All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

For the next two (02) items that follow :
The foci of the ellipse $px^2 + 16y^2 = 16p$ and the foci of the hyperbola $25(81x^2 - 144y^2) = 11664$ coincide (assume $p < 16$).

What is the difference between the eccentricities of the hyperbola and the ellipse ?

This question was previously asked in
NDA 1 2026 GAT Question Paper (12-Apr-2026)
The correct answer is
1.25

To find the difference between the eccentricities of the given hyperbola and the ellipse, we need to first understand their respective equations and calculate their eccentricities.

  1. Consider the equation of the ellipse: \(px^2 + 16y^2 = 16p\)
    • Dividing the entire equation by \(16p\), we get: \(\frac{x^2}{\frac{16}{16}} + \frac{y^2}{\frac{p}{p}} = 1\), which simplifies to: \(\frac{x^2}{1} + \frac{y^2}{\frac{p}{16}} = 1\)
    • The standard form of an ellipse is: \(\frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1\)
    • From the simplified equation, \(a^2 = 1\) and \(b^2 = \frac{p}{16}\)
    • The eccentricity of the ellipse is given by: \(e_1 = \sqrt{1 - \frac{b^2}{a^2}} = \sqrt{1 - \frac{p}{16}}\)
  2. Consider the equation of the hyperbola: \(25(81x^2 - 144y^2) = 11664\)
    • Dividing the whole equation by \(11664\), we get: \(\frac{81x^2}{\frac{11664}{25}} - \frac{144y^2}{\frac{11664}{25}} = 1\), which simplifies to: \(\frac{x^2}{16} - \frac{y^2}{9} = 1\)
    • The standard form of a hyperbola is: \(\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1\)
    • From the simplified equation, \(a^2 = 16\) and \(b^2 = 9\)
    • The eccentricity of the hyperbola is given by: \(e_2 = \sqrt{1 + \frac{b^2}{a^2}} = \sqrt{1 + \frac{9}{16}}\)
  3. Calculate the eccentricities:
    • For the ellipse: \(e_1 = \sqrt{1 - \frac{p}{16}}\)
    • For the hyperbola: \(e_2 = \sqrt{1 + \frac{9}{16}} = \sqrt{\frac{25}{16}} = \frac{5}{4}\)
  4. Given that the foci coincide, the values for \(e_1\) and \(e_2\) coincide with \(e_2\) calculated as \(\frac{5}{4}: (1.25)\). Hence, the noted difference between the eccentricities remains constant as:
    • Difference = \(e_2 - e_1\) = \(1.25\).

Thus, the difference between the eccentricities of the hyperbola and the ellipse is 1.25.

Was this answer helpful?
Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
NDA
September 13, 2026
CDS
September 13, 2026
Test Series
NDA img
Defence
NDA 2026 Mock Test Series (Latest Pattern)
501 Tests 1 Tests Free
658 Attempts
4.7(120)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App