Two Foci and Two Directrices of the Ellipse

We will learn how to find the two foci and two directrices of the ellipse.

Let P (x, y) be a point on the ellipse.

\(\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}\) + \(\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}\) = 1

⇒ b\(^{2}\)x\(^{2}\) + a\(^{2}\)y\(^{2}\) = a\(^{2}\)b\(^{2}\)

Now form the above diagram we get,

CA = CA' = a and e is the eccentricity of the ellipse and the point S and the line ZK are the focus and directrix respectively.

Now let S' and K' be two points on the x-axis on the side of C which is opposite to the side of S such that CS' = ae and CK' = \(\frac{a}{e}\).

Further let Z'K' perpendicular CK' and PM' perpendicular Z'K' as shown in the given figure. Now join P and S'. Therefore, we clearly see that PM’ = NK'.

Now from the equation b\(^{2}\)x\(^{2}\) + a\(^{2}\)y\(^{2}\) = a\(^{2}\)b\(^{2}\), we get,

⇒ a\(^{2}\)(1 - e\(^{2}\)) x\(^{2}\) + a\(^{2}\)y\(^{2}\) = a\(^{2}\) . a\(^{2}\)(1 - e\(^{2}\)), [Since, b\(^{2}\) = a\(^{2}\)(1 - e\(^{2}\))]

⇒ x\(^{2}\)(1 -  e\(^{2}\)) + y\(^{2}\) = a\(^{2}\)(1 - e\(^{2}\)) = a\(^{2}\) – a\(^{2}\)e\(^{2}\)

⇒ x\(^{2}\) + a\(^{2}\)e\(^{2}\) + y\(^{2}\) = a\(^{2}\) + x\(^{2}\)e\(^{2}\)

⇒ x\(^{2}\) + (ae)\(^{2}\) + 2 ∙ x ∙ ae + y\(^{2}\) = a\(^{2}\) + x 2e\(^{2}\) + 2a ∙ xe

⇒ (x + ae)\(^{2}\) + y\(^{2}\) = (a + xe)\(^{2}\)

⇒ (x + ae)\(^{2}\) + (y - 0)\(^{2}\) = e\(^{2}\)(x + \(\frac{a}{e}\))\(^{2}\)

⇒ S'P\(^{2}\) = e\(^{2}\) ∙ PM'\(^{2}\)

⇒ S'P = e ∙ PM'

Distance of P from S' = e (distance of P from Z'K')

Hence, we would have obtained the same curve had we started with S' as focus and Z'K' as directrix. This shows that the ellipse has a second focus S' (-ae, 0) and a second directrix x = -\(\frac{a}{e}\).

In other words, from the above relation we see that the distance of the moving point P (x, y) from the point S' (- ae, 0) bears a constant ratio e (< 1) to its distance from the line x + \(\frac{a}{e}\) = 0.

Therefore, we shall have the same ellipse if the point S' (- ae, 0) is taken as the fixed point i.e, focus and x + \(\frac{a}{e}\) = 0 is taken as the fixed line i.e., directrix.

Hence, an ellipse has two foci and two directrices.

● 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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