NCERT Solutions
Class 11 Maths
Conic Sections

Ex.11.3 Q.7
Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis,
the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse 36x2 + 4y2 = 144.
The given equation is 36x2 + 4y2 = 144
(36x2 ÷ 144) + (4y2 ÷ 144) = 1
(x2 ÷ 4) + (y2 ÷ 36) = 1
(x2 ÷ 22) + (y2 ÷ 62) = 1.
Here, the denominator of y2 is greater than the denominator of
x2.
Therefore, the major axis is along the y-axis, while the minor axis is along the x-axis.
On comparing the given equation with (x2 ÷ b2) + (y2 ÷ a2) = 1,
we get b = 2 and a = 6
Now, c = √ (a2 - b2) = √ (36 - 4) = √32 = 4√2
Therefore,
The coordinates of the foci are (0, 4√2) and (0, -4√2)
The coordinates of the vertices are (0, 6) and (0, –6)
Length of major axis = 2a = 12
Length of minor axis = 2b = 4
Eccentricity, e = =
√2 =
√2
Length of latus rectum = b2 = (2 × 4) ÷ 6 =