Area of Triangle Formed by a Point and the Centre

Rarely Tested

Area of Triangle Formed by a Point and the Centre

For:

$$P(a\cos\theta,b\sin\theta)$$

the area of the triangle formed by the centre and the two coordinate-axis intercepts through the point is:

$$\Delta=\frac{ab}{2}|\sin2\theta|$$

Usage

- Used in area problems involving a parametric point and the coordinate axes.

Question 1

The normal to the ellipse $$\dfrac{x^2}{9} + \dfrac{y^2}{4} = 1$$ at the point $$P(3\cos\theta,\ 2\sin\theta)$$ meets the $$x$$-axis at $$G$$ and the $$y$$-axis at $$H$$. Find the value of $$\theta \in \left(0,\ \dfrac{\pi}{2}\right)$$ that maximises the area of triangle $$OGH$$, where $$O$$ is the origin.

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