If the foci of the ellipse $\frac{x^2}{16}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$ coincide with the foci of the hyperbola…

If the foci of the ellipse $\frac{x^2}{16}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$ coincide with the foci of the hyperbola $\frac{x^2}{144}-\frac{y^2}{81}=\frac{1}{25}$, then $b^2$ is equal to
  1. 8
  2. 10
  3. 7
  4. 9

Solution

Given equation of ellipse is $ \frac{x^2}{16}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1 $ $ \begin{aligned} & \text { eccentricity }=e=\sqrt{1-\frac{b^2}{16}} \\ & \text { foci: } \pm a e=\pm 4 \sqrt{1-\frac{b^2}{16}} \end{aligned} $ Equation of hyperbola is $\frac{x^2}{144}-\frac{y^2}{81}=\frac{1}{25}$ $ \begin{aligned} & \Rightarrow \frac{x^2}{\frac{144}{25}}-\frac{y^2}{\frac{81}{25}}=1 \\ & \text { eccentricity }=e=\sqrt{1+\frac{81}{25} \times \frac{25}{144}}=\sqrt{1+\frac{81}{144}} \\ & =\sqrt{\frac{225}{144}}=\frac{15}{12} \\ & \text { foci: } \pm a e=\pm \frac{12}{5} \times \frac{15}{12}=\pm 3 \\ & \end{aligned}$ Since, foci of ellipse and hyperbola coincide $\therefore \pm 4 \sqrt{1-\frac{b^2}{16}}=\pm 3 \Rightarrow b^2=7$

Asked in: JEE Main 2012 (19 May Online)

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