Entrance Rankers Class Notes - Parabola RN

Properties of Parabola :

Property I : Focal Chord : If the focal chord of the parabola 𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥 has extremeties at 𝑡1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡2
then 𝒕𝟏. 𝒕𝟐 = ―𝟏
𝑥 = ―𝑎 𝑦
𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥
𝑃(𝒂𝒕𝟐𝟏,𝟐𝒂𝒕𝟏)
𝐿

𝑆(𝑎,0) 𝑥
𝑂

𝑄(𝒂𝒕𝟐𝟐,𝟐𝒂𝒕𝟐)
𝐿′

Directrix

2𝑎𝑡1 2𝑎𝑡2
EXPLANATION : 𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑆 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑄 ⇒ 𝑎𝑡21 ―𝑎
= 𝑎𝑡22 ― 𝑎
⇒ 𝒕𝟏. 𝒕𝟐 = ―𝟏

Property II : Tangents drawn at the extremeties of the focal chord of the parabola meet at right
angles on the directrix of the parabola.

Alternately : Pair of Tangents drawn to the curve of the parabola from any point on the directrix are
always mutually perpendicular to each other and their chord of contact always passes through the
focus of the parabola.
𝑥 = ―𝑎 𝑦

𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥
𝑃( 𝒂𝒕𝟐𝟏,𝟐𝒂𝒕𝟏 )
𝐿

𝑆(𝑎,0) 𝑥
𝑂

𝑄(𝒂𝒕𝟐𝟐,𝟐𝒂𝒕𝟐)
𝐿′

Directrix

Entrance Rankers : 9748-20-8982 | 704-409-8181 | entrance-rankers.in

Entrance Rankers Class Notes - Parabola RN
EXPLANATION : The point of intersection of the tangents drawn to the curve of the parabola
𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥 at 𝑡1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡2 is (𝑎𝑡1𝑡2 , 𝑎(𝑡1 + 𝑡2))
If the points 𝑡1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡2 serve as the extremeties of a focal chord, then 𝒕𝟏. 𝒕𝟐 = ―𝟏
Thus the locus of point of intersection of tangents drawn at the extremeties of the focal chord of the
parabola lies on 𝒙 = ―𝒂 which acts as the directrix of the parabola.
1 1 1 1
Also the slope of the tangents being 𝑡1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡2 , the product of the slopes = 𝑡1. 𝑡2 = ― 1

which shows that they meet at right angles on the directrix.

Property III : In the parabola 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝒂𝒙 , if a chord ( with extremeties at 𝒕𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝟐 ) subtends a right
angle at the vertex then 𝒕𝟏. 𝒕𝟐 = ―𝟒
EXPLANATION :

𝑥 = ―𝑎 𝑦
𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥
𝑃(𝒂𝒕𝟐𝟏,𝟐𝒂𝒕𝟏)

𝑆(𝑎,0) 𝑥
𝑂

𝑄(𝒂𝒕𝟐𝟐,𝟐𝒂𝒕𝟐)

Directrix
2 2
Slope of OP = 𝑡1 and slope of OQ = 𝑡2 Thus if the chord PQ subtends a right angle at vertex,

2 2
Then product of slopes of chords OP and OQ = 𝑡1. 𝑡2 = ―1 Hence 𝒕𝟏. 𝒕𝟐 = ―𝟒

From Property I & PropertyIII : A focal chord cannot subtend a right angle at the vertex and the
chord that subtends a right angle at the vertex cannot be a focal chord.( because ―𝟏 ≠ ―𝟒 )

Entrance Rankers : 9748-20-8982 | 704-409-8181 | entrance-rankers.in

Entrance Rankers Class Notes - Parabola RN
Property IV : Normal drawn at 𝒕𝟏 to the curve of the parabola 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝒂𝒙 , meets the curve again
𝟐
at 𝒕𝟐 iff 𝒕𝟐 = ― 𝒕𝟏 ― 𝒕𝟏

EXPLANATION :
𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 (𝑡1) : 𝒚 + 𝒙𝒕𝟏 = 𝟐𝒂𝒕𝟏 + 𝒂𝒕𝟑𝟏

(𝑎𝑡21,2𝑎𝑡1)

𝑥
𝑂
𝟐
𝒕 𝟐 = ― 𝒕 𝟏 ― 𝒕𝟏

(𝑎𝑡22,2𝑎𝑡2) 𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥

The normal at 𝑡1 passes through the point of 𝑡2 .

Hence (𝑎𝑡22,2𝑎𝑡2) lies on 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑡1 = 2𝑎𝑡1 +𝑎𝑡31

𝟐
⇒2𝑎𝑡2 +𝑎𝑡22𝑡1 = 2𝑎𝑡1 +𝑎𝑡31 ⇒ 𝒕𝟐 = ― 𝒕𝟏 ― 𝒕𝟏

Property V : The normals drawn at 𝒕𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝟐 , to the curve of the parabola 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟒𝒂𝒙 meet each other
on the curve of the parabola iff 𝒕𝟏. 𝒕𝟐 = 𝟐

EXPLANATION :
𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 (𝑡1)

𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 (𝑡2)

(𝑎𝑡21,2𝑎𝑡1)
(𝑎𝑡22,2𝑎𝑡2)
𝑥
𝑂

𝒕𝟏.𝒕𝟐 = 𝟐

(𝑎𝑡2,2𝑎𝑡) 𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥

Entrance Rankers : 9748-20-8982 | 704-409-8181 | entrance-rankers.in

Entrance Rankers Class Notes - Parabola RN
𝟐
If the normal at 𝑡1 passes through 𝑡, then 𝒕 = ― 𝒕𝟏 ― 𝒕𝟏

𝟐
And similarly if the normal at 𝑡2 passes through 𝑡, then 𝑡 = ― 𝒕𝟐 ― 𝒕𝟐

𝟐 𝟐
Hence ― 𝒕𝟏 ― 𝒕𝟏 = ― 𝒕𝟐 ― 𝒕𝟐 ⇒ 𝒕𝟏.𝒕𝟐 = 𝟐

Property VI : REFLECTION PROPERTY of Parabola :

𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑎𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑠 of Parabola

𝑦

𝑥
𝑂 (𝑎,0)

𝑦2 = 4𝑎𝑥

𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑠 of Parabola

If a ray of light parallel to the axis of the parabola is incident from within the parabola on its inner
surface, then the reflected ray passes through the focus of the parabola.

If a ray of light is incident through the focus of the parabola, then the reflected ray passes parallel
to the axis of the parabola.

Explanation : Prove it yourself !!

You can take a Normal to the parabola at the point of incidence.

Then measure tangent of the angle of incidence which shall be equal to the tangent of the angle of
reflection from the point of incidence.

Now obtain slope of the reflected ray and check whether it passes through the focus of the parabola.

SIGNIFICANCE : If the bulb of a headlight would be placed at the focus of the parabolic mirror,

Coherent source or unidirectional source of light can be achieved. This is the idea on which all
headlights are designed because EYES of any creature or camera systems follow the same
geometry… Got It!!

Entrance Rankers : 9748-20-8982 | 704-409-8181 | entrance-rankers.in