ELLIPSE

1 ST LECTURE
STANDARD ELLIPSE : NOMENCLATURE & PARAMETERS

1. General Equation: ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0

is an ellipse if h2 < ab and 0 < e < 1

Standard Equation : (derived using a very important property of ellipse). Point moving in
such a way that sum of its distances from two fixed points is always a constant.
i.e. | PF1 | + | PF2 | = 2a
( x  c) 2  y 2 + ( x  c) 2  y2 = 2a (2a > 2c)
simplifying,
x2 y2
 1
a 2 a 2  c2
denote the positive quantity a2 – c2 by b2
we get the standard equation of an ellipse as
x2 y2
 1 ....(1) (standard equation a > b)
a 2 b2
It is a 2nd degree equation with powers of x and y both even and hence is symmetric
about both the x and y axis. The entire curve is confined within the rectangle bounded
by the lines x = ± a and y = ± b. The equation (1) is suggestive that if p 1 and p2 are the
p12 p 22
lengths of the perpendicular from any point P on minor and major axis then   1.
a2 b2
2. Definition and basic terminology & Ellipse at a glance.

The line containing the two fixed points (called foci) is called the focal axis and the
points of intersection of the curve with focal axis are called the Vertices of the ellipse
 Point of intersection of the major and minor axis is called the centre of the ellipse. Any
chord of the ellipse passing through it gets bisected by it and is called the diameter.
Major and minor axes together are known as principal axes of the ellipse.
Any chord through focus is called a focal chord and any chord perpendicular to the
focal axis is called double ordinate.
A particular double ordinate through focus or a particular focal chord perpendicular to
focal axis is called its Latus Rectum.

3. ECCENTRICITY :
Degree of flatness of ellipse defined as
c OF1 distance from centre to focus
e = = OA =
a 1 distance from centre to vertex
2
c2 a 2  b2 b2 m
 e2 = 2 = = 1  < 1 ; Hence = e2
1 –  
a a2 a2 M
Now if c  0 (i.e. the two foci comes closer and coalesee to form the centre
e0  ba
Hence ellipse getting thicker and  circle
again if c  a (i.e. the two foci tends to coincide with the vertex of the ellipse)
we have, e  1  b0
Hence ellipse getting thinner and thinner and tends to a line segment between the two
foci.
x2 y2
Equation of ellipse in terms of eccentricity becomes
2
 2 2
1
a a (1  e )
Note that two ellipses are said to be similiar if they have the same value of eccentricity.

Note that b2 = a2(1 – e2) or a2e2 = a2 – b2

(i.e. distance of every focus from the extremity of minor axis is equal to a)
The two foci are (± ae, 0)
x2 y2
put x = ae in  1
a2 b2

y2  b2  b2 b2
=1– e2 = 1 – 1  2  = 2 ; y=±
b2  a  a a

b2
 coordinate of the extremities of LR = ± ae, ±
a
2
2b 2 4 b 2 (minor axis )
Length of LR = = 2a(1 – e2) = =
a 2a major axis
(1) It is possible to define two lines, x = ± corresponding to each focus, which satisfy
e
the focal directrix property of the ellipse i.e PF1 = ePM1 & PF2 = ePM2
The point of intersection of the focal axis with directrix is called the foot of the directrix.
Note very carefully that the length of the latus rectum can alternatively be expressed as
a 
L1L2 = 2a(1 – e2) = 2e   ae  = 2e (ON1 – OF1)
e 
= 2e (distance between focus and corresponding foot of the directrix)
(2) The sum of the focal radii of any point on the ellipse is equal to the length of the major
axis. We have
a 
PS1 = PM1 = e   x1  = a – ex1 .....(1)
e 
a 
PS2 = e   x1  = a + ex1 ....(2)
e 
(1) + (2) gives PS1 + PS2 = 2a
EXAMPLES ON BASIC DEFINITION :
Ex.1
(a) Find the eccentricity of the ellipse if the length of its minor axis is equal to its focal
length? 1
[Sol. Given 2b = 2ae ; b2 = a2e2 = a2 – b2 ; 2b2 = a2 [Ans. e = ]
2
b2 1 b2 1 1 1
 = ; e 2 = 1 – = 1 – =  e = Ans. ]
a2 2 a2 2 2 2
(b) An archway is in the form of a semi ellipse, the major axis of which coincides with the
road level. If the width of the road is 10 metres and a man 2m high just reaches the top
1
when 1 metre from a side of road, find the greatest height of the arch. [Ans. 3 m]
3
2 2
x y
[Sol. 2  2  1 ; (4, 2) lies on it and a = 5 ; b = ?
a b
16 4 4 16 9
 2 1  2
1 =
25 b b 25 25
b 2 25 100 10
   b2 =  b= Ans. ]
4 9 9 3
x 2 y2
Ex.2 Find the equation of the straight lines joining the foci of the ellipse   1 to the
25 16
x 2 y2
foci of the ellipse   1 . Also find the area of the figure formed by the foci of
24 49
these two ellipse.
x 2 y2 3
[Sol.   1 ; e12  1  16  9 ; e1 = ; ae1 = (3, 0)
25 16 25 25 5
x 2 y2 2 24 25 5
  1 ; e2  1   ; e2 = ; ae2 = (5, 0)
24 49 49 49 7
6  10
 (a)   1 ; (b) 9x2 + 4y2 – 18x – 16y – 11 = 0 ; (c) 4x2 + 16y2 – 2x – 32y = 12
400 144
Ex.4 A rod of length a + b moves in such a way that both
extremities remains on coordinates. A point P divides the
length in ratio b : a measuring from x-axis. Find locus of P?
x2 y2
[Hint: h = a cos and k = b sin ] [Ans.   1]
a2 b2
Ex.5 C1 and C2 are two fixed circles with radii r1 and r2
such that C2 is contained in C1. A third circle C moves
in such a way that it touches C1 internally and C2
externally, then find the find locus of its centre.
CC  r  r 
[Hint: CC1  r1  r   CC1 + CC2 = r1 + r2 [Ans. locus of c is an ellipse]
2 2 
Ex.6 Show that the locus of the incentre of the variable triangle PF2F1 is an ellipse whose
2e
eccentricity is where e is the eccentricity of standard ellipse when P moves on
1 e
a standard ellipse.
a ' x1  b' x 2  c' x 3 a ' y1  b' y 2  c' y3
Sol. h = &k=
a '  b '  c' a '  b'  c'

a 
b' = e   a cos   = a – ae cos
e 
a 
and c' = e   a cos   ; hence c' = a + ae cos ; b' + c' = 2ae
e 
(2ae) (a cos )  a (1  e cos )(ae)  a (1  e cos )(ae)
h=
2ae  2a
2ae cos   ae(1  e cos )  ae(1  e cos ) 2ae cos (e  1)
= = = ae cos
2a (e  1) 2a (e  1)
(2ae)(b sin ) eb sin  (1  e) k h
k= =  sin = ; cos =
2a (1  e) 1 e eb ae
2 2
 (1  e)k   h  x2 y2
     1   1
 eb   ae  (ae) 2  be 
2
 
1 e 

b 2e 2 b2 1  e2 2e 2e
e'2 = 1 = 1 2 2 =1– =  e' = ]
(1  e) 2 (ae) 2 a (1  e) (1  e) 2 1 e 1 e

Ex.7 If the focus, centre and eccentricity of an ellipse are respectively (3, 4) ; (2, 3) and 1/2
( x  y  1)2 ( x  y  5) 2
find its equation. [Ans.  = 1]
 i.e. y–3= (x – 2) i.e. x – y + 1 = 0
1
The minor axis is the line through (2, 3) perpendicular to the major axis.
 The equation of the minor axis is x + y = 5.
If the centre is C, focus is S, and the length of the major and minor axes are 2a and 2b,
CS = ae
a2 1
i.e. (CS)2 = (e = )
4 2

a2
(3 – 2)2 + (4 – 3)2 =  a2 = 8
4
 1
now b2 = a2(1 – e2) b 2 = 8 1   = 6
; 
 4
If p1 and p2 are the lengths of the perpendicular from any point (x1, y1) on the ellipse to
x – y + 1 = 0 and x + y = 5,
p12 p 22
 =1;
a2 b2
2 2
 x1  y1  1   x1  y1  5 
   
 2   2  =1 ; ( x1  y1  1) 2 ( x1  y1  5) 2
i.e.  i.e.  1
6 8 12 16

( x  y  1)2 ( x  y  5)2
 Locus of (x1, y1) is,  1]
12 16
5. AUXILIARY CIRCLE AND ECCENTRIC ANGLE :
Definition : Circle described on the major axis as diameter
is called the auxiliary circle and has the equation
x2 + y2 = a2 ....(1)
P  a cos , b sin  
Q  a cos , a sin   0   < 2.
P and Q are co rr espo n d i n g p o i n ts an d  is called the eccentric angle of the point P.
PN b sin  b
we have, = = = constant
PQ a sin   b sin  a  b
Hence, if from each point on a circle perpendicular are drawn on a fixed diameter then
the locus of a point P dividing these perpendiculars in a constant ratio is an ellipse
whose auxiliary circle is the original circle.
EXAMPLES :
x 2 y2
Ex.1 Distance of a point on the ellipse   1 from its centre is 2. Find the eccentric
6 2
 3 5 7 
angle of the point P. [ , , , ]
4 4 4 4
[Hint: ( 6 cos ) 2  ( 2 sin )2 = 2  6 cos2 + 2 sin2 = 4
4 cos2 = 2  cos2 = 1/2 ]
 Point P (x1, y1) lie outside, on or inside of an ellipse according as
x12 y12
  1

2 2
a b

Line and an ellipse :

Line y = mx + c ....(1)
x2 y2
 =1 ....(2)
a 2 b2
solving (1) and (2)
b2x2 + a2(mx + c)2 = a2b2
i.e. (a2m2 + b2)x2 + 2a2cmx + a2(c2 – b2) = 0

Hence y = mx ± a 2m 2  b 2 is always a tangent to the ellipse for all m  R.

Note that there are two parallel tangents for a given m.
If it passes through (h, k) then
k = mh ± a 2m 2  b 2
(k – mh)2 = a2m2 + b2
(h2 – a2)m2 – 2khm + k2 – b2 = 0 ....(3)
Hence passing through a given point there can be a maximum of two tangents.
Equation (3) can be used to determine the locus of the point of
intersection of two tangents enclosing an angle .
k 2  b2
if  = 90° then m1m2 = =–1
h2  a2
i.e. k2 – b2 = a2 – h2 ; i.e. x2 + y2 = a2 + b2
which is the director circle of the ellipse. Hence director circle of an ellipse is a circle
whose centre is the centre of ellipse and whose radius is the length of the line joining
the ends of the major and minor axis.
Note that, if a right triangle, right angled at A
circumscribes an ellipse then locus of the point
A is the director circle of the ellipse.

EXAMPLE :
Ex.1 Tangent to an ellipse 3x2 + 4y2 = 12, parallel to the line y + 2x = 4.

Ex.2 Equation of the tangent to an ellipse 9x2 + 16y2 = 144 passing from (2, 3). Also
compute the tangents to the ellipse 2x2 + 7y2 = 14 from (5, 2)
[Ans. y = 3, x + y = 5 ; x – y = 3 and x – 9y + 13 = 0]

Ex.3 Tangent to an ellipse makes angles 1, 2 with major axis. Find the locus of their
 square on the line joining the foci. [Ans. 4a2e2 or 4(a2 – b2)] [Q.12, Ex-33, Loney]
[Sol. TPT (AB)2 + (CD)2 = (S1S2)2
y = mx + a 2m 2  b 2 ; mx – y + a 2m 2  b 2 = 0

a 2m 2  b 2
p=
1  m2
a 2m2  b 2 a 2  b2
l12  a 2  2
; l1 
1  m2 1  m2

2 a 2  b2 (a 2  b 2 ) m 2
now l2  1 =
1 2 1  m2
m
l12  l22 = a2 – b2 ;  4l12  4l 2 = 4(a2 – b2) = (2ae)2 ]

Ex.5 (a) Locus of the feet of the perpendicular from centre upon a variable tangent to the
standard ellipse is (x2 + y2)2 = a2x2 + b2y2.
(b) If s, s' are the lengths of perpendicular on a tangent to the ellipse from the foci ;
p, p' from the vertex and c that from the centre then show that
c2 – ss' = e2(c2 – pp').
6. EQUATION OF CHORD OF AN ELLIPSE :
Equation of a chord of an ellipse joining two points P() and Q() on it is equal to
x   y    
cos    sin    cos  
a  2  b  2   2 
If this particular chord passes through (d, 0) then we have

 
cos  
d      2 a
cos    cos   ;   d
a  2   2  cos  
 2 

         
cos    cos  
 2   2   a  d
          a  d
cos    cos  
 2   2 
2 sin  2 sin  2 ad   da
or – = i.e. tan tan 
2 cos  2 cos  2 ad 2 2 da
  e 1
if d = ae i.e. PQ is a focal chord then tan tan  ]
2 2 e 1
EXAMPLES :
Ex.1 If S, H are the foci of an ellipse A is any point on the curve, ASB, BHC,CSD,DHE .....
chords and 1, 2, 3, 4 ..... are the eccentric angles of A, B, C, D .......Prove that
1 2 2 3 3 4
tan ·tan  cot ·cot  tan ·tan  ...........
 x x1 y y1
(i)   1 is tangent to the ellipse at (x1 , y1). [Also acts as C.O.C. and polar]
a2 b2
Note: The tangents at the extremities of the latus rectum of the ellipse intersect at the foot
2a 2
of the corresponding directrix and the figure formed by them is a rhombus of area .
e
Immediate Example

 cos   sin   
 2 ,b 2 
Ex.1 Point of intersection of the tangents at the point  &  is  a      can
 cos 2 cos 2 
be deduced by comparing chord joining P() and P() with C.O.C. of the pair of
tangents from (x1, y1) on the ellipse.
xx1 yy1 x  y   
[Sol.   1 ; cos  sin = cos
a2 b2 a 2 b 2 2

x1 a y1 b 1 cos 2 sin 2

·  ·  ;  x1 = a ; y1 = b ]
a 2 cos    b 2 sin    cos    cos 2 cos 2
2 2 2
x cos  y sin 
(ii)   1 is tangent to the ellipse at the point (a cos  , b sin ).
a b
Note: The eccentric angles of point of contact of two parallel tangents differ by .
Conversely if the difference between the eccentric angles of two points is  then the
tangents at these points are parallel.
Immediate Example
Ex.1 Locus of the point of intersection of the pair of tangents on an ellipse if the difference
of the point of eccentric angle of their point of contact is 2 3 . [Q.7, Ex.35, Loney]
[Sol. |  –  | = 2 3
cos  2   
h=a = 2a cos and k = 2b sin
cos 2 2 2

x2 y2 x2 y2
  1   4 ]
4a 2 4b 2 a2 b2
2x x 2 y2 2x x2 y2
Ex.2 Prove that the common tangents of the ellipses 2  2  and 2  2  0,
a b c b a c
subtends a right angle at the origin. [Q.16, Ex-33, Loney]
xx1 yy1 x  x1
[Hint: Tangent to (1) at x1y1,   ....(1)
a2 b2 c
xx 2 yy2 x  x2
|||ly tangent to (2)   = 0]
b2 a2 c
8. NORMALS :
a 2x b2 y
(i) Equation of the normal at (x , y ) is  = a 2  b 2 = a 2e 2.
 passes through an end of the minor axis if e4 + e2 = 1. [Q.10, Ex-33, Loney ]
a 2 x b 2 ya ax
[Sol.  2 = a 2e 2  – ay = a2e2. This passes through (0, – b)
ae b e
ab = a e2  a2 · a2(1 – e2) = a4 e4  e4 + e2 – 1 = 0
2 ]

(ii) Equation of the normal at the point (acos  , bsin ) is :

ax · sec – by · cosec  =(a2  b2).
Immediate Example
Ex.1 (a) Find the locus of the feet of the perpendiculars from centre on a normal to a
standard ellipse.
(b) PM and PN are perpendiculars upon the axes from any point on the standard
ellipse. Prove that MN is always normal to a fixed concentric ellipse.
[Q.32, Ex-33, Loney]
(a 2  b 2 ) m
(iii) Equation of a normal in terms of its slope 'm' is y = mx  .
a 2  b 2m 2
If the normal passes through (h, k) then a quadratic in m is suggestive that a maximum
of four normals can be drawn to an ellipse from a point. (This is not important)

EXAMPLES ON TANGENTS & NORMALS :

Ex.1 Locus of the point of intersection of the pair of tangents to an ellipse if the sum of the
ordinates of their point of contact is b. [Q.9, Ex-35, Loney]
[Sol. Given sin  + sin  = 1 ....(1)

cos  2 sin  2

x1 = a ; y1 = b
cos 2 cos 2

 x 2 y2  2   
hence  12  12  cos =1 ....(2)
 a b  2

  
now (1) gives 2 sin cos = 1 ....(3)
2 2
2 y1      y1  
or cos 2 =1 [Using sin  cos ]
b 2 2 b 2

  b  x 2 y2  b
cos 2
= ;   1  1
2 2 y1  a 2 b2  2y = 1
  1

x2 y2 2y
locus is   ]
a2 b2 b

Ex.2 Any ordinate NP of an ellipse meets the auxiliary circle in Q ; prove that the locus of the
intersection of the normals at P and Q is the circle x2 + y2 = (a + b)2.
[Q.26, Ex-33, Loney]
[Sol. N at circle at the point Q
 normal at P :  = a2 – b2 ....(2)
cos  sin 

k ah h 2  k 2 bk h 2  k 2
using tan = , – = a2 – b2
h h k
h 2  k 2 = a + b  x + y = (a + b) ]
2 2 2

Ex.3 A parallelogram circumscribes the ellipse and two of its opposite angular points lie on
the straight lines x2 = h2 ; prove that the locus of the other two is the conic

x2 y 2  a 2 
 1 =1 [Q.18, Ex-35, Loney]
a 2 b 2  h 2 

 
a cos b sin
[Sol. h = 2 ....(1) ; k= 2
   
cos cos
2 2
   + , we will get the point of intersection of tangent
at  and  + 
  
a cos b sin
x1 = 2 ; y1 = 2
   
cos cos
2 2
 
a sin b cos
x1 = 2 ....(2) ; y1 = – 2 ....(3)
   
sin sin
2 2
 x 2 y2  2     
from (2) and (3),  1  1  sin   =1 ....(4)
 a 2 b2   2 
 
h a  
(1) and (3) gives, = – tan 
y1 b  2 
 x 2 y2 
  ay  1  1   1  cot 2      a 2 y2
hence cot   =– ;   2 =1+ 2 2 ]
 2  bh a b 2   2  b h
9.
xx1 yy1
(a) Chord of contact :  =1
a2 b2
(b) Pair of tangents : SS1 = T2
(c) Chord with a given middle point : T = S1
xx1 yy1
(d) Pole and Polar :  2 = 1, where x1, y1 is the pole.
a2 b
(e) Diameter : Explanation for 'e'
The locus of the middle points of a system of parallel chords with slope 'm' of an
 a m
Equation of the chord whose middle point is (h, k) is, T = S1
hx ky h2 k2
 = 
a2 b2 a2 b2
h b2 b2
m= – 2· ; Hence y = – x is the diameter of ellipse. ]
a k a 2m
EXAMPLES :
x2 y2 x 2 y2
Ex.1 A tangent to the ellipse 2  2 = 1 meets the ellipse  = a + b in the points
a b a b
P and Q ; prove that the tangents at P and Q are at right angles. [Q.34, Ex-33, Loney]
[Sol. Chord of contact of (h, k) w.r.t ellipse–2
xx1 yy1
is  = 1 ....(1)
a (a  b ) b (a  b )
(1) must be the same on the tangent at '' on standard ellipse–1
x cos  y sin 
T at (1) is,   1 ....(2)
a b
comparing (1) and (2), we get
x1 a y1 b
·  · 1
a (a  b) cos  b(a  b) sin 
x12 = cos2 (a + b)2 y12 = sin2 (a + b)2
x12 + y12 = (a + b)2
which is the director circle of ellipse–2]
Ex.2 Tangents are drawn from the point (3, 2) to the ellipse x2 + 4y2 = 9. Find the equation
to their chord of contact and the equation of the straight line joining (3, 2) to the middle
point of this chord of contact. [Ans. 3x + 8y = 9 ; 2x = 3y] [Q.3, Ex-34, Loney]
2 2
[Sol. x + 4y = 9
equation of the chord of contact of the
pair of tangents from (3, 2)
3x + 8y = 9 ....(1)
This must be the same as chord whose middle point is (h, k).
T = S1
hx ky h 2 k 2 hx 4ky h 2 4k 2
        hx + 4ky = h2 + 4k2 ....(2)
9 94 9 94 9 9 9 9
comparing coefficient of (1) and (2),
h 4k h 2  4k 2
  ; 2h = 3k ; also 3h = h2 + 4k2
3 8 9

4h 2 25 h 2 27 18
3h = h2 +4·  = 3h  h = & k= ]
9 9 25 25
Ex.3 Tangents are drawn to the ellipse from the point  2 2 .
 a b 
Prove that they intercept on the ordinate through the nearer focus a distance equal to
the major axis. [Q.13, Ex-34, Loney]
[Sol. TPT = AB = 2a ; using SS1 = T 2

2
 x 2 y 2   1 a 2  b 2   x ·a y · a 2  b 2 
  1    
1 =    1
 a 2 b2   e2 b 2   2 2 
    e ·a b 
solving this with x = ae, we get
 2 y 2   1 a 2  y 2 (a 2  b 2 )
e   1  2  2  =
 2  e b 
 b  b4

 y 2 b 2   b 2  a 2  b 2  y 2 (a 2  b 2 ) b2
   = 2
(Using e  1  )
 b2 a 2    2  b 2 ·b 2
  b e  a2

 a 2 y 2  b 4   a 2  y 2 (a 2  b 2 )
  
 a 2 b 2   b 2e 2  =
   b4
a2(a2y2 – b4) = y2(a4 – b4) (a2e2 = a2 – b2)
a2b4 = y2b4  y2 = a2  y=±a  AB = 2a ]
Ex.4 Find the locus of the middle points of chords of an ellipse
(a) which subtend a right angle at their centre.
(b) whose length is constant (= 2c).
(c) the tangent at the ends of which intersect at right angles.
[Q.11, 13, 15, Ex-35, Loney]
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2
[Ans. (a) (a + b )(b x + a y ) = a b (b x + a y ) ; 4 2

(b) c2a2b2(b2x2 + a2y2) + (b2x2 + a2y2– a2b2)(b4x2 + a4y2) = 0

(c) a4b4(x2 + y2) = (a2 + b2)(b2x2 + a2y2)2 ]
xh yk
[Sol.(b)  =±c
cos  sin 
x  h  c ·cos  x  h  c ·cos  

&
y  k  c ·sin   
y  k  c ·sin  
substituting in the equation b2x2 + a2y2 = a2b2
we get, b2(h + c · cos)2 + a2(k + c · cos)2 = a2b2 ....(1)
b2(h – c · cos)2 + a2(k – c · cos)2 = a2b2 ....(2)
(1) add ; (2) subtract and eliminate .
(c) If (x1, y1) is the point of intersection then its C.O.C. and midpoint must be same. Get
x1, y1 in term of h, k. Now x12  y12 = a2 + b2 ]

x2 y2
Ex.5 Chords of the ellipse
2
 2
 1 touch the parabola ay2 = – 2b2x ; prove that the
a b
locus of their poles is the parabola ay2 = 2b2x. [Q.23, Ex-35, Loney]
x2 y2
 Now (1) must be the tangent to ay2 = – 2b2x ....(2)
hx ky a 2  ky 
from (1) 1  x  1  2 
a2 b2 h  b 
Hence (2) becomes
ay2 = – 2a2b2 + 2a2ky ; ahy2 – 2a2ky + 2a2b2 = 0
D=0
4a4k2 = 4ah · 2a2b2 ; ak2 = b2h ;  ay2 = 2b2x ]
Home Work : Exercise-33, Loney
4 TH LECTURE
11. IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS :
x2 y2
Referring to an ellipse  =1
a 2 b2
H-1 If P be any point on the ellipse with S & S as its foci then  (SP) +  (SP) = 2a.
H-2
(a) Product of the length’s of the perpendiculars from either focus on a variable tangent to
an Ellipse / Hyperbola = (semi minor axis)2 / (semi conjugate axis)2 = b2
mx – y + a 2m 2  b 2 = 0

mae  a 2m 2  b 2  mae  a 2m 2  b 2
p 1p 2 = ·
2
1 m 1  m2

(a 2 m 2  b 2 )  m 2 a 2e 2
=
1  m2

a 2 m 2  b 2  m 2 (a 2  b 2 )
=
1  m2

b2 (1  m 2 )
= = b2
1  m2
(b) Feet of the perpendiculars from either foci on a variable tangent to an ellipse / hyperbola
lies on its auxiliary circle. Hence deduce that the sum of the squares of the chords
which the auxiliary circle intercept on two perpendicular tangents to an ellipse is constant
and is equal to the square on the line joining the foci.
y = mx + a 2m 2  b 2
(k – mh)2 = a2m2 + b2 ....(1)
equation of line through F1 &
 m
1
y–0=– (x – ae)
m
1
k=– (h – ae)
m
(km + h)2 = a2e2 = a2 – b2 ....(2)
adding (1) and (2), we get
h2 + k2 + m2(h2 + k2) = a2m2 + b2 + a2 – b2
k2(1 + m2) + h2(1 + m2) = a2(1 + m2)
x2 + y2 = a2
now A'B' = 2l2 ; AB = 2l1
(S1R) + (S2R) = (S1S2)2.
2 2 ]

(c) If Y1 and Y2 be the feet of the perpendiculars on the auxiliay circle from the foci upon
any tangent, at P on the ellipse, then the point of intersection 'Q' of the tangents at Y1
and Y2 lies on the ordinate through P. If P varies i.e.  varies then the locus of Q is an
ellipse having the same eccentricity as the original ellipse.
Chord of Contact (C.O.C) w.r.t the circle x2 + y2 = a2 is
hx + ky = a2 ....(1)
This must be the same tangent at P()
x cos  y sin 
 1 ....(2)
a b
ha kb
Comparing (1) and (2)   a2
cos  sin 
h  a cos  

a 2 sin  
k
b 
x2 y2
 1
a2 a 2 2
 
 b
 
Which is an ellipse whose eccentricity e' is given by
a 2b2 b2
e'2 =1– 4  e'2 =1– 2 = e2 ]
a a
(d) Lines joining centre to the feet of perpendicular from a focus on any tangent at P and
the line joining other focus to the point of contant 'P' are parallel.
x cos  y sin 
 =1
a b
CT a sec  a sec 
 =
S1T a sec   ae a (sec   e)
CT 1
=
S1T 1  e cos 
 1 a 
e  a cos  
e 
a 1 CT CN 2
= =  
a  ae cos  1  e cos  ST S1P
Now use sine law in triangles CN2T and S1PT we can prove  +  =  + 
CT a S1P S1T
i.e. = and =
sin(  ) sin  sin  sin(  )
CT sin(  ) S1T sin(  )
 = and =
a sin  S1P sin 
hence sin( + ) = sin( + ) ]

H-3 If the normal at any point P on the ellipse with centre C meet the major & minor
axes in G & g respectively, & if CF be perpendicular upon this normal, then
(i) PF . PG = b² (ii) PF . Pg = a²
(iii) PG . Pg = SP . S P (iv) CG . CT = (CS)2
(v) locus of the mid point of Gg is another ellipse having the same eccentricity as
that of the original ellipse.
[where S and S are the focii of the ellipse and T is the point where tangent at P meet the
major axis]
a 2x b2 y
(i) PF · PG = b2  = a2e2
x1 y1
LHS=Power of the point P w.r.t.
the circle on CG as diameter
= x1(x1 – e2x1) + y12

= x12 (1 – e2) + y12

 b 2 
= a2cos2  1  1  2 + b2sin2 
 a 

= b2cos2 + b2sin2
= b2 ]

(ii) PF · Pg = a2
LHS = Power of the point P w.r.t.
the circle on Cg as diameter

 a 2 2 
e y  (a 2  b 2 ) 
x12 + y1  y1  1 2 1   + b2sin2
2  = a cos  + b sin  
= 2 2 2
b 2 
 b   

a2
= a2cos2 + b2sin2 · 2
= a2 ]
h

(iii) PG . Pg = SP . S P
 a2sin2 + b2cos2
LHS = Power of P w.r.t
the circle on Gg as diameter
 a 2e 2 y1 

= x1(x1 – e2x1) + y1  y1 
 b 2 

2
 2  a 2  b2 
a 2e2  b
= x1  2   y1 1  
2
= x12 (1  e 2 )  y12 1 
2  2 
 b  a
   b 
= b2cos2 + a2sin2 = RHS ]

(iv) CG . CT = (CS)2
H-4 The tangent & normal at a point P on the ellipse bisect the external & internal angles
between the focal distances of P. This refers to the well known reflection property of
the ellipse which states that rays from one focus are reflected through other focus &
viceversa. Hence we can deduce that the straight lines joining each focus to the foot
of the perpendicular from the other focus upon the tangent at any point P meet on the
normal PG and bisects it where G is the point where normal at P meets the major axis.
Reflection property :

S2G e 2 x1  ae a  ex1
= =
GS1 ae  e 2 x1 a  ex1

a 
e  x1 
PS2 e  a  ex1
or PS =  a =
1 e  x1  a  ex1
e 

Also In S1PN1 and N1PQ

N1PQ = N2PS1 = 
(neglect property)
PN1 is common
 QN1P = PN1S1 = 90°
 S1PN1 = N1PQ1
 N1 is the mid point of S1Q
Now proceed
H-5 The portion of the tangent to an ellipse between the point of contact & the directrix
subtends a right angle at the corresponding focus.
H-6 The circle on any focal distance as diameter touches the auxiliary circle.
H-7 Perpendiculars from the centre upon all chords which join the ends of any perpendicular
diameters of the ellipse are of constant length.
H-8 If the tangent at the point P of a standard ellipse meets the axis in T and t and CY is the
perpendicular on it from the centre then,
(i) Tt . PY = a2  b2 and
(ii) least value of T t is a + b.
 a 2  b 2  (a sin   b cos ) 2  2ab
Home Work : Tutorial Sheet, Ellipse.
TOUGH ELLIPSE
Ex.1 Chords at right angles are drawn through any point P() of the ellipse, and the line
joining their extremities meets the normal in the point Q. Prove that Q is the same for all
a 3e2 cos  2 2
such chords, its coordinates being and  a be sin  .
a 2  b2 a 2  b2
Prove also that the major axis is the bisector of the angle PCQ, and that the locus of Q
for different positions of P is the ellipse :
2
x2 y2  a 2  b2 
2
 2   2 
2 . [Q.29, Ex-35, Loney]
a b a b 
Ex.2 Prove that the directrices of the two parabolas that can be drawn to have their foci at
any given point P of the ellipse and to pass through its foci meet at an angle which is
equal to twice the eccentric angle of P. [Q.28, Ex-35, Loney]

Ex.3 An ellipse is rotated through a right angle in its own plane about its centre, which is
fixed, prove that the locus of the point of intersection of a tangent to the ellipse in its
original position with the tangent at the same point of the curve in its new position is
(x2 + y2)(x2 + y2 – a2 – b2) = 2(a2 – b2) xy. [Q.26, Ex-35, Loney]