19

Ellipse
Ellipse is the locus of a point in a plane which moves in such a way
that the ratio of the distance from a fixed point (focus) in the same
plane to its distance from a fixed straight line (directrix) is always
constant, which is always less than unity.

Major and Minor Axes

The line segment through the foci of the ellipse with its end points on
the ellipse, is called its major axis.
The line segment through the centre and perpendicular to the major
axis with its end points on the ellipse, is called its minor axis.

x2 y2
Horizontal Ellipse i.e. + = 1,( 0 < b < a )
a2 b2
If the coefficient of x 2 has the larger denominator, then its major axis
lies along the X-axis, then it is said to be horizontal ellipse.
Z′ Y Z

B(0, b)
P(x, y)
M
S′(–ac, 0) K
X′ X
K′ A′(–a, 0) C S N A
(ae, 0) (a,0)

B′ (0, –b) a
a x=
x=– e
e

(i) Vertices A( a , 0), A1( − a , 0)

(ii) Centre O ( 0, 0)
(iii) Length of major axis, AA1 = 2a; Length of minor axis, BB1 = 2b
(iv) Foci are S ( ae, 0) and S1( − ae, 0)
a a
(v) Equation of directrices are l : x = ,l ′ ; x = −
e e
 Ellipse 201
2b2
(vi) Length of latusrectum, LL1 = L ′ L1 ′ =
a
b2
(vii) Eccentricity, e = 1 − <1
a2
(viii) Focal distances of point P ( x , y ) are SP and S1P i.e.|a − ex| and
|a + ex|. Also, SP + S1P = 2a = major axis.
(ix) Distance between foci = 2ae
2a
(x) Distance between directrices =
e

x2 y2
Vertical Ellipse i.e. + = 1, ( 0 < a < b )
a2 b2
If the coefficient of x 2 has the smaller denominator, then its major axis
lies along the Y -axis, then it is said to be vertical ellipse.
Y

B l

L1 S L
N
P' P(x,y)
X' X
A1 O A

S1 L'
L'1

B1 l'

Y'

(i)Vertices B ( 0, b), B1( 0, − b)

(ii)Centre O( 0, 0)
(iii)Length of major axis BB1 = 2b, Length of Minor axis AA1 = 2a
(iv) Foci are S ( 0, ae) and S1( 0, − ae)
b b
(v) Equation of directrices are l : y = ; l ′ : y = −
e e
2
2a
(vi) Length of latusrectum LL1 = L ′ L1 ′ =
b
a2
(vii) Eccentricity e = 1 − <1
b2
202 Handbook of Mathematics

(viii) Focal distances of point P ( x , y ) are SP and S1P ,

i.e.|b − ex| and|b + ex|.
Also, SP + S1P = 2b = major axis.
(ix) Distance between foci = 2be
2b
(x) Distance between directrices =
e

Parametric Equation
The equation x = a cos φ , y = b sin φ, taken together are called the
x2 y2
parametric equation of the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1, where φ is any
a b
parameter.

Special Form of Ellipse

If centre of the ellipse is ( h , k) and the direction of the axes are parallel
( x − h )2 ( y − k)2
to the coordinate axes, then its equation is + = 1.
a2 b2

Ordinate and Double Ordinate

Let P be any point on the ellipse and PN be perpendicular to the major
axis AA′, such that PN produced meets the ellipse at P ′. Then, PN is
called the ordinate of P and PNP ′ is the double ordinate of P.

Position of a Point with Respect to an Ellipse

The point ( x1 , y1 ) lies outside, on or inside the ellipse
x2 y2 x12 y12
+ = 1 according as + − 1 > 0, = or < 0.
a 2 b2 a 2 b2

Auxiliary Circle
x2 y2
The ellipse + = 1, becomes x 2 + y 2 = a 2, if b = a.
a 2 b2
This is called auxiliary circle of the ellipse. i.e. the circle described on
the major axis of an ellipse as diameter is called auxiliary circle.

Eccentric Angle of a Point

x2 y2
Let P be any point on the ellipse +
= 1. Draw PM perpendicular
a 2 b2
from P on the major axis of the ellipse and produce MP to the auxiliary
circle in Q. Join CQ.
 Ellipse 203
The ∠ ACQ = φ is called the eccentric angle of the point P on the
ellipse.
Y
Q
B P(x, y)

X′
A1 φ A
X
C M

B1 x2 y2
x2 + y2 = a2 + = 1, (a>b)
a2 b2
Y′

Equation of Tangent
(i) Point Form The equation of the tangent to the ellipse
x2 y2 xx yy
2
+ 2 = 1 at the point ( x1 , y1 ) is 21 + 21 = 1 or T = 0.
a b a b
(ii) Parametric Form The equation of the tangent to the ellipse
x y
at the point ( a cos θ , b sin θ ) is cos θ + sin θ = 1.
a b
(iii) Slope Form The equation of the tangent of slope m to the
x2 y2
ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 are y = mx ± a 2m 2 + b2 and the coordinates
a b
 a 2m b2 
of the point of contact are  ± ,m .
 a m +b
2 2 2
a m +b 
2 2 2

(iv) Point of Intersection of Two Tangents The equation of
the tangents to the ellipse at points P ( a cos θ1 , b sin θ1 ) and
x y
Q ( a cos θ 2 , b sin θ 2 ) are cos θ1 + sin θ1 = 1
a b
x y
and cos θ 2 + sin θ 2 = 1 and these two intersect at the point
a b
  θ + θ2   θ1 + θ 2  
 a cos  1  b sin  
  2   2 
,
  θ1 − θ 2   θ − θ2  
 cos   cos  1  
  2   2  
(v) Pair of Tangents The combined equation of the pair of
x2 y2
tangents drawn from a point ( x1 , y1 ) to the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1
a b
2
x 2
y 2  x 2
y 2   xx yy 
is  2 + 2 − 1  12 + 12 − 1 =  21 + 21 − 1 i.e. SS1 = T 2
a b  a b  a b 
204 Handbook of Mathematics

Director Circle
The locus of the point of intersection of perpendicular tangents to an
x2 y2
ellipse is a director circle. If equation of an ellipse is 2 + 2 = 1, then
a b
equation of director circle is x + y = a + b .
2 2 2 2

Equation of Chord
Let P ( a cos θ , b sin θ ) and Q( a cos φ , b sin φ ) be any two points of the
x2 y2
ellipse 2 + 2 = 1.
a b
(i) The equation of the chord joining these points will be
b sin φ − b sin θ
( y − b sin θ ) = ( x − a cos θ )
a cos φ − a cos θ
x  θ + φ y  θ + φ  θ − φ
or cos   + sin   = cos  
a  2  b  2   2 
(ii) The equation of the chord of contact of tangents drawn from a
point ( x1 , y1 ) to the ellipse
x2 y2 xx yy
2
+ 2 = 1 is 21 + 21 = 1 or T = 0.
a b a b
x2 y2
(iii) The equation of the chord of the ellipse + = 1 bisected at
a2 b2
the point ( x1 , y1 ) is given by
xx1 yy1 x12 y12
+ −1= + −1
a2 b2 a2 b2
or T = S1

Equation of Normal
(i) Point Form The equation of the normal at ( x1 , y1 ) to the ellipse
x2 y2 a 2x b2 y
+ = 1 is − = a 2 − b2
a 2 b2 x1 y1
(ii) Parametric Form The equation of the normal to the ellipse
x2 y2
+ = 1 at ( a cos θ , b sin θ ) is
a 2 b2
ax sec θ − by cosec θ = a 2 − b2
 Ellipse 205
(iii) Slope Form The equation of the normal of slope m to the
x2 y2 m ( a 2 − b2 )
ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 are given by y = mx ±
a b a 2 + b2m 2
and the coordinates of the point of contact are
 a2 b2m 
± ,± 
 a +bm
2 2 2
a +bm 
2 2 2

(iv) Point of Intersection of Two Normals Point of
intersection of the normal at points ( a cos θ1 , b sin θ1 ) and
( a cos θ 2 , b sin θ 2 ) are given by
  θ + θ2 
 2 cos  1 
 a − b cos θ cos θ
2
 2 
,
 a 1 2
 θ1 − θ 2 
 cos  
  2 
θ + θ2  
sin  1 
− (a − b )
2 2
 2 
sin θ1 sin θ 2
b θ − θ2  
cos  1 
 2 
x2 y2
(v) If the line y = mx + c is a normal to the ellipse + = 1, then
a2 b2
m (a − b )
2 2 2 2
c2 =
a 2 + b2m 2

Conormal Points
The points on the ellipse, the normals at which the ellipse passes
through a given point are called conormal points.
Y

Q
P B R

X' X
A' O M(h,k) A

S
B'

Y'
206 Handbook of Mathematics

Here, P, Q, R and S are the conormal points.

(i) The sum of the eccentric angles of the conormal points on the
x2 y2
ellipse, 2 + 2 = 1 is an odd multiple of π.
a b
(ii) If θ1 , θ 2 , θ3 and θ 4 are eccentric angles of four points on the
ellipse, the normals at which are concurrent, then
(a) Σ cos (θ1 + θ 2 ) = 0
(b) Σ sin (θ1 + θ 2 ) = 0
(iii) If θ1 , θ 2 and θ3 are the eccentric angles of three points on the
x2 y2
ellipse 2 + 2 = 1, such that
a b
sin (θ1 + θ 2 ) + sin (θ 2 + θ3 ) + sin (θ3 + θ1 ) = 0,
then the normals at these points are concurrent.
(iv) If the normal at four points P ( x1 , y1 ), Q ( x2 , y2 ), R( x3 , y3 ) and
x2 y2
S ( x4 , y4 ) on the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 are concurrent, then
a b
1 1 1 1
( x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 )  + + +  =4
 x1 x2 x3 x4 

Conjugate Points and Conjugate Lines

Two points are said to be conjugate points with respect to an ellipes, if
each lies on the polar of the other.
Two lines are said to be conjugate lines with respect to an ellipse, if
each passes through the pole of the other.

Diameter and Conjugate Diameter

The locus of the mid-point of a system of parallel chords of an ellipse
x2 y2
+ = 1 is called a diameter, whose equation of diameter is
a 2 b2
b2
y = − 2 x.
a m
Two diameters of an ellipse are said to be conjugate diameters, if each
bisects the chords parallel to the other.

Properties of Conjugate Diameters

(i) The eccentric angles of the ends of a pair of conjugate diameters
of an ellipse differ by a right angle.
 Ellipse 207
(ii) The sum of the squares of any two conjugate semi-diameters of
an ellipse is constant and equal to the sum of the squares of the
semi-axis of the ellipse i.e. CP 2 + CD 2 = a 2 + b2.
(iii) If PCP ′ , QCQ ′ are two conjugate semi-diameters of an ellipse
x2 y2
+ = 1 and S , S1 be two foci of an ellipse, then
a 2 b2
SP × S1P = CQ 2
Y

(a cos θ, b sin θ)
(–a sin θ, b cos θ)
P
Q

X′ X
C
Q′
P′

Y′
(iv) The tangent at the ends of a pair of conjugate diameters of an
ellipse form a parallelogram.
(v) The area of the parallelogram formed by the tangents at the
ends of conjugate diameters of an ellipse is constant and is equal
to the product of the axes.

Important Points on Ellipse

(i) The line y = mx + c touches the ellipse
x2 y2
+ = 1, if c 2 = a 2m 2 + b2
a2 b2
(ii) The tangent and normal at any point of an ellipse bisect the external and
internal angles between the focal radii to the point.
(iii) If SM and S ′ M′ are perpendiculars from the foci upon the tangent at any
x2 y2
point of the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1, then SM × S ′ M′ = b2 and M , M′ lie on the
a b
auxiliary circle.
x2 y2
(iv) If the tangent at any point P on the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 meets the major
a b
axis in T and minor axis in T ′, then CN × CT = a , CN ′ × CT ′ = p2 , where N
2

and N′ are the foot of the perpendiculars from P on the respective axis.
(v) The common chords of an ellipse and a circle are equally inclined to the
axes of the ellipse.

Contd. …
208 Handbook of Mathematics

(vi) Maximum four normals can be drawn from a point to ellipse.

x2 y2
(vii) Polar of the point ( x1 , y1) with respect to the ellipse + = 1 is
a2 b2
xx1 yy1
+ 2 = 1.
a2 b
xx1 yy1
Here, point ( x1 , y1) is the pole of + 2 = 1 with respect to ellipse
a2 b
x2 y2
+ = 1.
a2 b2
x2 y2
(viii) The pole of the line lx + my + n = 0 with respect to ellipse + = 1 is
a2 b2
 − a2 l − b2m
P , .
 n n 
(ix) Two tangents can be drawn from a point P to an ellipse. These tangents
are real and distinct or coincident or imaginary according as the given
point lies outside, on or inside the ellipse.
(x) Tangents at the extremities of latusrectum of an ellipse intersect on the
corresponding directrix.
x2 y2
(xi) Locus of mid-point of focal chords of an ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 is
a b
x 2 y 2 ex
+ = .
a 2 b2 a
(xii) Point of intersection of the tangents at two points on the ellipse
x 2 y2
+ = 1, whose eccentric angles differ by a right angle lies on the
a2 b2
x2 y2
ellipse 2 + 2 = 2 .
a b
x2 y2
(xiii) Locus of mid-point of normal chords of an ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 is
a b
2
 x2 y2   a6 b6 
 2 + 2   2 + 2  = ( a2 − b2 )2
a b  x y 
x2 y2
(xiv) Eccentric angles of the extremities of latusrectum of an ellipse + =1
a2 b2
 b
are tan−1  ±  .
 ae 
(xv) The straight lines y = m1x and y = m2 x are conjugate diameters of an
x2 y2 b2
ellipse 2 + 2 = 1, if m1 m2 = − 2 ⋅
a b a
(xvi) The normal at point P on an ellipse with foci S , S1 is the internal bisector of
∠ SPS1.