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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 2 2026 GAT Question Paper (13-Sep-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.

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Similar Questions

  1. The foci of the ellipse \(4x^2 + 9y^2 = 1\) are at Q and R. If P(x, y) is any point on the ellipse, then what is PQ+PR equal to?
  2. Consider the points P(4k, 4k) and Q(4k, -4k) lying on the parabola \(y^2 = 4kx\). If the vertex is A, then what is \(\angle PAQ\) equal to?
  3. What is the value of p ?
  4. What is the distance between the two foci of the hyperbola 25x2 - 75y2 = 225?

  5. If any point on an ellipse is (3sinα, 5cosα), then what is the eccentricity of the ellipse?


Important Questions from Conic Sections

  1. The foci of the ellipse \(4x^2 + 9y^2 = 1\) are at Q and R. If P(x, y) is any point on the ellipse, then what is PQ+PR equal to?
  2. Consider the points P(4k, 4k) and Q(4k, -4k) lying on the parabola \(y^2 = 4kx\). If the vertex is A, then what is \(\angle PAQ\) equal to?
  3. What is the value of p ?
  4. What is the distance between the two foci of the hyperbola 25x2 - 75y2 = 225?

  5. If any point on an ellipse is (3sinα, 5cosα), then what is the eccentricity of the ellipse?

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