Chord of Contact from an External Point

Rarely Tested

Chord of Contact from an External Point

For:

$$\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$

the chord of contact from the point $$P(x_1,y_1)$$ is:

$$\frac{xx_1}{a^2}+\frac{yy_1}{b^2}=1$$

Usage

- Used to find the line joining the two points of contact of tangents drawn from an external point.


Question 1

Tangents are drawn from the external point $$P(3,4)$$ to the ellipse $$\frac{x^2}{9}+\frac{y^2}{4}=1$$ touching the ellipse at points $$A$$

and $$B$$. Find the coordinates of the orthocenter of $$\triangle PAB$$.

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