Mathematics

Mathematics

Problem

Two ellipses P and Q have the same length of latus rectum L=6L = 6 cm but different semi-major axes aP=5a_P = 5 cm and aQ=8a_Q = 8 cm. Answer the following. a. (i) Show that the eccentricity ee of any ellipse can be expressed as e2=1−L2ae^{2} = 1 - \dfrac{L}{2a}, where aa is its semi-major axis and LL is the length of its latus rectum. b. (ii) Using the relation in part (i), find the eccentricities ePe_P and eQe_Q. c. (iii) If the latus rectum length is kept constant while the semi-major axis is increased further, explain qualitatively how the eccentricity will change and what this implies about the shape of the ellipse.

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