Let the foci of a hyperbola be (1,14)(1, 14) and (1,−12)(1, -12). If it passes through the point (1,6)(1, 6), then the length of its latus-rectum is:

Answer: The length of the latus-rectum is 2885\frac{288}{5}.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Find the center and distance between foci

The center of the hyperbola is the midpoint of the segment connecting the two foci. The distance between the foci is 2c2c, where cc is the distance from the center to each focus. Given the foci are (1,14)(1, 14) and (1,−12)(1, -12), we can calculate these values.

Step 2: Calculate 'c' and 'a'

The center is (1,1)(1, 1). The distance between the foci is 2626, so c=13c = 13. For any point PP on the hyperbola, the absolute difference of its distances from the two foci (F1F_1 and F2F_2) is equal to 2a2a, where aa is the distance from the center to each vertex.

Step 3: Calculate 'a' using the given point

The hyperbola passes through the point (1,6)(1, 6). We use the distance formula to find the distances from this point to each focus. The absolute difference of these distances gives us 2a2a. This calculation yields a=5a=5.

Step 4: Calculate 'b'

For a hyperbola, the relationship between aa, bb, and cc is given by c2=a2+b2c^2 = a^2 + b^2. We have c=13c=13 and a=5a=5, so we can solve for b2b^2 and then bb.

Step 5: Calculate the length of the latus-rectum

The length of the latus-rectum of a hyperbola is given by the formula 2b2a\frac{2b^2}{a}. Substituting the values of b=12b=12 and a=5a=5, we can find the length of the latus-rectum.

More from this chapter

All Conic Sections solutions →

Solve your own maths question free →