Vertex of the Ellipse

We will discuss about the vertex of the ellipse along with the examples.

Definition of the vertex of the ellipse:

The vertex is the point of intersection of the line perpendicular to the directrix which passes through the focus cuts the 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 perpendicular to the directrix KZ and passing through the focus S cuts the ellipse at A and A'.

The points A and A', where the ellipse meets the line joining the foci S and S' are called the vertices of the ellipse.

Therefore, the ellipse has two vertices A and A' whose co-ordinates are (a, 0) and (- a, 0) respectively.

Solved examples to find the vertex of an ellipse:

1. Find the coordinates of the vertices of the ellipse 9x\(^{2}\) + 16y\(^{2}\) - 144 = 0.

Solution:

The given equation of the ellipse is 9x\(^{2}\) + 16y\(^{2}\) - 144 = 0

Now form the above equation we get,

9x\(^{2}\) + 16y\(^{2}\) = 144

Dividing both sides by 144, we get

\(\frac{x^{2}}{16}\) + \(\frac{y^{2}}{9}\) = 1

This is the form of \(\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}\) + \(\frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}\) = 1, (a\(^{2}\) > b\(^{2}\)), where a\(^{2}\) = 16 or a = 4 and b\(^{2}\) = 9 or b = 3

We know the coordinates of the vertices are (a, 0) and (-a, 0).

Therefore, the coordinates of the vertices of the ellipse 9x\(^{2}\) + 16y\(^{2}\) - 144 = 0 are (4, 0) and (-4, 0).

2. Find the coordinates of the vertices 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,

9x\(^{2}\) + 25y\(^{2}\) = 225

Dividing both sides by 225, we get

\(\frac{x^{2}}{25}\) + \(\frac{y^{2}}{9}\) = 1

Comparing the 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 or a = 5 and b\(^{2}\) = 9 or b = 3

We know the coordinates of the vertices are (a, 0) and (-a, 0).

Therefore, the coordinates of the vertices of the ellipse 9x\(^{2}\) + 25y\(^{2}\) - 225 = 0 are (5, 0) and (-5, 0).

● 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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