Let C be the circle , and be two ellipses whose centres lie at the origin and major axes lie on x-axis and y-axis respectively. Let the straight line x + y = 3 touch the curves C, and at , and respectively. Given that P is the mid-point of the line segment QR and , the value of is equal to __________. [2025]
(46)
(a) Solving the line x + y = 3, and the circle
Substitute y = 3 – x
So,
Use mid-point condition
Let , .
Since P is the mid-point of QR
So, we can write :

(b) Given
Let's denote :
Hence,
= 90 + 18ab – 18b – 36a = 46.