An arch is in the form of a semi-ellipse. It is 8 m wide and 2 m high at the center. Find the height of the arch at a point 1.5 m from one end.
Solution and Explanation
Since the height and width of the arc from the center is 2 m and 8 m respectively, it is clear that the length of the major axis is 8 m, while the length of the semi-minor axis is 2 m.
The origin of the coordinate plane is taken as the centre of the ellipse, while the major axis is taken along the x-axis. Hence, the semi-ellipse can be diagrammatically represented as
The equation of the semi-ellipse will be of the form \(\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1, y ≥ 0\) , where a is the semi-major axis
Accordingly, \(2a = 8 ⇒ a = 4 b = 2 \)
Therefore, the equation of the semi-ellipse is \(\frac{x^2}{16} +\frac{ y^2}{4} = 1, y ≥ 0 ......(1)\)
Let A be a point on the major axis such that AB = 1.5 m.
Draw \(AC⊥ OB. \)
\(OA = (4 - 1.5) m = 2.5 m \)
The x-coordinate of point C is 2.5.
On substituting the value of x with 2.5 in equation (1), we obtain
\(\frac{(2.5)^2}{16} +\frac{ y^2}{4} = 1\)
\(\frac{6.25}{16} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1\)
\(y^2 = 4 (1 – \frac{6.25}{16})\)
\(= 4 (\frac{9.75}{16})\)
\(= 2.4375\)
\(y = 1.56 (approx.)\)
\(∴AC = 1.56 m \)
Thus, the height of the arch at a point 1.5 m from one end is approximately 1.56 m.
Top Questions on Ellipse
- Let the length of a latus rectum of an ellipse $ \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 $ be 10. If its eccentricity is $ e $, and the minimum value of the function $ f(t) = t^2 + t + \frac{11}{12} $, where $ t \in \mathbb{R} $, then $ a^2 + b^2 $ is equal to:
- Let $ e_1 $ and $ e_2 $ be the eccentricities of the ellipse $ \frac{x^2}{b^2} + \frac{y^2}{25} = 1 $ and the hyperbola $ \frac{x^2}{16} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1, $ respectively. If $ b<5 $ and $ e_1 e_2 = 1 $, then the eccentricity of the ellipse having its axes along the coordinate axes and passing through all four foci (two of the ellipse and two of the hyperbola) is:
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- Let the ellipse \( E_1 : \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 \), \( a > b \) and \( E_2 : \frac{x^2}{A^2} + \frac{y^2}{B^2} = 1 \), \( A < B \), have the same eccentricity \( \sqrt{\frac{1}{3}} \). Let the product of their lengths of latus rectums be \( \sqrt{\frac{32}{3}} \) and the distance between the foci of \( E_1 \) be 4. If \( E_1 \) and \( E_2 \) meet at \( A \), \( B \), \( C \), and \( D \), then the area of the quadrilateral ABCD equals:
- Let the product of the focal distances of the point $$ \left( \sqrt{3}, \frac{1}{2} \right) $$ on the ellipse $$ \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1, \quad (a > b), $$ be $ \frac{7}{4} $. Then the absolute difference of the eccentricities of two such ellipses is:
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Concepts Used:
Ellipse
Ellipse Shape
An ellipse is a locus of a point that moves in such a way that its distance from a fixed point (focus) to its perpendicular distance from a fixed straight line (directrix) is constant. i.e. eccentricity(e) which is less than unity
Properties
- Ellipse has two focal points, also called foci.
- The fixed distance is called a directrix.
- The eccentricity of the ellipse lies between 0 to 1. 0≤e<1
- The total sum of each distance from the locus of an ellipse to the two focal points is constant
- Ellipse has one major axis and one minor axis and a center
Read More: Conic Section
Eccentricity of the Ellipse
The ratio of distances from the center of the ellipse from either focus to the semi-major axis of the ellipse is defined as the eccentricity of the ellipse.
The eccentricity of ellipse, e = c/a
Where c is the focal length and a is length of the semi-major axis.
Since c ≤ a the eccentricity is always greater than 1 in the case of an ellipse.
Also,
c2 = a2 – b2
Therefore, eccentricity becomes:
e = √(a2 – b2)/a
e = √[(a2 – b2)/a2] e = √[1-(b2/a2)]
Area of an ellipse
The area of an ellipse = πab, where a is the semi major axis and b is the semi minor axis.
Position of point related to Ellipse
Let the point p(x1, y1) and ellipse
(x2 / a2) + (y2 / b2) = 1
If [(x12 / a2)+ (y12 / b2) − 1)]
= 0 {on the curve}
<0{inside the curve}
>0 {outside the curve}