NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Maths Miscellaneous Exercise Chapter 10 Conic Sections - 2025-26

Miscellaneous Exercise

1. If a parabolic reflector is \[20\] cm in diameter and \[5\]cm deep, find the focus.

Ans: As we know the origin of the coordinate plane is taken at the vertex of the parabolic reflector, where the axis of the reflector is along the positive x-axis.

The Diagrammatic representation is represented as follows:

As we know the equation of the parabola is of the form of \[{{y}^{2}}=4ax\] (as it is opening to the right)

Since, the parabola passes through point \[A \left( 5,10 \right),\]

\[\begin{align}  & \Rightarrow {{y}^{2}}=4ax \\  & \Rightarrow {{10}^{2}}=4\times a\times 5 \\  & \Rightarrow 100=20a \\  & \Rightarrow a=\dfrac{100}{20} \\  & \Rightarrow a=5 \\ \end{align}\]

The focus of the parabola is \[\left( a,0 \right)=\left( 5,0 \right),\] which is the midpoint of the diameter.

Hence, the focus of the reflector is at the midpoint of the diameter.

2. An arch is in the form of a parabola with its axis vertical. The arch is 10 m high and 5 m wide at the base. How wide is it 2 m from the vertex of the parabola?

Ans: As we know the origin of the coordinate plane is taken at the vertex of the arch in such a way that its axis is along the y-axis.

The diagrammatic representation will be as follows:

The equation of the parabola is of the form \[{{x}^{2}}=-4ay\] (as it is opening downwards). 

Since the parabola passes through point \[\left( \dfrac{5}{2},-10 \right),\]

\[\begin{align}  & {{\left( \dfrac{5}{2} \right)}^{2}}=-4\times a\times (-10) \\  & \Rightarrow a=\dfrac{25}{4\times 4\times 10}=\dfrac{5}{32} \\ \end{align}\]

Therefore,

The arch is in the form of a parabola whose equation is \[{{x}^{2}}=-\dfrac{5}{8}y\]

When \[y=-2m,{{x}^{2}}=-\dfrac{5}{8}\times (-2)\] because it's 2m away downward from the vertex, so it will be negative.

\[\begin{align}  & \Rightarrow {{x}^{2}}=\dfrac{5}{4} \\  & \Rightarrow x=\sqrt{\dfrac{5}{4}}m \\ \end{align}\]

The width of the parabola at 2m away from the vertex will be $=2\times \sqrt{\dfrac{5}{4}}m$

$=2\times 1.118m$(approx.) 

$=2.23m$(approx.) 

Hence, when the arch is 2 m from the vertex of the parabola, its width is approximately 2.23m.

3. The cable of a uniformly loaded suspension bridge hangs in the form of a parabola. The roadway which is horizontal and 100 m long is supported by vertical wires attached to the cable, the longest wire being 30 m and the shortest being 6 m. Find the length of a supporting wire attached to the roadway 18 m from the middle.

Ans: The vertex is at the lowest point of the cable. The origin of the coordinate plane is taken as the vertex of the parabola, while its vertical axis is taken along the positive y-axis. 

This can be diagrammatically represented as

Here, AB and OC are the longest and shortest wires, respectively, attached to the cable.

DF is the supporting wire attached to the roadway, 18m from the middle.

Here, AB\[=30m, OC=6m, and\;  BC=\dfrac{100}{2}=50m\]

The equation of the parabola is of the form \[{{x}^{2}}=4ay\] (as it is opening upwards).

The coordinates of point A are \[(50,30-6)=(50,24)\].

Since A\[(50,24)\] is a point on the parabola,

\[\begin{align}   & {{(50)}^{2}}=4a(24) \\  & \Rightarrow a=\dfrac{50\times 50}{4\times 24}=\dfrac{625}{24} \\ \end{align}\]

\[\therefore \]Equation of the parabola, \[{{x}^{2}}=4\times \dfrac{625}{24}\times y\] or \[6{{x}^{2}}=625y\]

The x-coordinate of point D is 18. 

Hence, at x = 18, 

\[\begin{align}  & 6{{(18)}^{2}}=625y \\  & \Rightarrow y=\dfrac{6\times 18\times 18}{625} \\  & \Rightarrow y=3.11(approx.) \\ \end{align}\]

\[\therefore \]DE = \[3.11\]m 

DF = DE + EF = \[3.11\] m + \[6\] m = \[9.11\] m 

Thus, the length of the supporting wire attached to the roadway 18 m from the middle is approximately \[9.11\] m.

4. An arch is in the form of a semi-ellipse. It is 8 m wide and 2 m high at the centre. Find the height of the arch at a point 1.5 m from one end.

Ans: Since the height and width of the arc from the centre is 2 m and 8 m respectively, it is clear that the length of the major axis is 8 m, while the length of the semi-minor axis is 2 m. 

The origin of the coordinate plane is taken as the centre of the ellipse, while the major axis is taken along the x-axis. 

Hence, the semi-ellipse can be diagrammatically represented as

The equation of the semi-ellipse will be of the form \[\dfrac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{a}^{2}}}+\dfrac{{{y}^{2}}}{{{b}^{2}}}=1,y\ge 0,\] where a is the semi-major axis 

Accordingly,

\[\begin{align}  & 2a=8\Rightarrow a=4 \\  & b=2 \\ \end{align}\]

Therefore, the equation of the semi-ellipse is \[\dfrac{{{x}^{2}}}{16}+\dfrac{{{y}^{2}}}{4}=1,y\ge 0,\] ….(1)

Let A be a point on the major axis such that AB = 1.5 m. 

Draw AC ⊥ OB.

OA = (4 – 1.5) m = 2.5 m 

The x-coordinate of point C is 2.5. 

On substituting the value of x with 2.5 in equation (1), we’ll get 

\[\begin{align}  & \dfrac{{{\left( 2.5 \right)}^{2}}}{16}+\dfrac{{{y}^{2}}}{4}=1 \\  & \Rightarrow \dfrac{6.25}{16}+\dfrac{{{y}^{2}}}{4}=1 \\  & \Rightarrow {{y}^{2}}=4\left( 1-\dfrac{6.25}{16} \right) \\  & \Rightarrow {{y}^{2}}=4\left( \dfrac{9.75}{16} \right) \\  & \Rightarrow {{y}^{2}}=2.4375 \\  & \Rightarrow {y}=1.56(approx.) \\  & \therefore AC=1.56m \\ \end{align}\]

Thus, the height of the arch at a point 1.5 m from one end is approximately 1.56 m.

5. A rod of length 12 cm moves with its ends always touching the coordinate axes. Determine the equation of the locus of a point P on the rod, which is 3 cm from the end in contact with the x-axis.

Ans: Let AB be the rod making an angle θ with OX and P (x, y) be the point on it such that AP = 3 cm. 

Then, PB = AB – AP = (12 – 3) cm = 9 cm [AB = 12 cm] 

From P, draw PQ⊥OY and PR⊥OX.

In ΔPBQ, \[\cos \theta =\dfrac{PQ}{PB}=\dfrac{x}{9}\]

In ΔPRA, \[\sin \theta =\dfrac{PR}{PA}=\dfrac{y}{3}\]

Since, $ {{\sin }^{2}}\theta +{{\cos }^{2}}\theta =1,$

$ {{\left( \dfrac{y}{3} \right)}^{2}}+{{\left( \dfrac{x}{9} \right)}^{2}}=1 $

Or,  \[{{\dfrac{x}{81}}^{2}}+{{\dfrac{y}{9}}^{2}}=1\]

Thus, the equation of the locus of point P on the rod is \[{{\dfrac{x}{81}}^{2}}+{{\dfrac{y}{9}}^{2}}=1\]

6. Find the area of the triangle formed by the lines joining the vertex of the parabola \[{{x}^{2}}=12y\] to the ends of its latus rectum.

Ans: The given parabola is \[{{x}^{2}}=12y\]. 

On comparing this equation with \[{{x}^{2}}=4ay\], we’ll get \[4a=12\Rightarrow a=3\]

\[\therefore \]The coordinates of foci are S (0, a) = S (0, 3) 

Let AB be the latus rectum of the given parabola. 

The given parabola can be roughly drawn as

At \[y=3,\] \[{{x}^{2}}=12(3)\Rightarrow {{x}^{2}}=36\Rightarrow x=\pm 6\] 

\[\therefore \]The coordinates of A are (–6, 3), while the coordinates of B are (6, 3). 

Therefore, the vertices of ΔOAB are O (0, 0), A (–6, 3), and B (6, 3). 

Area of ΔOAB \[=\dfrac{1}{2}\left| 0\left( 3-3 \right)+\left( -6 \right)\left( 3-0 \right)+6\left( 0-3 \right) \right|uni{{t}^{2}}\]

$ =\dfrac{1}{2}\left| \left( -6 \right)\left( 3 \right)+6\left( -3 \right) \right|uni{{t}^{2}} $

$  =\dfrac{1}{2}\left| -18-18 \right|uni{{t}^{2}} $

$  =\dfrac{1}{2}\left| -36 \right|uni{{t}^{2}} $

\[=\dfrac{1}{2}\times 36uni{{t}^{2}}\]

\[=18\] \[uni{{t}^{2}}\]

Thus, the required area of the triangle is \[18\] \[uni{{t}^{2}}\].

7. A man running a racecourse notes that the sum of the distances from the two flag posts from him is always 10 m and the distance between the flag posts is 8 m. Find the equation of the posts traced by the man.

Ans: Let A and B be the positions of the two flag posts and P(x, y) be the position of the man. Accordingly, PA + PB = 10.

We know that if a point moves in a plane in such a way that the sum of its distances from two fixed points is constant, then the path is an ellipse and this constant value is equal to the length of the major axis of the ellipse.

Therefore, the path described by the man is an ellipse where the length of the major axis is 10 m, while points A and B are the foci.

Taking the origin of the coordinate plane as the centre of the ellipse, while taking the major axis along the x-axis, the ellipse can be diagrammatically represented as

The equation of the ellipse will be of the form of \[\dfrac{{{x}^{2}}}{{{a}^{2}}}+\dfrac{{{y}^{2}}}{{{b}^{2}}}=1,\] where a is the semi-major axis.

Accordingly, \[2a=10\Rightarrow a=5\]

Distance between the foci \[(2c)=8\Rightarrow c=4\]

On using the relation \[c=\sqrt{{{a}^{2}}-{{b}^{2}}},\] we’ll get

$ 4=\sqrt{25-{{b}^{2}}} $

$ \Rightarrow 16=25-{{b}^{2}} $ 

$  \Rightarrow {{b}^{2}}=25-16 $ 

$  \Rightarrow {{b}^{2}}=9 $

$  \Rightarrow b=3 $

Thus, the equation of the path traced by the man is \[\dfrac{{{x}^{2}}}{25}+\dfrac{{{y}^{2}}}{9}=1\]

8. An equilateral triangle is inscribed in the parabola \[{{y}^{2}}=4ax\], where one vertex is at the vertex of the parabola. Find the length of the side of the triangle.

Ans: Let OAB be the equilateral triangle inscribed in parabola \[{{y}^{2}}=4ax\]

Let AB intersect the x-axis at point C.

Let OC = k 

From the equation of the given parabola, we have \[{{y}^{2}}=4ak\Rightarrow y=\pm 2\sqrt{ak}\]

\[\therefore \]The respective coordinates of points A and B are \[\left( k,-2\sqrt{ak} \right)\] and \[\left( k,-2\sqrt{ak} \right)\]

AB = CA + CB = \[2\sqrt{ak}+2\sqrt{ak}=4\sqrt{ak}\]

Since OAB is an equilateral triangle, \[O{{A}^{2}}=A{{B}^{2}}.\]

$ \therefore {{k}^{2}}+{{\left( 2\sqrt{ak} \right)}^{2}}={{\left( 4\sqrt{ak} \right)}^{2}} $

$  \Rightarrow {{k}^{2}}+4ak=16ak $

$  \Rightarrow {{k}^{2}}=12ak $

$  \Rightarrow k=12a $

$ \therefore AB=4\sqrt{ak}=4\sqrt{a\times 12a} $

$ =4\sqrt{12{{a}^{2}}} $

$ =8\sqrt{3}a $

Thus, the side of the equilateral triangle inscribed in parabola \[{{y}^{2}}=4ax\] is \[8\sqrt{3}a\]

Conclusion

NCERT Miscellaneous Exercise in Class 11 Maths Chapter 10 is important for learning about conic sections. It includes many problems that help you understand circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas better. Focus on solving these problems to get better at finding equations and answering geometry questions. Regular practice will make you more confident and ready for exams. Make sure to go through the solutions carefully to understand the concepts well.

Class 11 Maths Chapter 10: Exercises Breakdown

CBSE Class 11 Maths Chapter 10 Other Study Materials

Chapter-Specific NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths

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