Question:

$P$ is a variable point on the ellipse $\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 $ with foci $F_1$ and $F_2$ . If $A$ is the area of the triangle $PF_1F_2$. then the maximum value of $A$ is

Updated On: Apr 4, 2024
  • $\frac{e}{ab}$
  • $\frac{ab}{e}$
  • $aeb$
  • $\frac{ab}{a}$
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Let point $P(a \cos \theta, b \sin \theta)$ on the ellipse $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}+\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}=1$ $\therefore$ Area of $\Delta P F_{1} F_{2}=\frac{1}{2}(2 a e) b|\sin \theta|=a e b|\sin \theta|=A$ For maximum value of $A, \theta=\frac{\pi}{2}$ or $\frac{3 \pi}{2}$ so $A_{\max }=a e b .$
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Concepts Used:

Ellipse

Ellipse Shape

An ellipse is a locus of a point that moves in such a way that its distance from a fixed point (focus) to its perpendicular distance from a fixed straight line (directrix) is constant. i.e. eccentricity(e) which is less than unity

Properties 

  • Ellipse has two focal points, also called foci.
  • The fixed distance is called a directrix.
  • The eccentricity of the ellipse lies between 0 to 1. 0≤e<1
  • The total sum of each distance from the locus of an ellipse to the two focal points is constant
  • Ellipse has one major axis and one minor axis and a center

Read More: Conic Section

Eccentricity of the Ellipse

The ratio of distances from the center of the ellipse from either focus to the semi-major axis of the ellipse is defined as the eccentricity of the ellipse.

The eccentricity of ellipse, e = c/a

Where c is the focal length and a is length of the semi-major axis.

Since c ≤ a the eccentricity is always greater than 1 in the case of an ellipse.
Also,
c2 = a2 – b2
Therefore, eccentricity becomes:
e = √(a2 – b2)/a
e = √[(a2 – b2)/a2] e = √[1-(b2/a2)]

Area of an ellipse

The area of an ellipse = πab, where a is the semi major axis and b is the semi minor axis.

Position of point related to Ellipse

Let the point p(x1, y1) and ellipse

(x2 / a2) + (y2 / b2) = 1

If [(x12 / a2)+ (y12 / b2) − 1)]

= 0 {on the curve}

<0{inside the curve}

>0 {outside the curve}