Question
Let be the focus of the hyperbola , on the positive -axis. Let be the circle with its centre at and passing through the point . If is the origin and is a diameter of , then the square of the area of the triangle OSB is equal to __________.
Answer: 2
Solution
Step 1: Determine the Coordinates of the Focus S of the Hyperbola
The first crucial step is to identify the properties of the given hyperbola and determine the coordinates of its focus, S.
Key Concept: Standard Form and Foci of a Hyperbola The standard form of a hyperbola centered at the origin with its transverse axis along the -axis is given by: For such a hyperbola, the foci are located at , where is the semi-transverse axis length, is the semi-conjugate axis length, and is the eccentricity. The eccentricity is related to and by the formula:
Working: We are given the equation of the hyperbola: Explanation: We compare this equation with the standard form to identify the values of and . From the given equation, we have: Now, we calculate the eccentricity . Explanation: The eccentricity is a measure of how "stretched" the hyperbola is, and it's essential for finding the foci. We use the formula : Taking the square root to find : The foci of the hyperbola are at . Explanation: The problem explicitly states that S is the focus on the positive -axis. Therefore, we choose the positive value for : To simplify the -coordinate: Further simplifying : Thus, the coordinates of the focus are .
Tip for Success: Always be mindful of the difference in the eccentricity formula for hyperbolas () and ellipses ( if , or if ). A common mistake is to interchange these.
Step 2: Determine the Coordinates of Point B
Next, we utilize the information about the circle and its diameter to find the coordinates of point B.
Key Concept: Midpoint of a Diameter If a line segment is a diameter of a circle and is the center of that circle, then must be the midpoint of the segment . The midpoint formula for two points and is . If we know the midpoint and one endpoint , the other endpoint can be found using:
Working: We are given:
- The center of the circle is .
- is a diameter of . This means is the midpoint of .
- From Step 1, we found the coordinates of . Explanation: Since is the center of the circle and is a diameter, serves as the midpoint for the segment connecting and . Let the coordinates of point be . We can use the rearranged midpoint formula to solve for and . Using the midpoint formula where is the midpoint of : Substitute the known coordinates of and : For the -coordinate of : For the -coordinate of : So, the coordinates of point are .
Common Mistake: When working with expressions involving square roots, ensure you perform arithmetic operations correctly. For example, cannot be simplified further as the radicands (6 and 2) are different.
Step 3: Calculate the Area of Triangle OSB
Now that we have the coordinates of all three vertices, we can calculate the area of triangle OSB.
Key Concept: Area of a Triangle with Vertices The area of a triangle with vertices , , and can be calculated using the determinant formula: Alternatively, if one side of the triangle lies on an axis, we can use the simpler base-height formula:
Working: The vertices of the triangle OSB are:
- (the origin)
- Explanation: Notice that point lies on the -axis. This means the side of the triangle lies along the -axis. This significantly simplifies the area calculation, as we can consider as the base and the perpendicular distance from to the -axis as the height. The length of the base is the distance from to , which is simply . The height of the triangle with respect to the base is the absolute value of the -coordinate of the third vertex, . So, the height is . Using the base-height formula:
Alternative using the determinant formula: Both methods confirm the area is .
Tip for Efficiency: When one vertex of a triangle is the origin , or when one side lies along an axis, the base-height formula or the simplified determinant formula is generally faster and less error-prone than the general determinant formula for triangle area.
Step 4: Calculate the Square of the Area of Triangle OSB
The final step is to fulfill the specific requirement of the question: to find the square of the calculated area.
Key Concept: Squaring Expressions with Square Roots To find the square of an expression of the form , we apply the property :
Working: From Step 3, we found that the Area of . Explanation: The problem asks for the square of this area. We apply the squaring operation to our result.
Summary and Key Takeaways
This problem serves as an excellent test of multiple fundamental concepts in coordinate geometry and conic sections. To solve it efficiently and accurately, one must:
- Master Hyperbola Properties: Be proficient in identifying , , calculating eccentricity (), and finding the foci coordinates for a hyperbola. Remember the specific eccentricity formula for hyperbolas.
- Understand Circle Geometry and Midpoint Formula: Recognize that the center of a circle is the midpoint of any of its diameters. Be able to apply the midpoint formula effectively, including rearranging it to find an endpoint when the midpoint and the other endpoint are known.
- Choose Efficient Area Calculation Methods: For a triangle with one vertex at the origin or a side along an axis, the base-height method or the simplified determinant formula is much quicker than the general determinant.
- Perform Algebraic Operations Carefully: Pay close attention to calculations involving square roots to avoid errors.
By systematically applying these concepts and being meticulous with calculations, this problem can be solved effectively.
The final answer is .