A tangent to the ellipse x²/9 + y²/2 = 1 intersects the circle x² + y² = 9 at the points P and Q. It is known that R is a point on the circle x²+ y² = 9. Each of P, Q and R are located above the x-axis.

For example, the coordinates of R cannot be (3,0), since (3,0) is not located above the x axis.

Determine the maximum area of the triangle PQR.

(In reply to Well..... by Charlie)

The first post used the wrong slope (forgot the chain rule in calculus). More later.

Posted by Charlie on 2008-03-30 17:07:15