Q.

The area of the quadrilateral formed by the tangents at the end points of latus rectum to the ellipse x29+y25=1, is                [2003]

1 274 sq. units  
2 9 sq. units  
3 272 sq. units  
4 27 sq. units  

Ans.

(4)

Given equation of ellipse is x29+y25=1

∴  a2=9, b2=5⇒e=1-59=23

∴  End point of latus rectum in first quadrant is L(2,53)

Equation of tangent at L is 2x9+y3=1, which meets x-axis at A(92,0) and y-axis at B(0,3)

∴  Area of ∆OAB=12×92×3=274

Now by symmetry area of quadrilateral ABCD

=4×Area(∆OAB)=4×274=27 sq. units.