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Conic Sections
Ellipse
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Question

Let E:x2a2+y2 b2=1,a>b\mathrm{E}: \frac{x^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}+\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~b}^2}=1, \mathrm{a}>\mathrm{b} and H:x2 A2y2 B2=1\mathrm{H}: \frac{x^2}{\mathrm{~A}^2}-\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~B}^2}=1. Let the distance between the foci of E and the foci of HH be 232 \sqrt{3}. If aA=2a-A=2, and the ratio of the eccentricities of EE and HH is 13\frac{1}{3}, then the sum of the lengths of their latus rectums is equal to :

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Solution

Here is a comprehensive and elaborate solution, designed to be educational and clear for JEE aspirants.


This problem requires a deep understanding of the fundamental properties of ellipses and hyperbolas, including their foci, eccentricity, and latus rectum. We will systematically use the given information to determine the parameters of both conic sections and then calculate the required sum.

1. Understanding the Conics and Their Key Formulas

Let's first establish the standard forms and essential properties for an ellipse and a hyperbola centered at the origin, with their major/transverse axis along the x-axis, as implied by the problem notation.

a) Ellipse (E): x2a2+y2b2=1\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1, where a>b>0a>b>0.

  • Semi-major axis: aa
  • Semi-minor axis: bb
  • Foci: The foci are located at (±aeE,0)(\pm ae_E, 0), where eEe_E is the eccentricity of the ellipse.
  • Distance between foci: 2aeE2ae_E.
  • Relationship between a,b,eEa, b, e_E: The semi-minor axis bb is related to aa and eEe_E by b2=a2(1eE2)b^2 = a^2(1-e_E^2). This is often rearranged as a2eE2=a2b2a^2e_E^2 = a^2-b^2.
  • Eccentricity: eE=a2b2ae_E = \frac{\sqrt{a^2-b^2}}{a}. For an ellipse, 0<eE<10 < e_E < 1.
  • Length of Latus Rectum: LE=2b2aL_E = \frac{2b^2}{a}.

b) Hyperbola (H): x2A2y2B2=1\frac{x^2}{A^2}-\frac{y^2}{B^2}=1.

  • Semi-transverse axis: AA
  • Semi-conjugate axis: BB
  • Foci: The foci are located at (±AeH,0)(\pm Ae_H, 0), where eHe_H is the eccentricity of the hyperbola.
  • Distance between foci: 2AeH2Ae_H.
  • Relationship between A,B,eHA, B, e_H: The semi-conjugate axis BB is related to AA and eHe_H by B2=A2(eH21)B^2 = A^2(e_H^2-1). This is often rearranged as A2eH2=A2+B2A^2e_H^2 = A^2+B^2.
  • Eccentricity: eH=A2+B2Ae_H = \frac{\sqrt{A^2+B^2}}{A}. For a hyperbola, eH>1e_H > 1.
  • Length of Latus Rectum: LH=2B2AL_H = \frac{2B^2}{A}.

2. Setting Up Equations from the Foci Distances

The problem states that "the distance between the foci of E and the foci of H is 232\sqrt{3}." In standard JEE problems, this phrasing implies that the focal length (distance between foci) for each conic section is 232\sqrt{3}. If it meant the distance between a focus of E and a focus of H, it would be specified more clearly (e.g., "distance between nearest foci").

a) For the Ellipse E:

  • Concept: The distance between the foci of an ellipse is 2aeE2ae_E.
  • Action: We equate this to the given value: 2aeE=232ae_E = 2\sqrt{3}
  • Explanation: This equation directly relates the semi-major axis aa and eccentricity eEe_E of the ellipse to the given focal distance.
  • Dividing by 2, we get: aeE=3ae_E = \sqrt{3}
  • Action: To bring in the semi-minor axis bb, we use the fundamental relationship a2eE2=a2b2a^2e_E^2 = a^2-b^2.
  • Explanation: This relationship is derived from the definition of eccentricity for an ellipse (eE=a2b2ae_E = \frac{\sqrt{a^2-b^2}}{a}) and is crucial for connecting a,b,a, b, and eEe_E.
  • Squaring both sides of aeE=3ae_E = \sqrt{3} gives a2eE2=(3)2=3a^2e_E^2 = (\sqrt{3})^2 = 3.
  • Therefore, for the ellipse, we have our first key equation: a2b2=3(Equation 1)a^2-b^2 = 3 \quad \text{(Equation 1)}

b) For the Hyperbola H:

  • Concept: The distance between the foci of a hyperbola is 2AeH2Ae_H.
  • Action: We equate this to the given value: 2AeH=232Ae_H = 2\sqrt{3}
  • Explanation: Similar to the ellipse, this equation relates the semi-transverse axis AA and eccentricity eHe_H of the hyperbola to the given focal distance.
  • Dividing by 2, we get: AeH=3Ae_H = \sqrt{3}
  • Action: To bring in the semi-conjugate axis BB, we use the fundamental relationship A2eH2=A2+B2A^2e_H^2 = A^2+B^2.
  • Explanation: This relationship is derived from the definition of eccentricity for a hyperbola (eH=A2+B2Ae_H = \frac{\sqrt{A^2+B^2}}{A}) and is crucial for connecting A,B,A, B, and eHe_H.
  • Squaring both sides of AeH=3Ae_H = \sqrt{3} gives A2eH2=(3)2=3A^2e_H^2 = (\sqrt{3})^2 = 3.
  • Therefore, for the hyperbola, we have our second key equation: A2+B2=3(Equation 2)A^2+B^2 = 3 \quad \text{(Equation 2)}

Tip for avoiding common mistakes: Notice the crucial difference in the relationships: for an ellipse, a2eE2=a2b2a^2e_E^2 = a^2-b^2 (subtraction), while for a hyperbola, A2eH2=A2+B2A^2e_H^2 = A^2+B^2 (addition). This sign difference is fundamental and arises directly from their geometric definitions and the fact that eE<1e_E < 1 and eH>1e_H > 1.

3. Utilizing the Eccentricity Ratio and Semi-Axis Difference

We are given two more pieces of information that will help us determine the values of aa and AA:

  1. The difference between the semi-major axis of the ellipse and the semi-transverse axis of the hyperbola: aA=2a-A=2.
  2. The ratio of their eccentricities: eEeH=13\frac{e_E}{e_H}=\frac{1}{3}.

a) Expressing Eccentricities in terms of aa and AA:

  • Action: From the results of Step 2, we have aeE=3ae_E = \sqrt{3} and AeH=3Ae_H = \sqrt{3}. We can express the eccentricities as:
    • eE=3ae_E = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{a}
    • eH=3Ae_H = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{A}
  • Explanation: We isolate eEe_E and eHe_H because the next step involves their ratio.

b) Using the Eccentricity Ratio:

  • Action: Substitute these expressions for eEe_E and eHe_H into the given eccentricity ratio eEeH=13\frac{e_E}{e_H}=\frac{1}{3}: 3a3A=13\frac{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{a}}{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{A}} = \frac{1}{3}
  • Explanation: This step allows us to relate aa and AA using the given ratio.
  • Simplifying the complex fraction: 3a×A3=Aa\frac{\sqrt{3}}{a} \times \frac{A}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{A}{a}
  • So, we have: Aa=13\frac{A}{a} = \frac{1}{3}
  • This gives us a direct relationship between aa and AA: a=3A(Equation 3)a = 3A \quad \text{(Equation 3)}

c) Solving for aa and AA:

  • Concept: We now have a system of two linear equations involving aa and AA:
    1. aA=2a-A=2 (Given)
    2. a=3Aa=3A (From Equation 3)
  • Action: Substitute Equation 3 into the first equation: (3A)A=2(3A) - A = 2 2A=22A = 2
  • Explanation: This substitution eliminates aa, allowing us to solve for AA.
  • Solving for AA: A=1A = 1
  • Action: Substitute A=1A=1 back into Equation 3 to find aa: a=3(1)a = 3(1) a=3a = 3
  • Explanation: We have now determined the specific values for the semi-major axis of the ellipse (a=3a=3) and the semi-transverse axis of the hyperbola (A=1A=1). These values are foundational for calculating the latus rectums.

4. Calculating b2b^2 and B2B^2

With the values of aa and AA now known, we can use Equation 1 and Equation 2 (derived in Step 2) to find b2b^2 and B2B^2.

a) For the Ellipse E:

  • Concept: Use Equation 1: a2b2=3a^2-b^2=3.
  • Action: Substitute a=3a=3: (3)2b2=3(3)^2 - b^2 = 3 9b2=39 - b^2 = 3
  • Explanation: This allows us to find b2b^2, which is needed for the ellipse's latus rectum formula.
  • Solving for b2b^2: b2=93b^2 = 9 - 3 b2=6b^2 = 6

b) For the Hyperbola H:

  • Concept: Use Equation 2: A2+B2=3A^2+B^2=3.
  • Action: Substitute A=1A=1: (1)2+B2=3(1)^2 + B^2 = 3 1+B2=31 + B^2 = 3
  • Explanation: This allows us to find B2B^2, which is needed for the hyperbola's latus rectum formula.
  • Solving for B2B^2:

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