If $u=\sqrt{a^2 \cos ^2 \theta+b^2 \sin ^2 \theta}+\sqrt{a^2 \sin ^2 \theta+b^2 \cos ^2 \theta}$, then the…

If $u=\sqrt{a^2 \cos ^2 \theta+b^2 \sin ^2 \theta}+\sqrt{a^2 \sin ^2 \theta+b^2 \cos ^2 \theta}$, then the difference between the maximum and minimum values of $u^2$ is given by
  1. $2\left(a^2+b^2\right)$
  2. $2 \sqrt{a^2+b^2}$
  3. $(a+b)^2$
  4. $(a-b)^2$

Solution

$u=\sqrt{a^2 \cos ^2 \theta+b^2 \sin ^2 \theta}+\sqrt{a^2 \sin ^2 \theta+b^2 \cos ^2 \theta}$ $=\sqrt{\frac{a^2+b^2}{2}+\frac{a^2-b^2}{2} \cos 2 \theta}+\sqrt{\frac{a^2+b^2}{2}+\frac{b^2-a^2}{2} \cos 2 \theta}$ $\Rightarrow u^2=a^2+b^2+2 \sqrt{\left(\frac{a^2+b^2}{2}\right)^2-\left(\frac{a^2-b^2}{2}\right)^2 \cos ^2 2 \theta}$ min value of $u^2=a^2+b^2+2 a b$ max value of $u^2=2\left(a^2+b^2\right)$ $\Rightarrow u_{\max }^2-u_{\min }^2=(a-b)^2$.

Asked in: JEE Main 2004

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