Ellipse
Grade 11

Question:

<p>In an ellipse, with centre at the origin, if the difference&nbsp;of the lengths of major axis and minor axis is 10 and one of the foci is at (0, 5<span class="math-tex">\(\sqrt3\)</span>), then the length of its latus rectum is</p>
<p style="display:inline">10</p>
<p style="display:inline">6</p>
<p style="display:inline">5</p>
<p style="display:inline">8</p>

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept: Identify the vertical orientation of the ellipse from the Y-axis focus to correctly relate the axes using the property $b^2 - a^2 = (be)^2$.
<p>One of the focus of ellipse&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">$\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}=1$</span>&nbsp;is on Y-axis (0, 5<span class="math-tex">$\sqrt{3})$</span>)<br /> <span class="math-tex">$\therefore \quad b e=5 \sqrt{3}$</span>&nbsp;...(i)<br /> [where e is eccentricity of ellipse]<br /> According to the question,<br /> 2b - 2a = 10<br /> <span class="math-tex">$\Rightarrow$</span>&nbsp;b - a = 5 ...(ii)<br /> On squaring Eq. (i) both sides, we get<br /> <span class="math-tex">$b^{2e^2}$</span> = 75<br /> <span class="math-tex">$\Rightarrow b^{2}\left(1-\frac{a^{2}}{b^{2}}\right)=75 \quad\left[\because e^{2}=1-\frac{a^{2}}{b^{2}}\right]$</span><br /> <span class="math-tex">$\Rightarrow$</span>&nbsp;b<sup>2</sup> - a<sup>2</sup> = 75<br /> <span class="math-tex">$\Rightarrow$</span>&nbsp;(b +&nbsp;a)(b - a) = 75<br /> <span class="math-tex">$\Rightarrow$</span>&nbsp;b + a = 15 [from Eq. (ii)] ...(iii)<br /> On solving Eqs. (ii) and (iii), we get<br /> b = 10 and a = 5<br /> So, length of latusrectum is&nbsp;<span class="math-tex">$\frac{2 a_{2}}{b}=\frac{2 \times 25}{10}=5$</span>&nbsp;units</p>
Correct Answer: C

Master Ellipse with Mathbee

Practice this topic under real exam conditions with strict timers, or ask our AI Mentor to explain the concepts step-by-step.

Start Practicing for Free