Careers360 Logo
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 10 Exercise 10.3 - Conic Section

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 10 Exercise 10.3 - Conic Section

Edited By Komal Miglani | Updated on May 06, 2025 03:27 PM IST

An ellipse is the set of all points in a plane, the sum of whose distances from two fixed points in the plane is a constant. There are two axes of the ellipse, the major and minor axes. In this exercise, you will learn about the Standard equation of an ellipse, the Eccentricity of an ellipse, and the Latus rectum of an ellipse. Many real-world situations, like orbits of planets, orbits of satellites, orbits of moons, and some aeroplane wings, are represented by an ellipse. It also has many applications in the field of science and research. There are some definitions, theories, and observations related to the ellipse given in the NCERT before this exercise. You must go through these theories in order to get conceptual clarity.

This Story also Contains
  1. NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 10 Conic Sections Exercise 10.3
  2. Topics covered in Chapter 10 Conic Sections: Exercise 10.3
  3. NCERT Solutions of Class 11 Subject Wise
  4. Subject Wise NCERT Exampler Solutions

The NCERT solutions of Chapter 10 conic section exercise 10.3 are designed by respective subject matter experts to offer a systematic approach to these important concepts and help students to prepare well for board exams by a series of solved questions, which are given in exercise 10.3. These NCERT Solutions also provide a valuable resource to the students to enhance their performance in their board exams as well as various competitive exams.

Background wave


NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 10 Conic Sections Exercise 10.3

Question 1: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

x236+y216=1

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

x236+y216=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along X-axis and the minor axis is along Y-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of an ellipse, which is

x2a2+y2b2=1

We get

a=6 and b=4.

So,

c=a2b2=6242

c=20=25

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(c,0)and(c,0)=(25,0)and(25,0)

The vertices:

(a,0)and(a,0)=(6,0)and(6,0)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(6)=12

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(4)=8

The eccentricity :

e=ca=256=53

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(4)26=326=163

Question 2: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

x24+y225=1

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

x24+y225=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along Y-axis and the minor axis is along X-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of such ellipse, which is

x2b2+y2a2=1

We get

a=5 and b=2.

So,

c=a2b2=5222

c=21

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(0,c)and(0,c)=(0,21)and(0,21)

The vertices:

(0,a)and(0,a)=(0,5)and(0,5)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(5)=10

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(2)=4

The eccentricity :

e=ca=216

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(2)25=85

Question 3: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

x216+y29=1

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

x216+y29=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along X-axis and the minor axis is along Y-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of an ellipse, which is

x2a2+y2b2=1

We get

a=4 and b=3.

So,

c=a2b2=4232

c=7

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(c,0)and(c,0)=(7,0)and(7,0)

The vertices:

(a,0)and(a,0)=(4,0)and(4,0)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(4)=8

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(3)=6

The eccentricity :

e=ca=74

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(3)24=184=92

Question 4: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

x225+y2100=1

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

x225+y2100=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along Y-axis and the minor axis is along X-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of such ellipse, which is

x2b2+y2a2=1

We get

a=10 and b=5.

So,

c=a2b2=10252

c=75=53

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(0,c)and(0,c)=(0,53)and(0,53)

The vertices:

(0,a)and(0,a)=(0,10)and(0,10)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(10)=20

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(5)=10

The eccentricity :

e=ca=5310=32

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(5)210=5010=5

Question 5: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

x249+y236=1

Answer:

Given

The equation of ellipse

x249+y236=1x272+y262=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along X-axis and the minor axis is along Y-axis.

On comparing the given equation with standard equation of ellipse, which is

x2a2+y2b2=1

We get

a=7 and b=6.

So,

c=a2b2=7262

c=13

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(c,0)and(c,0)=(13,0)and(13,0)

The vertices:

(a,0)and(a,0)=(7,0)and(7,0)

The length of major axis:

2a=2(7)=14

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(6)=12

The eccentricity :

e=ca=137

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(6)27=727

Question 6: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

x2100+y2400=1

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

x2100+y2400=1x2102+y2202=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along Y-axis and the minor axis is along X-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of such ellipse, which is

x2b2+y2a2=1

We get

a=20 and b=10.

So,

c=a2b2=202102

c=300=103

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(0,c)and(0,c)=(0,103)and(0,103)

The vertices:

(0,a)and(0,a)=(0,20)and(0,20)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(20)=40

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(10)=20

The eccentricity :

e=ca=10320=32

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(10)220=20020=10

Question 7: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

36x2+4y2=144

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

36x2+4y2=144

36144x2+4144y2=1

14x2+136y2=1

x222+y262=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along Y-axis and the minor axis is along X-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of such ellipse, which is

x2b2+y2a2=1

We get

a=6 and b=2.

So,

c=a2b2=6222

c=32=42

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(0,c)and(0,c)=(0,42)and(0,42)

The vertices:

(0,a)and(0,a)=(0,6)and(0,6)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(6)=12

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(2)=4

The eccentricity :

e=ca=426=223

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(2)26=86=43

Question 8: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

16x2+y2=16

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

16x2+y2=16

16x216+y216=1

x212+y242=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along Y-axis and the minor axis is along X-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of such ellipse, which is

x2b2+y2a2=1

We get

a=4 and b=1.

So,

c=a2b2=4212

c=15

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(0,c)and(0,c)=(0,15)and(0,15)

The vertices:

(0,a)and(0,a)=(0,4)and(0,4)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(4)=8

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(1)=2

The eccentricity :

e=ca=154

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(1)24=24=12

Question 9: Find the coordinates of the foci, the vertices, the length of major axis, the minor axis, the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of the ellipse.

4x2+9y2=36

Answer:

Given

The equation of the ellipse

4x2+9y2=36

4x236+9y236=1

x29+y24=1

x232+y222=1

As we can see from the equation, the major axis is along X-axis and the minor axis is along Y-axis.

On comparing the given equation with the standard equation of an ellipse, which is

x2a2+y2b2=1

We get

a=3 and b=2.

So,

c=a2b2=3222

c=5

Hence,

Coordinates of the foci:

(c,0)and(c,0)=(5,0)and(5,0)

The vertices:

(a,0)and(a,0)=(3,0)and(3,0)

The length of the major axis:

2a=2(3)=6

The length of minor axis:

2b=2(2)=4

The eccentricity :

e=ca=53

The length of the latus rectum:

2b2a=2(2)23=83

Question 10: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Vertices (± 5, 0), foci (± 4, 0)

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

Vertices (± 5, 0), foci (± 4, 0)

Here Vertices and focus of the ellipse are in X-axis so the major axis of this ellipse will be X-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where a and b are the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( vertices and foci) with the given one, we get

a=5 and c=4

Now, As we know the relation,

a2=b2+c2

b2=a2c2

b=a2c2

b=5242

b=9

b=3

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x252+y232=1

Which is

x225+y29=1.

Question 11: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Vertices (0, ± 13), foci (0, ± 5)

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

Vertices (0, ± 13), foci (0, ± 5)

Here Vertices and focus of the ellipse are in Y-axis so the major axis of this ellipse will be Y-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2b2+y2a2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( vertices and foci) with the given one, we get

a=13 and c=5

Now, As we know the relation,

a2=b2+c2

b2=a2c2

b=a2c2

b=13252

b=16925

b=144

b=12

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x2122+y2133=1

Which is

x2144+y2169=1.

Question 12: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Vertices (± 6, 0), foci (± 4, 0)

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

Vertices (± 6, 0), foci (± 4, 0)

Here Vertices and focus of the ellipse are in X-axis so the major axis of this ellipse will be X-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( vertices and foci) with the given one, we get

a=6 and c=4

Now, As we know the relation,

a2=b2+c2

b2=a2c2

b=a2c2

b=6242

b=3616

b=20

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x262+y2(20)2=1

Which is

x236+y220=1.

Question 13: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Ends of major axis (± 3, 0), ends of minor axis (0, ± 2)

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

Ends of the major axis (± 3, 0), ends of minor axis (0, ± 2)

Here, the major axis of this ellipse will be X-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( ends of the major and minor axis ) with the given one, we get

a=3 and b=2

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x232+y222=1

Which is

x29+y24=1.

Question 14: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Ends of major axis (0, ± 5 ), ends of minor axis (± 1, 0)

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

Ends of the major axis (0, ±5 ), ends of minor axis (± 1, 0)

Here, the major axis of this ellipse will be Y-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2b2+y2a2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( ends of the major and minor axis ) with the given one, we get

a=5 and b=1

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x212+y2(5)2=1

Which is

x21+y25=1.

Question 15: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Length of major axis 26, foci (± 5, 0)

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

Length of major axis 26, foci (± 5, 0)

Here, the focus of the ellipse is in X-axis so the major axis of this ellipse will be X-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( Length of semimajor axis and foci) with the given one, we get

2a=26a=13 and c=5

Now, As we know the relation,

a2=b2+c2

b2=a2c2

b=a2c2

b=13252

b=144

b=12

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x2132+y2122=1

Which is

x2169+y2144=1.

Question 16: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Length of minor axis 16, foci (0, ± 6).

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

Length of minor axis 16, foci (0, ± 6).

Here, the focus of the ellipse is on the Y-axis so the major axis of this ellipse will be Y-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2b2+y2a2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( length of semi-minor axis and foci) with the given one, we get

2b=16b=8 and c=6

Now, As we know the relation,

a2=b2+c2

a=b2+c2

a=82+62

a=64+36

a=100

a=10

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x282+y2103=1

Which is

x264+y2100=1.

Question 17: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Foci (± 3, 0), a = 4

Answer:

Given, In an ellipse,

V Foci (± 3, 0), a = 4

Here foci of the ellipse are in X-axis so the major axis of this ellipse will be X-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

So on comparing standard parameters( vertices and foci) with the given one, we get

a=4 and c=3

Now, As we know the relation,

a2=b2+c2

b2=a2c2

b=a2c2

b=4232

b=7

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x242+y2(7)2=1

Which is

x216+y27=1.

Question 18: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

b = 3, c = 4, centre at the origin; foci on the x axis.

Answer:

Given,In an ellipse,

b = 3, c = 4, centre at the origin; foci on the x axis.

Here foci of the ellipse are in X-axis so the major axis of this ellipse will be X-axis.

Therefore, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

Also Given,

b=3 and c=4

Now, As we know the relation,

a2=b2+c2

a2=32+42

a2=25

a=5

Hence, The Equation of the ellipse will be :

x252+y232=1

Which is

x225+y29=1.

Question 19: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Centre at (0,0), major axis on the y-axis and passes through the points (3, 2) and (1,6).

Answer:

Given,in an ellipse

Centre at (0,0), major axis on the y-axis and passes through the points (3, 2) and (1,6).

Since, The major axis of this ellipse is on the Y-axis, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2b2+y2a2=1

Where a and b are the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

Now since the ellipse passes through points,(3, 2)

32b2+22a2=1

9a2+4b2=a2b2

since the ellipse also passes through points,(1, 6).

12b2+62a2=1

a2+36b2=a2b2

On solving these two equation we get

a2=40 and b2=10

Thus, The equation of the ellipse will be

x210+y240=1.

Question 20: Find the equation for the ellipse that satisfies the given conditions:

Major axis on the x-axis and passes through the points (4,3) and (6,2).

Answer:

Given, in an ellipse

Major axis on the x-axis and passes through the points (4,3) and (6,2).

Since The major axis of this ellipse is on the X-axis, the equation of the ellipse will be of the form:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where a and bare the length of the semimajor axis and semiminor axis respectively.

Now since the ellipse passes through the point,(4,3)

42a2+32b2=1

16b2+9a2=a2b2

since the ellipse also passes through the point (6,2).

62a2+22b2=1

4a2+36b2=a2b2

On solving this two equation we get

a2=52 and b2=13

Thus, The equation of the ellipse will be

x252+y213=1

Also Read

Topics covered in Chapter 10 Conic Sections: Exercise 10.3

1) What is an Ellipse

An ellipse is the set of all points in a plane whose distances from two fixed points are constant. And those fixed points are foci and the plural of focus.

2) Eccentricity of an Ellipse

The eccentricity of an ellipse tells us how oval-shaped the ellipse is.

The eccentricity (e) of an ellipse is given by:

e=ca where, c = a2b2

e=a2b2a

Where:

a = half the longest diameter (semi-major axis)

c = distance from the centre to each focus

b = half the shortest diameter (semi-minor axis)

also, 0 < e < 1 for an ellipse.

3) Standard equations of an ellipse: An ellipse has two standard forms, based on the direction of its major axis.

Horizontal Major Axis:

x2a2+y2b2=1

Where, a > b (major axis is horizontal), Centre: (0,0)

Vertical Major Axis:

x2b2+y2a2=1

Where, a < b (major axis is vertical), Centre: (0,0)

4) Latus rectum of an Ellipse: It is a line segment that passes through one of the ellipse's foci and is perpendicular to the major axis.

Length of the latus rectum of an ellipse for the standard equation

=2b2a

Note: Latus rectum is the same for both Horizontal Major Axis and Vertical Major Axis.

Also Read

NEET/JEE Offline Coaching
Get up to 90% Scholarship on your NEET/JEE preparation from India’s Leading Coaching Institutes like Aakash, ALLEN, Sri Chaitanya & Others.
Apply Now

NCERT Solutions of Class 11 Subject Wise

Students can refer subject wise NCERT solutions. The links to solutions are given below

Subject Wise NCERT Exampler Solutions

Students can access the NCERT exemplar solutions to enhance their deep understanding of the topic. These solutions are aligned with the CBSE syllabus and also help in competitive exams.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is definition of ellipse ?

The set of all points in a plane, the sum of whose distances from two fixed points in the plane is a constant is called an ellipse.

2. What is the centre of the ellipse ?

The centre of the ellipse is the mid-point of the line segment joining the foci.

3. What is the major axis of the ellipse ?

The major axis of an ellipse is a line segment passing through the foci of the ellipse.

4. What is the minor axis of the ellipse ?

The minor axis of an ellipse is a line segment passing through the centre and perpendicular to the major axis.

5. What is the latus rectum of an ellipse ?

The Latus rectum of an ellipse is a line segment passing through the foci and perpendicular to the major axis whose endpoints lie on the ellipse.

6. What is the weightage on conic section in the CBSE Class 11 Maths ?

The whole coordinate geometry unit has 10 marks weightage in the CBSE Class 11 Maths final exam.

Articles

A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of 2.00 ms-1 on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. The energy loss during the collision is

Option 1)

0.34\; J

Option 2)

0.16\; J

Option 3)

1.00\; J

Option 4)

0.67\; J

A person trying to lose weight by burning fat lifts a mass of 10 kg upto a height of 1 m 1000 times.  Assume that the potential energy lost each time he lowers the mass is dissipated.  How much fat will he use up considering the work done only when the weight is lifted up ?  Fat supplies 3.8×107 J of energy per kg which is converted to mechanical energy with a 20% efficiency rate.  Take g = 9.8 ms−2 :

Option 1)

2.45×10−3 kg

Option 2)

 6.45×10−3 kg

Option 3)

 9.89×10−3 kg

Option 4)

12.89×10−3 kg

 

An athlete in the olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be estimated to be in the range

Option 1)

2,000 \; J - 5,000\; J

Option 2)

200 \, \, J - 500 \, \, J

Option 3)

2\times 10^{5}J-3\times 10^{5}J

Option 4)

20,000 \, \, J - 50,000 \, \, J

A particle is projected at 600   to the horizontal with a kinetic energy K. The kinetic energy at the highest point

Option 1)

K/2\,

Option 2)

\; K\;

Option 3)

zero\;

Option 4)

K/4

In the reaction,

2Al_{(s)}+6HCL_{(aq)}\rightarrow 2Al^{3+}\, _{(aq)}+6Cl^{-}\, _{(aq)}+3H_{2(g)}

Option 1)

11.2\, L\, H_{2(g)}  at STP  is produced for every mole HCL_{(aq)}  consumed

Option 2)

6L\, HCl_{(aq)}  is consumed for ever 3L\, H_{2(g)}      produced

Option 3)

33.6 L\, H_{2(g)} is produced regardless of temperature and pressure for every mole Al that reacts

Option 4)

67.2\, L\, H_{2(g)} at STP is produced for every mole Al that reacts .

How many moles of magnesium phosphate, Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2} will contain 0.25 mole of oxygen atoms?

Option 1)

0.02

Option 2)

3.125 × 10-2

Option 3)

1.25 × 10-2

Option 4)

2.5 × 10-2

If we consider that 1/6, in place of 1/12, mass of carbon atom is taken to be the relative atomic mass unit, the mass of one mole of a substance will

Option 1)

decrease twice

Option 2)

increase two fold

Option 3)

remain unchanged

Option 4)

be a function of the molecular mass of the substance.

With increase of temperature, which of these changes?

Option 1)

Molality

Option 2)

Weight fraction of solute

Option 3)

Fraction of solute present in water

Option 4)

Mole fraction.

Number of atoms in 558.5 gram Fe (at. wt.of Fe = 55.85 g mol-1) is

Option 1)

twice that in 60 g carbon

Option 2)

6.023 × 1022

Option 3)

half that in 8 g He

Option 4)

558.5 × 6.023 × 1023

A pulley of radius 2 m is rotated about its axis by a force F = (20t - 5t2) newton (where t is measured in seconds) applied tangentially. If the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rotation is 10 kg m2 , the number of rotations made by the pulley before its direction of motion if reversed, is

Option 1)

less than 3

Option 2)

more than 3 but less than 6

Option 3)

more than 6 but less than 9

Option 4)

more than 9

Back to top