Let H: x^2 a^2- y^2 b^2=1 be a hyperbola such that the distance between its foci is 6 and the distance between its directrices is 8 3. If the line…
JEE Main 2026 — Mathematics Coordinate Geometry
2026mcqmedium
Let H:a2x2−b2y2=1 be a hyperbola such that the distance between its foci is 6 and the distance between its directrices is 38. If the line x=α intersects the hyperbola H at the points A and B such that the area of the triangle AOB is 415, where O is the origin, then α2 equals
Official previous-year question
Held on 4 Apr 2026 · Verified 6 Jul 2026.
Options
A
12
B
16
C
24
D
25
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Solution
Given distance between foci is 2ae=6⇒ae=3
Distance between directrices is e2a=38
Multiplying the two equations, we get 4a2=16⇒a2=4
Dividing the two equations, we get e2=49
Using b2=a2(e2−1), we get b2=4(49−1)=5
The equation of the hyperbola is 4x2−5y2=1
The line x=α intersects the hyperbola at A and B. Substituting x=α, we get 4α2−5y2=1⇒y=±25(α2−4)
The coordinates of A and B are (α,25(α2−4)) and (α,−25(α2−4))
The length of the base AB is 5(α2−4) and the height of the triangle AOB from the origin is ∣α∣
Area of ΔAOB=21×AB×∣α∣=415
215(α2−4)∣α∣=415
Squaring both sides, we get 41×5(α2−4)α2=240
α4−4α2−192=0
(α2−16)(α2+12)=0
Since α2>0, we have α2=16
Answer: 16
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