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4 Unit Math Homework for Year 12

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Table of contents

2 Topic 2 — Conics Part 3 1

2.6 Tangents and Normals to the Ellipse and Hyperbola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.6.1 Equations of Tangents to the Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.6.2 Equations of Normals to the Ellipse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.6.3 Equations of Tangents to the Hyperbola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.6.4 Equations of Normal to the Hyperbola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.6.5 Chord of Contact for the Ellipse and Hyperbola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7 Pass Exam Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

This edition was printed on June 16, 2017 with worked solutions.
Camera ready copy was prepared with the LATEX2e typesetting system.
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4 Unit Math Homework for Year 12

Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 1 of 14

2 Topic 2 — Conics Part 3

2.6 Tangents and Normals to the Ellipse and Hyperbola

2.6.1 Equations of Tangents to the Ellipse

2 2
Cartesian Form: xa2 + yb2 = 1 by implicit differentiation 2x a2
+ 2y dy
b2 dx
=0
b 2 x1
∴ the gradient of the tangent at P (x1 , y1 ) is − a2 y1 .
2 x2 y2
∴ the equation of the tangent at P is: y −y1 = − ab 2 xy11 (x−x1 ) ⇒ xxa2
1
+ yy
b2
1
= a21 + b21 = 1.
2 2
∴ xxa2
1
+ yyb2
1
= 1 is the tangent to ellipse xa2 + yb2 = 1 at P (x1 , y1 ).

Parametric Form: x = a cos θ, ⇒ dx dθ

= −a sin θ, y = b sin θ, ⇒ dy dθ
= b cos θ
b cos φ
∴ the gradient of the tangent at P (a cos φ, b sin φ) is − a sin φ ,
∴ the equation of the tangent at P is y − b sin φ = − ab cos φ
sin φ
(x − a cos φ)
x cos φ y sin φ 2 2
⇒ a
+ b = cos φ + sin φ = 1.
∴ x cos
a
φ
+ y sin
b
φ
= 1 is the tangent to the ellipse
x = a cos θ, y = b sin θ at P (a cos φ, b sin φ).

2.6.2 Equations of Normals to the Ellipse

2
Cartesian Form: Also the gradient of the normal at P is ab2 xy11 ,
2
∴ the equation of the normal at P is y − y1 = ab2 xy11 (x − x1 )
2 2 2 2
∴ ax1x − by1y = a2 − b2 is the the normal to the ellipse xa2 + yb2 = 1 at P (x1 , y1 ).

Parametric From: Also the gradient of the normal at P is ba cos

sin φ
φ
,
a sin φ
∴ the equation of the normal at P is y − b sin φ = b cos φ (x − a cos φ).
ax by
∴ cos φ
− sin φ
= a2 − b2 is the normal to the ellipse
x = a cos θ, y = b sin θ at P (a cos φ, b sin φ).

Example 2.6.1 Find the equations of the tangent and normal to the ellipse 3x2 + 4y 2 = 48 at the
point (2, −3).

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 2 of 14

Solution: x2 y2
3x2 + 4y 2 = 48 ⇒ + = 1.
16 12
x2 y2
The tangen to the ellipse + = 1 at the point (2, -3) has equation
16 12
2x (−3y)
+ = 1 ⇒ x − 2y = 8.
16 12
x2 y2
The normal to the ellipse + = 1 at the point (2, -3) has equation
16 12
16x 12y
− = 16 − 12, 2x + y = 1.
2 (−3)

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 3 of 14

2.6.3 Equations of Tangents to the Hyperbola

2 2
Cartesian Form: xa2 − yb2 = 1 by implicit differentiation 2x a2
− 2y dy
b2 dx
=0
2
∴ the gradient of the tangent at P (x1 , y1 ) is ab 2 xy11 .
2 x2 y2
∴ the equation of the tangent at P is: y − y1 = ab 2 xy11 (x − x1 ) ⇒ xx
a2
1
− yy
b2
1
= a21 − b21 = 1.
2 2
∴ xxa2
1
− yyb2
1
= 1 is the tangent to hyperbola xa2 − yb2 = 1 at P (x1 , y1 ).

Parametric Form: x = a sec θ, ⇒ dx dθ

= a sec θ tan θ, y = b tan θ, ⇒ dy dθ
= b sec2 θ
dy
∴ dx = ab tan
sec θ
θ
∴ the gradient of the tangent at P (a sec φ, b tan φ) is f racb sec φa tan φ,
∴ the equation of the tangent at P is y − b tan φ = ab tan
sec φ
φ
(x − a sec φ)
x sec φ y tan φ
⇒ a
+ b = sec2 φ − tan2 φ = 1.
∴ x sec
a
φ
− y tan
b
φ
= 1 is the tangent to the hyperbola
x = a sec θ, y = b tan θ at P (a sec φ, b tan φ).

2.6.4 Equations of Normal to the Hyperbola

2
Cartesian Form: Also the gradient of the normal at P is − ab2 xy11 ,
2
∴ the equation of the normal at P is y − y1 = − ab2 xy11 (x − x1 )
2 2 2 2
∴ ax1x + by1y = a2 + b2 is the the normal to the hypebola xa2 − yb2 = 1 at P (x1 , y1 ).

Parametric From: Also the gradient of the normal at P is −a tan φ

b sec φ
,
−a tan φ
∴ the equation of the normal at P is y − b tan φ = b sec φ (x − a sec φ).
ax by
∴ sec φ
+ tan φ
= a2 + b2 is the normal to the hyperbola
x = a sec θ, y = b tan θ at P (a cos φ, b sin φ).

Example 2.6.2 Find the equation of tangent and the normal to the hyperbola 9x2 − 2y 2 = 18 at
the point (2, −3).

Solution: x2 y 2
9x2 − 2y 2 = 18 ⇒ − = 1.
2 9
x2 y 2
The tangent to the hyperbola − = 1 at the point (2, -3) has equation
2 9
2x −3y
− = 1 ⇒ 3x + y = 3.
2 9
x2 y 2
The normal to the hyperbolar − = 1 at the point (2, -3) has equation
2 9
2x 9y
+ = 2 + 9 ⇒ x − 3y = 11.
2 −3

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 4 of 14

Exercise 2.6.1

1. Find the equation of the tangent and the normal to ellipse x = 4 cos θ, y = 2 sin θ at the point
where θ = − π4 .

2. Find the euation of the tangent and the normal to the hyperbola x = 2 sec θ, y = 4 tan θ at the
point where θ = − π4 .

x2 y2
3. Show that the tangent at the endpoints of a focal chord of the hyperbola a2
− b2
= 1 meet on the
corresponding directrix.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 5 of 14

2.6.5 Chord of Contact for the Ellipse and Hyperbola

Chord of Contact for the Ellipse: From any point T external to the ellipse,
two tangents can be drawn to the curve, meeting the conic in P and Q.
PQ is called the chord of contact of tangents from T.

For ellipse in the figure shown above, T (x0 , y0 ) lies on both tangents, TP and TQ.
∴ xa0 x2 1 + y0b2y1 = 1 and xa0 x2 2 + y0b2y2 = 1
Hence both P (x1 , y1 ) and Q(x2 , y2 ) satisfy xa0 x2 1 + y0b2y1 = 1.
Thus the chord of contact of tangents from T (x0 , y0 ) to the ellipse
x2 y2 xx0 yy0
a2 + b 2 = 1 have the equation
a 2 + b2
=1

Example 2.6.3 Find the equation of the chord of contact of tangents to the ellipse 3x2 + 4y 2 = 48
from the point (6, 4).

Solution: x2 x2 y 2
3x2 + 4y 2 = 48, ⇒ + + = 1.
16 16 12
x2 y 2
The chord of contact of tangents from the point (6, 4) to ellipse + has equation
16 12
6x 4y
+ = 1 ⇒ 9x + 8y = 24.
16 12

Exercise 2.6.2 Find the equation of the chord of contact of tangent from the point (5, 4) to the
2 2
ellipse x15 + y10 = 1.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 6 of 14

xx0 yy0
Chord of Contact for the Hyperbola: Similarly a2
− b2
= 1 is the chord PQ of the
hyperbola in the figure shown below.

Thus the chord of contact of tangents from T (x0 , y0 ) to the hyperbola

x2 y2 xx0 yy0
a2 − b2 = 1 have the equation a2 − b2 = 1

Example 2.6.4 Find the equation of the chord of contact of tangents to the hyperbola
9x2 − 2y 2 = 18 from the point (1, 2).

Solution: x2 y 2
9x2 − 2y 2 = 18, ⇒ − = 1.
2 9
The chord of contact of tangents from the point (1, 2) the the hyperbola has equation
x 2y
− = 1 ⇒ 9x − 4y = 18.
2 9

Exercise 2.6.3 Find the equation of the chord of contact of tangent from the point (1, 2) to the
2 2
hyperbola x6 − y8 = 1.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 7 of 14

2.7 Pass Exam Questions

2 2
Exercise 2.7.1 The ellipse E has equation xa2 + yb2 = 1, and focus S and directrix D as shown in
the diagram. The point T (x0 , y0 ) lies outside the ellipse and is not on the x axis. The chord of
constant PQ from T intersects D at R, as shown in the diagram.

x1 x y1 y
1. Show that the equation of the tangent to the ellipse at the point P (x1 , y1 ) is a2
+ b2
= 1.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 8 of 14

x0 x y0 y
2. Show that the equation of the chord of contact from T (x0 , y0 ) is a2
+ b2
= 1.

3. Show that T S is perpendicular to SR.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 9 of 14

Exercise 2.7.2

x2 y2
1. Derive the equation of the tangent to the hyperbola a2
− b2
= 1 at the point P (a sec θ, b tan θ).

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 10 of 14

2. Show that the tangent intersects the asymptotes of the hyperbola at the points
a cos θ a cos θ −b cos θ
, b cos θ and B 1+sin



A 1−sin θ 1−sin θ
,
θ 1+sin θ
.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 11 of 14

3. Prove that the area of the triangle OAB is ab.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 12 of 14

2 2
Exercise 2.7.3 Consider the ellipse  with equation xa2 + yb2 = 1 and the point P (a cos θ, b sin θ),
Q(a cos(θ + φ), b sin(θ + φ)) and R(a cos(θ − φ), b sin(θ − φ)) on .

x cos θ y sin θ
1. Show that the equation of the tangent to  at the point P is a
+ b
= 1.

2. Show that the chord QR is parallel to the tangent at P .

3. Deduce that OP bisects the chord QR.

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 13 of 14

Exercise 2.7.4 The distinct P (cp, pc ) and Q(cq, qc ) are on the same branch of the hyperbola H with
equation xy = c2 . The tangents to H at P and Q meet at the point T.

1. Show that the equation of the tangent at P is x + p2 y = 2cp.

2. Show that T is the point ( 2cpq

p+q
, 2c
p+q
).

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Year 12 Topic 2 Homework Page 14 of 14

3. Suppose P and Q move so that the tangent at P intersects the x axis at (cq, 0). Show that the
locus of T is a hyperbola, and state its eccentricity.

2 2
Exercise 2.7.5 Find the eccentricity , foci and the equation of the directices of the ellpse x9 + y4 = 1.

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