MISRIMAL NAVAJEE MUNOTH JAIN ENGINEERING

COLLEGE, CHENNAI - 97
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

MATHEMATICS (MA2111)
FOR
FIRST SEMESTER ENGINEERING STUDENTS
ANNA UNIVERSITY SYLLABUS

This text contains some of the most important short answer (Part A) and long
answer (Part B) questions and their answers. Each unit contains 30 university
questions. Thus, a total of 150 questions and their solutions are given. A student
who studies these model problems will be able to get pass mark (hopefully!!).

Prepared by the faculty of Department of Mathematics

SEPTEMBER, 2010

www.engg-maths.com

Differential Calculus

UNIT III

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

SHORT ANSWER

Problem 1: Write down the formula for radius of curvature in terms of parametric
coordinates system.
Solution: Let x f t and y g t be the parametric equations of the given curve.
3/ 2

f ' 2 g ' 2
Then the radius of curvature
.
f ' g '' f '' g '
Problem 2: Find the radius of curvature of the curve given by
x 3 2 cos , y 4 2sin
Solution: Given: x 3 2 cos , y 4 2sin
3/ 2

x ' 2 y ' 2
Formula :
x ' y " x " y '
x 3 2 cos y 4 2sin
x ' 2sin y ' 2 cos
x " 2 cos y " 2sin

x '2 y '2 4sin 2 4 cos 2 4 sin 2 cos2 4

x ' y '' x " y ' 4sin 2 4 cos 2 4 sin 2 cos 2 4

3/ 2

3/ 2 1

1/ 2

Problem 3: Find the envelope of the curve y mx

Solution: Given: y mx

a
m

a
where m is a parameter.
m

(1)

ym m2 x a
m2 x ym a 0
This is a quadratic in m
So the envelope is given by B 2 4 AC 0
Here A x, B y, C a
B 2 4 AC y 2 4 xa 0

.
i.e., y 2 4ax
Problem 4: Find the envelope of x cos y sin p where is the parameter.

Differential Calculus

Solution: Given,
x cos +y sin = p
Differentiating w.r.t.
-x sin +y cos =0
Eliminate between (1) & (2)
Square and add,
2
2
x cos y sin x sin y cos p 2 02

(1)
(2)

x 2 cos 2 y 2 sin 2 2 xy sin cos

x 2 sin 2 y 2 cos 2 2 xy sin cos p 2
x 2 cos 2 sin 2 y 2 sin 2 cos 2 p 2
x2 y2 p2
Problem 5: Find the envelope of the family given by x my
Solution: Given x my

1
, m being the parameter.
m

1
,m
m

xm m2 y 1
m2 y xm 1 0
This is a quadratic equation in m
So the envelope is B 2 4 AC 0
Here A y , B x, C 1
x 4 y 1 0
2

i.e., x 2 4 y 0
x2 4 y
x
Problem 6: Find the radius of curvature at any point of y c cosh
c
x
Solution: y cosh
c
x 1
x
y1 c sinh sinh
c c
c

x 1 1
x
y2 cosh cosh
c c c
c

1 y

2 3/ 2
1

y2

2 x
1 sinh c

1
x
cosh
c
c

3/ 2

2 x
cosh c

c
x
cos
c

3/ 2

(1)

Differential Calculus

x
cosh 2
c c cosh 2 x
c

x
c
cosh
c
y2
c 2 by 1
c

y2
c

c2
c
c
Problem 7: Find the radius of curvature of curve y=ex at (0.1)
Solution:
y = ex
At(0,1)
At 0, c

1 y

y1 = ex

e0 = 1

y2 = ex

e0 = 1

2 3/ 2
1

y2

1 1

3/ 2

2 2.

Problem 8: Find the radius of curvature at any point on the curve r e

3/ 2

r 2 r ' 2
Solution: Formula 2
r rr " 2r ' 2
Given: r e Then r ' e
r " e

e 2 e 2

e e 2 e

2 e 2

e e
2

22

3/ 2

3/ 2

2 e

23/ 2 e
2 e

2 e 2 r

Problem 9: Find the curvature of the curve 2 x 2 2 y 2 5 x 2 y 1 0

Solution: Given: f x, y 2 x 2 2 y 2 5 x 2 y 1 0

Differential Calculus

f x 4x 5 f y 4 y 2
f xy 0

f xx 4

2
x

f yy 4

f y2

3/ 2

f xx f y2 2 f xy f x f y f yy f x2

4 x 5 2 4 y 2 3/ 2

2
2
4 4 y 2 0 4 4 x 5
3/ 2

4 x 5 2 4 y 2 2

2
2

4 4 x 5 4 y 2

1
2
2 1/ 2
4 x 5 4 y 2

4
1
4
4
Curvature

at 0, 0
2
2

29
4 x 5 4 y 2
Problem 10: Define evolute and involute.
Solution: The locus of the centre of curvature of the given curve is called the evolute of
the curve. The given curve is called the involute of its evolute
Problem 11: Find the envelope of the family 1- x2 + (y - k)2 = 0, where k is a parameter.
Solution: Given 1- x2 + (y - k)2 = 0
Differentiating (1) partially w.r. to k, we get
2 y k 1 0

(1)

yk 0
k y ...... 2
Substituting (2) in (1), we get
1 x2 0
i.e., x 2 1 , which is the envelope of the given curve.
Problem 12: Find the envelope of the family of lines
Solution: Given family of lines can be written as
yt 2 2ct x 0
The envelope of
At 2 Bt C 0 is B 2 4 AC 0
From (1) we get A y , B 2c, C x
Putting these values in (2) we get

x
yt 2c, t being the parameter.
t

(1)
(2)

Differential Calculus

2c

4 y x 0

4c 4 xy 0
c 2 xy 0 i.e., xy c 2 , which is the required envelope.
x
y
Problem 13: Find the envelope of the family of lines cos sin 1, being the
a
b
parameter.
x
y
Solution: Given: cos sin 1
(1)
a
b
Diff. partially (1) w.r.to we get
x
y
(2)
sin cos 0
a
b
2
2
1 2
2

y
y
x
x

2
2
cos sin sin cos 1 0
b
b
a
a

2
2
x
y
2 xy
cos 2 2 sin 2
cos sin 1
2
a
b
ab
x2
y2
2 xy
2 sin 2 2 cos 2
cos sin 1
a
b
ab
x2
y2
2
2

cos 2 sin 2 1
cos

sin

2
2

a
b
2
2
x
y
2 1 cos 2 sin 2 1
2
a
b
2

Problem 14: Find the radius of curvature at any point P a cos , b sin on the

x2 y 2
1
, if the centre of
2 1 . Show that the eccentricity of the ellipse is
2
a
b
2
curvature at one end of the minor axis lies at the other end.
ellipse

Solution:

x a cos ,
y b sin
dx
dy
x'
a sin
y'
b cos
d
d
2
d 2x
x"
a cos y " d y b sin
2
d
d2
x ' 2 y ' 2

x ' y " y ' x "

3/ 2

Differential Calculus

sin 2 b 2 cos 2

3/ 2

a sin b sin b cos a cos

sin 2 b 2 cos 2

3/ 2

ab sin 2 ab cos 2

Given that
2
2
a

2b
b
a 2 2b 2

sin 2 b 2 cos 2

3/ 2

ab

2a 2 1 e 2 b 2 a 2 1 e 2
1
1
e2
i.e., e
2
2
x y
Problem 15: Find the envelope of 1 where the parameters a and b are related by
a b
ab = c2, c is known.
c2
x ay
Solution: b . Hence the straight line becomes, 2 1
a
a c
i.e.,
c 2 x a 2 y ac 2
i.e.,
a 2 y ac 2 c 2 x 0 which is a quadratic in a.
Hence the envelope is B2 4AC = 0.
i.e.,

2 2

4 y (c 2 x) 0 i.e.,

4xy c 2

LONG ANSWER

Problem 16: Find the radius of curvature at the point

on x 3a cos a cos 3 and y 3a sin a sin 3 .
dy
dy d
Solution: Given x f , y f Then
,

dx dx
d
dx
dy
3a sin 3a sin 3 ,
3a cos 3a cos 3
d
d
dy 3a cos 3a cos 3

dx 3a sin 3a sin 3
cos 3 cos

sin 3 sin
2sin 2 .sin

tan 2
2 cos 2 .sin

Differential Calculus

d2y
d
2sec 2 2 .
2
dx
dx
2sec 2 2 .

1
3a sin 3 sin

2
sec2 2
.
3a 2 cos 2 sin
1

3
3a cos 2 sin

dy 2 2 d 2 y
Radius of curvature 1 / 2
dx dx
3

1 tan 2 2 2 3a cos3 2 sin sec3 2 .3a cos 3 2 sin

3a sin

Problem 17: Show that the circle of curvature of x y a at , is

4 4
a a

3a
3a
a2

4
4
2

Solution: Give x y a
1
1 dy
Diff.w.r.to x, we get

. 0
2 x 2 y dx

dy y

dx
x

y1 a a
,
4 4

dy

dx a , a
4 4

a
4 1
a
4

1
1

x.
. y1 y.

2 y
2 x
d y

Differentiate (1) write to x, 2

dx
x

a 1
a 1
.
. 1
.

4
4
a
a

2
2
d2y

4
4
y2 a a 2 a a

a
dx ,
,
4 4
4 4

(1)

Differential Calculus

1 1
2 2

a
4
4
y2 a a
a
,
4 4
The radius of curvature is

3
2 2
1

1 y
y2

2 2

2 2

a a 1 1
at ,
4
4 4
a

a
4

a 2
2

X x

y1
1 y12

y2

a a
3a
2
4 4
4
1
2
Y y 1 y1
y2
X

a
1
a 2a
2

1 1 ..... 2
4 4
4 4

a

3a
Y
4

Circle of curvature is x X

y Y
2

3a
3a
a2

4
4
2

x
y
Problem 18: In the curve

1 , show that the radius of curvature at the point

a
b

i.e.,

x, y varies as ax by 2
1

x 2 y 2
Solution: Given 1
a b
x
y
i.e.
1
a
b
b x a y ab

(1)

Differential Calculus

10

Differentiating (1) with respect to x;

1
1 dy
b.
a.
. 0
2 x
2 y dx

dy
by

dx
ax
1 dy
1

x.
. y.

2 y dx
2 x
d y
b

dx 2
x

1 dy
1

x.
. y.

2 y dx
2 x
b

y 1
b b

.
a 2 a 2 x x
2

b x y a 1

.
2 a x

b
a

b
ab 1
b
.
a 2 a x x 2x a x
The radius of curvature at x, y is

3
dy 2 2
by 2

3
1

1
2 2x a x
ax

by

dx
ax

.
2
3
d y
b

b
2
ax
2

dx
2x a x

2 ax by 2

ab
Hence proved

i.e. k . ax by 2

Problem 19: Show that the radius of curvature at any point of the curve

x ae sin cos , y ae sin cos is twice the perpendicular distance of the

tangent at the point from the origin.
Solution: Given x ae sin cos
Hence,

dx
ae cos sin ae sin cos 2ae sin
d

Differential Calculus

11

y ae sin cos
dy
ae (cos sin ) ae (sin cos ) 2ae cos
d
dy
dy d 2ae cos
y1

cot
dx dx 2ae sin
d
2
d y d dy
y2 2
dx
dx dx
d
d

y1 .
d
dx
d
1

cot .
d
2ae sin
2
cos ec cos ec 3

2ae sin
2ae

The radius of curvature is

3
2 2
1

1 y
y2

1 cot
2

3
2

cos ec3
2ae

cos ec 2 2

cos ec 3
2ae
cos ec3

2ae
3
cos ec
2ae

2ae (Since the radius of curvature is non-negative)

Equation of the tangent is
cos
y ae sin cos
x ae sin cos

sin

y sin ae sin ae sin cos x cos ae sin cos ae cos 2

y sin x cos ae cos 2 sin 2
y sin x cos ae
The length of the perpendicular from the origin i.e. (0, 0) to the tangent is
0.sin 0.cos ae
ax by1 c
p
ae , using the formula, p 1
sin 2 cos 2
a 2 b2

Differential Calculus

12

p ae (Omitting the negative sign) 2 p.

Hence proved

Problem 20: Find the centre of curvature and circle of curvature of the curve
x = a (cos t + t sin t), y = a (sin t t cos t) at any pointt.
Solution:
dx
= a (-sin t +sin t + t cos t) = at cos t
dt
dy
= a (cos t + t sin t cos t) = at sin t
dt

y1 =

dy at sin t

tan t
dx at cos t

y2 =

1
1
d2y
dt
sec 2 t.
sec 2 t.

2
dx
dx
at cost at cos 3 t

(1 y12 ) 3/2
y2

(1 tan 2 t) 3/2 .at cos 3 t

(sec 2 t) 3/2 .at cos 3 t
sec 3 t.at.cos 3 t
at

If (X, Y) is the centre of curvature

y1 (1 y12 )
Xx
y2
= a (cos t + t sin t) - tan t (1 tan 2 t) at cos 3 t
= a cos t + at sin t at tan t. sec2t cos3t
= a cos t + at sin t at sin t
= a cos t
(1 y12
Y y
y2
= a (sin t t cos t) + (1 + tan2t) (at cos3 t)
= a sin t at cos t + sec2t. at.cos3 t
= a sin t at cos t + at cos t
= a sin t
The centre of curvature is (a cos t, a sin t).
The circle of curvature is (x X)2 (y Y) 2 2
i.e.,

(x - a cos t)2 + (y - a sin t)2 = a2t2.

Differential Calculus

Problem21:

13

Find the equation of the evolute of the ellipse

x 2 y2

1
a 2 b2

Solution:
The parametric equations of the ellipse are x = a cos and y = b sin
dx
dy

a sin and
b cos
d
d
dy b cos b
y1

cot
dx
a sin
a

y2

d2y d b
d

cot

2
d a
dx
dx

1
b
b
2

2 (cosec 3)
(cosec )
asin a
a
Let (x , y) be the coordinates of the centre of curvature.
Then

xx

y1
(1 y12 )
y2

cot

2
a
. (1 b cot 2 )
a cos -
a2
b
3
2 cosec
a

b
= a cos -a cot .sin3 1 2 cot 2
a

b
= a cos - a cos .sin2 1 2 cot 2
a

= a cos - a cos .sin2 = a cos (1 - sin2 ) = a cos3 -

i.e., x

b2
cos 3
a

b2
cos 3
a

b2
cos3
a

a 2 - b2
.cos 3
a

Now y y

(1 y12 )
y2

b sin

b2
.1 2 cot 2
-b
a
3

2 .cosec
a

b sin

b2

a2
.sin 3. 1 2 cot 2
b
a

(1)

Differential Calculus

14

a2
.sin 3-b sin cos 2
b
a2
b sin (1 - cos 2 ) sin 3
b
b sin

b sin 3 -

a2
sin 3
b

a 2 - b2 3
sin
i.e y -
b
Locus of (x , y) is obtained by eliminating from (1) and (2)

(2)

1/ 3

ax
From (1) cos = 2 2
a b

1/3

by
2
2
a b

From (2) sin =

cos 2 + sin2 =1
2/3

by
2
2
a b

2/3

i.e.,

ax
2
2
a b

i.e.,

ax 2 / 3 by 2/3 (a 2 b 2 ) 2 / 3

The equation of the evolute of the ellipse is ax

2/3

by

2/3

(a 2 b 2 ) 2/3

Show that the evolute of the cycloid x = a ( - sin ),

y = a ( 1 - cos ) is again a cycloid.

Problem 22:

Solution:
Given x = a ( - sin ) and y = a ( 1 - cos )
Differentiating w.r.t
dx
dy

a (1 - cos ) and
a sin
d
d
dy
a sin
2.sin / 2.cos / 2
y1

cot / 2
dx a (1-cos )
2 sin 2 / 2
i.e.,
y1 = cot /2
d2y d
d
y2 = 2
(cot /2).
d
dx
dx
1
1
cosec2 ( /2).
2
a (1- cos )
1
1

cosec 2 ( /2).
2a
2sin 2 /2
1

cosec 4 ( /2)
4a

(1)

(2)

Differential Calculus

15

If (x , y) is the centre of curvature,

xx

y1
(1 y12 )
y2

cot / 2
1 cot 2 / 2
1
4
cosec / 2
4a
4a. cot / 2
a ( sin )
. cos ec 2 / 2.
cos ec 4 / 2
= a ( - sin ) + 4a. sin /2.cos /2.
a ( sin )

i.e.,

= a ( - sin ) + 2a sin
x a ( sin )
yx

(3)

(1
y2

y12 )

a (1 - cos )

1
-1
cosec 4 /2
4a

(1 cot 2 /2 )

= a (1 - cos ) - 4a sin2 /2

i.e.,

= a (1 - cos ) - 2a (1 - cos )
y a (1 cos )

(4)

The evolute of the given cycloid is the locus of (x, y) . Eliminating from (1) and (2) we
get the equation of the evolute. Otherwise, the parametric equations of the locus of
(x, y) are x = a ( + sin ) and y = - a (1 - cos ). These are the parametric equations of
a cycloid. Thus the evolute of a cycloid is again a cycloid.

Problem 23: Prove that the evolute of the tractrix x = a (cos t + log tan (t/2)),
y = a sin t is a catenary.
Solution:
Given x = a (cos t + log tan (t/2))

dx
1
a - sin t
sec 2 ( t / 2).(1 / 2)
dt
tan (t/2)

1
cos (t/2)

a - sin t .
2
2 sin ( t/2) cos (t /2)

a - sin t
2 sin (t/2) cos (t /2)

Differential Calculus

16

1 - sin 2 t
1

a
a - sin t

sin t

sin t
cos 2 t
dx

i.e.,
a
dt
sin
t

y = a sin t
dy

a cos t
dt
dy
a cos t
y1

dx
cos 2 t

a.
sin t
i.e.,
y1 = tan t
d2y d
dt
sin t
y 2 2 (tan t).
sec 2 t.
dt
dx
dx
a cos 2 t
sin t
i.e.,
y2
acos 4 t
If (x, y) is the centre of curvature, then
xx

(1)

(2)

y1
(1 y12 )
y2

= a (cos t + log tan (t /2)) -

tan t
( 1 tan 2 t ) (Using (1) and (2))
sin t

4
a cos t

sin t cos 4 t
.
.sec 2 t
cos t sin t
= a cos t + a log tan (t /2) - a cos t
x = a log tan (t /2)
(1 y12 )
y y+
y2
1
= a sin t +
( 1 tan 2 t )
sin t

4
a cos t
a cos 4 t
= a sin t +
.sec 2 t
sint
= a (cos t + log tan (t /2)) - a.

i.e.,

a
(sin 2 t cos 2 t)
sin t
a
y
sin t

(3)

i.e.,

(4)

From (3) and (4) we get the parametric equation of the evolute as
x = a log tan (t /2),

a
sin t

Differential Calculus

17

A relation between x and y is obtained by eliminating t.

Now from x = a log tan (t /2), we get x/a = log tan (t /2),
ex / a = tan (t /2) and e-x / a = cot (t /2)
e x / a e -x / a
Now cosh x/a
2
sint/2 cost/2

tan t /2 cot t /2 cost/2 sint/2

2
2
2
2
sin t/2 cos t / 2

2sin t /2 cos t /2

i.e., cosh x/a

a cosh x/a

1
sin t

a
y
sin t

i.e., y a cosh x/a , which is a catenary.

Find the envelope of the family of straight lines y = mx 2am am3,
where m is a parameter.

Problem 24:

Solution:
Given y = mx 2am am3
Differentiating partially w.r.t m
0 = x 2a 3am2
Eliminate m between (1) and (2)
From (2), m 2
From (1),

(1)
(2)

x 2a
3a

y = m(x 2a am2)

y = m x 2a

x 2a
3

2
y m. .(x 2a)
3
3y
m
2(x 2a)

Now from (2)

3y
0 = x 2a 3a

2(x 2a)

i.e., 4(x - 2a)3 = 27ay2 is the equation of the envelope.

Problem 25: Find the envelope of the family of curves

where is a parameter.

a2

b2
cos

sin c

Differential Calculus

18

Solution:
a2
Given
x

b2
cos sin c

y
Differentiating w.r.t
a2
b2
(- sin ) cos 0
x
y
a2

b2
sin

cos 0

(1)

(2)

The equation of the envelope is obtained by eliminating between (1) and (2)
Now squaring and adding (1) and (2)

a2

b2
2
2
(cos sin )

(sin 2 cos 2 ) c 2

a 4 b4
2 c2
2
x
y

i.e.,

a4 y2 + b4 x2 = c2 x2 y2.

Problem 26:

Find the envelope of the family of curves y = mx + a 1 m 2 where m

is a parameter.
Solution:
We have y = mx + a 1 m 2
y mx = a 1 m 2
Squaring both sides (y mx )2 = a2 (1 + m2 )
i.e.,

y2 2mxy + m2x2 = a2 (1 + m2 )

(x2 - a2 )m2 2xy.m + y2 a2 = 0

This being a quadratic equation in m, the equation of the envelope is given by
B2 = 4AC, where A = x2 - a2, B = -2xy, C = y2 - a2
i.e.,

4x2y2 = 4(x2 - a2) (y2 - a2)

x2y2 = x2y2 x2a2 y2a2 + a4
x2 + y2 = a2. The envelope is a circle.

Problem 27: Find the evolute of the parabola y2 = 4ax considering it as the envelope
of its normals.
Solution:
The equation of normal at any point (at2, 2at) on the parabola y2 = 4ax is
y + xt = 2at +at3
(1)
Differentiating partially w.r.t. t, we get,
0 + x = 2a + 3at2
(2)

Differential Calculus

19

To find the envelope of the family of normals, eliminate t between (1) and (2).
x 2a

3a

1/2

From (2), t

Substituting in (1), we get

x 2a
y x.

3a

1/2

x 2a
2a.

3a

x 2a
y - (x - 2a).

3a
x 2a
y

3a

1/2

1/2

x 2a
a.

3a

x 2a
a.

3a

3/2

3/2

3/2

(3a a)
3

x 2a 2
y
4a
3a
(x 2a) 3
y2
.4a 2
3
27a
2

27ay2 = 4(x 2a) 3

This is the equation of the evolute of the given parabola.

Problem 28:

Find the evolute of the ellipse

x 2 y2

1 , treating it as the envelope of

a 2 b2

its normals.
Solution:
The normal at any point (a cos , b sin ) on the ellipse
by
ax

a 2 b2
cos sin

x 2 y2

1 is
a 2 b2

(1)

Differentiating (1) w.r.t

by
ax
.sin
.cos 0
2
cos
sin 2
ax
by
Dividing by sin cos,

0
3
cos sin 3

(2)

Eliminate between (1) and (2)

From (2)

ax
by

k (say)
3
cos sin 3

ax
cos
k

1/3

-by
and sin

1/3

(3)

cos2 + sin2 =1
ax

k

2/3

-by

2/3

k 2/3 (ax) 2/3 (by) 2/3

Substituting in (1) for sin and cos from (3)

(4)

Differential Calculus

(ax)
(ax)
(ax)

2/3

20

(by) 2/3 k 1/3 a 2 b 2

k a b
(by) a b
i.e. , (ax) (by) a b
2/3

(by) 2/3

2/3

2/3 3

2/3

2/3

2/3

2 2

2 2/3

This is the evolute of the ellipse

Problem 29:

2 2

(Using (4)))

x 2 y2

1
a 2 b2

Find the envelope of the straight lines

x y
1 where the parameters
a b

a and b are connected by the relation a2 + b2 = c2 and c is a constant.

Solution:
Given

x y
1
a b

(1)

Differentiating w.r.t a
x
y db
2 . 0
2
a
b da

(2)

Given a2 + b2 = c2
Differentiating w.r.t a
2a 2b.

db
0
da

(3)

Eliminate a and b between (1), (2) and (3).

Comparing (1) and (2)

y
a2
b2
2a
2b
x
y
1
i.e., 3 3 3 (say)
a
b
k
x

Then a = k.x1/3, b = k.y1/3

Now

a2 + b2 = c2

i.e.,

k2x2/3 + k2y2/3 = c2
k 2

From (1)
i.e.,
i.e.,

c2
x 2/3 y 2/3

k
x

2/3

x
y

1
kx 1/3 ky1/3

x2/3 + y2/3 = k
c

x2/3 + y2/3 =
x

2/3

y 2/3

Cross multiplying and squaring, we get,

(x2/3 + y2/3)3 = c2

y 2/3

Differential Calculus

21

x2/3 + y2/3 = c2/3

i.e.,

Problem 30:

Prove that the envelope of the family of ellipses

x 2 y2

1 , where a
a 2 b2

and b are connected by the relation a2 + b2 = c2 and c is a constant is x y = c.

Solution:
x 2 y2
2
2
2
2 1 and b = c a .
2
a
b
2
y2
x
2 2
1
a
c a2

Given

i.e.,

(c2 a2) x2 + a2y2 = a2(c2 - a2)

(1)
2

Equation (1) is a family of curves with parameter a . Rewriting (1) as a quadratic in a2,
we get, a4 + (y2 - x2 - c2)a2 + c2x2 = 0
The equation of the envelope is given by
B2 = 4AC where A = 1, B = y2 - x2 - c2 and C = c2x2.
Substituting for A, B, C we get the equation of the envelope as, (y2 - x2 - c2)2 = 4.1 c2x2
i.e.,

y2 - x2 - c2 = 2cx

i.e.,

y2 - x2 - c2 = 2cx;

i.e.,

x2 + 2cx + c2 - y2 = 0; x2 - 2cx + c2 - y2 = 0

i.e.,

(x + c)2 y2 = 0;

(x c )2 y2 = 0

i.e.,

x + c = y;

x c = y

i.e.,

x c = y

i.e.,

x y = c is the envelope of the given family of ellipses.

y2 - x2 - c2 = -2cx