Let $$\mathrm{P}\left(\frac{2 \sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{7}}, \frac{6}{\sqrt{7}}\right), \mathrm{Q}, \mathrm{R}$$ and $\mathrm{S}$ be four points on the ellipse $9 x^{2}+4 y^{2}=36$. Let $\mathrm{PQ}$ and $\mathrm{RS}$ be mutually perpendicular and pass through the origin. If $\frac{1}{(P Q)^{2}}+\frac{1}{(R S)^{2}}=\frac{p}{q}$, where $p$ and $q$ are coprime, then $p+q$ is equal to :
Solution
Given, points $P$ and $R$ are on the ellipse defined by $9x^2+4y^2=36$ which simplifies to $\frac{x^2}{4} + \frac{y^2}{9} = 1$.
This is the standard form of the equation of an ellipse centered at the origin, with semi-major axis $a=3$ along the $y$-axis and semi-minor axis $b=2$ along the $x$-axis.
<br/><br/>OP is the distance from origin O to point P, which is given by :
<br/><br/>$$OP =r_1 = \sqrt{\left(\frac{2\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{7}}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{6}{\sqrt{7}}\right)^2} = \sqrt{\frac{12}{7} + \frac{36}{7}} = \sqrt{\frac{48}{7}} = 2\sqrt{\frac{12}{7}}.$$
<br/><br/>1. Let's represent the given point $P\left(\frac{2 \sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{7}}, \frac{6}{\sqrt{7}}\right)$ in polar coordinates. We can write $P$ as $(r_1 \cos \theta, r_1 \sin \theta)$. Since $P$ lies on the ellipse, it must satisfy the equation of the ellipse. Substituting $x=r_1 \cos \theta$ and $y=r_1 \sin \theta$ into the equation of the ellipse gives us :
<br/><br/> $\frac{r_1^2 \cos ^2 \theta}{4}+\frac{r_1^2 \sin ^2 \theta}{9}=1$
<br/><br/> Simplifying this, we obtain :
<br/><br/> $$\frac{\cos ^2 \theta}{4}+\frac{\sin ^2 \theta}{9}=\frac{7}{48} \quad \text{--- (equation 1)}$$
<br/><br/>2. Similarly, if we represent the point $R$ as $(-r_2 \sin \theta, r_2 \cos \theta)$, (the negative sign is due to the fact that line RS is perpendicular to line PQ. Since they are perpendicular, the angle between them is 90 degrees or $\pi/2$ radians. In terms of sin and cos, $\sin(\theta + \pi/2) = \cos(\theta)$ and $\cos(\theta + \pi/2) = -\sin(\theta)$.) it too should satisfy the equation of the ellipse. We have :
<br/><br/> $\frac{r_2^2 \sin ^2 \theta}{4}+\frac{r_2^2 \cos ^2 \theta}{9}=1$
<br/><br/> Simplifying this, we obtain :
<br/><br/> $$\frac{\sin ^2 \theta}{4}+\frac{\cos ^2 \theta}{9}=\frac{1}{r_2^2} \quad \text{--- (equation 2)}$$
<br/><br/>3. From equations (1) and (2), we have :
<br/><br/> $\frac{1}{r_2^2}=\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{9}-\frac{7}{48}=\frac{31}{144}$
<br/><br/>4. Now, note that lines $PQ$ and $RS$ are perpendicular and pass through the origin, so $PQ = 2OP$ and $RS = 2OR$. Thus,
<br/><br/> $$\frac{1}{PQ^2} + \frac{1}{RS^2} = \frac{1}{4} \left(\frac{1}{r_1^2} + \frac{1}{r_2^2} \right)$$
<br/><br/>5. Substituting the values of $r_1$ and $r_2$, we obtain :
<br/><br/> $$\frac{1}{PQ^2} + \frac{1}{RS^2} = \frac{1}{4}\left(\frac{7}{48}+\frac{31}{144}\right)=\frac{13}{144} = \frac{p}{q}$$
<br/><br/>6. Hence, $p = 13$ and $q = 144$.
<br/><br/>7. So, the final answer $p+q = 13 + 144 = 157$.
About this question
Subject: Mathematics · Chapter: Conic Sections · Topic: Parabola
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