JEE Challenger
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Find Points of Contact of Tangents to Ellipse

Comprehension Passage

Tangents are drawn from the point P(3,4)P(3, 4) to the ellipse x29+y24=1\frac{x^2}{9}+\frac{y^2}{4}=1 touching the ellipse at points A and B.

The coordinates of A and B are

Options

A

(3,0)(3, 0) and (0,2)(0, 2)

B

(−85,216115)\left(-\frac{8}{5}, \frac{2\sqrt{161}}{15}\right) and (−95,85)\left(-\frac{9}{5}, \frac{8}{5}\right)

C

(−85,216115)\left(-\frac{8}{5}, \frac{2\sqrt{161}}{15}\right) and (0,2)(0, 2)

D

(3,0)(3, 0) and (−95,85)\left(-\frac{9}{5}, \frac{8}{5}\right)

Correct

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the points of contact AA and BB of the tangents drawn from the external point P(3,4)P(3, 4) to the ellipse, we can use the equation of the chord of contact.

The equation of the given ellipse is:
x29+y24=1\frac{x^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1

The equation of the chord of contact of tangents drawn from an external point P(x1,y1)=(3,4)P(x_1, y_1) = (3, 4) to the ellipse is given by T=0T = 0:
x⋅x19+y⋅y14=1\frac{x \cdot x_1}{9} + \frac{y \cdot y_1}{4} = 1

Substituting (x1,y1)=(3,4)(x_1, y_1) = (3, 4):
3x9+4y4=1\frac{3x}{9} + \frac{4y}{4} = 1
x3+y=1\frac{x}{3} + y = 1
x+3y=3  ⟹  x=3(1−y)x + 3y = 3 \implies x = 3(1 - y)

The points of contact AA and BB are the intersection points of this chord of contact with the ellipse. Substituting x=3(1−y)x = 3(1 - y) into the equation of the ellipse gives:
[3(1−y)]29+y24=1\frac{[3(1 - y)]^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1
(1−y)2+y24=1(1 - y)^2 + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1
1−2y+y2+y24=11 - 2y + y^2 + \frac{y^2}{4} = 1
54y2−2y=0\frac{5}{4}y^2 - 2y = 0
y(54y−2)=0y \left(\frac{5}{4}y - 2\right) = 0

This yields two solutions for yy:

  1. First Point (y=0y = 0):
    x=3(1−0)=3x = 3(1 - 0) = 3
    So, one point of contact is (3,0)(3, 0).

  2. Second Point (y=85y = \frac{8}{5}):
    x=3(1−85)=3(−35)=−95x = 3\left(1 - \frac{8}{5}\right) = 3\left(-\frac{3}{5}\right) = -\frac{9}{5}
    So, the other point of contact is (−95,85)\left(-\frac{9}{5}, \frac{8}{5}\right).

Thus, the coordinates of AA and BB are (3,0)(3, 0) and (−95,85)\left(-\frac{9}{5}, \frac{8}{5}\right).

This corresponds to Option D.