A geometry problem by A Former Brilliant Member

Geometry Level 3

Find the eccentricity of the ellipse x 2 a 2 + y 2 b 2 = 1 \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1 where B is an endpoint of the minor axis. S S and S S' are two foci such that triangle B S S BSS' is an equilateral triangle.


The answer is 0.5.

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1 solution

Ivan Martinez
Dec 8, 2014

If the triangle BBS´ is equilateral that means that a = 2c, thus the eccentricity formula is c/a, then c/2c =1/2 = 0.5

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