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Conic Sections appeared 76 times across 3 years — 8.8% of Mathematics. This question is from Chord with a Given Midpoint.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 22 38 16 76

If α x + β y = 109 is the equation of the chord of the ellipse (x²)/(9) +(y²)/(4) = 1, whose mid point is ((5)/(2),(1)/(2)), then α +β is equal to

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Equation of a chord of a conic section with a given midpoint (x₁, y₁) is:

T = S₁

Core Logic

Given midpoint M((5)/(2), (1)/(2)) and ellipse (x²)/(9) + (y²)/(4) = 1.

Chord with a Given Midpoint diagram for Q59 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
Chord with a Given Midpoint diagram for Q59 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Write T and S₁ terms:

T: (x((5)/(2)))/(9) + (y((1)/(2)))/(4) S₁: (((5)/(2))²)/(9) + (((1)/(2))²)/(4)

Equating both sides:

(5x)/(18) + (y)/(8) = (25)/(36) + (1)/(16)
Step 1: Simplify to Standard Form

Multiply the entire equation by 144 to eliminate fractions:

144((5x)/(18)) + 144((y)/(8)) = 144((25)/(36)) + 144((1)/(16)) 40x + 18y = 4(25) + 9(1)

40x + 18y = 109

Comparing this directly with α x + β y = 109 provides:

α = 40, β = 18 α + β = 40 + 18 = 58
Pattern Recognition

Whenever you see 'chord whose midpoint is given', write T = S₁ automatically. Match coefficients directly at the final step after equating constant integers.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Reference Study Guides

More Conic Sections Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q10 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Hyperbola and Line Intersection
If the line α x + 2y = 1, where α in R, does not meet the hyperbola x² - 9y² = 9, then a possible value of α is:
  • A. 0.6
  • B. 0.8
  • C. 0.5
  • D. 0.7

Solution

Related Formula
For a line y = mx + c and hyperbola (x²)/(a²) - (y²)/(b²) = 1: If they do not intersect, the quadratic in x formed by substituting y has D < 0.
Core Logic

Given line: α x + 2y = 1 y = (1 - α x)/(2). Given hyperbola: x² - 9y² = 9.

Substitute the expression for y into the hyperbola's equation:

x² - 9((1 - α x)/(2))² = 9
Step 1: Solving for Discriminant
x² - (9(1 - 2α x + α² x²))/(4) = 9

Multiply by 4:

4x² - 9(1 - 2α x + α² x²) = 36 4x² - 9 + 18α x - 9α² x² - 36 = 0 (4 - 9α²)x² + 18α x - 45 = 0

For the line to NOT intersect the hyperbola, the quadratic must yield non-real roots, meaning Discriminant D < 0.

D = (18α)² - 4(4 - 9α²)(-45) < 0 324α² + 180(4 - 9α²) < 0 324α² + 720 - 1620α² < 0 -1296α² + 720 < 0 1296α² > 720 α² > (720)/(1296) = (5)/(9)
Step 2: Finding Alpha Interval
α² - (5)/(9) > 0 α in (-∞, - √(5)3) ( √(5)3, ∞)

Since √(5) ≈ 2.236, we have √(5)3 ≈ 0.745. So α must be strictly greater than 0.745 (or less than -0.745).

Checking the given options: (1) 0.6 (No) (2) 0.8 (Yes, 0.8 > 0.745) (3) 0.5 (No) (4) 0.7 (No)

Pattern Recognition

Geometrically, for a line not to meet a hyperbola, its slope must lie within a specific range determined by the asymptotes (m = ± b/a), and its c² must satisfy c² < a²m² - b². Direct substitution to enforce D < 0 is purely mechanical and robust.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q17 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Properties of Parabola
If the chord joining the points P₁(x₁, y₁) and P₂(x₂, y₂) on the parabola y² = 12x subtends a right angle at the vertex of the parabola, then x₁x₂ - y₁y₂ is equal to
  • A. 288
  • B. 280
  • C. 284
  • D. 292

Solution

Related Formula
If a chord joining t₁ and t₂ subtends a right angle at the vertex (0,0), then t₁ t₂ = -4. Parametric coordinates for y² = 4ax: (at², 2at)
Core Logic

Given parabola y² = 12x 4a = 12 a = 3.

Let the points be P₁(x₁, y₁) = (3t₁², 6t₁) and P₂(x₂, y₂) = (3t₂², 6t₂).

Since the chord subtends a right angle at the vertex (origin),

mOP₁ · mOP₂ = -1 (6t₁)/(3t₁²) · (6t₂)/(3t₂²) = -1 (2)/(t₁) · (2)/(t₂) = -1 t₁ t₂ = -4
Step 1: Calculating the Expression

We need to evaluate x₁ x₂ - y₁ y₂:

x₁ x₂ = (3t₁²)(3t₂²) = 9(t₁ t₂)² y₁ y₂ = (6t₁)(6t₂) = 36(t₁ t₂)

Substitute t₁ t₂ = -4:

x₁ x₂ - y₁ y₂ = 9(-4)² - 36(-4)

= 9(16) + 144

= 144 + 144 = 288
Pattern Recognition

Right angles subtended at the vertex by a chord on y² = 4ax instantly lock the parameter product to t₁ t₂ = -4. Substitute this directly into any coordinate products required by the problem.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q11 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Hyperbola Properties and Area of Triangle
Let P(10, 2√(15)) be a point on the hyperbola (x²)/(a²) - (y²)/(b²) = 1, whose foci are S and S'. If the length of its latus rectum is 8, then the square of the area of Δ PSS' is equal to:
  • A. 4200
  • B. 900
  • C. 1462
  • D. 2700

Solution

Related Formula

Latus rectum length = (2b²)/(a) = 8 b² = 4a. Focal length = 2ae = 2√(a² + b²).

Core Logic

Substitute P(10, 2√(15)) and b² = 4a into hyperbola equation:

(100)/(a²) - (60)/(4a) = 1 a² + 15a - 100 = 0 (a + 20)(a - 5) = 0 a = 5 (a > 0)

Thus, b² = 20 b = √(20).

Step 1: Calculate Focal Distance and Area

Focal distance SS' = 2ae = 2 √(a² + b²) = 2 √(25 + 20) = 6√(5). Area of Δ PSS' = (1)/(2) × base × height = (1)/(2) (6√(5)) (2√(15)) = 30√(3) = A.

Step 2: Square of Area
A² = (30√(3))² = 900 × 3 = 2700
Pattern Recognition

Use latus rectum relation to reduce hyperbola parameter to single variable quadratic.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q16 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Ellipse Focal Distances
Let S and S' be the foci of the ellipse (x²)/(25) + (y²)/(9) = 1 and P(α, β) be a point on the ellipse in the first quadrant. If (SP)² + (S'P)² - SP · S'P = 37, then α² + β² is equal to:
  • A. 15
  • B. 11
  • C. 17
  • D. 13

Solution

Related Formula

For ellipse (x²)/(a²) + (y²)/(b²) = 1: SP + S'P = 2a = 10, e = √(1 - b²/a²) = √(1 - 9/25) = 4/5. Focal distances: SP = a - eα = 5 - (4)/(5)α, S'P = a + eα = 5 + (4)/(5)α.

Core Logic

Using algebraic identity:

(SP + S'P)² - 3 SP · S'P = 37 100 - 3 SP · S'P = 37 SP · S'P = 21

Substitute focal distance formula:

25 - (16)/(25)α² = 21 (16)/(25)α² = 4 α² = (25)/(4)
Step 1: Calculate beta^2 and Sum

Substitute α² into ellipse equation (α²)/(25) + (β²)/(9) = 1:

(1)/(4) + (β²)/(9) = 1 β² = (27)/(4) α² + β² = (25)/(4) + (27)/(4) = (52)/(4) = 13
Pattern Recognition

Express (SP)² + (S'P)² - SP · S'P in terms of (SP+S'P) to determine SP · S'P instantly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q17 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Locus of Midpoint of Chord
Let the locus of the mid-point of the chord through the origin O of the parabola y² = 4x be the curve S. Let P be any point on S. Then the locus of the point, which internally divides OP in the ratio 3:1, is:
  • A. 3y² = 2x
  • B. 2y² = 3x
  • C. 3x² = 2y
  • D. 2x² = 3y

Solution

Related Formula

Section formula for internal division in ratio m:n:

R(h,k) = ( (m x₂ + n x₁)/(m+n), (m y₂ + n y₁)/(m+n) )
Core Logic

Locus of midpoint diagram for Q17 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Locus of midpoint diagram for Q17 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

Let chord endpoint be Q(t², 2t). Midpoint M(h,k) of OQ:

h = (t²)/(2), k = t k² = 2h

So curve S is y² = 2x.

Now P lies on S: y² = 2x, so P = ((t²)/(2), t). Point R(h,k) divides OP in ratio 3:1:

Step 1: Section Formula Application

Locus of midpoint diagram for Q17 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Locus of midpoint diagram for Q17 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

h = (3(t²/2) + 0)/(4) = (3t²)/(8), k = (3(t) + 0)/(4) = (3t)/(4)

From k = (3t)/(4) t = (4k)/(3). Substitute into h:

h = (3)/(8) ((4k)/(3))² = (3)/(8) · (16k²)/(9) = (2k²)/(3) 2k² = 3h 2y² = 3x
Pattern Recognition

Parametrize midpoint curve S, then re-apply section ratio to derive final locus equation.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

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