Ellipse
Ellipse Parameters
Grade 11

Question:

<p>Point <span class="math">\(O\)</span> is the centre of the ellipse with major axis <span class="math">\(AB\)</span> and minor axis <span class="math">\(CD\)</span>. Point <span class="math">\(F\)</span> is one focus of the ellipse. If <span class="math">\(OF = 6\)</span> and the diameter of the inscribed circle of triangle <span class="math">\(OCF\)</span> is <span class="math">\(2\)</span>, then the product <span class="math">\((AB)(CD)\)</span> is equal to:</p>
<p>(a) <span class="math">\(65\)</span></p>
<p>(b) <span class="math">\(52\)</span></p>
<p>(c) <span class="math">\(78\)</span></p>
<p>(d) none of these</p>

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept: Use the relationship between the inradius of triangle OCF and its sides, combined with the ellipse property that the sum of distances from any point to the foci is constant (2a). The inradius formula r = Area/s relates the triangle's geometry to its dimensions.
Step 1: Define the geometric properties of the ellipse and triangle $OCF$. Let the semi-major axis be $a$ and the semi-minor axis be $b$. The distance from the center $O$ to a focus $F$ is $c$. Given $OF = 6$, we have $c = 6$. Point $C$ is an endpoint of the minor axis, so $OC = b$. Triangle $OCF$ is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at $O$. The vertices are $O(0,0)$, $C(0,b)$, and $F(c,0)$. Step 2: Express the side lengths of triangle $OCF$. The side lengths of $\triangle OCF$ are: $OC = b$ $OF = c = 6$ $CF = \sqrt{OC^2 + OF^2} = \sqrt{b^2 + c^2} = \sqrt{b^2 + 6^2} = \sqrt{b^2 + 36}$. Step 3: Calculate the area and semiperimeter of triangle $OCF$. The area of $\triangle OCF$ is $A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times OF \times OC = \frac{1}{2} \times 6 \times b = 3b$. The diameter of the inscribed circle is $2$, so the inradius is $r = 1$. The semiperimeter $s$ of $\triangle OCF$ is $s = \frac{OC + OF + CF}{2} = \frac{b + 6 + \sqrt{b^2 + 36}}{2}$. Step 4: Apply the inradius formula to find the value of $b$. The inradius formula for a triangle is $r = \frac{A}{s}$. Substituting the values: $1 = \frac{3b}{\frac{b + 6 + \sqrt{b^2 + 36}}{2}}$ $1 = \frac{6b}{b + 6 + \sqrt{b^2 + 36}}$ $b + 6 + \sqrt{b^2 + 36} = 6b$ $\sqrt{b^2 + 36} = 5b - 6$ Square both sides: $b^2 + 36 = (5b - 6)^2$ $b^2 + 36 = 25b^2 - 60b + 36$ $0 = 24b^2 - 60b$ $0 = 12b(2b - 5)$ Since $b$ must be a positive length, $b \neq 0$. Therefore, $2b - 5 = 0 \implies b = \frac{5}{2}$. Step 5: Determine the value of $a$. For an ellipse, the relationship between $a$, $b$, and $c$ is $c^2 = a^2 - b^2$. We have $c = 6$ and $b = \frac{5}{2}$. $6^2 = a^2 - \left(\frac{5}{2}\right)^2$ $36 = a^2 - \frac{25}{4}$ $a^2 = 36 + \frac{25}{4} = \frac{144 + 25}{4} = \frac{169}{4}$ $a = \sqrt{\frac{169}{4}} = \frac{13}{2}$. Step 6: Calculate the product $(AB)(CD)$. The length of the major axis is $AB = 2a$. The length of the minor axis is $CD = 2b$. The product $(AB)(CD)$ is: $(AB)(CD) = (2a)(2b) = 4ab$ Substitute the values of $a$ and $b$: $4 \times \frac{13}{2} \times \frac{5}{2} = 4 \times \frac{65}{4} = 65$. The product $(AB)(CD)$ is $65$.
Correct Answer: C

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