Given the ellipse a2x2+b2y2=1(a>b>0) with its left focus at F(−1,0), and the minimum distance from any point on the ellipse to point F is 2−1.
(1) Find the equation of the ellipse; (2) Given that the moving line l passing through point F intersects the ellipse at two distinct points A and B, and point M(−45,0), prove that MA⋅MB is constant.
Solution
(1) Solution: Given that the minimum distance from any point on the ellipse to point F(−1,0) is 2−1, we have the following system of equations:
{c=1a−c=2−1
Solving this system, we get:
{a=2c=1
Since b2=a2−c2=1, the equation of the ellipse is 2x2+y2=1.
(2) Proof:
(i) When line l is vertical, its equation is x=−1. We can find that A(−1,22) and B(−1,−22). In this case, MA⋅MB=(−1+45,22)⋅(−1+45,−22)=−167.
(ii) When line l is not vertical, let the equation of line l be y=k(x+1). Solving the system of equations:
{y=k(x+1)2x2+y2=1
We get the quadratic equation (1+2k2)x2+4k2x+2k2−2=0. Let A(x1,y1) and B(x2,y2), then x1+x2=−1+2k24k2 and x1x2=1+2k22k2−2.