Mathematics

Ellipse
Session - 1
Session Objectives
Session Objectives

1. Introduction
2. Standard form of ellipse
3. Definition of special points or lines
4. Definition in form of focal length
5. Parametric form, eccentric angle
6. Position of point with respect to ellipse
7. Intersection of line and ellipse
8. Condition for tangency
9. Equation of tangent in slope form, point of
contact
Ellipse
It is the locus of a point P(h, k) in
x-y plane which moves such that the
ratio of its distance from a fixed point
to its distance from a fixed straight
line is constant. D
(i) Fixed point is known as focus (S).
(ii) Fixed line is known as directrix (DD).
N P
(iii) Fixed ratio is known as eccentricty (e).

Directrix
PS
i.e. e
PN
S ( F o cu s)
0<e<1
D
Equation of Ellipse in Standard Form
x2 y2
2
a b
+ 2 =1 a 2
> b2

y D

(h, k)
P
Q N
x x
A O S M A Z
S (ae, o)

y D
Equation of Ellipse in Second Form
As we have already discussed

that in the equation y

x2 y2
1, if a2 b2 ,
a2 b2 B (0, b)
then the major and minor axes
lie along x-axis and y-axis S (0, be)
respectively.
x x
But if a b , then the major axis
2 2 A O A
( a, 0) ( a, 0)
of the ellipse lies along y-axis S (0, be)
and is of length 2b and minor
axis along the x-axis and is of B (0, b)
length 2a.
y
Definition of Special Points/Lines of
the Ellipse
y

B L (x, y) Ellipse Ellipse

Q P
N N
x2 y2 x2 y2
x x 1, 1,
2 2 2 2
Z A S O S R A Z a b a b
Q ab ab
B L

a y a
x= x=
e e
(I) Coordinates of the centre (0, 0) (0, 0)
(II) Coordinates of the vertices a, 0 0, b
(III) Coordinates of foci ae, 0 0, be
(IV) Length of major axis 2a 2b
Definition of Special Points/Lines of
the Ellipse
y

B L (x, y) Ellipse Ellipse

Q P
N N
x2 y2 x2 y2
x x 1, 1,
2 2 2 2
Z A S O S R A Z a b a b
Q ab ab
B L

a y a
x= x=
e e
a b
(V) Equation of the directrices x y
e e
(VI) Equation of major axis y=0 x=0

(VII) Equation of minor axis x=0 y=0

Definition of Special Points/Lines of
the Ellipse
y

B L (x, y) Ellipse Ellipse

Q P
N N
x2 y2 x2 y2
x x 1, 1,
2 2 2 2
Z A S O S R A Z a b a b
Q ab ab
B L

a y a
x= x=
e e

(VI) Eccentricity
b2 a2 1 e2
a2 b2 1 e2
(VII) Length of the latus rectum 2b2 2a2
a b
Focal Distance of a Point on the Ellipse
y

B L (x, y)
Q P
N N
x x
Z A S O S R A Z

Q L
B

a y a
x= x=
e e

Let P(x, y) be any point on the ellipse

Then SP = ePN
a
= e(RZ) = e(OZ OR) e x
e
Focal Distance of a Point on the Ellipse

SP = a ex ... (i)
and SP = ePN

= e(RZ) = e(OR + OZ)

On the basis of above
a property, the definition of
e x ellipse can be given as
e follows.

SP a ex ...(ii) An ellipse is the locus of a

point which moves in such a
way that the sum of its
SP SP 2a = Major axis distances from two fixed
points (foci) is always
constant.
General Equation of Ellipse

If the centre of the ellipse is at point

(h, k) and the axes of ellipse is parallel
to the coordinate axes, then its

equation is x h 2
y k 2
1 .
a2 b2
 Parametric Form of Ellipse
x2 y2
2
+ 2 = 1, a > b
a b
Auxiliary circle

y
The circle described on the
major axis of an ellipse as
diameter is called an auxiliary
circle of the ellipse.
x x

O
x2 y2
If + = 1 a2 > b2 is an
a2 b2
x 2 y2
2 + 2 = 1 ellipse, then its auxiliary
x2 + y2 = a2 a b circle is x2 + y2 = a2.
y
(Auxiliary circle) (a2 > b2)
 Eccentric Angle of Point
y

Q
P

x x
A O N A

Q lies on the circle

y
x2 y2 a2,
coordinate of
Q acos , bsin
Parametric Coordinates of a Point
on an Ellipse
Let coordinates of P be xp , yp .
xp a cos
yp ?

xp, yp lies on ellipse a x2

2

y2
b 2
1

xp2 yp2
2
2
1
a b
yp2 acos 2
1 sin2 yp bsin
b2 a2
P acos , bsin
Equation of Chord

Let the equation of ellipse

x2 y2 y
be 1, a b
a2 b2
(a cos , b sin )
A a cos , bsin
B

x x
B a cos , bsin O
B
(a cos , b sin )

y
Equation of Chord
yB y A
Equation of line AB is y yB x xA
xB x A

b sin b sin
or y b sin x a sin
acos acos

2sin cos
b 2 2 x a sin
or y sin .
a
2sin sin
2 2

sin cos
2 2
or y b sin x acos
b a
Equation of Chord

y
or sin sin sin 2
b 2
x
cos cos cos
a 2 2

x y
cos sin cos cos sin sin
a 2 b 2 2 2

x y
cos sin cos
a 2 b 2 2
Position of a point w.r.t. ellipse
x2 y2
Consider: 1 0
25 9
x2 y2
Let E x, y 1 be an expression.
25 9
E (0, 0) = 1 = ve
1
E (0, 1) = 1 ve
9
i.e. (i) If point (x1, y1) lies inside the ellipse, then E(x1, y1) < 0.

(ii) If point (x1, y1) lies on the ellipse, then E(x1, y1) = 0.

(iii) If point (x1, y1) lies outside the ellipse, then E(x1, y1) > 0.
Intersection of Line and Ellipse
y

B mx y + c = 0
A
x
O
x2 y2
2
+ 2
= 1(a2 > b2)
a b

x2 y2
Let line mx y + c = 0 and ellipse 2
2
1 intersect
a b
at the distinct points A xA , y A and B xB, yB .
Intersection of Line and Ellipse

Then mx A y A c 0

x 2A y 2A
2
2
1 0
a b
mxB yB c 0

xB2 yB2
2
2
1 0
a b
x2 y2
i.e. if we substitute 'y' from y = mx + c into 2
2
1,
a b
we get a quadratic in 'x', whose roots are x A and xB .
Intersection of Line and Ellipse

If discriminant of that quadratic > 0,

then the line intersect the ellipse
at two distinct points.

If discriminant of that quadratic = 0,

the line touches the ellipse.

If discriminant of that quadratic < 0,

the line does not cut the ellipse.
Intersection of Line and Ellipse
Now, let us consider the case when
D = 0.
y

mx y
+c=0
x 2
mx c 2
x 2
2
1
O a b

b x a mx c a2 b2
2 2 2 2
x2 y2
+ =1
a2 b2

or x2 a2m2 b2 2a2mcx a2c 2 a2b2 0

D 0 B2 4AC 0
Intersection of Line and Ellipse

4a4m2c 2 4 a2m2 b2 a2 c 2 b2 0

c2 a2m2 b2

c a2m2 b2

y mx a2m2 b2 is always tangent to the ellipse

for all values of m R.

 x2 y2
Point of contact of a tangent with + =1
2 2
a b
Let us consider again the equation

x2 a2m2 b2 2a2mcx a2 c 2 b2 0.
Let the point of contact be xc , yc , i.e.
2a2mc
x A xB 2x c
a 2 m2 b 2

a2mc a 2m
or x c
c2 c
 x2 y2
Point of contact of a tangent with + =1
2 2
a b
Also y = mx + c is tangent line, passing

through point of contact xc , yc .

a2m a2m2 c 2 b2
yc mxc c m c
c c c

a2m b2
Point of contact is , .
c c

i.e. the tangent y mx a2m2 b2 touches

a2m b2
the ellipse at point T1 , , where c a2m2 b2 0
c c

 x2 y2
Point of contact of a tangent with + =1
2 2
a b
so that xT1 ve (if m is positive)

yT1 ve (if m is positive)

and the tangent y mx a2m2 b2

T1
x2 y2
touches the ellipse 1 at point
x 2 2
a b
O a2m b2
T2 , , where c a2m2 b2 0
T2 c c

so that xT2 ve (if m is positive),

yT2 ve (if m is positive).

Also we note that these two tangents
are parallel.
Class Exercise - 1
Find the centre, vertices, lengths of
axes, eccentricity, coordinates of foci,
equations of directrices, and length of
latus-rectum of the ellipse
4x2 16y2 24x 32y 12 0.
Solution
We have 4x2 16y2 24x 32y 12 0

4 x2 6x 16 y2 2y 12

4 x2 6x 9 16 y2 2y 1 12 36 16

x 32 y 12 1 ....(i)
16 4

Shifting the origin at (3, 1) without rotating the

coordinate axes, i.e.
put X = x 3 and Y = y 1
Solution contd..
Equation (i) reduces to
X2 Y 2
1 ....(ii)
16 4

Here a2 16, b2 4

Clearly, a > b. Therefore, the given equation

represents an ellipse whose major and minor
axes are along X-axis and Y-axis respectively.
Centre: The coordinates of the centre with
respect to new axes are X = 0 and Y = 0.

Coordinates of the centre with respect

to old axes are x 3 = 0 and y 1 = 0,
i.e. (3, 1).
Solution contd..
Vertices: The coordinates of vertices
with respect to the new axes are
X a, Y 0 i.e. X 4, Y 0

The vertices with respect to the old axes

are given by
x 3 4 and y 1 = 0, i.e. (7, 1) and ( 1, 1).

Lengths of axes: Here a = 4, b = 2

Length of major axis = 2a = 8

Length of minor axis = 2b = 4

Solution contd..
Eccentricity: The eccentricity e is given by

b2
e 1
a2
4 3
1
16 2

Coordinates of foci: The coordinates of foci with

respect to new axes are X ae, Y 0 i.e. X 2 3, Y 0

Coordinates of foci with respect to old axes are

x 3 2 3, y 1 0 i.e. 3 2 3, 1
Solution contd..

Equation of directrices: The equation

of directrices with respect to new axes
a 42
are X , i.e. X
e 3

Equation of directrices with respect to old

8 8
axes are x 3 i.e. x 3 .
3 3

2b2 2 4
Length of latus rectum 2
a 4
Class Exercise - 2
Find the equation of the ellipse whose
axes are parallel to the coordinate
axes respectively having its centre at
the point (2, 3), one focus at (3, 3)
and one vertex at (4, 3).
Solution
Let 2a and 2b be the major and minor
axes of the ellipse. Then its equation is

x 2 2

y 3
2
1
2 2
a b

As we know that distance between centre and

vertex is the semi-major axes,

4 2 2
3 3 a 2.
2

Again, since the distance between the focus and

centre is equal to ae,

3 22 3 3 2 ae
Solution contd..
1
1 2e e
2

Again b2 a2 1 e2
1
4 1 3
4

Equation of ellipse is x 2 2 y 3 2 1
4 3

i.e. 3x2 4y2 12x 24y 36 0

Class Exercise - 3
x2 y2
An
2
2
1 ellipse has OB as a
a b
semi minor axis. F and F are its foci
and FBF is a right angle. Find the
eccentricity of ellipse.
Solution
y

x x
F O F

y x2 y2
The equation of the ellipse is
2
2
1
a b
Coordinates of F and F are (ae, 0) and (ae, 0)
respectively. Coordinates of B are (0, b).
Solution contd..
b0 b
Slope of BF =
0 ae ae

b0 b
and slope of BF =
0 ae ae

FBF is right angle,

b b
1 b2 a2e2
ae ae

a2 1 e2 a2e2 2e2 1

1
e
2
Class Exercise - 4
Let P be a variable point on the ellipse
x2 y2
1 with foci at S and S. If A
25 16
be the area of DPSS, find the
maximum value of A.
Solution
x2 y2
Here equation of ellipse is 1
25 16
a 5, b 4

Coordinates of P can be taken as 5 cos , 4sin

y

P (5cos , 4sin )

x x
S O S M

b2 a2 1 e2 16 25 1 e2
3
e y
5
Solution contd..

Coordinates of S 3, 0 and S 3, 0
1
Area of DPSS SSPM
2
1
6 4sin 12 sin
2

Maximum area = 12 sq. unit as maximum value of sin 1

Class Exercise - 5
Find the equation of tangents to the
x2 y2
ellipse 1 which cut off
a2 b2
equal intercepts on the axes.
Solution

In case of tangent makes equal intercept

makes equal intercepts on the axes, then

it is inclined at an angle of 45 to X-axis

and hence its slope is

m tan 45 1

Equation of tangent is y x a2 b2
Class Exercise - 6
Find the equation of tangent to the
ellipse 3x2 4y2 12 which are (i)
parallel, (ii) perpendicular to the line
y + 2x = 4.
Solution
Equation of ellipse can be written

x2 y2
1
4 3

a2 4, b2 3

Slope of the line y = 2x + 5 is 2.

Any tangent to the ellipse is

y mx a2m2 b2

If the tangent is parallel to the given line,

slope of tangent is 2.
Solution contd..

Equation of tangent is y 2x 4 4 3
i.e. y 2x 19

If the tangent is perpendicular to the given line,

1
slope of tangent is .
2

Equation of tangent is y 1 x 19
2
Class Exercise - 7
Prove that eccentric angles of the
extremities of latus recta of the
x2 y2
ellipse 1 are given by
2 2
a b
b
tan1 .
ae
Solution
Let be the eccentric angle of an end of
a latus rectum. Then the coordinates of

the end of latus rectum is acos , bsin .

As we know that coordinates of latus

b2
rectum is ae, ,
a

b2 b
a cos ae cos e and b sin sin
a a
b 1 b
tan tan
ae ae
Class Exercise - 8
A circle of radius r is concentric with the
x2 y2
ellipse . Prove that the common
a2 b 2

tangent is inclined to the major axis at

r 2 b2
an angle tan1 .
a r
2 2

Solution
Equation to the circle of radius r and
concentric with ellipse whose centre is
(0, 0) is

x2 y2 r 2 ....(i)

Any tangent to the ellipse is

y mx a2m2 b2 ....(ii)

If it is a tangent to circle, then perpendicular from

centre (0, 0) is equal to r.

a2m2 b2
r
1 m 2
Solution contd..

a2m2 b2 r 2 1 m2

or m2 a2 r 2 r 2 b2

r 2 b2 r 2 b2 r 2 b2
m
2
m tan
a r
2 2
a r
2 2
a2 r 2

r 2 b2
tan1 2 2
a r

Class Exercise - 9
If the line lx + my + n = 0 will cut the
x2 y2
ellipse 1 in points whose
2 2
a b

eccentric angles differ by , then prove
2
that a2l2 b2m2 2n2 .
Solution
Let the line lx + my + n = 0 cuts the
ellipse at

P acos , bsin and Q acos , bsin
2 2

These two points lie on the line lx + my + n = 0

al cos bm sin n
and al sin bm cos n

Squaring and adding,

al cos bmcos 2
alsin bmcos n2 n2
2

a2l2 b2m2 2n2 (Pr oved)

Class Exercise - 10
Find the locus of the foot of the
perpendicular drawn from centre upon
x2 y2
any tangent to the ellipse 1.
2 2
a b
Solution
Any tangent to the given ellipse is

y mx a2m2 b2 ....(i)

Equation of any line perpendicular to (i), passing

through the origin is y
1
y x ...(ii)
m P

x x
C

y
Solution contd..
In order to find the locus of P, the point of
intersection of (i) and (ii), we have to
eliminate m.
x a2 x2
y .x b 2
y y2

x2 a2 x 2 b 2 y 2
or y
y y

2
y x a x b y
2 2 2 2 2 2 x y
2 2
a2 x2 b2 y2

This is the required locus.

Thank you