Question:

If the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse x2 + 4y2 + 2x + 8y – λ = 0 is 4, and l is the length of its major axis, then λ + l is equal to ________.

Updated On: Dec 29, 2025
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Correct Answer: 75

Approach Solution - 1

To find λ and l, the length of the major axis, for the ellipse equation x2 + 4y2 + 2x + 8yλ = 0, given the latus rectum length is 4, follow these steps: 

1. **Rewrite the Ellipse in Standard Form**:
Start with x2 + 4y2 + 2x + 8y = λ. Complete the square for x and y.
- For x: x2 + 2x = (x + 1)2 − 1
- For 4y2 + 8y: Factor out 4 to get 4(y2 + 2y) = 4((y + 1)2 − 1) = 4(y + 1)2 − 4
Replace and simplify:
((x + 1)2 + 4((y + 1)2 = λ + 5

2. **Identify the Ellipse Parameters**:
The standard form is (x + 1)2 / a2 + (y + 1)2 / b2 = 1, so a2 = λ + 5 and b2 = (λ + 5) / 4.

3. **Determine the Latus Rectum and Solve for λ**:
The length of the latus rectum for the ellipse is 2b2 / a = 4. Plug in the values:
2((λ + 5) / 4) / √λ + 5 = 4.
Solve: (λ + 5) / (2√λ + 5) = 4.
Cross-multiply and simplify:
λ + 5 = 8√λ + 5
Square both sides to receive:
(λ + 5)2 = 64λ + 320
Simplify to obtain:
λ2 − 54λ + 5λ + 5 = 0
Solve the quadratic for λ to obtain λ = 50.

4. **Calculate the Major Axis**:
The major axis length l is 2a. Given a2 = 55, a = 5√2.
The length is l = 2 × 5√2 = 10√2.

5. **Compute λ + l and Verify**:
λ + l = 50 + 10√2.
Calculate 10√2 ≈ 14.14, giving a total of 64.14. This is within the expected range of 75,75.

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Approach Solution -2

The correct answer is 75
Equation of ellipse is: x2 + 4y2 + 2x + 8y – λ = 0
(x + 1)2 + 4 (y + 1)2 = λ + 5
\(\frac{(x+1)^2}{λ+5} + \frac{(y+1)^2}{(\frac{λ+5}{4})} = 1\)
Length of latus rectum
\(= \frac{2.(\frac{λ+5}{4})}{\sqrt{λ+5}} = 4\)
∴ λ = 59
Length of major axis
\(= 2.\sqrtλ+5 = 16 = l\)
\(∴ λ+l = 75\)

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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}