Question:

Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of the major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity, and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse \(\dfrac{x^2}{16}+\dfrac{y^2}{9}=1\).

Updated On: Oct 20, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

The given equation is \(\dfrac{x^2}{16}+\dfrac{y^2}{9}=1\) or \(\dfrac{x^2}{4^2}+ \dfrac{y^2}{3^2} = 1\)
Here, the denominator of \(\dfrac{x^2}{16}\) is greater than the denominator of \(\dfrac{y^2}{9} .\)
Therefore, the major axis is along the \( x-axis\), while the minor axis is along the \(y-axis.\) On comparing the given equation with 

\(\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} + \dfrac{y^2}{b^2} = 1\), we obtain \(a = 4 \) and \(b = 3.\)
\(∴ c = √(a^2 – b^2)\)

\(= √(16-9)\)

\(= √7\)

Therefore, 
The coordinates of the foci are\( (√7, 0)\) and \((-√7, 0) \)
The coordinates of the vertices are\( (4, 0)\) and \((-4, 0). \)
Length of major axis =\( 2a= 8 \)
Length of minor axis = \(2b= 6\)

Eccentricity, \(e = \dfrac{c}{a} = \dfrac{√7}{4}\)

Length of the latus rectum \(= \dfrac{2b^2}{a} = \dfrac{(2×3^2)}{4} \)

                                           \(     = \dfrac{(2×9)}{4} \)

                                           \(= \dfrac{18}{4} \)

                                           \( = \dfrac{9}{2}\)  (Ans)

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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}