Mathematics Ext 1 Higher School Certificate Examinations by Topics compiled by projectmaths.com.

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Parametric Representation Back

14 10 Which equation describes the locus of points (x, y) which are equidistant from the 1 Solution

distinct points (a + b, b – a) and (a – b, b + a)?

(A) bx + ay = 0 (B) bx + ay = 2ab (C) bx – ay = 0 (D) bx – ay = 2ab

14 13 The point P(2at, at2) lies on 3 Solution

c the parabola x2 = 4ay with

focus S.
The point Q divides the
interval PS internally in the
ratio t2:1.

2at 2at 2
(i) Show that the coordinates of Q are x = and y = . 2
1  t2 1  t2
(ii) Express the slope of OQ in terms of t. 1
(iii) Using the result from part (ii), or otherwise, show that Q lies on a fixed 3
circle of radius a.

13 12 The point P(t, t2 + 3) lies on the curve Solution

d y = x2 + 3. The line  has equation

y = 2x – 1. The perpendicular distance
from P to the line  is D(t).
t 2  2t  4
(i) Show that D(t) = . 2
5
(ii) Find the value of t when P is 1
closest to  .
(iii) Show that, when P is closest to 1
 , the tangent to the curve at
P is parallel to  .

13 13 The point P(2ap, ap2) lies on the Solution

b parabola x2 = 4ay. The tangent to the

parabola at P meets the x-axis at
T(ap, 0). The normal to the tangent at
P meets the y-axis at N(0, 2a + ap2).
The point G divides NT externally in the
ratio 2:1.
(i) Show that the coordinates of 2
G are (2ap, –2a – ap2).
(ii) Show that G lies on a parabola 2
with the same directrix and focal
length as the original parabola.

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12 12 Let A(0, –k) be a fixed point on the y-axis Solution

d with k > 0. The point C(t, 0) is on the

x-axis. The point B(0, y) is on the y-axis
so that ABC is right-angled with the right
angle at C. The point P is chosen so that
OBPC is a rectangle as shown in the
diagram.
(i) Show that P lies on the parabola 2
given parametrically by x = t and
t2
y=
k
(ii) Write down the coordinates of the
1
focus of the parabola in terms of k.

11 3b The diagram shows two distinct points Solution

P(t, t2) and Q(1 – t, (1 – t)2) on the

parabola y = x2.
The point R is the intersection of the
tangents to the parabola at P and Q.

(i) Show that the equation of the 2

tangent to the parabola at P is
y = 2tx – t2.
(ii) Using part (i), write down the 1
equation of the tangent to the
parabola at Q.
(iii) Show that the tangents at P 2
1
and Q intersect at R( , t – t2).
2
(iv) Describe the locus of R as t varies, stating any restriction on the
2
y-coordinate.

10 4c The diagram shows the parabola 3 Solution

x2 = 4ay. The points P(2ap, ap2),

where p  0, is on the parabola.

The tangent to the parabola at P,

y = px – ap2, meets the
y-axis at L.

The point M is on the directrix,

such that PM is perpendicular to
the directrix.

Show that SLMP is a rhombus.

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2 Solution
09 2c The diagram shows points P(2t, t ) and
Q(4t, 4t2) which move along the parabola
x2 = 4y. The tangents to the parabola at P and
Q meet at R.
(i) Show that the equation of the 2
tangent at P is y = tx – t2 .
(ii) Write down the equation of the 2
tangent at Q, and find the
coordinates of the point R in
terms of t.
(iii) Find the Cartesian equation of the 1
locus of R.

08 4c The points P (2ap, ap2), Q (2aq, aq2) lie on Solution

the parabola x2 = 4ay. The tangents to the

parabola at P and Q intersect at T. The chord
QO produced meets PT at K, and ∠PKQ is a
right angle.
(i) Find the gradient of QO, and 2
hence show that pq = –2.
(ii) The chord PO produced meets QT at 1
L. Show that ∠PLQ is a right angle.
(iii) Let M be the midpoint of the
chord PQ. By considering the 2
quadrilateral PQLK, or
otherwise, show that MK = ML.

07 5d The diagram shows a point P(2ap, ap2) Solution

on the parabola x2 = 4ay. The normal to

the parabola at P intersects the parabola
again at Q(2aq, aq2).
The equation of PQ is
x + py – 2ap – ap3 = 0.
(Do NOT prove this.)
(i) Prove that p2 + pq + 2 = 0. 1
(ii) If the chords OP and OQ are
perpendicular, show that 2
p2 = 2.

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2 2 Solution
06 2c The points P(2ap, ap ), Q(2aq, aq ) and
R(2ar, ar2) lie on the parabola x2 = 4ay. The chord
QR is perpendicular to the axis of the parabola. The
chord PR meets the axis of the parabola at U. The
1
equation of the chord PR is y = (p + r)x – apr.
2
(Do NOT prove this.)
The equation of the tangent at P is
y = px – ap2. (Do NOT prove this.)
(i) Find the coordinates of U. 1
(ii) The tangents at P and Q meet at the 2
point T. Show that the coordinates of T are
(a(p + q), apq).
(iii) Show that TU is perpendicular to the 1
axis of the parabola.

HSC exam papers © Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in right of State of NSW