Question:

If the latus rectum of an ellipse is equal to half of the minor axis, then its eccentricity is:

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For an ellipse, \[ \text{Length of latus rectum}=\frac{2b^2}{a} \] and \[ e=\sqrt{1-\frac{b^2}{a^2}} \] These two standard formulas are frequently used together in problems involving eccentricity.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
  • \(\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4}\)
  • \(\dfrac{3}{4}\)
  • \(\dfrac{1}{4}\)
  • \(\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\)
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Formula for the length of latus rectum of an ellipse.
For the ellipse \[ \frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1, \] the length of the latus rectum is \[ \frac{2b^2}{a} \] The length of the minor axis is \[ 2b \] According to the question, \[ \frac{2b^2}{a}=\frac{1}{2}(2b) \]

Step 2: Simplify the equation.
We get \[ \frac{2b^2}{a}=b \] Multiplying both sides by \(a\), \[ 2b^2=ab \] Dividing by \(b\neq 0\), \[ 2b=a \] Hence, \[ b=\frac{a}{2} \]

Step 3: Use the eccentricity formula.
For an ellipse, \[ e=\sqrt{1-\frac{b^2}{a^2}} \] Substituting \[ b=\frac{a}{2}, \] we get \[ e=\sqrt{1-\frac{(a/2)^2}{a^2}} \] \[ =\sqrt{1-\frac{1}{4}} \] \[ =\sqrt{\frac{3}{4}} \] \[ =\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \]

Step 4: Final conclusion.
Therefore, the eccentricity of the ellipse is \[ \boxed{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \]
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