Parabola (JEE 03)

Normals are drawn from the pt P with slopes m_1,m_2,m_3 to the parabola y^2=4x .If Locus of P is a part of the parabola with m_1m_2 = \alpha , find \alpha

5 Answers

1
Optimus Prime ·

equation of normal to the parabola y2=4ax with slope m is y=mx-2m-m3

let it pass through P(h,k)

then k=mh-2m-m3

m3+m(2-h)+k=0
hence m1+m2+m3=0

\Sigmam1m2=2-h
m1m2m3=-k
given m1m2=\alpha

m3=-k/\alpha

and m3(m1+m2)+\alpha
=2-h

=-m33 +\alpha
=2-h

-k2/\alpha2 +\alpha=2-h

k2=\alpha2[h-(2-\alpha)]

so locus is y2=\alpha2[x(2-\alpha)]

clearly for \alpha=2

locus of P is a part of parabola whose equation is y2=4ax

1
Optimus Prime ·

Hence alpha=2

1
Optimus Prime ·

nishant sir is this correct

1
The Scorpion ·

u r rite... [1]

but edit 12th line of ur post... it's not (m33), rather it's (-m32)...... rest is ok... :)

1
Vivek ·

yeah 2 is the answer

Your Answer

Close [X]