Q. Tangent at a point of the ellipse $\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}} + \frac{y^{2}}{b^{2}} = 1$ is drawn which cuts the coordinate axes at $A$ and $B$. The minimum area of the $\mathrm{\Delta}OAB\$is ($O$ being the origin)

A) $ab$
B) $\frac{a^{3} + ab + b^{3}}{3}$
C) $a^{2} + b^{2}$
D) $\frac{(a^{2} + b^{2})}{4}$
Explanation

(a)
Equation of tangent at $P({acos}{\theta,b\sin\theta)}$ is
$\frac{x}{a}\cos{\theta + \frac{y}{b}\sin{\theta = 1}}$
[image:11_image33.emf]
Whose point of intersection of axes are
$A\left( \frac{a}{\cos\theta},0 \right)\ and\ B\left( 0,\frac{b}{\sin\theta} \right)$
$\therefore Area\ of\ \mathrm{\Delta}AOB = \frac{1}{2}\ \left| \frac{a}{\cos\theta}.\frac{b}{\sin\theta} \right|$
$\mathrm{\Delta} = \frac{ab}{{|sin}{2\theta}|}$
Now area is minimum when $|\sin{2\theta|\ }$is maximum $ie,|\sin{2\theta| = 1}$
$\therefore\ \ \mathrm{\Delta}_{minimum} = ab$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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