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Conics - Ellipses (1 Viewer)

the-derivative

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[FONT=&quot]Hello guys,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with this question. I don't know how to get it in terms of one angle. P(acosθ, bsinθ) and Q (acosα, bsinα) lie on the ellipse x^2/a^2 + y^2/b^2 = 1. Find the eqn of the chord PQ. Hence show that if PQ subtends a right angle at the point A(a,0) then PQ passes through a fixed point on the x-axis.

Thank You =)

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EDIT: I got the answer out. Thanks anyway.
 
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the-derivative

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as far as I can recall, you don't get it in terms of one angle in the equation....the equation has both angles in there....cambridge has the derivation of the equation of a chord....
Yeah, you're right.

I got the question out already, had to find the chord PQ, then find the intercept. Then you use the gradients and since you know they're perpendicular, you use that to find the value of the intercept to prove it's a constant.

But thanks anyway.
 

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