Mathematics · Quantitative Aptitude

Conic Sections

239 Questions

Conic sections deal with the curves obtained by the intersection of a cone with a plane, primarily focusing on parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas. Questions require finding vertices, directrices, and asymptotes based on given equations. This is an advanced geometry topic for rigorous competitive exams.

Parabola equationsHyperbola propertiesEllipse conceptsTangents and normalsDirectrix and focus

Conic Sections Questions

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

If the chords of contact of tangents drawn from $P$ to the hyperbola $x^2 - y^2 = a^2$ and its auxiliary circle are at right angle, then $P$ lies on :

  1. $x^2 - y^2 = 3a^2$
  2. $x^2 - y^2 = 2a^2$
  3. $x^2 - y^2 = 0$
  4. $x^2 - y^2 = 1$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Let $P$ be $(h,k)$
Now Chord of contact of tangent from $P$ to the hyperbola $x^2-y^2=a^2$ is,
$T =0\Rightarrow hx -ky = a^2$ (i)
And director circle of given hyperbola is, $x^2+y^2=a^2$
Thus equation of chord of contact to this circle from P is, $hx+ky = a^2$ (ii)
Now given line (i) and (ii) are perpendicular,
$\Rightarrow \cfrac{h}{k}\times \cfrac{-h}{k}=-1\Rightarrow h^2=k^2$
Hence locus of $P$ is given by, $x^2-y^2=0$ 

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

If the circle $x^2\, +\, y^2\, =\, a^2$ intersects the hyperbola $xy\, =\, c^2$ in four points $P\, (x _1,\, y _1),\, Q(x _2,\, y _2),\, R(x _3,\, y _3),\, S(x _4,\, y _4)$, then -

  1. $X _1\, +\, X _2\, +\, X _3\, +\, X _4\, =\, 0$
  2. $Y _1\, +\, Y _2\, +\, Y _3\, +\, Y _4\, =\,0$
  3. $X _1\, X _2\, X _3\, X _4\, =\, c^4$
  4. $Y _1\,Y _2\,Y _3\,Y _4\, =\, c^4$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A,B,C,D Correct answer
Explanation

Since, the circle $x^2\, +\, y^2\, =\, a^2$ intersects the hyperbola $xy\, =\, c^2$
Therefore, $x^2+\dfrac{c^4}{x^2}=a^2$
$\Rightarrow x^4-a^2x^2+c^4=0$
now sum of the roots: $x _1+x _2+x _3+x _4=0$
and product of the roots $x _1x _2x _3x _4=c^4$
Repeat the same for $y$

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

If one of the directrix of hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{9}-\dfrac{y^2}{b}=1$ is $x=-\dfrac{9}{5}$. Then the corresponding focus of hyperbola is?

  1. $(5, 0)$
  2. $(-5, 0)$
  3. $(0, 4)$
  4. $(0, -4)$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Given hyperbola is $\dfrac{x^2}{9}-\dfrac{y^2}{b}=1$

Directrix is $x=-\dfrac{9}{5}\implies \dfrac{3}{e}=\dfrac{9}{5}\implies e=\dfrac{5}{3}$
Corresponding focus of hyperbola is $(-a e,0)=(-5,0)$

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

The equation of the director circle of the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{81}- \dfrac{y^2}{16}=1$ is

  1. $x^2+y^2=65$
  2. $x^2+y^2=97$
  3. $(x-9)^2+(y-4)^2=0$
  4. $(x+9)^2+(y+4)^2=0$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

for hyperbola,

$\dfrac{x^2}{81}- \dfrac{y^2}{16}=1$ 
equation of director circle is 
$x^2+y^2=a^2-b^2$
$x^2+y^2=81-16=65$

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

The equation of the director circle of the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{36}- \dfrac{y^2}{16}=1$ is

  1. $x^2+y^2=20$
  2. $x^2+y^2=52$
  3. $(x-9)^2+(y-4)^2=0$
  4. $(x+9)^2+(y+4)^2=0$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

for hyperbola, $\dfrac{x^2}{36}- \dfrac{y^2}{16}=1$ 

equation of director circle is $x^2+y^2=a^2-b^2=36-16=20$

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

If any tangent to the hyperbola  $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2}-\dfrac{y^2}{b^2}=1$ with centre $C$, meets its director circle in $P$ and $Q$, then:

  1. $CP$ and $CQ$ are perpendicular to each other.
  2. $CP$ and $CQ$ are conjugate semi-diameters of the hyperbola.
  3. $CP$ and $CQ$ are not conjugate semi-diameters of the hyperbola.
  4. None of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

By definition, the points of intersection of a tangent to a hyperbola with its director circle are such that the radii to these points are conjugate semi-diameters.

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

The radius of the director circle of the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{a(a+4b)}-\dfrac{y^2}{b(2a-b)}=1; 2a > b > 0$ is: 

  1. $a^2+b^2+4ab$
  2. $a+b$
  3. $a^2+b^2+2ab$
  4. $2(a+b)^2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

$\begin{array}{l} equation\, \, of\, \, director\, \, circle\, \, { x^{ 2 } }+{ y^{ 2 } }={ a^{ 2 } }+4ab-\left( { 2ab-{ b^{ 2 } } } \right)  \ \Rightarrow { x^{ 2 } }+{ y^{ 2 } }={ a^{ 2 } }+{ b^{ 2 } }+2ab \ \Rightarrow { x^{ 2 } }+{ y^{ 2 } }={ \left( { a+b } \right) ^{ 2 } } \ Then,\, \, Radians\, \, of\, \, circle\, \, is\left( { a+b } \right)  \end{array}$

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

 The  equation of director circle of hyperbola is $\dfrac{x^2}{36}-\dfrac{y^2}{25}=1$ is

  1. $x^2+y^2=4$
  2. $x^2+y^2=11$
  3. $x^2-y^2=4$
  4. $x^2+y^2=61$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Director circle of a hyperbola is defined as the locus of the point of intersection of two perpendicular tangents to the hyperbola. For any standard hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} -\dfrac {y^2}{b^2} = 1$,


The equation of Director circle is given by $x^2 + y^2 = a^2 - b^2$


Here the given hyperbola is $\dfrac{x^2}{36} -\dfrac {y^2}{25} = 1$,

Here $a =6$ and $b =5$

So equation of the director circle will be $x^2 + y^2 = (6)^2 - (5)^2$

$\Rightarrow x^2 + y^2 = 11$

Correct option is $B$.

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

Point P is on the orthogonal hyperbola $x^2 - y^2 = a^2$. Point P' is the perpendicular projection of P on the x-axis. Then, $|PP'|^2$ is equal to the power of point P' relative to which circle?

  1. $x^2 + y^2 = a^2$
  2. $x^2 + y^2 = a^2 + b^2$
  3. Director circle

  4. Auxiliary circle

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A,D Correct answer
Explanation

$P(a sec(t) , a tan(t))$ and $P'(a sec(t) , 0)$
$|PP'| = a^2 tan^2(t)$
The power of point P' relative to a circle $x^2 + y^2 = a^2$ is :

$(asec(t) - 0)^2 + (0-0)^2 - a^2$   (power of the point w.r.t. circle)

$= a^2sec^2(t) - a^2 = a^2(sec^2(t)-1) = a^2tan^2(t)$

Hence, the correct options are A and D.

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

The pole of the line $lx + my + n = 0$ with respect to the hyperbola $\displaystyle \frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$, is

  1. $\displaystyle \left ( \frac{a^2 l}{n} , \frac{b^2 m}{n} \right )$
  2. $\displaystyle \left ( - \frac{a^2 l}{n} , \frac{b^2 m}{n} \right )$
  3. $\displaystyle \left ( \frac{a^2 l}{n} , -\frac{b^2 m}{n} \right )$
  4. $\displaystyle \left ( -\frac{a^2 l}{n} , -\frac{b^2 m}{n} \right )$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Let $P\left( { x } _{ 1 },{ y } _{ 1 } \right) $ be the pole of the line

$lx+my+n=0$ with respect ot the hyperbola $\cfrac { { x }^{ 2 } }{ {

a }^{ 2 } } -\cfrac { { y }^{ 2 } }{ { b }^{ 2 } } =1$
Then the equation of the polar is
$\cfrac

{ { xx } _{ 1 } }{ { a }^{ 2 } } -\cfrac { { yy } _{ 1 } }{ { b }^{ 2 } }

=1\cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot (i)$
Since $\left( { x } _{ 1 },{ y } _{ 1 } \right) $  is the pole of the line
$lx+my+n=0\cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot (ii)$
Clearly $(i)$ and $(ii)$ represent the same line. Therefore,
$\therefore \quad \cfrac { { x } _{ 1 } }{ { a }^{ 2 }l } =\cfrac { { -y } _{ 1 } }{ { b }^{ 2 }m } =\cfrac { 1 }{ -n } $
${ x } _{ 1 }=\cfrac { { -a }^{ 2 }l }{ n } ,\quad { y } _{ 1 }=\cfrac { { b }^{ 2 }m }{ n } $
Hence the pole of the given line with respect of the given hyperbola is
$\left(- \cfrac { { a }^{ 2 }l }{ n } ,\cfrac { { b }^{ 2 }m }{ n }  \right) \quad $

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

The number of points from where a pair of perpendicular tangents can be drawn to the hyperbola, $ x^2 \sec^2\alpha-y^2 \cos ec^2\alpha=1, \alpha\in(0,\dfrac{\pi}4) $ are

  1. $0$
  2. $1$
  3. $2$
  4. infinite

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The tangent equation to the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2}-\dfrac{y^2}{b^2}=1$ is 
$y=mx \pm \sqrt{a^2m^2-b^2}$
$\Rightarrow (y-mx)=\pm \sqrt{a^2m^2-b^2}$
On squaring both sides, we get
$\Rightarrow (y-mx)^2=(a^2m^2-b^2)$
$\Rightarrow (x^2-a^2)m^2-2xym+(y^2+b^2)=0$
Product of the slopes,$m _1m _2=\dfrac{(y^2+b^2)}{x^2-a^2}$
But given tangents are perpendicular to each other $\Rightarrow$ Their product of slopes equal to $-1.$
$\Rightarrow m _1m _2=-1$
$\Rightarrow \dfrac{(y^2+b^2)}{x^2-a^2}=-1$
$\Rightarrow x^2+y^2=(a^2-b^2)$
But given hyperbola equation as $\dfrac{x^2}{\cos\alpha^2}-\dfrac{y^2}{\sin\alpha^2}=1$
The required tangent equation is $x^2+y^2=\cos^2\alpha-\sin^2\alpha=\cos 2\alpha$
Since radius of circle is always greater than equal to zero.
$\Rightarrow \cos 2\alpha \geq 0$
But maximum value of $\cos$ is $1$.
$\Rightarrow 0 \leq \cos2\alpha \leq 1$
$\Rightarrow  \dfrac{\pi}{2} \leq 2\alpha \leq 0$
$\Rightarrow  \dfrac{\pi}{4} \leq \alpha \leq 0$
$\Rightarrow \alpha$has inifinite number of solutions.

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

The locus of the point of intersection of two perpendicular tangents to the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} - \dfrac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$ is

  1. Director circle

  2. $x^2 + y^2 = a^2$
  3. $x^2 + y^2 = a^2 - b^2$
  4. $x^2 + y^2 = a^2 + b^2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A,C Correct answer
Explanation

Equation of any tangent in terms of slope $m$ is

$y = mx + (a^2m^2  b^2)$

It passes through $(h, k)$, so we have

$(k - mh)^2 = a^2m^2 - b^2$

So, $m^2(h^2 - a^2) - 2mhk + k^2 + b^2 = 0$

This is a quadratic in $m$

Let the slopes of tangents be $m _1$ and $m _2$.

then $m _1.m _2 = -1$.

So, $\dfrac{(k^2 + b^2)}{(h^2 - a^2)} = -1$

$(h^2 + k^2) = (a^2  b^2)$

Hence, the locus is $(x^2 + y^2) = (a^2  b^2)$ which is the director circle of $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} - \dfrac{y^2}{b^2} = 1.$

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

If the tangent at the point $(h, k)$ to the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2}\, -\, \dfrac{y^2}{b^2}\, =\, 1$ cuts the auxiliary circle in points whose ordinates are $y _1$ and $ y _2$, then  $\dfrac{1}{y _1} + \dfrac{1}{y _2} =$.

  1. $\dfrac{4}{k}$
  2. $\dfrac{3}{k}$
  3. $\dfrac{2}{k}$
  4. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Equation of tangent of given hyperbola at point
$\displaystyle (h,\, k)\,$ is $\dfrac{hx}{a^2}\, -\, \dfrac{ky}{b^2}\, =\, 1$ ...(i)
Equation of auxillary circle is $x^2\, +\, y^2\, =\, a^2$ .....(ii)
From (i) and (ii)
$\displaystyle \left [ \left ( 1\, +\, \frac{ky}{b^2}\right ) \frac{a^2}{h}\right ]^2\, +\, y^2\, -\, a^2\, =\, 0$
$\Rightarrow\, y^2\, (k^2a^4\, +\, b^4h^2)\, +\, 2kb^2a^4y\, +\, b^4a^2\, (a^2\, -\, h^2)\, =\, 0$
Now  $\displaystyle \, \frac{y _1\, +\, y _2}{y _1y _2}\, =\, -\,

\frac{2kb^2a^4}{b^4a^2(a^2\, -\, h^2)}\, =\, \frac{-2ka^2}{b^2a^2 \left (

1\, -\, \frac{h^2}{a^2}\right )}$
$\displaystyle =\, \frac{-2k}{b^2 \left ( \frac{-k^2}{b^2}\right )}\, =\, \frac{2}{k}$

Multiple choice mathematics and statistics hyperbola auxiliary circle auxiliary circle, director circle director circle and auxiliary circle of a hyperbola

Find the range of $p$ such that a unique pair of perpendicular tangents can be drawn to the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{(p^2 - 4)} - \dfrac{y^2}{(p^2 + 4p + 3)} = 1$, i.e. the director circle of the given hyperbola is a point.

  1. $p > 2$
  2. $p = {-\dfrac{7}{4}}$
  3. $p < -2$
  4. $p = {3}$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The director circle is the locus of the point of intersection of a pair of perpendicular tangents to a hyperbola.

Equation of the director circle of the hyperbola $\dfrac{x^2}{a^2} - \dfrac{y^2}{b^2} = 1$ is $x^2 + y^2 = a^2  b^2$ i.e. a circle whose center is origin and radius is $(a^2  b^2)$.

Hence, for the director circle to be a point circle, $a^2 = b^2$ .

$p^2 - 4 = p^2 + 4p + 3$ ---> $4p = -7$ ---> $p = -\dfrac{7}{4}$ . Hence, option (B).