Equation of an ellipse and tangents

  • Level: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Kartik.
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ellipse
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 2K views
Kartik.
Messages
55
Reaction score
1
1) If we have the focus as (f,g) and the directrix as Ax+By+C =0 and the eccentricity as e we define the equation of the ellipse to be

(x-f)2+(y-g)2 = e2(Ax+By+C)2 / A2+B2

Does this imply that the variables x and y in the locus of the directrix and the ellipse refer to the same thing?(we do take them as similar or say like variables)

2) How can we find the points of intersection of the tangents(from a point outside the curve) on an elliptical curve?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi Kartik! :smile:
Kartik. said:
1) If we have the focus as (f,g) and the directrix as Ax+By+C =0 and the eccentricity as e we define the equation of the ellipse to be

(x-f)2+(y-g)2 = e2(Ax+By+C)2 / A2+B2

Does this imply that the variables x and y in the locus of the directrix and the ellipse refer to the same thing?(we do take them as similar or say like variables)

No!

Ax+By+C = constant is a series of parallel lines that fill out the plane.

If the constant is zero, the line is the directrix, and (x,y,z) lies on the directrix.

If the constant isn't zero, that tells you how far away from the directrix the line (and (x,y,z) itself) is :wink:
2) How can we find the points of intersection of the tangents(from a point outside the curve) on an elliptical curve?

uhh? :redface:

isn't that just the original point? :confused:​