If the line $2px + y\sqrt{1-p^2} = 1$ always touches the ellipse $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} + \dfrac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$ $\forall$ $p \in (-1, 1) - \{0\}$.
The eccentricity of this ellipse, is
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Condition of tangency of a line to an ellipse
Step 1: Rewrite the given line in slope-intercept form.
The line $2px + y\sqrt{1-p^2} = 1$ can be rearranged to isolate $y$:
$$y = \frac{1 - 2px}{\sqrt{1-p^2}}$$
This gives us the slope-intercept form $y = mx + c$ where:
$$m = \frac{-2p}{\sqrt{1-p^2}} \quad \text{and} \quad c = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-p^2}}$$
Step 2: Apply the condition of tangency to an ellipse.
For a line $y = mx + c$ to be tangent to the ellipse $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} + \dfrac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$, the tangency condition is:
$$c^2 = a^2m^2 + b^2$$
Step 3: Calculate $c^2$ and $m^2$.
From Step 1, we compute:
$$c^2 = \frac{1}{1-p^2}$$
$$m^2 = \frac{4p^2}{1-p^2}$$
Step 4: Substitute into the tangency condition.
Substituting $c^2$ and $m^2$ into the tangency condition:
$$\frac{1}{1-p^2} = a^2 \cdot \frac{4p^2}{1-p^2} + b^2$$
Multiplying both sides by $(1-p^2)$:
$$1 = 4a^2p^2 + b^2(1-p^2)$$
Step 5: Expand and rearrange the tangency equation.
Expanding the right side:
$$1 = 4a^2p^2 + b^2 - b^2p^2$$
Rearranging:
$$1 = b^2 + p^2(4a^2 - b^2)$$
Step 6: Apply the condition that the equation holds for all $p \in (-1,1) - \{0\}$.
For this equation to be true for all values of $p$ in the given domain, the coefficient of $p^2$ must be zero, and the constant term must equal 1:
$$b^2 = 1 \quad \text{and} \quad 4a^2 - b^2 = 0$$
From the second equation:
$$4a^2 = b^2 = 1 \implies a^2 = \frac{1}{4}$$
Step 7: Identify the major and minor axes.
Since $a^2 = \dfrac{1}{4} < b^2 = 1$, we have $a < b$. This means the major axis is along the $y$-axis, and $b$ is the semi-major axis.
Step 8: Calculate the eccentricity.
For an ellipse with the major axis along the $y$-axis, the eccentricity is:
$$e = \sqrt{1 - \frac{a^2}{b^2}} = \sqrt{1 - \frac{1/4}{1}} = \sqrt{1 - \frac{1}{4}} = \sqrt{\frac{3}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$$
**Final Answer:** The eccentricity of the ellipse is $\boxed{\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}$, which corresponds to **Option 4**.
Correct Answer: 4