Question 2

SCQMEDIUM

Let TT be the tangent to the parabola y2=16xy^2 = 16x at the point (64,32)(64, 32). Let LL be the tangent to the same parabola at another point (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) on the parabola. If LL and TT are perpendicular to each other, then the distance between the point (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and the focus of the parabola, is

(A)

154\frac{15}{4}

(B)

4

(C)

174\frac{17}{4}

(D)

5

Detailed Solution

For the parabola y2=16xy^2 = 16x, 4a=16  ⟹  a=44a = 16 \implies a = 4. The focus is S(4,0)S(4, 0). The slope of the tangent at (x0,y0)(x_0, y_0) is given by dydx=8y\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{8}{y}. For tangent TT at (64,32)(64, 32), slope mT=832=14m_T = \frac{8}{32} = \frac{1}{4}. Since tangent LL is perpendicular to TT, its slope mL=−4m_L = -4. For a parabola y2=4axy^2 = 4ax, the point of tangency with slope mm is (am2,2am)(\frac{a}{m^2}, \frac{2a}{m}). So, (x1,y1)=(4(−4)2,2(4)−4)=(416,−2)=(14,−2)(x_1, y_1) = (\frac{4}{(-4)^2}, \frac{2(4)}{-4}) = (\frac{4}{16}, -2) = (\frac{1}{4}, -2). The distance of any point (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) on the parabola from the focus is the focal distance x1+ax_1 + a. Distance =14+4=174= \frac{1}{4} + 4 = \frac{17}{4}.

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