Ellipse

Ellipse
1. General Equation of an Ellipse (ii) The entire urve is confined within the rectangle
Locus of a point P moving in such a way that bounded by the lines
ratio of its distance from a fixed point F (Focus) x = + a and y = + b
and fixed line (Directrix) is always constant.

PF1 (iii) if pl and p2 are the lengths of the perpendicular

 e where, 0  e  1 from any point P on the ellipse to minor and major
PM
axis then
Focus : ()
Direction : x + mu + n =0 p12 p 22
 1
a 2 b2
(x  my  n) 2
(x   )2  (y  )2  e 2
2  m2
This simplifies to
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = O
in which   0 , h2 < ab
& if (h = 0 then a  b)
2. Standard Equation of Ellipse
Derived using property :
Locus of a point moving in such a way that sum
of its distances from two fixed points (called 3. Eccentricity
Focus) is always constant.
distance from centre to focus
O: Centre Fl,F2 : Focus e
i.e. |PFI| + |PF2| = 2a distance from centre to vertex
|PFI| + |PF2| >FI F2 2
b2 m
e  1  2 Hence, e2  1   
2

a M
m : minor axis length
M ; major axis length

x 2 y2
 1
a 2 b2
Note : In Standard Equation (a > b)
(i) It is a 2nd degree equation with powers of x
b 2  a 2 1  e2 
and y both even and hence is symmetric about
both the x and y axis.

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 Ellipse
Note :
Two ellipses are said to be similar if they have
the same value of eccentricity. Degree of flatness
of ellipse is defined as

Definitions & Basic Terminologies Length of Latus Rectum

2 2
x y
Standard Ellipse  2 1 a  b 4b 2 (min or axis) 2
a 2
b Length of L.R.  
2a major axis
Plincipal Axes
Major and minor axes together are known as Foot of Directrix
Principal Axes of the ellipse. The point of intersection of the focal axis with
Centre directrix is called the Foot of the Directrix.
Point of intersection of the major and minor axis Diameter
is called the Centre of the ellipse. Any chord or the ellipse passing through the
Vertices centre, gets bisected by it and is called the
The points of intersection of the curve with focal Diameter.
axis are called the Vertices of the ellipse.
A1(a, 0) & A2 (-a, 0)
Length of Major Axis
Distance between the two vertices i.e. 2a is the
length of the Major Axis.
Length of Minor Axis
The distance 2b i.e. B1B2 is the length of Minor
Axis.
Focal Axis Note :
The line containing the two fixed points Distance of every focus from the extremity of
(called focii) is called the focal axis. minor axis is equal to ‘a’
Focal Length  F1B1 = a
The distance between F1& F2 is called the Focal 4. Directrix And Focal Directrix Property
Length (= 2ae)
Focal Chord a
(1) It is possible to define two lines, x  
Any chord passing through focus is called a Focal e
Chord. corresponding to each focus, which satisfy the
Double Ordinate focal directrix property of the ellipse
Any chord perpendicular to the focal axis is called i.e. PF1 = ePM1 & PF2 = ePM2
Double Ordinate.
Latus Rectum
A particular double ordinate through focus or a
particular focal chord perpendicular to focal axis
is called its Latus Rectum.
Ends of Latus Rectum

 b2 
  ae,  2 
 a 

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 Ellipse
Note : BB’ = Major axis = 2b
The length of the Latus Rectum can alternatively
x 2 y2
be expressed as  = 1 (a < b)
L1L2 = 2e (F1N1) a 2 b2
i.e. 2e times the distance between focus and a2
corresponding foot of the directrix Eccentricity e  1 
b2
a2 = b2 (1 - e2)
Focus = (O, ± be)
Ends of the latus rectum

 a2   a2 
L  , be  , L '   , be 
 b   b 
a 2
  a 2

L1  ,  be  , L1 '   ,  be 
(2) The sum of the focal radii of any point on the  b   b 
ellipse is equal to the length of the major axis.
PF1 + PF2 = 2a Length of LR = LL' = L1L1'
Note : 2
 a2 a2  2a 2
   ( )   (be  be) 2 
 b b  b

b
Equation of directrix y  
e
5. Shifted Ellipse
If center is shifted to (, ) and axes being
parallel to coordinate axes & a > b
Ellipse With Vertical Major Axis
x 2 y2
  1, (a  b)
a 2 b2
x 2 y2
AA’ = Minor axis = 2a  = 1 (a < b)
a 2 b2

Equation of Ellipse :

(x  ) 2 (y  ) 2
 1
a2 b2
6. Auxiliary Circle And Eccentric Angle
Circle described on the major axis of an ellipse
as diameter is called the Auxiliary Circle.
Equation of the auxiliary circle is
x 2  y2  a 2

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 Ellipse
Now,
For focal chord passing through (-ae, 0)
  e 1
tan tan  ....(2)
2 2 e 1
Multiplying (1) &(2) we get,
   
tan tan tan tan  1
2 2 2 2

i
  tan 1
Q  acos  , asin  i  2
P  (acos  , bsin  ) 0 <  < 2  8. Position of A Point w.r.t. Ellipse
P and Q are called corresponding points.
Let P  (x1 , y1 )
 is called the eccentric angle or the point
Note : x 2 y2 x12 y12
S   1 S1   1
1. P(acos  , bsin  ) are called the parametric a 2 b2 a 2 b2
coordinates of a point on the ellipse. Point Plies on the Ellipse. If S1 = 0
2. Parametric Equation of Ellipse : Point P lies inside the Ellipse. If S1 < 0
x  a cos  & y  b sin  Point P lies outside the Ellipse. If S1 > 0
9. Tangent to Ellipse
PN b sin  b Line and Ellipse
3.  
PQ a sin   b sin  a  b = constant Intersection of Line and Ellipse
7. Equation or Chord In Parametric Form
x 2 y2
Ellipse : 2  2  1
a b
Points :
P( )  (a cos , b sin )
Q()  (a cos , b sin )

x (   ) y (   ) (   )
 cos  sin  cos
a 2 b 2 2 10. Tangent to Ellipse in Slope Form
x 2 y2
Ellipse :  =1 ..... (1)
a 2 b2
Line : y = mx + c ....(2)
solving (1) and (2)
b2x2 + a2 (mx + c)2 = a2b2
 (a2m2 + b2)x2 + 2a2cmx + a2(c2 - b2) = 0
 D = 4a4m2c2 - 4a2(c2 - b2) (b2 + a2m2)

For chord passing through (d, 0)

  da
tan 
tan
2 2 da
& For focal chord passing through
  e 1
tan tan  ....(1)
2 2 e 1
Condition of Tangency : D = 0

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 Ellipse
10. Tangent to Ellipse in Slope Form Note :
 c2 = a2m2 + b2 If a right triangle ABC, right angled at A
Hence, equation of tangent circumscribes an ellipse,
Then, locus or the point A is the director circle of
y  mx  a 2 m 2  b 2 (m  R) the ellipse.
Note :
There are two parallel tangents for a given value
of m.
11. Tangents from external point
Passing through a given point there can be
maximum of two tangents.

2kh
m1  m 2 
h  a2 2

Also : k 2  b2 Tangent to Ellipse in Cartesian Form

& m1m 2  2
h  a2 x 2 y2
Ellipse :  -1=0; S = 0
a 2 b2
Point : (x1, y1)
Equation of Tangent ; T = 0
xx1 yy1
 2 1  0
a2 b

12. Director Circle

x 2 y2
Ellipse :  =1
a 2 b2
Tangents : y = mx ± a 2 m 2  b 2
If  = 90o then,
Tangent to Ellipse in Parametric Form
x y a b
2 2 2 2
x 2 y2
Which is the eq. of the Director Circle Ellipse :  =1
a 2 b2
Point : (a.cos  , b. sin  )
x cos  y sin 
 1
a b
Note :
Hence the tangents are parallel

Hence Director Circle of an ellipse is a circle

whose center is the center of ellipse and whose
radius is a 2  b2

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 Ellipse
The eccentric angles of point of contact of two
parallel tangents differ by  .
Point of intersection of the tangents at the
points a & b

   
 cos 2 sin
2 
P  a , b
    
 cos cos 
 2 2 
13. Normals to Ellipse
Cartesian Form Pair of tangents
x 2 y2
Ellipse : 2  2 = 1
a b
Point : P (x1, y1)

Chord of contact AB: T = 0

xx1 yy1
Eq. of Normal at point P :  2 1
a2 b
a 2 x b2 y Chord with given Mid Point
   a 2  b 2  a 2e 2
x1 y1 x 2 y2
Ellipse : 2  2 = 1
a b
Parametric Form
Mid Point: (h, k)
x 2 y2 Equation of Chord with mid point (h, k)
Ellipse : 2  2 = 1
a b
T  S1
Point : (a.cos  , b. sin  )
Where,
Equation of Normal at point P :
xh yk
ax sec   by cos ec  (a 2  b 2 ) T  1
a 2 b2
14. Pair of tangents & Chord of Contact
h2 k2
x 2
y 2 S1   1
Ellipse :  2 =1 a 2 b2
2
a b
Point : P (x1, y1)
Pair of tangents:SS1  T 2
Where ,

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 Ellipse
Diameter
The locus of the middle points of a system of b2
Hence y   x is the diameter of ellipse
parallel chords with slope 'm' of an ellipse is a a2m
straight line passing through the center of the
ellipse, called its 'Diameter'.

Equation of diameter : Note :

Equation of Chord with mid point (h, k) The tangents at the extremities of system of
parallel chords intersect on the extended
T  S1 Diameter.
hx ky h 2 k 2
   
a 2 b2 a 2 b2
h 2 b2
m 2 
a k

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