Skip to main content
Back to Conic Sections
JEE Main 2023
Conic Sections
Hyperbola
Medium

Question

Let H1:x2a2y2 b2=1\mathrm{H}_1: \frac{x^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}-\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~b}^2}=1 and H2:x2 A2+y2 B2=1\mathrm{H}_2:-\frac{x^2}{\mathrm{~A}^2}+\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~B}^2}=1 be two hyperbolas having length of latus rectums 15215 \sqrt{2} and 12512 \sqrt{5} respectively. Let their ecentricities be e1=52e_1=\sqrt{\frac{5}{2}} and e2e_2 respectively. If the product of the lengths of their transverse axes is 10010100 \sqrt{10}, then 25e2225 \mathrm{e}_2^2 is equal to _________ .

Answer: 2

Solution

This problem is a comprehensive test of your understanding of the fundamental properties of hyperbolas, specifically distinguishing between a standard hyperbola and a conjugate hyperbola. We will systematically break down the problem by first identifying the type of each hyperbola and then applying the relevant formulas for eccentricity, latus rectum, and transverse axis length to determine the unknown parameters.


Key Concepts and Formulas for Hyperbolas

A hyperbola's equation dictates its orientation and the specific formulas for its properties. It's crucial to correctly identify the "semi-transverse axis" (the denominator under the positive term) and the "semi-conjugate axis" for each type.

  1. Standard Hyperbola (H1\mathrm{H}_1):

    • Equation: x2a2y2 b2=1\frac{x^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}-\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~b}^2}=1.
    • Orientation: Its transverse axis lies along the x-axis. The term with x2x^2 is positive.
    • Semi-transverse axis length: a\mathrm{a} (along the x-axis).
    • Semi-conjugate axis length: b\mathrm{b} (along the y-axis).
    • Length of Transverse axis: 2a2\mathrm{a}. This is the distance between the two vertices.
    • Length of Conjugate axis: 2b2\mathrm{b}.
    • Eccentricity (e1e_1): The relationship between a\mathrm{a}, b\mathrm{b}, and e1e_1 is given by e12=1+b2a2e_1^2 = 1 + \frac{\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}. This formula arises from the fundamental relationship c2=a2+b2c^2 = a^2 + b^2 (where cc is the distance from the center to a focus) and the definition e=c/ae = c/a.
    • Length of Latus Rectum (L.R.): 2b2a\frac{2\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}}. This is the length of a chord passing through a focus and perpendicular to the transverse axis.
  2. Conjugate Hyperbola (H2\mathrm{H}_2):

    • Equation: x2 A2+y2 B2=1-\frac{x^2}{\mathrm{~A}^2}+\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~B}^2}=1, which is often rewritten as y2 B2x2 A2=1\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~B}^2}-\frac{x^2}{\mathrm{~A}^2}=1.
    • Orientation: Its transverse axis lies along the y-axis. The term with y2y^2 is positive.
    • Semi-transverse axis length: B\mathrm{B} (along the y-axis).
    • Semi-conjugate axis length: A\mathrm{A} (along the x-axis).
    • Length of Transverse axis: 2B2\mathrm{B}. This is the distance between the two vertices.
    • Length of Conjugate axis: 2A2\mathrm{A}.
    • Eccentricity (e2e_2): The relationship between A\mathrm{A}, B\mathrm{B}, and e2e_2 is given by e22=1+A2 B2e_2^2 = 1 + \frac{\mathrm{A}^2}{\mathrm{~B}^2}. Notice the roles of the semi-axes are swapped compared to the standard hyperbola, reflecting the change in orientation.
    • Length of Latus Rectum (L.R.): 2A2 B\frac{2\mathrm{A}^2}{\mathrm{~B}}.

Step-by-Step Solution

We will analyze each hyperbola individually, using the provided information to determine its parameters.

1. Analyzing Hyperbola H1\mathrm{H}_1

The equation for H1\mathrm{H}_1 is given as x2a2y2 b2=1\frac{x^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}-\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~b}^2}=1. This is a standard hyperbola with its transverse axis along the x-axis.

  • Given Information for H1\mathrm{H}_1:
    • Length of latus rectum: 15215\sqrt{2}
    • Eccentricity e1=52e_1 = \sqrt{\frac{5}{2}}

Step 1.1: Using Eccentricity to Relate a\mathrm{a} and b\mathrm{b}

  • Concept: The eccentricity formula connects the lengths of the semi-transverse and semi-conjugate axes.
  • Formula: For H1\mathrm{H}_1, e12=1+b2a2e_1^2 = 1 + \frac{\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}.
  • Application: We are given e1=52e_1 = \sqrt{\frac{5}{2}}, so e12=52e_1^2 = \frac{5}{2}. Substitute this value into the eccentricity formula: 52=1+b2a2\frac{5}{2} = 1 + \frac{\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}
  • Explanation: Our goal is to find a relationship between a2\mathrm{a}^2 and b2\mathrm{b}^2. We isolate the ratio b2a2\frac{\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}^2}: b2a2=521=5222=32\frac{\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}^2} = \frac{5}{2} - 1 = \frac{5}{2} - \frac{2}{2} = \frac{3}{2} This gives us a crucial relationship: b2=32a2(Equation 1.1)\mathrm{b}^2 = \frac{3}{2}\mathrm{a}^2 \quad \text{(Equation 1.1)}

Step 1.2: Using Length of Latus Rectum to Find 'a' and 'b'

  • Concept: The latus rectum length provides another equation relating 'a' and 'b'. Combining this with the eccentricity relationship allows us to solve for 'a' and 'b' uniquely.

  • Formula: For H1\mathrm{H}_1, the length of the latus rectum is 2b2a\frac{2\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}}.

  • Application: We are given that this length is 15215\sqrt{2}: 2b2a=152\frac{2\mathrm{b}^2}{\mathrm{a}} = 15\sqrt{2}

  • Explanation: To solve for 'a' and 'b', we substitute the expression for b2\mathrm{b}^2 from Equation 1.1 into this equation. This eliminates 'b' and leaves an equation solely in terms of 'a': 2(32a2)a=152\frac{2 \left(\frac{3}{2}\mathrm{a}^2\right)}{\mathrm{a}} = 15\sqrt{2} Simplify the expression: 3a2a=152\frac{3\mathrm{a}^2}{\mathrm{a}} = 15\sqrt{2} 3a=1523\mathrm{a} = 15\sqrt{2} Divide by 3 to find the value of 'a': a=1523=52\mathrm{a} = \frac{15\sqrt{2}}{3} = 5\sqrt{2}

  • Explanation: Now that we have the value of 'a', we can find b2\mathrm{b}^2 using Equation 1.1: b2=32a2=32(52)2\mathrm{b}^2 = \frac{3}{2}\mathrm{a}^2 = \frac{3}{2}(5\sqrt{2})^2 Calculate (52)2(5\sqrt{2})^2: (52)2=52×(2)2=25×2=50(5\sqrt{2})^2 = 5^2 \times (\sqrt{2})^2 = 25 \times 2 = 50. b2=32(50)=3×25=75\mathrm{b}^2 = \frac{3}{2}(50) = 3 \times 25 = 75 From this, we can also find b=75=53\mathrm{b} = \sqrt{75} = 5\sqrt{3}.

  • Summary for H1\mathrm{H}_1:

    • Semi-transverse axis: a=52\mathrm{a} = 5\sqrt{2}
    • Semi-conjugate axis: b=53\mathrm{b} = 5\sqrt{3}
    • Length of transverse axis: 2a=2(52)=1022\mathrm{a} = 2(5\sqrt{2}) = 10\sqrt{2}. This value will be used in the next step.

2. Analyzing Hyperbola H2\mathrm{H}_2

The equation for H2\mathrm{H}_2 is given as x2 A2+y2 B2=1-\frac{x^2}{\mathrm{~A}^2}+\frac{y^2}{\mathrm{~B}^2}=1. This is a conjugate hyperbola with its transverse axis along the y-axis.

  • Given Information for H2\mathrm{H}_2:
    • Length of latus rectum: 12512\sqrt{5}
    • Eccentricity e2e_2 (which we need to find)
    • Product of the lengths of their transverse axes: 10010100\sqrt{10}

Step 2.1: Using the Product of Transverse Axes to Find 'B'

  • Concept: The product of transverse axes lengths provides a direct link between H1\mathrm{H}_1 and H2\mathrm{H}_2, allowing us to determine a parameter for H2\mathrm{H}_2.
  • Formula:
    • Length of transverse axis for H1\mathrm{H}_1 is 2a2\mathrm{a}.
    • Length of transverse axis for H2\mathrm{H}_2 is 2B2\mathrm{B}.
  • Application: We are given that their product is 10010100\sqrt{10}: (2a)×(2B)=10010(2\mathrm{a}) \times (2\mathrm{B}) = 100\sqrt{10}
  • Explanation: We already found 2a=1022\mathrm{a} = 10\sqrt{2} from our analysis of H1\mathrm{H}_1. Substitute this value: (102)×(2B)=10010(10\sqrt{2}) \times (2\mathrm{B}) = 100\sqrt{10} 202B=1001020\sqrt{2}\mathrm{B} = 100\sqrt{10}
  • Explanation: To find B\mathrm{B}, divide both sides by 20220\sqrt{2}: B=10010202\mathrm{B} = \frac{100\sqrt{10}}{20\sqrt{2}} Simplify the numerical and radical parts separately: B=(10020)×(102)=5×102=55\mathrm{B} = \left(\frac{100}{20}\right) \times \left(\frac{\sqrt{10}}{\sqrt{2}}\right) = 5 \times \sqrt{\frac{10}{2}} = 5\sqrt{5} So, for H2\mathrm{H}_2, the semi-transverse axis length is B=55\mathrm{B} = 5\sqrt{5}. We will also need B2\mathrm{B}^2: B2=(55)2=25×5=125\mathrm{B}^2 = (5\sqrt{5})^2 = 25 \times 5 = 125.

Step 2.2: Using Length of Latus Rectum to Find 'A'

  • Concept: The latus rectum formula for a conjugate hyperbola connects its semi-conjugate axis length (A\mathrm{A}) and semi-transverse axis length (B\mathrm{B}).

  • Formula: For H2\mathrm{H}_2, the length of the latus rectum is 2A2 B\frac{2\mathrm{A}^2}{\mathrm{~B}}.

  • Application: We are given that this length is 12512\sqrt{5}: 2A2 B=125\frac{2\mathrm{A}^2}{\mathrm{~B}} = 12\sqrt{5}

  • Explanation: Substitute the value of B=55\mathrm{B} = 5\sqrt{5} that we just found into this equation: 2A255=125\frac{2\mathrm{A}^2}{5\sqrt{5}} = 12\sqrt{5}

  • Explanation: To find A2\mathrm{A}^2, multiply both sides by 555\sqrt{5}: 2A2=125×552\mathrm{A}^2 = 12\sqrt{5} \times 5\sqrt{5} 2A2=12×5×(5×5)2\mathrm{A}^2 = 12 \times 5 \times (\sqrt{5} \times \sqrt{5}) 2A2=60×52\mathrm{A}^2 = 60 \times 5 2A2=3002\mathrm{A}^2 = 300 Divide by 2 to find A2\mathrm{A}^2: A2=150\mathrm{A}^2 = 150 (We could find A=150=56\mathrm{A} = \sqrt{150} = 5\sqrt{6}, but A2\mathrm{A}^2 is sufficient for calculating eccentricity).

  • Summary for H2\mathrm{H}_2:

    • Semi-transverse axis squared: B2=125\mathrm{B}^2 = 125
    • Semi-conjugate axis squared: A2=150\mathrm{A}^2 = 150

3. Calculating Eccentricity e2\mathrm{e}_2 for H2\mathrm{H}_2

Now that we have A2\mathrm{A}^2 and B2\mathrm{B}^2 for H2\mathrm{H}_2, we can calculate its eccentricity e2e_2.

  • Concept: The eccentricity formula directly uses the squares of the semi-transverse and semi-conjugate axis lengths.
  • Formula: For H2\mathrm{H}_2, the square of the eccentricity is e22=1+A2 B2e_2^2 = 1 + \frac{\mathrm{A}^2}{\mathrm{~B}^2}.
  • Application: Substitute the values A2=150\mathrm{A}^2 = 150 and B2=125\mathrm{B}^2 = 125: e22=1+150125e_2^2 = 1 + \frac{150}{125}
  • Explanation: Simplify the fraction $\frac{150}{12

Practice More Conic Sections Questions

View All Questions