Question:

If line $y = 2\,x + c$ is a normal to the ellipse $\frac{x^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{16} = 1 $, then

Updated On: Jun 18, 2022
  • $c = \frac{2}{3}$
  • $c = \sqrt{ \frac{73}{5}}$
  • $c = \frac{14}{\sqrt{73}}$
  • $c = \sqrt{ \frac{5}{7}}$
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

If the line $y = mx + c$ is a normal to the ellipse
$\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1 $, then
$ c^{2} = \frac{m^{2}\left(a^{2} - b^{2}\right)^{2}}{a^{2} + b^{2} m^{2}} $
[Here, $m = 2 ,a^{2} = 9$ and $ b^{2} = 16 $]
$ = \frac{\left(2\right)^{2} \left(9 - 16\right)^{2}}{9+16 \times\left(2\right)^{2}} $
$= \frac{4 \times49}{9+64} = \frac{4 \times49}{73}=\frac{196}{73}$
$\therefore \, \, c = \frac{14}{\sqrt{73}}$
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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}