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Eccentricity of Hyperbola Given Normal Intersection Point

Let P(6,3)P(6,3) be a point on the hyperbola x2a2−y2b2=1\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1. If the normal at the point PP intersects the xx-axis at (9,0)(9,0), then the eccentricity of the hyperbola is

Options

A

52\sqrt{\frac{5}{2}}

B

32\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}

Correct
C

2\sqrt{2}

D

3\sqrt{3}

Topics & Concepts

Step-by-Step Solution

The equation of the given hyperbola is:
x2a2−y2b2=1\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1

The equation of the normal to the hyperbola at any point P(x1,y1)P(x_1, y_1) is given by:
a2xx1+b2yy1=a2+b2\frac{a^2 x}{x_1} + \frac{b^2 y}{y_1} = a^2 + b^2

For the point P(6,3)P(6,3), substituting x1=6x_1 = 6 and y1=3y_1 = 3 into the normal equation gives:
a2x6+b2y3=a2+b2\frac{a^2 x}{6} + \frac{b^2 y}{3} = a^2 + b^2

It is given that this normal line intersects the xx-axis at the point (9,0)(9,0). Substituting x=9x = 9 and y=0y = 0 into the normal equation:
a2(9)6+b2(0)3=a2+b2\frac{a^2 (9)}{6} + \frac{b^2 (0)}{3} = a^2 + b^2

32a2=a2+b2\frac{3}{2}a^2 = a^2 + b^2

32a2−a2=b2  ⟹  b2=a22\frac{3}{2}a^2 - a^2 = b^2 \implies b^2 = \frac{a^2}{2}

The formula for the eccentricity ee of the hyperbola x2a2−y2b2=1\frac{x^2}{a^2} - \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 is:
e=1+b2a2e = \sqrt{1 + \frac{b^2}{a^2}}

Substituting b2=a22b^2 = \frac{a^2}{2} into the formula for ee:
e=1+a22a2=1+12=32e = \sqrt{1 + \frac{\frac{a^2}{2}}{a^2}} = \sqrt{1 + \frac{1}{2}} = \sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}

(Note: Since P(6,3)P(6,3) lies on the hyperbola, 36a2−9b2=1  ⟹  36a2−18a2=1  ⟹  a2=18\frac{36}{a^2} - \frac{9}{b^2} = 1 \implies \frac{36}{a^2} - \frac{18}{a^2} = 1 \implies a^2 = 18 and b2=9b^2 = 9, which confirms that a valid hyperbola exists).

Thus, the eccentricity of the hyperbola is 32\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}.

Hence, the correct option is B.