AB is a focal chord of the parabola y^2 = 4x, and the coordinates of A are (4,4). Through A and B, normals are drawn meeting the parabola again at A’ and B’, respectively. Prove that A’B’ is three times as long as AB.
in Calculus Answers by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
Anti-spam verification:
To avoid this verification in future, please log in or register.

1 Answer

For the horizontal parabola y²=4x=4px where p is the distance of the vertex (0,0) (in this case) from the focus. So p=1 and the focus is at (1,0). We now have two points ((1,0) and A(4,4)) on the focal chord so we can work out the slope and the equation. Slope=(4-0)/(4-1)=4/3. The equation of the chord is y=(4/3)(x-1), y=4x/3-4/3.

Now we can work out where B is.

Substitute x=y²/4: y=y²/3-4/3, y²-3y-4=(y-4)(y+1). Obviously A is one point so B must be on the chord line where y=-1, so x=y²/4=1/4, making B(1/4,-1).

Since x=y²/4, 1=(y/2)dy/dx, dy/dx=2/y, so at A the tangent is 2/4=1/2 and at B it is -2. We can work out the slope of the normals: -2 and 1/2 respectively. The equations of the normals are at A: y-4=-2(x-4), y=-2x+12; at B: y+1=(1/2)(x-1/4), y=x/2-9/8.

Now we need to find A' and B'.

Substitute x=y²/4 in the normal equation for A: y=-y²/2+12, y²+2y-24=0=(y-4)(y+6). We already know y=4 is a solution because of A, so the normal intersects the parabola at y=-6 and x=36/4=9. So A'(9,-6).

Substitute x=y²/4 in the normal equation for B: y=y²/8-9/8, y²-8y-9=(y+1)(y-9). We already know y=-1 is a solution because of B, so the normal intersects the parabola at y=9 and x=81/4. So B'(81/4,9).

Length of AB²=(4-1/4)²+(4-(-1))²=625/16, AB=25/4.

Length of A'B'²=(81/4-9)²+(9-(-6))²=5625/16, A'B'=75/4 which 3AB (QED).

by Top Rated User (1.1m points)

Related questions

1 answer
1 answer
asked Oct 8, 2014 in Algebra 2 Answers by baruchqa Level 1 User (280 points) | 645 views
1 answer
asked Mar 26, 2012 in Algebra 1 Answers by anonymous | 1.7k views
0 answers
3 answers
asked Aug 29, 2012 in Pre-Algebra Answers by anonymous | 1.6k views
1 answer
asked Jan 20, 2014 in Calculus Answers by jdjd | 787 views
Welcome to MathHomeworkAnswers.org, where students, teachers and math enthusiasts can ask and answer any math question. Get help and answers to any math problem including algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus, trigonometry, fractions, solving expression, simplifying expressions and more. Get answers to math questions. Help is always 100% free!
87,542 questions
99,806 answers
2,417 comments
523,402 users