Question:

If the normal at one end of a latus-rectum of an ellipse $\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$ passes through one extremity of the minor axis, then the eccentricity of the ellipse is given by the equation

Updated On: Apr 8, 2024
  • $e^2+e-1=0$
  • $e^2+e+1=0$
  • $e^4+e^2+1=0$
  • $e^4+e^2-1=0$
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Normal at $\left(ae, \frac{b^{2}}{a}\right)$ of ellipse $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} +\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1$ is
$\frac{ x-ae}{ae/a^{2}} =\frac{ y-b^{2}/a}{\frac{b^{2}}{a}/b^{2}} \left(\frac{x-x_{1}}{x_{1}/ a^{2}} = \frac{y-y_{1}}{y_{1}/b^{2}}\right) $

It passes thro? $\left(0, -b\right)$ if $\frac{0-ae}{ae/a^{2}} = \frac{-b-b^{2}/a}{1/a}$
$ \Rightarrow -a^{2} = -a\left(b+\frac{b^{2}}{a}\right)$
$ \Rightarrow a= \frac{ab+b^{2}}{a} $
$ \Rightarrow a^{2} = ab+b^{2} = ab +a^{2}-a^{2}e^{2} $
$ \Rightarrow ab = a^{2}e^{2} $
$\Rightarrow b = ae^{2}$
$\Rightarrow b^{2} = a^{2}e^{4} $
$ \Rightarrow a^{2}\left(1-e^{2}\right) = a^{2}e^{4} $
$\Rightarrow 1-e^{2} = e^{4} $
$\Rightarrow e^{4}+e^{2}=1$
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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}