Question:

If the distance between the foci of an ellipse \[ \frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1 \] is \(6\) and the distance between its directrices is \(10\), then the equation of one of the tangents of the ellipse drawn parallel to the line \[ y=\sqrt2\,x+5 \] is

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For the ellipse \[ \frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1, \] a tangent with slope \(m\) is \[ y=mx\pm\sqrt{a^2m^2+b^2}. \] Once \(a^2\) and \(b^2\) are known, the tangent can be written immediately.
Updated On: Jul 9, 2026
  • \[ y=\sqrt2\,x+\sqrt{66} \]
  • \[ y=\sqrt2\,x+12 \]
  • \[ y=\sqrt2\,x+\sqrt{44} \]
  • \[ y=\sqrt2\,x+6 \] \bigskip
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept: For the ellipse \[ \frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1, \] \[ c^2=a^2-b^2, \qquad e=\frac{c}{a}. \] The directrices are \[ x=\pm\frac{a}{e}. \] A tangent to the ellipse having slope \(m\) is \[ y=mx\pm\sqrt{a^2m^2+b^2}. \]

Step 1:
Use the distance between the foci. Distance between the foci is \[ 2c=6. \] Hence, \[ c=3. \] \[ c^2=9. \] \[ \cdots (1) \]

Step 2:
Use the distance between the directrices. The directrices are \[ x=\pm\frac{a}{e}. \] Therefore, \[ 2\frac{a}{e}=10. \] \[ \frac{a}{e}=5. \] Since \[ e=\frac{c}{a}, \] \[ \frac{a^2}{c}=5. \] Using \[ c=3, \] \[ a^2=15. \] \[ \cdots (2) \]

Step 3:
Find \(b^2\). Using \[ c^2=a^2-b^2, \] \[ 9=15-b^2. \] \[ b^2=6. \]

Step 4:
Find the tangent parallel to \(y=\sqrt2\,x+5\). The slope is \[ m=\sqrt2. \] For an ellipse, \[ y=mx\pm\sqrt{a^2m^2+b^2}. \] Substituting \[ a^2=15, \qquad b^2=6, \qquad m=\sqrt2, \] \[ y=\sqrt2\,x \pm \sqrt{15(2)+6}. \] \[ y=\sqrt2\,x \pm \sqrt{36}. \] \[ y=\sqrt2\,x\pm6. \] Hence one such tangent is \[ \boxed{y=\sqrt2\,x+6}. \]
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