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MathsHardClass 12

Parabola — Tangent Normal Chord

Parabola

42

JEE Qs

30%

Hard

80

min

Prioritize understanding the derivation and applications of parametric forms for tangents and normals, as they are key to solving complex problems efficiently.

🧮 Key Formulas

Equation of Tangent to y^2 = 4ax at (x1, y1): yy1 = 2a(x + x1)
Equation of Tangent to y^2 = 4ax in parametric form (at^2, 2at): yt = x + at^2
Equation of Tangent to y^2 = 4ax with slope m: y = mx + a/m (m != 0)
Condition for y = mx + c to be tangent to y^2 = 4ax: c = a/m
Equation of Normal to y^2 = 4ax at (x1, y1): y - y1 = (-y1/2a)(x - x1)
Equation of Normal to y^2 = 4ax in parametric form (at^2, 2at): y = -tx + 2at + at^3
Equation of Normal to y^2 = 4ax with slope m: y = mx - 2am - am^3
Equation of Chord of Contact from external point (x1, y1) to y^2 = 4ax: yy1 = 2a(x + x1)
Equation of Chord of a parabola y^2 = 4ax with midpoint (x1, y1): yy1 - 2a(x + x1) = y1^2 - 4ax1 (or T=S1)
Point of intersection of tangents at t1 and t2: (at1t2, a(t1 + t2))
Length of Subtangent at (x1, y1) for y^2 = 4ax: 2x1
Length of Subnormal at (x1, y1) for y^2 = 4ax: 2a

✅ Key Points for JEE

  • 1Mastering the parametric form (at^2, 2at) for parabola is crucial as it often simplifies tangent and normal problems significantly by reducing variables.
  • 2Understand the distinction and correct application of T=S1 for a chord with a given midpoint versus the chord of contact from an external point.
  • 3Remember key geometrical properties: the foot of the perpendicular from the focus to any tangent lies on the directrix, and tangents drawn at the extremities of a focal chord intersect on the directrix at right angles.
  • 4The locus of the point of intersection of perpendicular tangents to a parabola is its directrix (this is the parabola's Director Circle).
  • 5For problems involving multiple tangents or normals, the parametric equations for the points of contact and their intersection points are invaluable.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the formulas for tangent and normal for different conic sections or using the wrong form (point, slope, parametric) in a given situation.
  • Incorrectly applying the T=S1 relation, leading to errors when distinguishing between a chord of contact and a chord with a given midpoint.
  • Algebraic errors, especially with signs and coefficients 'a' and 't', which are common when solving complex problems involving multiple equations.
  • Not checking the condition m != 0 when using the slope form (y = mx + a/m), which is invalid for vertical tangents.

📝 Practice Questions

See all

Q24.The focus of the parabola y2 = 4x + 16 is the centre of the circle C of radius 5 . If the values of λ, for which C passes through the point of intersection of the lines 3x −y = 0 and x + λy = 4, are λ1 and λ2, λ1 < λ2 , then 12λ1 + 29λ2 is equal to

2025·NumericalMedium

Q3. Let ABCD be a trapezium whose vertices lie on the parabola y2 = 4x. Let the sides AD and BC of the trapezium be parallel to y -axis. If the diagonal AC is of length 25 and it passes through the point (1, 0), then 4 the area of ABCD is (1) 75 4 (2) = 252 (3) 125 (4) 75 8 8

2025·MCQHard

Q9. Let P(4, 4√3) be a point on the parabola y2 = 4ax and PQ be a focal chord of the parabola. If M and N are the foot of perpendiculars drawn from P and Q respectively on the directrix of the parabola, then the area of the quadrilateral PQMN is equal to : 2025 (22 Jan Shift 2) JEE Main Previous Year Paper (1) 17√3 (2) 263√3 8 (3) 34√3 (4) 343√3 3 8 π

2025·MCQMedium

Q19.If in the expansion of (1 + x)p(1 −x)q , the coefficients of x and x2 are 1 and -2 , respectively, then p2 + q2 is equal to : (1) 18 (2) 13 (3) 8 (4) 20 a

2025·MCQHard

Q19.If the equation of the parabola with vertex V ( 32 , 3) and the directrix x + 2y = 0 is αx2 + βy2 −γxy −30x −60y + 225 = 0, then α + β + γ is equal to : ∣ ∣ 2025 (24 Jan Shift 2) JEE Main Previous Year Paper (1) 7 (2) 9 (3) 8 (4) 6 (1+β2) (1+γ2) (1+α2) is + + +

2025·MCQMedium

Q21.Let A and B be the two points of intersection of the line y + 5 = 0 and the mirror image of the parabola y2 = 4x with respect to the line x + y + 4 = 0. If d denotes the distance between A and B , and a denotes the area of △SAB, where S is the focus of the parabola y2 = 4x, then the value of (a + d) is -

2025·NumericalHard

NCERT Chapters

  • Class 11 Maths Ch 11: Conic Sections