SECTION-I

OBJECTIVE
LEVEL-I

Multiple Choice Questions with Single Answer:

1. If the chord y = mx + c subtends a right angle at the vertex of the parabola y2 = 4ax, then the value
of c is
(a) – 4am (b) 4 am
(c) – 2am (d) 2 am

2. Two tangents are drawn from the point (– 2, – 1) to the parabola y2 = 4x. If  is the angle between
these tangents, then tan  
(a) 3 (b) 1/3
(c) 2 (d) 1/2.

3. The equation of the common tangent touching the circle (x – 3)2 + y2 = 9 and the parabola y2 = 4x
above the x–axis is
(a) 3 y = 3x + 1 (b) 3y   (x  3)
(c) y = x + 3 (d) y = (3x + 1)

4. If t is the parameter for one end of a focal chord of the parabola y2 = 4ax, then its length is
2 2
 1  1
(a) a  t   (b) a  t  
 t  t

 1  1
(c) a t   (d) a t  
 t  t

5. The condition that the two tangents to the parabola y2 = 4ax become normal to the circle
x2 + y2 – 2ax – 2by + c = 0 is given by
(a) a2 > 4b2 (b) b2 > 2a2
(c) a2 > 2b2 (d) b2 > 4a2

6. Minimum distance between the curve y2 = 4x and x2 + y2 - 12x + 31 = 0 is equal to

(a) 21 (b) 26  5

(c) 5 (d) 28  5

7. If (xr, yr); r = 1, 2, 3, 4 be the points of intersection of the parabola y2 = 4ax and the circle
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, then
 (a) y1 + y2 + y3 + y4 = 0 (b) y1 + y2 – y3 – y4 = 0
(c) y1 – y2 + y3 – y4 = 0 (d) y1 – y2 – y3 + y4 = 0

8. A circle described on any focal chord of the parabola, y2 = 4ax as its diameter will touch
(a) the axis of the parabola
(b) the directrix of the parabola
(c) the tangent drawn at the vertex of the parabola
(d) latus rectum

9. Minimum distance between the curves y2 = x – 1 and x2 = y – 1 is equal to

3 2 5 2
(a) (b)
4 4
7 1
(c) 2 (d) 2
4 4

10 PQ is any focal chord of the parabola y2 = 64x, the length of PQ can never be less than
(a) 16 units (b) 32 units
(c) 64 units (d) 96 units
 LEVEL-II
Multiple Choice Questions with more than one correct choice :

1. Equation of parabola having it’s focus at S (2, 0) and one extremity of it’s latus rectum as (2,2) is
(a) y2 = 4 (3 – x) (b) y2 = 4 (x – 1)
(c) y2 = 8 (3 – x) (d) y2 = 8 (3 – x)

2. Consider a circle with centre lying on the focus of the parabola y2 = 2Px such that it touches the
directrix of the parabola then the point of intersection of the circle and the parabola is
(a) (P/2, P) (b) (P/2, –P)
(c) (–P/2, P) (d) (–P/2, –P)

3. The locus of the foot of the perpendicular from the focus upon a tangent to the parabola y2 = 4ax
is
(a) the directrix (b) tangent the vertex
(c) x + a = 0 (d) none of these

4. A straight line touches the circle x2 + y2 = 2a2 and the parabola y2 = 8ax. The equation of the line
is
(a) y = x + 2a (b) y = –x –2a
(c) y = x – 2a (d) none of these

5. A square has one vertex at the vertex of the parabola y2 = 4ax and the diagonal through the vertex
lies along the axis of the parabola. If the ends of the other diagonal lie on the parabola, the coordi-
nate of the vertices of the square are
(a) (4 a, 4a) (b) (4a, – 4a)
(c) (0, 0) (d) (8a, 0)

6. The equation of parabola is given by y2 + 8x – 12y + 20 = 0 then

(a) vertex (2, 6) (b) focus (0, 6)
(c) latus rectum 4 (d) axis y = 6

7. The extrimity of the latus rectum of the parabola (y – 1)2 = 2(x + 2) are
 3 
(a)  , 2 (b) (–2, 1)
 2 
 3   3 
(c)   , 0  (d)   ,1
 2   2 

8. The normal to the parabola y2 = 4ax from the point (5a, 2a) are
(a) y = x – 3a (b) y = –2x + 12a
(c) y = –3x + 33a (d) y = x + 3a
9. The coordinates of an end-point of the latus rectum of the parabola (y – 1)2 = 2(x + 2) are
 3 
(a) ( 2, 1) (b)   , 1
 2 

 3   3 
(c)   , 2  (d)   , 0 
 2   2 

10. The slope of a tangent to the parabola y2 = 9x which passes through the point (4, 10) is
9 1
(a) (b)
4 4
3 1
(c) (d)
4 3
Multiple Choice Questions with Single Answer from other competitive exams:
1. From the point (–1, 2) tangent lines are drawn to the parabola y2 = 4x, then the equation of chord
of contact is
(a) y = x + 1 (b) y = x – 1
(c) y + x = 1 (d) none of these

2. The point on parabola 2y = x2, which is nearest to the point (0, 3) is

(a) (±4, 8) (b) (±1, 1/2)
(c) (±2, 2) (d) none of these

3. From the point (–1, –60) two tangents are drawn to the parabola y2 = 4x. Then the angle between
the two tangents is
(a) 30º (b) 45º
(c) 60º (d) 90º

4. The ends of the latus rectum of the conic x2 + 10x – 16y + 25 = 0 are
(a) (3, –4), (13, 4) (b) (–3, –4), (13, –4)
(c) (3, 4), (–13, 4) (d) (5, –8), (–5, 8)

5. If the line y = 2x + k is a tangent to the curve x2 = 4y then k is equal to

(a) 4 (b) 1/2
(c) –4 (d) –1/2

6. The number of parabolas that can be drawn if two ends of the latus rectum are given
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 4 (d) 3

7. The normal meet the parabola y2 = 4ax at that point where the abissiae of the point is equal to the
ordinate of the point is
(a) (6a, –9a) (b) (–9a, 6a)
(c) (–6a, 9a) (d) (9a, –6a)

8. If the normals at two points P and Q of a parabola y2 = 4ax intersect at a third point R on the curve,
then the product of ordinates of P and Q is
(a) 4a2 (b) 2a2
(c) –4a2 (d) 8a2

9. If PSQ is the focal chord of the parabola y2 = 8x such that SP = 6. Then the length SQ is
(a) 6 (b) 4
(c) 3 (d) none of these
2
10. If the normal to y = 12x at (3, 6) meets the parabola again in (27, –18) and the circle on the
normal chord as diameter is
(a) x2 + y2 + 30x + 12y – 27 = 0 (b) x2 + y2 + 30x + 12y + 27 = 0
(c) x2 + y2 – 30x – 12y – 27 = 0 (d) x2 + y2 – 30x + 12y – 27 = 0
11. The length of the normal chord to the parabola y2 = 4x, which subtends right angle at the vertex is
(a) 6 3 (b) 3 3
(c) 2 (d) 1

12. If x + y = k is a normal to the parabola y2 = 12x, then k is

(a) 3 (b) 9
(c) –9 (d) –3

13. The normal to the parabola y2 = 8x at the point (2, 4) meets the parabola again at the point
(a) {–18, –12} (b) {–18, 12}
(c) {18, 12} (d) (18, –12)

14. The locus of the middle points of the chords of the parabola y2 = 4ax which passes through the
origin
(a) y2 = ax (b) y2 = 2ax
(c) y2 = 4ax (d) x2 = 4ay

15. The point on the parabola y2 = 8x at which the normal is parallel to the line x – 2y + 5 = 0
(a) (–1/2, 2) (b) (1/2, –2)
(c) (2, –1/2) (d) (–2, 1/2)
 SECTION-II
SUBJECTIVE
LEVEL-I
1. Find the equation of the parabola whose axis is parallel to the y-axis and which passes through the
points (0, 4), (1, 9) and (–2, 6) and determine its latus rectum.

2*. The normals at the points (4a, – 4a), (9a, – 6a) of the parabola y2 = 4ax meet in P. Find the
equation of the third normals from P.

3. Find the coordinates of the middle point of the chord of the parabola y2 = 8x the equation of which
is 2x – 3y + 8 = 0.

4. Find the equation of the tangent to the parabola y2 = 12x which is parallel to the line y = x – 3, and
determine its point of contact.

5. Find the coordinates of the points in which the line 12x – 9y – 4 = 0 cuts the parabola 3y2 = 4x.
Show that the tangents at these points meet on the line 3x + 1 = 0.

6*. Show that the locus of the intersection of the tangents to the parabola y2 = 4ax at (at2, 2at),
(a/t2, 2a/t) is a straight line parallel to the y-axis.
7. Prove that the locus of the middle points of all chords of the parabola y2 = 4ax passing through the
vertex is the parabola y2 = 2ax.

8. Two equal parabola have the same vertex and their axes are at right angles. Prove that their tangent
touches each at the end of a latus rectum.

9. Find the condition that the line ax + by + c = 0 to touch the parabola y2 – 4y – 8x + 32 = 0.

10*. Tangents drawn to the parabola y2 = 4ax at the points P and Q intersect at T. If triangle TPQ is
equilateral then find the side length of this triangle.
 LEVEL-II

1. Find the shortest distance between the parabola, y2 = 4x and circle x2 + y2 – 24y + 128 = 0.

2. Two perpendicular lines y = mx, my = – x are drawn through the origin. Find the points, other than
the origin, where the lines cut the parabola y2 = 4ax.

3*. For the parabola y2 = 4ax, prove that the locus of the point of intersection of two tangents which
intercept a given distance 4C on the tangent at the vertex is again a parabola.

4. The curves y2 = 4x, x2 = 4y cut in two points. Find the angles between the tangents at each point
of intersection.

5. Prove that if a chord of the parabola y2 = 4ax subtend a right angle at the vertex, the tangents at its
extremities meet on the line x + 4a = 0.

6. Prove that the locus of the middle points of chords of a parabola passing through a fixed point is
a parabola whose latus rectum is half that of the given parabola.

7*. Three normals are drawn from the points (14, 7) to the curve y2 – 16x - 8y = 0 find the coordi-
nates of the feet of the normals.

8. Prove that the chord of the parabola y2 = 4ax which is normals at the point whose abscissa is 2a
subtends a right angle at the vertex.

9*. The abscissae of any two points on the parabola y2 = 4ax are in the ratio  : 1. Prove that the locus
of the point of intersection of tangents at these points is y2 = (  1/4 +  –1/4 )2 ax.

10. Prove that the normal at (am2, – 2am) to the parabola y2 = 4ax intersects the parabola again at an
m
angle tan–1 .
2
 SECTION-III-A
Matrix–Match Type p q r s
This section contains 2questions. Each question contains statements A p q r s
given in two column which have to be matched. Statements (A, B, C, D)
in Column I have to be matched with statements (p, q, r, s) in Column II. B p q r s
The answers to these questions have to be appropriately bubbles
C p q r s
as illustrated in the following example.
If the correct matches are A–p, A–s, B–q, B–r, C–p, C–q and D–s, p q r s
D
then the correctly bubbled 4 × 4 matrix should be as follows :

1. Column-I Column-II
(A) Length of the latus rectum of (p) 3/2
2y2 = 3x
(B) Axis of y = 3x2 + 2x (q) y2 = 4x
(C) The points (2, 1), (1, 6) are conjugate (r) 10
with respect to parabola
(D) The focal distance of the point (s) 3x + 1
(9, 6) on the parabola y2 = 4x is

2. Column-I Column-II
(A) Vertex of the parabola (p) (1, 4)
y2 - x + 4y + 5 = 0
(B) Focus of the parabola (q) (1, -2)
2x2 - 2x - 8y + 17 = 0
(C) The directrix of the parabola (r) 2y - 13 = 0
x2 + 4x + 2y - 8 = 0
(D) Normal at (1, 1) to y2 = x is (s) 2x + y - 3 = 0
 SECTION-III-B
Linked Comprehension Type
This section contains 3 paragraphs. Based upon each paragraph, 3 multiple choice questions have to be
answered. Each question has 4 choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) out of which ONLY ONE is correct.
I. The locus of a moving point P such that its dis- Y P(x,y)
tance from a fixed points S called focus bears a M
constant ratio ‘e’ to its distance from a fixed line L
K
M2 called directrix is called conic section. The x = -a
ratio ‘e’ is the eccentricity. z A S(a, 0) Axis y = 0
X
i.e., PS = e. PM (0, 0) (a, -2a)
L’
Equation of a parabola in standard form y2 = 4ax. 2
y = 4ax

1. A square has one vertex at the vertex of the parabola y2 = 4ax, and the diagonal through the vertex
lies along the axis of the parabola. If the ends of the other diagonal lie on the parabola, the
co-ordinates of the vertices of the square are:
(A) (4a, 4a) (B) (4a, - 4a)
(C) (0, 0) (D) (8a, 0)

2. The co-ordinates of a point on the parabola y2 = 8x whose focal distance is 4 is

(A) (2, 4) (B) (4, 2)
(C) (2, -4) (D) (4, -2)

3. Co-ordinate of the focus of the parabola x2 - 4x - 8y - 4 = 0 are

(A) (0, 2) (B) (2, 1)
 71 
(C)  3,  (D) none of these
 10 
 y1
II. The equation of the normal to the parabola y2 = 4ax at a point (x1 , y1) is (y - y1) = (x - x1).
2a
The equation of the normal to the parabola y2 = 4ax at (at2, 2at) is y = tx = 2at + at3.
The equation of normal of slope m to the parabola y2 = 4ax is y = mx - 2am - am3 at the point
(am2, - 2am).
4. The equations of the normals at the ends of the latus rectum of the parabola y2 = 49x is
(A) x - y - 3a = 0 (B) x + 3y - 3a = 0
(C) x + y + 3a = 0 (D) none of these

5. If the normal at a point P (at2, 2at) to the parabola y2 = 4ax subtends a right angle at the vertex of
the parabola then t2 is equal to
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D)
6. If the normals at two points P and Q of a parabola y2 = 4ax intersect at a third point R on the
curve, then the product of the ordinates of P and Q is
(A) 9a2 (B) 10a2
2
(C) 8a (D) none of these
 SECTION-III-C
(Assertion – Reason Type)
Each question contains STATEMENT – 1 (Assertion) and STATEMENT – 2 (Reason). Each question has
4 choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) out of which ONLY ONE is correct.

Instructions:
(A) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for
Statement-1
(B) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement–2 NOT a correct explanation for
Statement-1.
(C) Statement–1 is True, Statement–2 is False
(D) Statement –1 is False, statement–2 is True.
1 9
10. Statement-1 : Slope of tangents drawn from (4, 10) to parabola y2 = 9x are , .
4 4
Statement-2 : Every parabola is symmetric about its directrix.
(A) A (B) B
(C) C (D) D

11. Statement-1 : If x + y = k is a normal to the parabola y2 = 12x, then k is 9.

Statement-2 : Equation of normal to the parabola y2 = 4ax is y – mx + 2am + am3 = 0
(A) A (B) B
(C) C (D) D
1 
12. Statement-1 : The normals at the point (4, 4) and  ,  1 of the parabola y2 = 4x are
4 
perpendicular.
Statement-2 : The tangents to the parabola at the and of a focal chord are perpendicular.
(A) A (B) B
(C) C (D) D
13. Statement-1: The equation of the common tangent to the parabolas is x + y + a = 0
Statement-2: Both the parabolas are reflected to each other about the line y = x.
(A) A (B) B
(C) C (D) D
 PROBLEMS
OBJECTIVE
1. Consider a circle with its centre lying on the focus of the parabola y2 = 2px such that it touches the
directrix of the parabola. Then a point of intersection of the circle and parabola is
p  p   p p 
(A)  , p  or  ,p (B)  , 
2  2  2 2 
 p   p p
(C)   , p  (D)   ,  
 2   2 2
2. The curve described parametrically by x = t2 + t + 1, y = t2 –t + 1 represents
(A) a pair of straight lines (B) an ellipse
(C) a parabola (D) a hyperbola
2
3. If x + y = k is normal to y = 12 x, then k is
(A) 3 (B) 9 (C) –9 (D) –3
2
4. If the line x – 1 = 0 is the directrix of the parabola y – kx + 8 = 0, then one of the values of k is
(A) 1/8 (B) 8 (C) 4 (D) 1/4
5. The equation of the common tangent touching the circle (x – 3) + y = 9 and the parabola y2 = 4x
2 2

above the x–axis is

(A) 3y  3x  1 (B) 3 y = –(x + 3) (C) 3y= x+ 3 (D) 3 y = –(3x + 1)

6. The equation of the directrix of the parabola y2 + 4y + 4x + 2 = 0 is

(A) x = –1 (B) x = 1 (C) x = –3/2 (D) x = 3/2

7. The locus of the mid–point of the line segment joining the focus to a moving point on the parabola
y2 = 4ax is another parabola with directrix
(A) x = –a (B) x = –a/2 (C) x = 0 (D) x = a/2

8. The focal cord to y2 = 16x is tangent to (x – 6)2 + y2 = 2, then the possible values of the slope of this
chord, are
(A) {–1, 1} (B) {–2, 2} (C) {–2, 1/2} (D) {2, –1/2}

9. The angle between the tangents drawn from the point (1, 4) to the parabola y2 = 4x is
(A) /6 (B) /4 (C) /3 (D) /2

10. Tangent to the curve y = x2 + 6 at a point (1, 7) touches the circle x2 + y2 + 16x + 12y + c = 0 at
a point Q. Then the coordinates of Q are
(A) (–6, –11) (B) (–9, –13) (C) (–10, –15) (D) (–6, –7)

11 The axis of a parabola is along the line y = x and the distances of its vertex and focus from origin are
2 and 2 2 respectively. If vertex and focus both lie in the first quadrant, then the equation of
the parabola is
(A) (x – y)2 = 8(x + y – 2) (B) (x + y)2 = 2 (x + y – 2)
(C) (x – y)2 = 4 (x + y – 2) (D) (x + y)2 = 2(x – y + 2)
 SUBJECTIVE

1. Suppose that the normals drawn at three different points on the parabola y2 = 4x pass through the
point (h, k). Show that h > 2.

2. A is a point on the parabola y2 = 4ax. The normal at A cuts the parabola again at point B. If AB
subtends a right angle at the vertex of the parabola. Find the slope of AB.

3. Find the equation of the normal to the curve x2 = 4y which passes through the point (1, 2).

4. Three normals are drawn from the point (c, 0) to the curve y2 = x. Show that c must be greater than
1/2. One normal is always the x–axis. Find c for which the other two normals are perpendicular to
each other.

5. Through the vertex O of parabola y2 = 4x, chords OP and OQ are drawn at right angles to one
another. Show that for all positions of P, PQ cuts the axis of the parabola at a fixed point. Also find
the locus of the middle point of PQ.

6. Show that the locus of a point that divides a chord of slope 2 of the parabola y2 = 4x internally
in the ratio 1 : 2 is a parabola. Find the vertex of this parabola.

7. Points A, B and C lie on the parabola y2 = 4ax. The tangents to the parabola at A, B and C, taken
in pairs, intersect at points P, Q and R. Determine the ratio of the areas of the triangles ABC and
PQR.

a2
8. From a point A common tangents are drawn to the circle x2 + y2 = and parabola y2 = 4ax. Find
2
the area of the quadrilateral formed by the common tangents, the chord of contact of the circle and
the chord of contact of the parabola.

9. Let C1 and C2 be respectively, the parabolas x2 = y – 1 and y2 = x – 1. Let P be any point on C1

and Q be any point on C2. Let P1 and Q1 be the reflections of P and Q respectively, with respect
to the line y = x. Prove that P1 lies on C2, Q1 lies on C1 and PQ > min {PP1, QQ1}. Hence or
otherwise, determine points P0 and Q0 on the parabolas C1 and C2 respectively such that P0Q0 
PQ for all pairs of points (P, Q) with P on C1 and Q on C2.

10. Normals are drawn from the point P with slopes m1, m2, m3 to the parabola y2 = 4x. If locus of P
with m1m2 =  is a part of the parabola itself, then find .

11. Tangent is drawn to parabola y2 – 2y – 4x + 5 = 0 at a point P which cuts the directrix at the point
Q. A point R is such that it divides QP externally in the ratio 1/2 : 1. Find the locus of point R.
 ANSWERS
SECTION-I
LEVEL-I
1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (d) 6. (c)
7. (a) 8. (b) 9. (a) 10. (c)
LEVEL-II
1. (A B) 2. (A B) 3. (A C) 4. (A B) 5. (A B C D) 6. (A B D)
7. (A C) 8. (A B) 9. (C D) 10. (A B)
Multiple Choice Questions with Single Answer from other competitive exams:
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (b)
7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (b)
13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (b)

SECTION-II
LEVEL-I
1. y = 2x2 + 3x + 4, LR = 2 unit

2. 5x + y = 135a

3. (5, 4)

4. y = x + 3, (3, 6)

1 1  4 4
5.  ,  ,  , 
 12 3   3 3 

9. 4b2 = 7a2 + 2a (c + 2b)

10. 4a 3 unit
LEVEL-II

1. ( 4 5  4) unit
 4a 4 a  2
2.  2, , (4am ,  4am)
 m m 
  3
4. , tan 1  
2 4
7. (0, 0), (8, 16), (3, –4)

SECTION-III-A

1. (A-p), (B-s), (C-q), (D-r) 2. (A-q), (B-p), (C-r), (D-s)

SECTION-III-B

1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (B) 5. (B) 6. (C)

SECTION-III-C
1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (A) 4. (B)

PROBLEMS
OBJECTIVE

1. (A) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (C) 6. (D)

7. (C) 8. (A) 9. (C) 10. (D) 11. (A)

SUBJECTIVE
3
1. m =  2 3. x + y = 3 4. c = 5. y2 = 2 (x – 4)
4

2 8 15a 2
6.  ,  7. 2 : 1 8. 10.  =2
9 9 4

11. (x – 1) (y – 1)2 + 4 = 0