show that the sum of the foci distances of any point
on the ellipse 9 x 2 + 16 y 2 =
144 is constant. (c) 9 x + 5 y − 30 y =
2 2
0

15. If t be a variable parameter, show that the point 2. (i) Find the eccentricity, the length of latus rectum
and the centre of the ellipse 9 x 2 + 16 y 2 − 54 x
1− t2 2t 2
x= a , y= b= always lies on an ellipse. +64 y + 1 =0
1+ t2 1+ t2
(ii) Find the latus rectum, the eccentricity and the
16. A point moves on a plane in such a manner that the coordinates of the foci of the ellipse 9 x 2 + 5 y 2 +
sum of its distances from the point (5, 0) and (-5, 0) 30 y = 0 [Jt. Ent 96]
is always constant and equal to 26. Show that the
locus of the moving point is the ellipse 3. Examine, with reasons, the validity of the following
x 2
y 2
statement:
+ =
1
169 144 x 2 + 4 y 2 + 2 x − 24 y + 33 =
0 represents the
3
17. Find the locus of the point, the ratio of whose equation of an ellipse whose eccentricity is
distances from the line x – 8 = 0 and from the point 2
[Jt. Ent 80]
(2, 0) is 2: 1

18. The lengths of the major and minor axes of an x2 y 2

4. (i) The ellipse + = 1 passes through (-3, 2)
ellipse are 2a and 2b and N is the foot of the a 2 b2
perpendicular drawn from a point P of the ellipse on 3
PN 2 b2 and its eccentricity is ; find the length of its
the major axis. Show that, = 2 where A 5
AN . A ' N a latus rectum.
and A’ are the two vertices of the ellipse. x2 y 2
(ii) The ellipse + =
1 passes through the
19. Show that for an ellipse the straight line joining the a 2 b2
point of intersection of the lines 7x + 13y – 87 = 0
upper end of one latus rectum and the lower end of
and 5x – 8y + 7 = 0 and its length of latus rectum is
the other latus rectum passes through the centre of
the ellipse. 32 2
; find a and b. [Jt. Ent 89]
5
20. Find the equation of the auxiliary circle of the ellipse
16 x 2 + 25 y 2 + 32 x − 100 y =
284

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5. The coordinates of the centre and of a vertex of an

ellipse are (-2, -2) and (-2, 4) and its eccentricity is 10. O is the centre of an ellipse whose semi-minor axis
2 is b. the ordinate of a point P of the ellipse
; find the equation of the ellipse. intersects its auxiliary circle at Q (when produced).
3
The straight line through P drawn parallel to OQ cuts
6. (i) The vertices of an ellipse are (-1, 2) and (9, 2). If the major axis at G. Prove that, PG = b.
4
the eccentricity of the ellipse be , find its 11. If (α + β) and (α - β) are the eccentric angles of the
5 points P and Q respectively on the ellipse
equation. [HS 88]
(ii) Find the equation of the ellipse whose foci are x2 y 2
+ =1 , show that the equation of the chord
(2, 3) and (-2, 3) and whose semi-minor axis is 3 a 2 b2
[Jt. Ent 89] x y
PQ is cos α + sin α = cos β
2 a b
(iii) The eccentricity of an ellipse is and the
3
coordinates of its one focus and the corresponding
vertex are (1, 2) and (2, 2) respectively. Find the
equation of the ellipse. Also find the coordinate of
the point of intersection of its major axis and the
directrix in the same direction.

7. The distance of a point of the ellipse x 2 + 3 y 2 = 6

from its centre is 2; find the eccentric angle of the
point. [Jt. Ent 90]

x2 y 2
8. PQ is any double ordinate of the ellipse + =
1;
a 2 b2
find the equation to the locus of the point of
trisection of PQ that is nearer to P.

9. Show that the double ordinate of the auxiliary circle

of an ellipse passing through the focus is equal to
the minor axis of the ellipse.

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 ELLIPSE
(S.N. Dey)

ANSWERS

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 ELLIPSE
R.D. SHARMA

1. A rod AB of length 15 cm rests in between two ANSWERS

coordinate axes in such a way that the end point A
5
lies on x-axis and end point B lies on y-axis. A point is 1.
taken on the rod in such a way that AP = 6 cm. Show 3
that the locus of P is an ellipse. Also, find its
eccentricity. 39
2. m
4
2. An arc is in the form of a semi-ellipse. It is 8 m wide
and 2m high at the centre. Find the height of the arch x2 y 2
at a point 1.5 m from one end. 3. + =
1
25 9
3. A man running a race-course notes that the sum of
the distances from the two flag posts from him is
always 10 metres and the distance between the flag 2
4.
posts is 8 metres. Find the equation of the path 3
traced by the man.

4. If the minor axis of an ellipse subtends an equilateral

triangle with vertex at one end of major axis, then
5 −1
5.
write the eccentricity of the ellipse. 2

5. If a latus-rectum of an ellipse subtends a right angle at 6. c

the centre of the ellipse, then write the eccentricity
of the ellipse.

x2 y2
6. The equation + +1 =0 represents an
2−λ λ −5
ellipse, if
(a) λ < 5 (b) λ < 2
(c) 2 < λ < 5 (d) λ < 2 or λ < 5

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MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEMS FROM VARIOUS BOOKS

1. Prove that in an ellipse CS .CX = CA2 where C is

the centre of he ellipse, S is a focus, A is the 7. Find the condition so that the line px + qy = r
corresponding vertex and X is the point of x2 y 2
intersects the ellipse + =
1 in points whose
intersection of the straight line CS with directrix a 2 b2
corresponding to S. π
eccentric angles differ by
4
2. Let ASB and AS’C be two focal chords of the ellipse
π
x2 y 2 =
Ans : r 2 cos 2 (a 2 p 2 + b 2 q 2 )
+ =
1 , through the foci S and S'. If the 8
a 2 b2
eccentric angles of B and C are β and θ, then show 8. If any two chords be drawn through two points on
β the major axis of an ellipse equidistant from the
tan
that 2 is a constant. α β γ δ
θ centre, show that tan tan tan tan = 1,
tan 2 2 2 2
2 where α , β , γ , δ are the eccentric angles of the
extremities of the chords.
3. If the chord joining the points θ and φ of the
x2 y 2 9. A rod of length 12 cm moves with its ends always
ellipse + =1 subtends a right-angle at (a, 0), touching the coordinate axes. Determine the
a 2 b2
equation of the locus of a point on the rod, which
θ φ b2
prove that, tan tan = − 2 is 3 cm from the end in contact with the x-axis.
2 2 a Ans: x 2 + 9 y 2 =
81
4. PQ and PR are two focal chords of an ellipse and
10. Find the values of k, if the equation
the eccentric angles of P, Q, R are 2α , 2 β , 2γ
respectively. Prove that, tan α tan β tan γ = cot α 8 x 2 − 16 xy + ky 2 − 22 x + 34 y =
12 represents an
ellipse.
x2 y 2 Ans: All real numbers greater than 8
5. Let P be a point on the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1,
a b
0 < b < a . Let the line parallel to y-axis passing
through P meet the circle x 2 + y 2 =a 2 at the point
Q such that P and Q are on the same side of x-axis.
For two positive real numbers r and s, find the
locus of the point R on PQ such that PR: RQ = r: s as
P varies over the ellipse.
x 2 y 2 (r + s )2
Ans : + =
1
a 2 (ar + bs ) 2

6. if the eccentric angles of the two points on the

x2 y 2
ellipse 2
1 (a 2 > b 2 ) ) are θ1 and θ 2 then
+ 2 =
a b
prove that the equation of chord passing through
these two points is
x θ +θ y θ +θ θ −θ
cos 1 2 + sin 1 2 =
cos 1 2
a 2 b 2 2
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