The parabola - definitions

Parabola is the locus of a point P which moves in a plane so that its distance from a fixed line of the plane and its distance from a fixed point of the plane, not on the line, are equal.

The fixed point F is called the focus and fixed line is called the directrix of the parabola.

The perpendicular to he directix from the focus is called the axis of the parabola.

The intersection of the parabola and the axis of the parabola is called vertex.

Vertex is the mid point of axis.

The line joining any two distinct points of the parabola is called a chord.

A chord which passes through the focus is called a focal chord.

The distance between the focus and any point of the focal chord is called focal radius.

The focal chord which is penpendicular to the axis is called the latus rectum

Equation of parabola in its standard form

y² = 4ax

For this equation focus is at F(a,0) and the equation of the directrix is d: x=-a. It vertex is at (0,0).

If a is positive it open to the right.

Length of the latus rectum = |4p|

Some other standard forms of parabola

y² = -4ax

x² = 4ay

In this case, the vertex is at the origin and the axis coincides with y-axis.
Focus is at F(0,a) and the equation of the directrix d: y = -a.
The parabola opens upward

x² = -4ay

Equation of a parabola in parametric form

x = at²
y = 2at


It satisfies y² = 4ax
y² = 4a²t²
4ax = 4a²t²

Equation of the chord joining any two points on the parabola

From the straight line chapter we know: "The equation of a line having slope m and passing through (x1,y1) is

(y-y1) = m(x-x1)"

slope between (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)

Two points on parabola are A(at1²,2at1) and B(at2²,2at2)

So the equation joining these two points is

(y-2at1) = [(2at2-2at1)/(at2²-at1²)]*(x-at1²)
=> y - 2at1 = [2/(t2+ta)]*(x-at1²)
=> y(t1+t2) = 2x+2at1t2

Intersection of a straight line and a parabola

Parabola equation y² = 4ax,
Straight line equation y = mx+c

At intersection point, both equations are satisfied

hence (mx+c)² = 4ax
=> m²x²+2x(mc-2a)+c² = 0

It is a quadratic equation. Solution gives intersection points

The intersection points are concident if
4(mc-2a)² - 4m²c²>0
=> a² - amc>0
=>a-mc>0
=>a>mc
=>a/m>c
=>c
The intersection points are real and distinct if
4(mc-2a)² - 4m²c²=0
=> 4(mc-2a)² = 4m²c²

The intersection points are imaginary if
4(mc-2a)² - 4m²c²<0

Equation of tangent to a parabola in different forms

For the Parabola with equation y² = 4ax;

Point form: At point (x1,y1)
(y-y1) = (2a/y1)*(x-x1)
=> yy1 = 2a(x+x1)

In parametric form Points is (at²,2at)
ty = x+at²

In terms of slope of the tangent, If slope is m
y = mx + a/m

Equation of normal in different forms

Parabola equation y² = 4ax; at point (x1,y1)
(y-y1) = (-y1/2a)* (x-x1)

In parametric form Points is (at²,2at)
y+tx = 2at + at³

Slope form, slope of the normal = m
y = mx-2am-am³

Number of normals drawn from a point to a parabola

In general three normals can be drawn from a point to a parabola

Conormal points

Conormal points : The points on the curve at which hte normals pass through a common point are called co-normal points.

The sum of the slopes of the normals at conormal points is zero.

Number of tangents drawn from a point to a parabola

Two tangents can be drawn from a point to a parabola

Equation of the pair of tangents from a point to a parabola

Parabola equation y² = 4ax; point from which tangents are drawn is (x1,y1)

Equation is SS' = T²
S = y² = 4ax
S' = y1² = 4ax1
T = yy1 - 2a(x+x1)

Equation of the chord of contacts of tangents to a parabola

From a point two tangents are drawn to a parabola. The chord between the contact points of these two tangents is chord of contact of tangents.

When Parabola equation y² = 4ax; point from which tangents are drawn is (x1,y1)

chord equation is yy1 = 2a(x+x1)

Equation of the chord bisected at a given point

When a chord to Parabola equation y² = 4ax is bisected at (x1,y1)

equation of the chord is yy1 - 2a(x+x1) = y1²-4ax1

Equation of diameter of a parabola

The locus of bisectors of a system of parallel chords is termed diameter.

If Parabola equation is y² = 4ax, and system of parallel chords equation is y = mx+c,

The equation of the diameter is y = 2a/m

It is a line parallel to the X-axis.

Lengths of tangent, subtangent, normal and subnormal

Let tangent and normal to a parabola at a point P(x1,y1) be extended to meet the axis of the parabola at N and T respectively.

PT is termed the length of the tangent.
PN is termed the length of the normal.

Drop a perpendicular to the axis from the point P and call it PP'.

P'T = subtangent
P'N = subnormal

If the tangent makes an angle of ψ with the axis

length of the tangent = y1 cosec ψ
length of the normal = y1 sec ψ
length of the subtangent = y1 cot ψ
length of the subnormal = y1 tan ψ

tan ψ = 2a/y1 = m (slope of the tangent)

IIT JEE Mathematics Study Plan 16. Parabola - Revision Facilitator

Ch. 16. Parabola-RDS-
Sections



1. Conic sections: Definition

2. The parabola

3. Equation of parabola in its standard form

4. Some other standard forms of parabola

5. Position of a point with respect to a parabola

6. Equation of a parabola in parametric form

7. Equation of the chord joining any two points on the parabola

8. Intersection of a straight line and a parabola

9. Equation of tangent in different forms

10. Equation of normal in different forms

11 Number of normals drawn from a point to a parabola

12. Some results in conormal points

13 Number of tangents drawn from a point to a parabola

13a. Equation of the pair of tangents from a point to a parabola


14. Equation of the chord of contacts of tangents to a parabola

15. Equation of the chord bisected at a given point

16. Equation of diameter of a parabola

17. Length of tangent, subtangent, normal and subnormal

18. Pole and Polar

19. Some important results at a glance

Study Plan





1. Conic sections: Definition

2. The parabola

3. Equation of parabola in its standard form

4. Some other standard forms of parabola

5. Position of a point with respect to a parabola

6. Equation of a parabola in parametric form

7. Equation of the chord joining any two points on the parabola

8. Intersection of a straight line and a parabola

9. Equation of tangent in different forms

10. Equation of normal in different forms

11 Number of normals drawn from a point to a parabola

12. Some results in conormal points

13 Number of tangents drawn from a point to a parabola

13a. Equation of the pair of tangents from a point to a parabola


14. Equation of the chord of contacts of tangents to a parabola

15. Equation of the chord bisected at a given point

16. Equation of diameter of a parabola

17. Length of tangent, subtangent, normal and subnormal

18. Pole and Polar

19. Some important results at a glance

Parabola - Definitions - July -Dec Review

Parabola is the locus of a point P which moves in a plane so that its distance from a fixed line of the plane and its distance from a fixed point of the plane, not on the line, are equal.

The fixed point F is called the focus and fixed line is called the directrix of the parabola.

The perpendicular to the directrix from the focus is called the axis of the parabola.

The intersection of the parabola and the axis of the parabola is called vertex.

Vertex is the mid point of axis.

The line joining any two distinct points of the parabola is called a chord.

A chord which passes through the focus is called a focal chord.

The distance between the focus and any point of the focal chord is called focal radius.

The focal chord which is perpendicular to the axis is called the latus rectum

Ch. 16 Parabola - Concept Review

Revision Points

1. Conic sections: Definition






2. The parabola

Parabola is the locus of a point P which moves in a plane so that its distance from a fixed line of the plane and its distance from a fixed point of the plane, not on the line, are equal.

The fixed point F is called the focus and fixed line is called the directrix of the parabola.

The perpendicular to he directix from the focus is called the axis of the parabola.

The intersection of the parabola and the axis of the parabola is called vertex.

Vertex is the mid point of axis.

The iine joining any two distinct points of the parabola is called a chord.

A chord which passes through the focus is called a focal chord.

The distance between the focus and any point of the focal chord is called focal radius.

The focal chord which is penpendicular to the axis is called the latus rectum







3. Equation of parabola in its standard form

y² = 4ax

For this equation focus is at F(a,0) and the equation of the directrix is d: x=-a. It vertex is at (0,0).

If a is positive it open to the right.

Length of the latus rectum = |4p|





4. Some other standard forms of parabola

y² = -4ax

x² = 4ay

In this case, the vertex is at the origin and the axis coincides with y-axis.
Focus is at F(0,a) and the equation of the directrix d: y = -a.
The parabola opens upward

x² = -4ay




5. Position of a point with respect to a parabola





6. Equation of a parabola in parametric form

x = at²
y = 2at


It satisfies y² = 4ax
y² = 4a²t²
4ax = 4a²t²



7. Equation of the chord joining any two points on the parabola

From the straight line chapter we know: "The equation of a line having slope m and passing through (x1,y1) is

(y-y1) = m(x-x1)"

slope between (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)

Two points on parabola are A(at1²,2at1) and B(at2²,2at2)

So the equation joining these two points is

(y-2at1) = [(2at2-2at1)/(at2²-at1²)]*(x-at1²)
=> y - 2at1 = [2/(t2+ta)]*(x-at1²)
=> y(t1+t2) = 2x+2at1t2





8. Intersection of a straight line and a parabola

Parabola equation y² = 4ax,
Straight line equation y = mx+c

At intersection point, both equations are satisfied

hence (mx+c)² = 4ax
=> m²x²+2x(mc-2a)+c² = 0

It is a quadratic equation. Solution gives intersection points

The intersection points are concident if
4(mc-2a)² - 4m²c²>0
=> a² - amc>0
=>a-mc>0
=>a>mc
=>a/m>c
=>c
The intersection points are real and distinct if
4(mc-2a)² - 4m²c²=0
=> 4(mc-2a)² = 4m²c²

The intersection points are imaginary if
4(mc-2a)² - 4m²c²<0



9. Equation of tangent in different forms

Parabola equation y² = 4ax; at point (x1,y1)
(y-y1) = (2a/y1)*(x-x1)
=> yy1 = 2a(x+x1)

In parametric form Points is (at²,2at)
ty = x+at²

In terms of slope of the tangent, If slope is m
y = mx + a/m






10. Equation of normal in different forms

Parabola equation y² = 4ax; at point (x1,y1)
(y-y1) = (-y1/2a)* (x-x1)

In parametric form Points is (at²,2at)
y+tx = 2at + at³

Slope form, slope of the normal = m
y = mx-2am-am³




11 Number of normals drawn from a point to a parabola
In general three normals can be drawn from a point to a parabola


12. Some results in conormal points

The sumof the slopes of the normals at conormal points is zero.





13 Number of tangents drawn from a point to a parabola

Two tangents can be drawn from a point to a parabola




13a. Equation of the pair of tangents from a point to a parabola

Parabola equation y² = 4ax; point from which tangents are drawn is (x1,y1)

Equation is SS' = T²
S = y² = 4ax
S' = y1² = 4ax1
T = yy1 - 2a(x+x1)

14. Equation of the chord of contacts of tangents to a parabola

From a point two tangents are drawn to a parabola. The chord between the contact points of these two tangents is chord of contact of tangents.

When Parabola equation y² = 4ax; point from which tangents are drawn is (x1,y1)

chord equation is yy1 = 2a(x+x1)




15. Equation of the chord bisected at a given point

When a chord to Parabola equation y² = 4ax is bisected at (x1,y1)

equation of the chord is yy1 - 2a(x+x1) = y1²-4ax1


16. Equation of diameter of a parabola

The locus of bisectors of a system of parallel chords is termed diameter.

If Parabola equation is y² = 4ax, and system of parallel chords equation is y = mx+c,

The equation of the diameter is y = 2a/m

It is a line parallel to the X-axis.


17. Length of tangent, subtangent, normal and subnormal

Let tangent and normal to a parabola at a point P(x1,y1) be extended to meet the axis of the parabola at N and T respectively.

PT is termed the length of the tangent.
PN is termed the length of the normal.

Drop a perpendicular to the axis from the point P and call it PP'.

P'T = subtangent
P'N = subnormal

If the tangent makes an angle of ψ with the axis

length of the tangent = y1 cosec ψ
length of the normal = y1 sec ψ
length of the subtangent = y1 cot ψ
length of the subnormal = y1 tan ψ

tan ψ = 2a/y1 = m (slope of the tangent)



18. Pole and Polar










19. some important results at a glance