Diameter of the ellipse

The locus of the middle points of a system of parallel chords of an ellipse is called
as diameter of the ellipse.
𝑥2 𝑦2
The equation of diameter of the ellipse + = 1 that bisects the chords parallel
𝑎2 𝑏2
to the line y = mx + c is
𝑏2 𝑥
y= -
𝑎2 𝑚

Conjugate diameters
If one diameter of an ellipse bisects the chords parallel to the diameter, these
diameters are known as conjugate diameters.
If y = 𝑚1 x and y = 𝑚2 x are conjugate diameters to each other then,
𝑏2
𝑚1 . 𝑚2 = -
𝑎2
Theorem : Eccentric angles of the ends of a pair of conjugate diameters of
an ellipse differ by a right angle
Proof : Let PCP’ and DCD’ be two conjugate diameters
𝑥2 𝑦2
of the ellipse + = 1 . Let ɸ and θ be the eccentric
𝑎2 𝑏2
angles of P and D resp.
∴ coordinates of P = (a cosɸ , b sinɸ )
coordinates of D = (a cosθ , b sinθ ) D (θ ) P (ɸ )
b sinɸ − 0 b sinɸ
Now, slope of CP = =
a cosɸ − 0 a cosɸ
b sinθ C
slope of CD =
a cosθ
Since PCP’ & DCD’ are conjugate diameters, P’ D’
𝑏2
slope of CP x slope of CD = -
𝑎2
b sinɸ b sinθ 𝑏2
or, x = - 2
a cosɸ a cosθ 𝑎
or, sinθ sinɸ = - cosθ cosɸ
or, cosθ cosɸ + sinθ sinɸ = 0
or, cos ( θ - ɸ ) = 0
π
∴ θ- ɸ =
2
So, the theorem is proved.
Note :
From above theorem, we see that if ɸ be the eccentric angle of P
π
then eccentric angle of D is θ = + ɸ.
2
∴ coordinates of P = (a cosɸ , b sinɸ )
π π
coordinates of D = ( a cos ( 2 + ɸ ) , b sin (2 + ɸ ))
= ( - a sinɸ , b cosɸ )
Similarly,
coordinates of P’ = ( - a cosɸ , - b sinɸ )
coordinates of D’ = ( a sinɸ , - b cosɸ )