Ellipse

Definition
 In an ellipse, the ratio of distance:

PS/PL is a constant – ‘e’

e < 1
 Two Degree Equation
 The General Two Degree Equation
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0 represents an ellipse if:

1. D ≠ 0

2. h2 – ab < 0
 Standard Equation
 The standard equation for an ellipse is:

x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1

We consider a > b

Eccentricity: e2 = 1 – (b/a)2

Solving, b2 = a2(1–e2)

If b > a, e2 = 1 – (a/b)2
 Two Foci and Two Directrix
 All ellipse have two foci and two directrix

 You can draw the ellipse using

S1 and D1 and also S2 and D2

 The entire ellipse can be drawn using

them
 However, S1D2 and S2D1 can’t be taken
together
 Standard Equation
 x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1

PS1/PM1 = e

PS2/PM2 = e

There are:

2 directrix D1, D2

2 foci: S1, S2

Also, PS1/PD2 ≠ e
 Standard Equation
 S1 and S2 are: (±ae,0)

(ae,0) and (–ae,0)

 D1 and D2: x = ±a/e

 X axis is the focal axis

since it contains the foci
 X axis is also called major axis
 Standard Equation
 Y-axis is the minor axis, X-axis is the major/focal axis

For A1, A2: y = 0

For B1, B2: x = 0

x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1
 A1, A2 are (±a,0)

 B1, B2 are (±b,0)

 Standard Equation
 Sometimes A1A2 is also referred to as the major axis and
B1B2 minor axis

 A1A2 = 2a

 B1B2 = 2b

Point of intersection of Major and Minor

Axis is the Centre
 Standard Equation
 Latus Rectum passes through focus and is perpendicular
to major axis
 Since S1, S2 are ±(ae,0):

Equation of LR: x = ±ae

LR1 is x = ae, LR2 is x = –ae

 Latus Rectum
To find ends of LR:

put x = ae in x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1

Also, use b2 = a2(1–e2)

Ends of LR1: (ae,b2/a), (ae,–b2/a)

Ends of LR2: (-ae,b2/a), (-ae,–b2/a)

 Length of LR = 2b2/a

Also, LR = (2b)2/2a = m2/M (m is minor axis and M is major axis)

 Associated Lengths
 Distance of O from D1, D2 is a/e

 OA1 = OA2 = a

 OS1 = OS2 = ae

 LR = 2b2/a

 OB1 = OB2 = b
 Example
 Find the foci of the ellipse: (x–4)2/25 + (y+1)2/9 = 1

This ellipse is centred at (4,–1) with a = 5 and b = 3

Since a > b, the major axis will be parallel to X-axis

Since b2 = a2(1–e2)

 e = 4/5

 ae = 4
 Example
 The equation of a circle passing through the foci of the
ellipse x2/16 + y2/9 = 1 and having center at (0,3) is?

The foci S1(ae,0) and S2(–ae,0)

For x2/16 + y2/9 = 1: a = 4, b = 3

Since e2 = 1 – (b/a)2, e2 = 1 – (3/4)2 = √7/4

 S1 and S2 are (–√7,0) and (√7,0)

 Example contd.
The circle passes through S1 and S2: (–√7,0) and (√7,0)

Center is (0,3), let the radius be r

 r2 = (√7–0)2 + (0–3)2 = 16

r = 4

Equation of circle is (x–0)2 + (y–3)2 = 16

 Example
 An ellipse has OB as a semi minor axis. F and F’ are its
foci and the angle FBF’ is a right angle. Find the
eccentricity of the ellipse

Since ∠FBF’ = 90˚

 mBFmBF’ = –1

 [(0–b)/(ae–0)][(0–b)/(–ae–0)] = –1
 Example contd.
Solving, –b2 = a2e2 —(1)

Also, b2 = a2(1–e2) —(2)

From (1) and (2),

e = 1/√2
 Focal Distance
 PS1 = ePN = e(MN–MP)

 PS1 = e(a/e – xp)

 PS1 = a – exp

Similarly, PS2 = a+exp

Therefore, PS1 + PS2 = 2a

Sum of focal distances for any point on ellipse = 2a

 Example
 What is the locus of a point that moves in such a way that the sum of
its distances from two fixed points A, B is constant, and the constant
value is greater than length of AB?

Let the point be P, and PA+PB = constant value > AB

PA + PB = constant

We just saw that for an ellipse, PS1 + PS2 = 2a (constant value)

Also, S1S2 = 2ae (which is lesser than PS1+PS2)

 Locus of point P is an ellipse with A, B as the two foci

 B(0,b) a>b
P(h,k)
Y
D2 ae D1 O
B1
a/e C
2b2/a b x2/a2 +y2/b2 = 1
O X
A1 S2 A2
S
B2 a
1
a>b P(acosα1,bsinα1)
S2
B1(0,b) L(ae, b2/a)
A(k,0) S1
Q(acosα2,bsinα2)
A2(a,0) LR A1(a,0)
B2(0,–b)