Eccentricity from a Perpendicular Focal Chord

Problem

figure

The ellipse x2a2+y2b2=1\dfrac{x^2}{a^2}+\dfrac{y^2}{b^2}=1 (a>b>0)(a>b>0) shown has left and right foci F1F_1 and F2F_2. A line through F2F_2 meets the ellipse at points PP and QQ, and PQPF1PQ\perp PF_1.

Given that PQ=λPF1|PQ|=\lambda|PF_1| where 34λ<43\dfrac{3}{4}\leqslant\lambda<\dfrac{4}{3}, determine the range of the eccentricity ee of the ellipse.

Answer

Solution

Difficulty6/10
TopicsSubstitution, Monotonicity, conic sections, analytic geometry

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