If the length of minor axis (along y-axis) of an ellipse of the standard form is $\dfrac{4}{{\sqrt 3 }}$.If this ellipse touches the line $x + 6y = 8$,then what is its eccentricity?
A. $\dfrac{1}{2}\left( {\sqrt {\dfrac{5}{3}} } \right)$
B. $\dfrac{1}{2}\left( {\sqrt {\dfrac{{11}}{3}} } \right)$
C. $\dfrac{{\sqrt 5 }}{6}$
D. $\dfrac{1}{3}\sqrt {\left( {\dfrac{{11}}{6}} \right)} $
Answer
298.2k+ views
Hint: We know the length of the minor axis of ellipse so from this we can get the value of $b$. Also, the equation of tangent is given to the ellipse, we can get the equation of tangent at any point $\left( {{x_1},{y_1}} \right)$ on ellipse by $\dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{y.{y_1}}}{{{b^2}}} = 1$. We already know the value of $b$. On comparing the coefficient of equations of tangent to the given equation and solving them ,we can get the value of $a$.
Formula Used:
1.Eccentricity of ellipse is given by
${e^2} = 1 - \dfrac{{{b^2}}}{{{a^2}}}$
Where,
$e$ is eccentricity of ellipse
$a$ is semi major axis length of ellipse
$b$is the length of semi minor axis of ellipse
2.Equation to the tangent on ellipse $\dfrac{{{x^2}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{{y^2}}}{{{b^2}}} = 1$ at any point $\left( {{x_1},{y_1}} \right)$is given by –
$\dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{y.{y_1}}}{{{b^2}}} = 1$
Complete step by step solution:
Given – Length of major axis =$\dfrac{4}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
$2b = \dfrac{4}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
$b = \dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
Now equation of tangent at a point $\left( {{x_1},{y_1}} \right)$is given can be written as
$\dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{y.{y_1}}}{{{b^2}}} = 1$
Substituting the value of $b = \dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}$ in the above equation
$\dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{y.{y_1}}}{{{{\left( {\dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}} \right)}^2}}} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{3y.{y_1}}}{4} = 1$ (1)
Given equation of tangent is –
$x + 6y = 8$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{x}{8} + \dfrac{3}{4}y = 1$ (2)
Equation (1) and (2) represents same equations so on comparing them
$\dfrac{{{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} = \dfrac{1}{8}$
On cross multiplying the equation –
${x_1} = \dfrac{{{a^2}}}{8}$ (3)
Also, by comparing the coefficients of Y in equation (1) and (2)
$\dfrac{{3{y_1}}}{4} = \dfrac{3}{4}$
$ \Rightarrow {y_1} = 1$
Point $\left( {{x_1},{y_1}} \right)$lies on ellipse so –
$\dfrac{{{{\left( {\dfrac{{{a^2}}}{8}} \right)}^2}}}{{{a^2}}}\,\,\,\,\, + \,\,\,\dfrac{{{{\left( 1 \right)}^2}}}{{{{\left( {\dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}} \right)}^2}}} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{a^2}}}{{64}} + \dfrac{3}{4} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{a^2}}}{{64}} = \dfrac{1}{4}$
$ \Rightarrow {a^2} = \dfrac{{64}}{4}$
$ \Rightarrow \,{a^2} = 16$
Now eccentricity of ellipse is given by
$e = 1 - \dfrac{{{b^2}}}{{{a^2}}}$
Putting ${a^2} = 16$ and ${b^2} = \dfrac{4}{3}$ in the above formula
${e^2} = 1 - \dfrac{{\dfrac{4}{3}}}{{16}}$
$ \Rightarrow {e^2} = 1 - \dfrac{1}{{12}}$
$ \Rightarrow {e^2} = \dfrac{{11}}{{12}}$
$ \Rightarrow e = \sqrt {\dfrac{{11}}{{12}}} $
$ \Rightarrow e = \dfrac{1}{2}\sqrt {\left( {\dfrac{{11}}{3}} \right)} $
Option ‘B’ is correct
Note: Students get confusion in coefficient comparison of equations. Let ${a_1}x + {b_1}y + {c_1} = 0$ and ${a_2}x + {b_2}y + {c_2} = 0$ be two equations representing same line then:
$\dfrac{{{a_1}}}{{{a_2}}} = \dfrac{{{b_1}}}{{{b_2}}} = \dfrac{{{c_1}}}{{{c_2}}}$
Formula Used:
1.Eccentricity of ellipse is given by
${e^2} = 1 - \dfrac{{{b^2}}}{{{a^2}}}$
Where,
$e$ is eccentricity of ellipse
$a$ is semi major axis length of ellipse
$b$is the length of semi minor axis of ellipse
2.Equation to the tangent on ellipse $\dfrac{{{x^2}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{{y^2}}}{{{b^2}}} = 1$ at any point $\left( {{x_1},{y_1}} \right)$is given by –
$\dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{y.{y_1}}}{{{b^2}}} = 1$
Complete step by step solution:
Given – Length of major axis =$\dfrac{4}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
$2b = \dfrac{4}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
$b = \dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}$
Now equation of tangent at a point $\left( {{x_1},{y_1}} \right)$is given can be written as
$\dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{y.{y_1}}}{{{b^2}}} = 1$
Substituting the value of $b = \dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}$ in the above equation
$\dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{y.{y_1}}}{{{{\left( {\dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}} \right)}^2}}} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{x.{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} + \dfrac{{3y.{y_1}}}{4} = 1$ (1)
Given equation of tangent is –
$x + 6y = 8$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{x}{8} + \dfrac{3}{4}y = 1$ (2)
Equation (1) and (2) represents same equations so on comparing them
$\dfrac{{{x_1}}}{{{a^2}}} = \dfrac{1}{8}$
On cross multiplying the equation –
${x_1} = \dfrac{{{a^2}}}{8}$ (3)
Also, by comparing the coefficients of Y in equation (1) and (2)
$\dfrac{{3{y_1}}}{4} = \dfrac{3}{4}$
$ \Rightarrow {y_1} = 1$
Point $\left( {{x_1},{y_1}} \right)$lies on ellipse so –
$\dfrac{{{{\left( {\dfrac{{{a^2}}}{8}} \right)}^2}}}{{{a^2}}}\,\,\,\,\, + \,\,\,\dfrac{{{{\left( 1 \right)}^2}}}{{{{\left( {\dfrac{2}{{\sqrt 3 }}} \right)}^2}}} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{a^2}}}{{64}} + \dfrac{3}{4} = 1$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{a^2}}}{{64}} = \dfrac{1}{4}$
$ \Rightarrow {a^2} = \dfrac{{64}}{4}$
$ \Rightarrow \,{a^2} = 16$
Now eccentricity of ellipse is given by
$e = 1 - \dfrac{{{b^2}}}{{{a^2}}}$
Putting ${a^2} = 16$ and ${b^2} = \dfrac{4}{3}$ in the above formula
${e^2} = 1 - \dfrac{{\dfrac{4}{3}}}{{16}}$
$ \Rightarrow {e^2} = 1 - \dfrac{1}{{12}}$
$ \Rightarrow {e^2} = \dfrac{{11}}{{12}}$
$ \Rightarrow e = \sqrt {\dfrac{{11}}{{12}}} $
$ \Rightarrow e = \dfrac{1}{2}\sqrt {\left( {\dfrac{{11}}{3}} \right)} $
Option ‘B’ is correct
Note: Students get confusion in coefficient comparison of equations. Let ${a_1}x + {b_1}y + {c_1} = 0$ and ${a_2}x + {b_2}y + {c_2} = 0$ be two equations representing same line then:
$\dfrac{{{a_1}}}{{{a_2}}} = \dfrac{{{b_1}}}{{{b_2}}} = \dfrac{{{c_1}}}{{{c_2}}}$
Recently Updated Pages
Letfx be a polynomial with positive degree satisfy-class-12-maths-JEE_Main

Evaluate the definite integral given as intlimits13left class 12 maths JEE_Main

The sum of squares of two parts of a number 100 is-class-12-maths-JEE_Main

Geometry of Complex Numbers Explained

JEE Main 2023 (February 1st Shift 2) Physics Question Paper with Answer Key

JEE Main 2023 (February 1st Shift 1) Maths Question Paper with Answer Key

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

JEE Advanced 2026 Notification Out with Exam Date, Registration (Extended), Syllabus and More

What Are Current and Potential Difference in Electricity?

JEE Advanced Weightage Chapter Wise 2026 for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

Understanding Geostationary and Geosynchronous Satellites

