In ellipse Γ, A is an endpoint of the major axis, B is an endpoint of the minor axis, and F1, F2 are the foci. If AF1⋅AF2+BF1⋅BF2=0, then find the value of tan∠ABF1⋅tan∠ABF2.
Solution
By symmetry, suppose the equation of Γ is a2x2+b2y2=1 (a>b>0), and A(a,0), B(0,b), F1(−c,0), F2(c,0), where c=a2−b2. By the given conditions, we know that AF1⋅AF2+BF1⋅BF2=(−c−a)(c−a)+(−c2+b2)=a2+b2−2c2=0. Thus, a2+b2−2c2=−a2+3b2=0, and hence a=3b,c=2b. Let O be the origin of the coordinates, and then tan∠ABOtan∠OBF1=ba=3,=tan∠OBF2=bc=2. Therefore, tan∠ABF1⋅tan∠ABF2=tan(∠ABO+∠OBF1)⋅tan(∠ABO−∠OBF1)=1−3⋅23+2⋅1+3⋅23−2=−51.
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