Question:

Let \(\theta\) be the acute angle between the tangents to the ellipse \(\frac{x^2}{9}+\frac{y^2}{1}=1\) and the circle \(x^2+y^2=3\) at their point of intersection in the first quadrant. Then \(\tan\theta\) is equal to :

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Intersect the curves to get \(\left(\frac32,\frac{\sqrt3}{2}\right)\), find the two tangent slopes by differentiation, then use \(\tan\theta=\left|\frac{m_1-m_2}{1+m_1m_2}\right|\).
Updated On: Nov 4, 2026
  • \(\frac{5}{2\sqrt3}\)
  • \(\frac{2}{\sqrt3}\)
  • \(\frac{4}{\sqrt3}\)
  • \(2\)
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Substituting \(y^2=3-x^2\) in the ellipse: \(\frac{x^2}{9}+3-x^2=1\Rightarrow\frac{8x^2}{9}=2\Rightarrow x^2=\frac94\). First quadrant: \(x=\frac32,\ y=\frac{\sqrt3}{2}\).
Step 2: Ellipse: \(\frac{2x}{9}+2y\,y'=0\Rightarrow m_1=-\frac{x}{9y}=-\frac{3/2}{9\cdot\sqrt3/2}=-\frac{1}{3\sqrt3}\).
Step 3: Circle: \(m_2=-\frac xy=-\frac{3/2}{\sqrt3/2}=-\sqrt3\).
Step 4: \(\tan\theta=\left|\frac{m_1-m_2}{1+m_1m_2}\right|=\left|\frac{-\frac{1}{3\sqrt3}+\sqrt3}{1+\frac13}\right|=\frac{\frac{8}{3\sqrt3}}{\frac43}=\frac{2}{\sqrt3}\).
Answer: (2) \(\frac{2}{\sqrt3}\)
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