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📐 Mathematics  ·  Conic Sections  ·  JEE

For the ellipse x<sup>2</sup>/25 + y<sup>2</sup>/9 = 1, find the coordinates of the foci.

Answer: (±4, 0).

  • A (±3, 0)
  • B (±4, 0)
  • C (±5, 0)
  • D (0, ±4)

Correct answer: B. (±4, 0)

Explanation: From a<sup>2</sup>=25, b<sup>2</sup>=9, c<sup>2</sup>=a<sup>2</sup>-b<sup>2</sup>=16, c=4. Foci are at (±c, 0) = (±4, 0).

The Four Conics by EccentricityCircle (e=0)Ellipse (0<e<1)Parabola (e=1)Hyperbola (e>1)

All four conics form a single family distinguished only by eccentricity: a circle is the most "closed" (e=0), an ellipse is an elongated closed curve, a parabola is the borderline open curve (e=1), and a hyperbola has two separate open branches (e>1).

Concept context

Study circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas as curves formed by intersecting a plane with a double cone, with their standard equations and key properties.

Read the full Conic Sections notes →