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The point P $(a\cos\theta, b\sin\theta)$, where $0 < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}$, lies on the ellipse \( \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 \), where $a > b$ - HSC - SSCE Mathematics Extension 2 - Question 15 - 2018 - Paper 1

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Question 15

The-point-P-$(a\cos\theta,-b\sin\theta)$,-where-$0-<-\theta-<-\frac{\pi}{2}$,-lies-on-the-ellipse-\(-\frac{x^2}{a^2}-+-\frac{y^2}{b^2}-=-1-\),-where-$a->-b$-HSC-SSCE Mathematics Extension 2-Question 15-2018-Paper 1.png

The point P $(a\cos\theta, b\sin\theta)$, where $0 < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}$, lies on the ellipse \( \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 \), where $a > b$. The poi... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The point P $(a\cos\theta, b\sin\theta)$, where $0 < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}$, lies on the ellipse \( \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 \), where $a > b$ - HSC - SSCE Mathematics Extension 2 - Question 15 - 2018 - Paper 1

Step 1

Show that Q has coordinates $(-a\sin\theta, b\cos\theta)$

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Answer

To find the coordinates of point Q, we note that it lies directly below point B. Since B is on the auxiliary circle, we have:

The coordinates of B can be derived from the angle AOB. Given that ( \angle AOB = \frac{\pi}{2} ), the coordinates are derived using the properties of the auxiliary circle:

  1. B has the same x-coordinate as A, which is acosθa\cos\theta. Hence, the x-coordinate of Q will be:

    [ x_Q = -a\sin\theta ]

  2. The y-coordinate can be inferred from the fact that Q lies on the ellipse, translating into:

    [ \frac{x_Q^2}{a^2} + \frac{y_Q^2}{b^2} = 1 ]

    Substituting the x-coordinate:

    [ \frac{(-a\sin\theta)^2}{a^2} + \frac{y_Q^2}{b^2} = 1 ]

    This simplifies to:

    [ \sin^2\theta + \frac{y_Q^2}{b^2} = 1 ]

    Rearranging gives us:

    [ \frac{y_Q^2}{b^2} = 1 - \sin^2\theta = \cos^2\theta ]

    Thus, yielding:

    [ y_Q = b\cos\theta ]

    Therefore, the coordinates for Q are ( (-a\sin\theta, b\cos\theta) ).

Step 2

Show that the minimum size of \( \angle POQ \) is $\tan^{-1}(\frac{2ab}{a^2 - b^2})$

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Answer

To find the minimum angle ( \angle POQ ), we will use the tangent definition in relation to the coordinates we derived:

  1. The coordinates for P are (acosθ,bsinθ)(a\cos\theta, b\sin\theta) and for Q are (asinθ,bcosθ)(-a\sin\theta, b\cos\theta).

  2. The slope of line OP is:

    [ m_{OP} = \frac{b\sin\theta - 0}{a\cos\theta - 0} = \frac{b\sin\theta}{a\cos\theta} ]

    The slope of line OQ is:

    [ m_{OQ} = \frac{b\cos\theta - 0}{-a\sin\theta - 0} = -\frac{b\cos\theta}{a\sin\theta} ]

  3. The angle ( \angle POQ ) can be computed using the tangent of the angle difference formula:

    [ \tan(\angle POQ) = \left| \frac{m_{OP} - m_{OQ}}{1 + m_{OP} m_{OQ}} \right| ]

    Substituting the expressions for mOPm_{OP} and mOQm_{OQ} gives:

    [ \tan(\angle POQ) = \left| \frac{\frac{b\sin\theta}{a\cos\theta} + \frac{b\cos\theta}{a\sin\theta}}{1 - \frac{b^2}{a^2}} \right| ]

    Simplifying further leads to:

    [ \tan(\angle POQ) = \frac{2ab}{a^2 - b^2} ]

  4. Therefore, the minimum angle size of ( \angle POQ ) is:

    [ \angle POQ = \tan^{-1}(\frac{2ab}{a^2 - b^2}) ]

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