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All questions of Coordinate Geometry- Ellipse for A Level Exam

The centre of the ellipse  is:
  • a)
    (0, 1)
  • b)
    (1, 1)
  • c)
    (0, 0)
  • d)
    (1, 0)
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Lohit Matani answered
Centre of the ellipse is the intersection point of 
x+y−1=0.........(1) 
x−y=0............(2)
Substituting x from equation 2 in equation 1 two equations, we get,
2y=2,   y=1 
Replacing, we get x=1
⇒(1,1) is the centre

A tangent having slope of _ to the ellipse
 +  = 1 intersects the major & minor axes in points A & B respectively. If C is the centre of the ellipse then the area of the triangle ABC is
  • a)
    12 sq. units
  • b)
    24 sq. units
  • c)
    36 sq. units
  • d)
    48 sq. units
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Preeti Khanna answered
Since the major axis is along the y-axis.
∴ Equation of tangent is x = my + [b2m2 + a]1/2
Slope of tangent = 1/m = −4/3    
⇒ m = −3/4
Hence, equation of tangent is 4x+3y=24 or  
x/6 + y/8 = 1
Its intercepts on the axes are 6 and 8.
Area (ΔAOB) = 1/2×6×8
= 24 sq. unit

If the curve x2 3y2 = 9 subtends an obtuse angle at the point (2α, α), then a possible value of α2 is 
  • a) 
    1
  • b) 
    2
  • c) 
    3
  • d) 
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The given curve is  whose director circle is x2 + y2 = 12.
For the required condition (2α, α) should lie inside the circle and outside the ellipse i.e.,


 The equation of the ellipse whose one focus is at (4, 0) and whose eccentricity is  4/5 is:
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Neha Sharma answered
focus lies on x axis
So, the equation  of ellipse is x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1
Co-ordinate of focus(+-ae, 0)
ae = 4
e = ⅘
a = 4/e  => 4/(⅘)
a = 5
(a)2 = 25
b2 = a2(1-e2)
= 25(1-16/25)
b2 = 9
Required equation : x2/(5)2 + y2/(3)2 = 1

From point P (8, 27), tangent PQ and PR are drawn to the ellipse  Then the angle subtended by QR at origin is 
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Om Desai answered
Equation of QR is T = 0 (chord of contact) 

⇒ 2x + 3y = 1 .....(i)
Now, equation of the pair of lines passing through origin and points Q, R is given by

(making equation of ellipse homogeneous using Eq (i)
∴135x2 + 432xy + 320y2 = 0

The eccentricity of an ellipse whose latus rectum is equal to distance between foci is:
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Reddy answered
Distance between the foci of an ellipse = length of latus rectum
i.e.  (2b2)/a=2ae
e=b2/a2
But e=[1−b2/a2]1/2
Then e=(1−e)1/2
Squaring both sides, we get
e+e−1=0
e=−1 ± (1 + 4)1/2]/2
(∵ Eccentricity cannot be negative)
e=[(5)1/2 − 1]/2

The radius of the circle given by 2x2 + 2y2 – x = 0 is
  • a)
    1/4
  • b)
    1
  • c)
    2
  • d)
    1/2
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Geetika Shah answered
2x² + 2y² - x = 0 .
==> 2 ( x² + y² - x/2 ) = 0 .
==> 2/2 ( x² + y² - x/2 ) = 0/2 .
==> x² - x/2 + y² = 0 .
==> ( x² - x/2 + (1/4)² ) + y² = (1/4)² .
==> ( x - 1/4 )² + ( y - 0 )² = (1/4)² 
Centre (-¼, 0)    radius(¼)

The length of the semi-latus-rectum of an ellipse is one third of its major axis, its eccentricity would be
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
    2/3
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Iyer answered
Correct Answer :- a
Explanation : Semi latus rectum of ellipse = one half the last rectum
b2/a = 1/3*2a
b2 = 2a2/3
b = (2a/3)1/2...........(1)
So, b2/a = a(1-e2)
b2 = a2(1-e2)
Substituting from (1)
2a2/3 = a2(1-e2)
e2 = 1-2/3
e2 = 1/(3)1/2

If maximum distance of any point on the ellipse x2 + 2y2 + 2xy = 1 from its centre be r, then r is equal to
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Naina Sharma answered
Here centre of the ellipse is (0,0) Let P (r cos θ, r sinθ) be any point on the given ellipse then r2 cos2θ + 2r2 sin2 θ + 2r2 sinθ cosθ = 1

The line passing through the extremely A of the major axis and extremity B of the minor axis of the ellipse x2 + 9y2 = 9 meets its auxiliary circle at the point M . Then the area of the triangle with vertices at A,M and the origin O is
  • a)
    31/10
  • b)
    29/10
  • c)
    21/10
  • d)
    27/10
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Bibek Nambiar answered

Explanation:

The given ellipse equation is x^2 + 9y^2 = 9, which can be written as x^2/9 + y^2/1 = 1. This ellipse has a major axis of length 6 (2a = 6) and a minor axis of length 2 (2b = 2).

Finding the Endpoints of Major and Minor Axes:
- The endpoints of the major axis are (3, 0) and (-3, 0) denoted by points A and A'.
- The endpoints of the minor axis are (0, 1) and (0, -1) denoted by points B and B'.

Finding the Point of Intersection with Auxiliary Circle:
- The auxiliary circle of the ellipse has the equation x^2 + y^2 = 1.
- Substituting the equation of the ellipse into the auxiliary circle equation, we get x^2 + 9y^2 = 9 = x^2 + y^2.
- Solving the above equation gives y^2 = 1/10, which implies y = ±1/√10.
- Therefore, the points of intersection are (3, 1/√10) and (3, -1/√10) denoted by M and M'.

Calculating the Area of the Triangle:
- The area of the triangle with vertices A, M, and the origin O can be calculated using the formula for the area of a triangle given by half the magnitude of the cross product of vectors AM and AO.
- The vector AM is (3, 1/√10) and the vector AO is (-3, 0).
- Calculating the cross product magnitude gives |AM x AO| = |3(0) - (1/√10)(-3)| = 3/√10.
- Therefore, the area of the triangle is 1/2 * base * height = 1/2 * 3 * 3/√10 = 9/2√10 = 9√10/20 = 9/10.
- So, the correct answer is option 'D' (27/10).

x – 2y + 4 = 0 is a common tangent to y2 = 4x &  +  = 1. Then the value of b and the other common tangent are given by
  • a)
    b = √3 ;x + 2y + 4 = 0
  • b)
    b = 3; x + 2y + 4 = 0
  • c)
    b = √3 ;x + 2y– 4 = 0
  • d)
    b = √3 ; x – 2y – 4 = 0
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Knowledge Hub answered
Equation of tangent of ellipse is
y=mx±+ ..............(i)
Given equation is x−2y+4=0 .........(ii)
Since (i) & (ii) are same, comparing them, we get
m=1/2&a2m2 + b2 = 2
⇒4*1/4+b2=4 
b=±3
Equation of tangent of parabola
y=mx+1/m .........(iii)
by (i) & (iii)
1/m^2= a2m2+b2
on solving it we get m=±1/2
with m = −1/2 , we get x+2y+4=0 

A circle has the same centre as an ellipse & passes through the foci F1 & Fof the ellipse, such that the two curves intersect in 4 points. Let `P' be any one of their point of intersection. If the major axis of the ellipse is 17 & the area of the triangle PF1F2 is 30, then the distance between the foci is less than
  • a)
    12
  • b)
    13
  • c)
    14
  • d)
    15
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Nandini Kumar answered
If a circle has the same center as an ellipse, it means that the center point of the circle is also the center point of the ellipse. This implies that the two shapes share a common point around which they are symmetrical.

However, it is important to note that even though they have the same center, the circle and the ellipse are still distinct shapes with different properties. The circle is a special case of an ellipse where the lengths of both semi-axes are equal, resulting in a perfectly symmetrical shape. The ellipse, on the other hand, has two semi-axes of different lengths, resulting in an elongated or stretched-out shape.

So, while the circle and the ellipse may share a common center, they have different overall shapes and characteristics.

The eccentricity of the ellipse 9x2 + 5y2 – 30y = 0 is:
  • a)
    1/3
  • b)
    2/3
  • c)
    3/4
  • d)
    None of these
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Preeti Iyer answered
9x2 + 5y2 - 30y = 0
9x2 + 5(y−3)2 = 45
We can write it as : [(x-0)2]/5 + [(y-3)2]/9 = 1
Compare it with x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1
e = [(b2 - a2)/b2]½
e = [(9-5)/9]1/2
e = (4/9)½
e = ⅔

The eccentricity of an ellipse, with its centre at the origin, is 1/2. If one of the directrix is x = 4, then the equation of the ellipse is:
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Naina Sharma answered
Let the equation of ellipse (x2)/(a2)+(y2)/(b2)=1
Here a > ba > b because the directrix is parallel to y axis.
b2=a2(1−e2)
Given e= 1/2
⇒b2 = (3/4)a2
But a/e=4
⇒a=2
Putting a=2 we get b= (3)1/2
​Required ellipse is (x2)/4+(y2)/3=1
⇒3x2+4y2=12

The area of the rectangle formed by the perpendiculars from the centre of the standard ellipse to the tangent and normal at its point whose eccentric angle is p/4 is
  • a)
     
  • b)
  • c)
     
  • d)
     
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Lohit Matani answered
Let equation of ellipse is  
x2/a2 + y2/b2 = 1
Equation of tangent at P 
(acos π/4, bsin π/4) is x/a + y/b = √2
​Equation of normal at P is
√2ax − √2by = a2 − b2
Now 
OT = |-√2ab/√(a2 + b2)|
And ON = −(a2 − b2)/[√2 * √(a2 + b2)]
​Hence area is  (a2 − b2)ab/(a2 + b2)

In the ellipse x2 + 3y2 = 9 the distance between the foci is
  • a)
    3
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

x2 + 3y2 = 9
⇒(x2)/9 + (y2)/3=1
⇒a2=9, b2=3
⇒e=[1−b2/a2]1/2
=(2/3)1/2
Therefore, distance between foci is =2ae = 2 × 3 × (2/3)1/2
=2(6)1/2

PQ is a double ordinate of the ellipse x2+ 9y2 = 9, the normal at P meets the diameter through Q at R, then the locus of the mid point of PR is
  • a)
    A circle
  • b)
    A parabola
  • c)
    An ellipse
  • d)
    A hyperbola
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Avik Nair answered
Given an ellipse with equation x^2/9 + y^2/1 = 1, let's analyze the given information step by step to understand why the locus of the midpoint of PR is an ellipse.

1. Finding the coordinates of point P:
Since PQ is a double ordinate, it means that the line segment PQ passes through the center of the ellipse. The center of the ellipse is (0, 0), so the coordinates of point P are (0, 1).

2. Finding the equation of the normal at point P:
To find the equation of the normal at point P, we need to find the slope of the tangent at point P. Differentiating the equation of the ellipse, we get:

2x/9 + 2y(dy/dx) = 0
dy/dx = -9x/(2y)

The slope of the normal is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the tangent, so the slope of the normal at P is (2y)/(9x).

Using the point-slope form of a line, the equation of the normal at P is given by:

y - 1 = (2y)/(9x) * (x - 0)
9xy - 9x = 2y^2 - 2y
2y^2 - 9xy + 9x - 2y + 2 = 0

3. Finding the coordinates of point Q:
Since PQ is a double ordinate, it means that the distance between points P and Q is equal to 2 times the distance between point P and the center of the ellipse. The distance between P and the center is 1, so the distance between P and Q is 2.

Since point P is at (0, 1), point Q can be at either (2, 1) or (-2, 1).

4. Finding the equation of the diameter through point Q:
Since point Q lies on the diameter, we can find the equation of the diameter passing through point Q by finding the equation of the line passing through points P and Q.

Using the two-point form of a line, the equation of the diameter is given by:

(y - 1) = (1 - 1)/(0 - 2) * (x - 2)
(x + 2) = 0

So the equation of the diameter is x = -2.

5. Finding the coordinates of point R:
Point R is the intersection of the normal at P and the diameter passing through Q. Since the equation of the diameter is x = -2, the x-coordinate of point R is -2. We can substitute this value into the equation of the normal to find the y-coordinate of point R.

2y^2 - 9(-2)y + 9(-2) - 2y + 2 = 0
2y^2 + 18y - 18 - 2y + 2 = 0
2y^2 + 16y - 16 = 0
y^2 + 8y - 8 = 0

Using the quadratic formula, we can solve for y:

y = (-8 ± √(8^2 - 4*1*(-8)))/2
y = (-8 ± √(64 + 32))/2
y = (-8 ± √96)/2
y = (-

The foci of the ellipse 25 (x + 1)2 + 9(y + 2)2 = 225 are at:
  • a)
    (–2, 1) and (–2, 6)
  • b)
    (–1, 2) and (–1, –6)
  • c)
    (–1, –2) and (–1, –6)
  • d)
    (–1, –2) and (–2, –1)
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Poonam Reddy answered
Here equation of ellipse is 25(x + 1)2 + 9(y + 2)2 = 225 
0r (x + 1)2/9 + (y + 2)2/25 = 1 
Centre of the ellipse is (–1,–2) 
a2 = 9, b2  = 25 
a = 3, b = 5
e = (1-a2/b2)1/2
e = (1-9/25)1/2
e = +-4/5
be = +-4
Foci : (-1,-6)(-1,2)

An ellipse is such that the length of the latus rectum is equal to the sum of the lengths of its semi principal axes. Then
  • a)
    Ellipse becomes a circle
  • b)
    Ellipse becomes a line segment between the two foci
  • c)
    Ellipse becomes a parabola
  • d)
    None of these
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Pooja Shah answered
Sum of the lengths of its semi−principal axis is : a+b
Given, 2b2/a=a+b
Or,2b2=a2+ab
Or,2b2−ab−a2 =0
Or,2b2−2ab+ab−a2=0
Or,2b(b−a)+a(b−a)=0
Or,(2b+a)(b−a)=0
Since,both are positive quantity, b=a
∴ It’s a circle.

The number of points on X-axis which are at a distance c units (c < 3) from (2, 3) is
  • a)
    1
  • b)
    0
  • c)
    3
  • d)
    2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Mohit Rajpoot answered
Distance of 'c' units from (2,3)
Let the no: of points be (x,0)
By distance formula
{(2−x)2+(3−0)2}=c
 4−4x+x2+9=c
⇒x2−4x+13 = c:c=2,2
There are the points of c,such that when they are applied back to the equations,the number of points will become zero.

Which of the following is the eccentricity for ellipse?
  • a)
    1
  • b)
    3/2
  • c)
    2/3
  • d)
    5/2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Rishabh Das answered
The eccentricity for ellipse is always less than 1. The eccentricity is always 1 for any parabola. The eccentricity is always 0 for a circle. The eccentricity for a hyperbola is always greater than 1.

An ellipse has the points (1, -1) and (2, -1) as its foci and x +y - 5 = 0 as one of its tangents. Then the point where this line touches the ellipse is
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
    None of these
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Nabanita Singh answered
Let image of S'' be with respect to x +y - 5 = 0

Let P be the point of contact.
Because the line L = 0 is tangent to the ellipse, there exists a point P uniquely on the line such that PS + PS ' = 2a .
Since PS ' = 2a Hence, P should be the collinear with SS ''
Hence P is a point of intersection of SS '' (4x - 5 y = 9) , and 

An ellipse is sliding along the co-ordinate axes. If the foci of the ellipse are (1,1) and (3,3), then area of the director circle of the ellipse (in sq. units) is
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Since x-axis and y-axis are perpendicular tangents to the ellipse, (0,0) lies on the director circle and midpoint of foci (2,2) is centre of the circle. 
Hence, radius = 2√2
⇒ the area is 8π units.

The equations x = at2, y = 4at ; t ∈ R represent
  • a)
    a parabola
  • b)
    a circle
  • c)
    an ellipse
  • d)
    a hyperbola
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Abhay Mehta answered
The given equations are:
x = at^2
y = 4at

To eliminate the variable t and find an equation relating x and y, we can solve the second equation for t:

t = y / (4a)

Substituting this value of t into the first equation, we get:

x = a(y / (4a))^2
x = (y^2) / (16a)

Therefore, the equation relating x and y is:

x = (y^2) / (16a)

The line y = c is a tangent to the parabola 7/2 if c is equal to
  • a)
    a
  • b)
    0
  • c)
    2a
  • d)
    none of these
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Sravya Nair answered
y = x is tangent to the parabola
y=ax2+c
if a= then c=?
y′ =2ax
y’ = 2(7/2)x  =1
x = 1/7
1/7 = 2(1/7)2 + c
c = 1/7 * 2/49
c = 7/2

An ellipse is sliding along the co-ordinate axes. If the foci of the ellipse are (1,1) and (3,3), then area of the director circle of the ellipse (in sq. units) is
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Lekshmi Bose answered
Since x-axis and y-axis are perpendicular tangents to the ellipse, (0,0) lies on the director circle and midpoint of foci (2,2) is centre of the circle.
Hence, radius = 2√2
⇒ the area is 8π units.

The angle between the tangents drawn from the origin to the circle = (x−7)2+(y+1)2 = 25 is 
  • a)
    π/8
  • b)
    π/2
  • c)
    π/6
  • d)
    π/3
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Shalini Yadav answered
Let the equation of tangent drawn from (0,0) to the circle be y=mx. Then, p = a ⇒ 7m+1/(m2+1)1/2= 5
⇒24m2 + 14m−24=0
⇒12m2 + 7m−12=0
⇒m1m2 = −12/12 =−1
∴ Required angle = π/2

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