Major and Minor Axes of the Ellipse

We will discuss about the major and minor axes of the ellipse along with the examples.

Definition of the major axis of the ellipse:

The line-segment joining the vertices of an ellipse is called its Major Axis.

The major axis is the longest diameter of an ellipse.

Suppose the equation of the ellipse be $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}$ = 1 then, from the above figure we observe that the line-segment AA’ is the major axis along the x-axis of the ellipse and it’s length = 2a.

Therefore, the distance AA' = 2a.

Definition of the minor axis of the ellipse:

The shortest diameter of an ellipse is the minor axis.

Suppose the equation of the ellipse be $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}$ = 1 then, putting x = 0 in equation we get, y = ± b. Therefore, from the above figure we observe that the ellipse intersects y-axis at B (0, b) and B’ (0, - b). The line segment BB’ is called the minor Axis of the ellipse. The minor axis of the ellipse $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}$ = 1 is along the y-axis and its length = 2b.

Therefore, the distance BB' = 2b.

Solved examples to find the major and minor axes of an ellipse:

1. Find the lengths of the major and minor axes of the ellipse 3x^2 + 2y^2 = 6.

Solution:

The given equation of the ellipse is 3x$^{2}$ + 2y$^{2}$ = 6.

Now dividing both sides by 6, of the above equation we get,

$\frac{x^{2}}{2}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{3}$ = 1 ………….. (i)

This equation is of the form $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}$ = 1 (a$^{2}$ > b$^{2}$), where a$^{2}$ = 2 i.e., a = √2 and b$^{2}$ = 3 i.e., b = √3.

Clearly, a < b, so the major axis = 2b = 2√3 and the minor axis = 2a = 2√2.

2. Find the lengths of the major and minor axes of the ellipse 9x$^{2}$ + 25y$^{2}$ - 225 = 0.

Solution:

The given equation of the ellipse is 9x$^{2}$ + 25y$^{2}$ - 225 = 0.

Now form the above equation we get,

3x$^{2}$ + 2y$^{2}$ = 225

Now dividing both sides by 225, we get

$\frac{x^{2}}{25}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{9}$ = 1 ………….. (i)

Comparing the above equation $\frac{x^{2}}{25}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{9}$ = 1 with the standard equation of ellipse $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}$ + $\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}$ = 1 (a$^{2}$ > b$^{2}$) we get,

a$^{2}$ = 25 ⇒ a = 5 and b$^{2}$ = 9 ⇒ b = 3.

Clearly, the centre of the ellipse (i) is at the origin and its major and minor axes are along x and y-axes respectively.

Therefore, the length of its major axis = 2a = 2 ∙ 5 = 10 units and the length of minor axis = 2b = 2 ∙ 3 = 6   units.

● The Ellipse

• Definition of Ellipse
• Standard Equation of an Ellipse
• Two Foci and Two Directrices of the Ellipse
• Vertex of the Ellipse
• Centre of the Ellipse
• Major and Minor Axes of the Ellipse
• Latus Rectum of the Ellipse
• Position of a Point with respect to the Ellipse
• Ellipse Formulae
• Focal Distance of a Point on the Ellipse
• Problems on Ellipse

11 and 12 Grade Math 

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