Tangents and Normals

Condition for the line 𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒄 to be a tangent to the parabola 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝒂𝒙

Given the parabola
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 … (𝑖)
And the line
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 … (𝑖𝑖)
The point of contact of the line and the parabola can be obtained by solving (𝑖) and (𝑖𝑖). That
is
(𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐)2 = 4𝑎𝑥
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑚𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 = 4𝑎𝑥
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥 2 + 2 𝑚𝑐 − 2𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑐 2 = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑥 having two roots. If the line is a tangent then the line touches the
parabola at only one point. That is the quadratic has only one root or both roots are equal.
Thus
2
2 𝑚𝑐 − 2𝑎 − 4𝑚2 𝑐 2 = 0
⇒ 4 𝑚2 𝑐 2 − 4𝑎𝑚𝑐 + 4𝑎2 − 4𝑚2 𝑐 2 = 0
⇒ −4𝑎𝑚𝑐 + 4𝑎2 = 0
⇒ 𝑎 𝑎 − 𝑚𝑐 = 0
⇒ 𝑎 = 0, 𝑎 = 𝑚𝑐
Since 𝑎 is a parameter it need not be zero necessarily. Thus 𝑎 = 𝑚𝑐
𝑎
⇒𝑐=
𝑚
𝑎
Which is the required condition. Hence 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚 is a tangent to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥.

𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
Condition for the line 𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒄 to be a tangent to the ellipse 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 = 𝟏
Given the ellipse
𝑥2 𝑦 2
+ = 1 … (𝑖)
𝑎2 𝑏 2
And the line
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 … (𝑖𝑖)
The point of contact of the line and the ellipse can be obtained by solving (𝑖) and (𝑖𝑖). That is
𝑥 2 (𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐)2
+ =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
⇒ 𝑏 2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 (𝑚2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑚𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 ) = 𝑎2 𝑏 2
⇒ (𝑏 2 + 𝑎2 𝑚2 )𝑥 2 + 2𝑎2 𝑚𝑐𝑥 + 𝑎2 (𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2 ) = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑥 having two roots. If the line is a tangent then the line touches the
ellipse at only one point. That is the quadratic has only one root or both roots are equal. Thus
2𝑎2 𝑚𝑐 2 − 4(𝑏2 + 𝑎2 𝑚2 )𝑎2 (𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2 ) = 0
⇒ 4𝑎4 𝑚2 𝑐 2 − 4 𝑏 2 𝑎2 𝑐 2 − 𝑏 4 𝑎2 + 𝑎4 𝑚2 𝑐 2 − 𝑎4 𝑚2 𝑏2 = 0
⇒ 𝑎2 𝑏 2 (𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 ) = 0
⇒ 𝑎𝑏 = 0, 𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 = 0
Since 𝑏 is a parameter it need not be zero necessarily. Thus 𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 = 0
⇒ 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 𝑚 2 + 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑐 = ± 𝑎2 𝑚 2 + 𝑏 2
Which is the required condition. Hence 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2 is a tangent to the ellipse
𝑥2 𝑦2
+ 𝑏 2 = 1.
𝑎2
 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐
Condition for the line 𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒄 to be a tangent to the hyperbola 𝟐 − 𝟐 = 𝟏
𝒂 𝒃
Given the hyperbola
𝑥2 𝑦 2
− = 1 … (𝑖)
𝑎2 𝑏 2
And the line
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 … (𝑖𝑖)
The point of contact of the line and the hyperbola can be obtained by solving (𝑖) and (𝑖𝑖).
That is
𝑥 2 (𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐)2
− =1
𝑎2 𝑏2
⇒ 𝑏 𝑥 − 𝑎 (𝑚 𝑥 + 2𝑚𝑐𝑥 + 𝑐 2 ) = 𝑎2 𝑏 2
2 2 2 2 2

⇒ 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 𝑥 2 − 2𝑎2 𝑚𝑐𝑥 − 𝑎2 (𝑐 2 + 𝑏 2 ) = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑥 having two roots. If the line is a tangent then the line touches the
hyperbola at only one point. That is the quadratic has only one root or both roots are equal.
Thus
−2𝑎2 𝑚𝑐 2 − 4 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 [−𝑎2 𝑐 2 + 𝑏 2 ] = 0
⇒ 4𝑎 𝑚2 𝑐 2 + 4 𝑏 2 𝑎2 𝑐 2 + 𝑏 4 𝑎2 − 𝑎4 𝑚2 𝑐 2 − 𝑎4 𝑚2 𝑏2 = 0
4

⇒ 𝑎2 𝑏 2 (𝑐 2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 ) = 0
⇒ 𝑎𝑏 = 0, 𝑐 2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 = 0
Since 𝑏 is a parameter it need not be zero necessarily. Thus 𝑐 2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑚2 = 0
⇒ 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 𝑚 2 − 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑐 = ± 𝑎2 𝑚 2 − 𝑏 2
Which is the required condition. Hence 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 − 𝑏 2 is a tangent to the hyperbola
𝑥2 𝑦2
− 𝑏 2 = 1.
𝑎2

Two tangents can be drawn from any given point to a parabola

Without loss of generality the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 can be considered with tangent
𝑎
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚 .

𝑃(𝑥1 ,𝑦1 ) 𝑋

𝑎
Let (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) be any point on the plane. If the tangent 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚 passes through the point
(𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) we can have
𝑎
𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥 1 +
𝑚
 ⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥1 − 𝑚𝑦1 + 𝑎 = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑚 and hence has two roots say 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 that are the slopes of the
tangents drawn from (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥.
Therefore two tangents can be drawn from any given point to a parabola.

Two tangents can be drawn from any given point to an ellipse

𝑥2 𝑦2
Without loss of generality the ellipse + = 1 can be considered with tangent
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2 .

𝑃(𝑥1 ,𝑦1 )

Let (𝑥1 ,𝑦1 ) be any point on the plane. If the tangent 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2 passes through
the point (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) we can have
𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥 1 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑦1 − 𝑚𝑥 1 = ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2
Squaring on both sides we get
𝑦1 2 − 2𝑚𝑥 1 𝑦1 + 𝑚2 𝑥1 2 = 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥1 2 − 𝑎2 − 2𝑚𝑥1 𝑦1 + 𝑦1 2 − 𝑏 2 = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑚 and hence has two roots say 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 that are the slopes of
𝑥2 𝑦2
the tangents drawn from (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) to the ellipse 𝑎 2 + 𝑏 2 = 1.
Therefore two tangents can be drawn from any given point to an ellipse.

Two tangents can be drawn from any given point to a hyperbola

𝑥2 𝑦2
Without loss of generality the hyperbola − = 1 can be considered with tangent
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 − 𝑏 2 .
Let (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) be any point on the plane. If the tangent 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 − 𝑏 2 passes through
the point (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) we can have
𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥 1 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 − 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑦1 − 𝑚𝑥1 = ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 − 𝑏 2
Squaring on both sides we get
𝑦1 2 − 2𝑚𝑥1 𝑦1 + 𝑚2 𝑥1 2 = 𝑎2 𝑚2 − 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥1 2 − 𝑎2 − 2𝑚𝑥1 𝑦1 + 𝑦1 2 + 𝑏 2 = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑚 and hence has two roots say 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 that are the slopes of the
𝑥2 𝑦2
tangents drawn from (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to the hyperbola − = 1.
𝑎2 𝑏2
 𝑌
𝑃(𝑥1 ,𝑦1 )

Therefore two tangents can be drawn from any given point to a hyperbola.

Orthoptic locus: The locus of a point the tangents from which to a conic include a right
angle is called an orthoptic locus of the conic.

i. Find the locus of the point of intersection of perpendicular tangents to the parabola
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥. Or find the orthoptic locus to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥.
Let the point of intersection be (𝑥1 ,𝑦1 ).

𝑃(𝑥1 ,𝑦1 ) 𝑋

Equation of a tangent from (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 can be given by

𝑎
𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥 1 +
𝑚
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥1 − 𝑚𝑦1 + 𝑎 = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑚 and hence has two roots say 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 that are the slopes of the
tangents drawn from (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥.
Since the tangents are perpendicular to each other
𝑚1 𝑚2 = −1
 That is product of the roots is −1.
𝑎
⇒ = −1 {𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0;
𝑥1
𝑏 𝑐
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = − 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = }
𝑎 𝑎
⇒ 𝑎 = −𝑥 1
⇒ 𝑥1 + 𝑎 = 0
Hence the orthoptic locus to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 is 𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0, the directrix of the parabola.

ii. Find the locus of the point of intersection of perpendicular tangents to the ellipse
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2
+ = 1. Or find the orthoptic locus to the ellipse + = 1.
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎2 𝑏2
Let the point of intersection be (𝑥1 ,𝑦1 ).

(𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) 𝑋

𝑥2 𝑦2
Equation of a tangent from (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) to the ellipse + = 1 can be given by
𝑎2 𝑏2

𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥 1 ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑦1 − 𝑚𝑥1 = ± 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2
Squaring on both sides we get
𝑦1 2 − 2𝑚𝑥1 𝑦1 + 𝑚2 𝑥1 2 = 𝑎2 𝑚2 + 𝑏 2
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥1 2 − 𝑎2 − 2𝑚𝑥1 𝑦1 + 𝑦1 2 − 𝑏 2 = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑚 and hence has two roots say 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 that are the slopes of the
𝑥2 𝑦2
tangents drawn from (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to the ellipse + 𝑏 2 = 1.
𝑎2
Since the tangents are perpendicular to each other
𝑚1 𝑚2 = −1
That is product of the roots is −1.
𝑦1 2 − 𝑏 2
⇒ 2 = −1 {𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑚2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0;
𝑥 1 − 𝑎2
𝑏 𝑐
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = − 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = }
𝑎 𝑎
⇒ 𝑦1 2 − 𝑏 2 = −(𝑥 1 2 − 𝑎2 )
⇒ 𝑥 1 2 + 𝑦1 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
𝑥2 𝑦2
Hence the orthoptic locus to the ellipse + = 1 is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 , the director circle of
𝑎2 𝑏2
the ellipse.
iii. Find the locus of the point of intersection of perpendicular tangents to the hyperbola
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦2
− = 1. Or find the orthoptic locus to the hyperbola − = 1.
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎2 𝑏2
2 2
𝑥 𝑦
The orthoptic locus to the hyperbola − = 1 is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 = 𝑎 − 𝑏 2 , the director circle of
2 2
𝑎2 𝑏2
the hyperbola.

Problems

1. Find the locus of the point of intersection of two tangents to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 which
make an angle 𝛼 with one another.
Solution: Let the point of intersection be (𝑥1 ,𝑦1 ).
Equation of a tangent from (𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 ) to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 can be given by
𝑎
𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥 1 +
𝑚
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥1 − 𝑚𝑦1 + 𝑎 = 0 … (𝑖)
Which is a quadratic in 𝑚 and hence has two roots say 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 that are the slopes of the
tangents drawn from (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥.
Let 𝑚1 = tan 𝜃1 and 𝑚2 = tan 𝜃2 , where 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 are the angles the tangents make with the 𝑥
axis.

𝑥 1 ,𝑦1 𝑃 𝛼
𝜋 −𝛼

𝜃1 𝜋 − 𝜃2 𝜃2
𝐴 𝐵 𝑋

Since the tangents make an angle 𝛼 between them, from ∆𝐴𝐵𝑃

𝜃1 + 𝜋 − 𝜃2 + 𝜋 − 𝛼 = 𝜋
⇒ 𝛼 = 𝜋 + 𝜃1 − 𝜃2
⇒ tan𝛼 = tan(𝜋 + 𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) = tan(𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )
tan 𝜋 + 𝜃 = tan𝜃
tan 𝜃1 − tan 𝜃2 𝑚1 − 𝑚2
⇒ tan 𝛼 = =
1 + tan 𝜃1 tan 𝜃2 1 + 𝑚1 𝑚2
From 𝑖
𝑎
𝑚1 𝑚2 =
𝑥1
And
𝑦1
𝑚1 + 𝑚2 =
𝑥1
We know that
 2
𝑚1 − 𝑚2 = 𝑚1 + 𝑚2 2 − 4𝑚1 𝑚2
𝑦1 2 4𝑎 𝑦1 2 − 4𝑎𝑥 1
⇒ 𝑚1 − 𝑚2 2 = 2 − =
𝑥1 𝑥1 𝑥12
2
𝑚1 − 𝑚2
∵ tan2 𝛼 =
1 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 2
𝑦 1 2 −4𝑎𝑥 1
𝑥12 𝑦1 2 − 4𝑎𝑥1 𝑥12
tan2 𝛼 = = ∗
𝑎 2 𝑥12 (𝑥 1 + 𝑎)2
1+𝑥
1
⇒ 𝑦1 2 − 4𝑎𝑥1 = (𝑥 1 + 𝑎)2 tan2 𝛼
Hence the locus of the point of intersection of two tangents to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 which
make an angle 𝛼 with one another is given by
𝑦 2 − 4𝑎𝑥 = (𝑥 + 𝑎)2 tan2 𝛼.
2. A common tangent is drawn to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑐 2 and the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥. Show that
the angle 𝜃 that it makes with the 𝑥 axis is given by
𝑐 2 + 4𝑎2 − 𝑐
tan2 𝜃 = .
2𝑐
𝑥2 𝑦2
Solution: The circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑐 2 is a special case of ellipse 𝑎 2 + 𝑏 2 = 1 where 𝑎 = 𝑏 = 𝑐.
Thus the equation of tangent to the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑐 2 can be given by
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑐 2 𝑚2 + 𝑐 2 = 𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑐 𝑚2 + 1 … (𝑖)
And the equation of tangent to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 can be given by
𝑎
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + … (𝑖𝑖)
𝑚

𝜃
𝑋

Since (𝑖) and (𝑖𝑖) represent the same line

𝑎
𝑚𝑥 ± 𝑐 𝑚2 + 1 = 𝑚𝑥 +
𝑚
𝑎
⇒ ±𝑐 𝑚2 + 1 =
𝑚
2
𝑎
⇒ 𝑐 2 𝑚2 + 1 = 2
𝑚
⇒ 𝑐 2 𝑚4 + 𝑐 2 𝑚2 − 𝑎2 = 0
Which is a quadratic in 𝑚2 where 𝑚 is the slope of the tangent. That is 𝑚 = tan𝜃, and the
roots of the equation are given by
 −𝑐 2 ± 𝑐 4 − 4 ∗ 𝑐 2 ∗ (−𝑎2 ) −𝑐 2 ± 𝑐 𝑐 2 + 4𝑎2 −𝑐 ± 𝑐 2 + 4𝑎2
𝑚2 = = =
2𝑐 2 2𝑐 2 2𝑐
Hence
𝑐 2 + 4𝑎2 − 𝑐
tan2 𝜃 = .
2𝑐
3. Prove that foot of the perpendicular from the focus to any tangent to the parabola lies on the
tangent at the vertex.
Solution: Consider the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥. Equation of tangent to the parabola can be given
by
𝑎
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 +
𝑚
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥 − 𝑚𝑦 + 𝑎 = 0 … (𝑖)
Focus of the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 is 𝑆(𝑎, 0).
Let 𝑀 be the foot of the perpendicular from the focus 𝑎,0 to the tangent. Then the slope of
the perpendicular can be given by
1
𝑚1 = −
𝑚
And the equation of the perpendicular can be given by

1
𝑦−0 = − (𝑥 − 𝑎)
𝑚
[𝐼𝑓 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑥 1 ,𝑦1
𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑠
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥 1 )]
⇒ 𝑥 + 𝑚𝑦 − 𝑎 = 0 … (𝑖𝑖)

𝑆(𝑎, 0) 𝑋

Point of intersection of the tangent and the perpendicular can be obtained by

𝑖 + 𝑖𝑖 ⇒ 𝑥 1 + 𝑚2 = 0
⇒ 𝑥 = 0,1 + 𝑚2 = 0
Since 𝑚2 ≠ −1 we can have 𝑥 = 0, that is the 𝑦 axis.
Hence any tangent and the perpendicular to it from the focus fall on the 𝑦 axis, the tangent at
the vertex for 𝑦 2 − 4𝑎𝑥.
4. Two straight lines are at right angles to one another and one of them touches 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑎)
and the other 𝑦 2 = 4𝑏(𝑥 + 𝑏). Prove that the point of intersection of the lines lie on the line
𝑥 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 0.
Solution: Equation of tangent to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑎) can be given by
 𝑎
𝑦 = 𝑚 𝑥+𝑎 + … (𝑖)
𝑚
Equation of tangent to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑏(𝑥 + 𝑏) can be given by
𝑏
𝑦 = 𝑚1 𝑥 + 𝑏 + … (𝑖𝑖)
𝑚1
Since both the tangents are perpendicular to one another we have

𝑚𝑚1 = −1
Or
1
𝑚1 = −
𝑚
(𝑖𝑖) can be expressed as
1
𝑦=− 𝑥 + 𝑏 − 𝑚𝑏 … (𝑖𝑖𝑖)
𝑚
Point of intersection of the two tangents can be obtained by solving (𝑖) and (𝑖𝑖𝑖)
𝑎 1
⇒ 𝑚 𝑥+𝑎 + = − 𝑥 + 𝑏 − 𝑚𝑏
𝑚 𝑚
Multiplying throughout by 𝑚, we get
𝑚2 𝑥 + 𝑎 + 𝑎 = −𝑥 − 𝑏 − 𝑚2 𝑏
⇒ 𝑚2 𝑥 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑥 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 0
⇒ 𝑚2 + 1 𝑥 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 0
Since 𝑚2 ≠ −1 we can have
𝑥 +𝑎+ 𝑏 = 0
The required condition.
5. Two tangents from a point to a parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 make with each other an angle of 45°.
Prove that the locus of their point of intersection is given by 𝑦 2 − 4𝑎𝑥 = (𝑥 + 𝑎)2 .
6. A straight line touches both 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑐 2 and 𝑦 2 = 8𝑎𝑥. Show that its equation is
𝑦 = ±(𝑥 + 2𝑎).
7. Find the locus of the foot of the perpendicular from a focus on a tangent to the hyperbola
𝑥2 𝑦2
𝑎2
− 𝑏 2 = 1.
8. Tangents to an ellipse make angles 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 with the major axis. Show that the locus of their
intersection, when cot 𝜃1 + cot 𝜃2 = 𝑘 2 is 𝑦 2 𝑘 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 = 𝑏 2 𝑘 2.