Let the focal chord PQ of the parabola y2 = 4x make an angle of 60 with the positive x axis, where P lies in the first quadrant. If the circle, whose one diameter is PS, S being the focus of the parabola, touches the y-axis at the point (0, ), then 5 2 is equal to:
- 15
- 25
- 20
- 30
Answer
(1) 15
Solution
The focus is S(1, 0). Let P(t2, 2t), t > 0; then the slope of SP is
2tt2 - 1 = 60 = 3
3t2 - 2t - 3 = 0 t = 2 42 3
t > 0, t = 3, so P(3, 2 3).
The circle on PS as diameter has centre C ( 3 + 12, 2 3 + 02 ) = (2, 3) and radius SP2 = t2 + 12 = 42 = 2.
This equals the distance of C from the y-axis, so the circle touches the y-axis at (0, 3), i.e. = 3.
5 2 = 15
Answer: (1)