Find the angle subtended by the double ordinate of length 2a of the parabola y2 = ax at its vertex

Find the angle subtended by the double ordinate of length 2a of the parabola y2 = ax at its vertex

2 Answers

3
rocky ·

let the parabola be the given as in diagram

vertex--O and QQ' ---DOUBLE ORDINATE

parabola is y2=ax
y=±√ax

thus coordinates of Q and Q' is (x,√ax
) and (x,-√ax) respectively

but length of double ordinate =2a
thus QQ'=2a

2√ax=2a
x=√a
from given figure i.e right angled triangle tanθ=√a

thus total angle subtended by the double ordinate at vetex is 2tan-1a

3
rocky ·

figure of it is ---------------------------

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