Parabola

Introduction of conic

a. Conic section definition,Recognition of conics

General equation of conic is ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c=0 and

a h g 
 
Δ =  h b f  =abc + 2fgh – af2 – bg2 – ch2.
g f c 
 
If Δ=0, h2 > ab                                            e→∞     ⇒ Real & distinct pair of straight lines,
intersecting at S.
If Δ=0, h2 = ab                                            e→∞     ⇒ Coincident pair of straight lines.
If Δ=0, h2 < ab                                            e→∞     ⇒ Imaginary pair of straight lines.
If Δ ≠  0, h = 0, a = b                                 e=0        ⇒ A circle
If Δ ≠  0, h2 = ab                                        e=1        ⇒ A Parabola
If Δ ≠  0, h2 < ab (if h=0 then a≠ b) 0<e<1   ⇒ A Ellipse
If Δ ≠  0, h2 > ab                                        e>1        ⇒ A Hyperbola
If Δ ≠  0, h2 > ab, a+b=0                         e= 2   ⇒ A Rectangular Hyperbola

b. Equation of conic with given focus ,directrix and eccentricity

The general equation of a conic with focus (α, β) & directrix lx + my + n = 0 and
eccentricity ‘e’ is:
PS ⎛ lx+my+n ⎞⎟
=e ⇒ (x−α) 2 + (y−β) 2 = e ⎜⎜⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
PM l2 +m2
⎟
⎝ ⎠
⎛ lx+my+n ⎞⎟ 2
or  (x−α)2 + (y−β)2 = e2 ⎜⎜⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
2 2 ⎟
⎝ l +m ⎠
This simplifies to-   ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c=0
c. How to find centre of conic

⎛ hf−bg gh−af ⎞⎟
The centre of conic f(x, y) = ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c is given as  ⎜⎜⎜ 2
, ⎟⎟ .
⎝ ab−h ab−h2 ⎠

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 Fundamentals of Parabola

a. Definition & Term related to parabola

b. Standard equation of parabola

 Equation of parabola is y2=4ax

♦  vertex = (0,0)                             
                ♦  focus = (a,0)

♦  directrix ⇒ x = - a                     
                ♦  axis = x-axis ⇒ y = 0

♦  Length of latus rectum = 4a 

                 ♦  focal distance (SP)
=a+x

♦  Tangent at vertex = y-axis ⇒ x = 0

c. Other form of parabola and terms related to them

Equation of y2=4ax y2=-4ax x2=4ay x2=-4ay

Parabola
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Eccentricity more
e=1 e=1 e=1
+919920265265 e=1
 Focus S(a,0) S(-a,0) S(0,a) S(0,-a)
Equation of x+a=0 x-a=0 y+a=0 y-a=0
directrix
Equation of y=0 y=0 x=0 x=0
axis
Vertex O(0,0) O(0,0) O(0,0) O(0,0)
Extremities of (a,± 2a) (-a,± 2a) (± 2a,a) (± 2a,-a)
latus rectum

Length of 4a 4a 4a 4a
Latus rectum
Equation of x=0 x=0 y=0 y=0
tangent at
vertex
Parametric P(at2,2at) P(-at2,2at) P(2at, at2) P(2at, -at2)
Coordinates
d. Parabola with vertex at (h,k) and axis parallel to coordinate axes

Equation of Vertex Axis Focus Directrix Parametric form

parabola
(y-k)2=4a(x-h) (h, k) y=k (h+a, k) x=h-a (h+at2,k+2at)
(x-h)2=4a(y-k) (h, k) x=h (h, a+k) y=k-a (h+2at, k+at2)
1
1. For the parabola y=Ax2+Bx+C, the length of latus rectum is    and axis is
A 
parallel to y-axis. If A is positive then it is concave up parabola, if A is negative then
it is concave down parabola.
1
2. For the parabola x=Ay2+By+C, the length of latus rectum is     and axis is
A 
parallel to x-axis. If A is positive then it is opening right & if A is negative then it is
opening left parabola.

e. Parabola referred to perpendicular lines

 If ax+by+c=0 is axis of parabola & bx-ay+d=0 is its tangent at vertex and 4a is length of
latus rectum, then two parabolas are possible whose equations are:
⎛⎜ ax+by+c ⎞⎟ 2
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 4a  bx−ay+d 
2 2 ⎟
 a2 +b2 
⎜
⎝ a +b ⎠

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 Chord of Parabola

a. Equation of chord of parabola

The equation of chord joining points P (at12, 2at1) and Q (at22, 2at2) is 
⎛⎜ t1 +t2 ⎞⎟
y ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = x+at t
12
⎝ 2 ⎠
b. Focal Chord

1. A chord joining points P(at12,2at1) and Q(at22,2at2) passes through focus (a,0), then
1
t1t2  = -1. i.e. if PQ is a focal chord  t2 = − .
t1
2. If one extremity of a focal chord is (at2, 2at) then the other extremity will be
⎛⎜ a 2a ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ,− ⎟.
2 t ⎟⎠
⎝t
⎛ 1 ⎞⎟ 2
3. The length of the focal chord having parameters t & -1/t is a ⎜⎜ t+ ⎟ .
⎝ t ⎠
4. If l1 and l2 are the lengths of segments of a focal chord of a parabola, then its latus
4l1 l2
rectum is  .
l1 +l2

Position of a Point w.r.t Parabola

a. Position of a Point w.r.t Parabola

If S(x, y) be a parabola & P(x1, y1) be a point. Then

Step I: Make the coefficient of x2 and y2 non-negative.
Step II: Calculate S(x1, y1).
If S(x1, y1) >0 ⇒Point P lies outside the parabola.
If S(x1, y1) <0 ⇒Point P lies inside the parabola.
If S(x1, y1) =0 ⇒Point P lies on the parabola.

Intersection of line and Parabola

a. Intersection of line and parabola,Condition of tangency

Let the parabola be y2=4ax & the given line be y=mx+c.

a

If  c < ,  then the line intersects the parabola at two distinct points.
m
a
If c= ,   then line touches the parabola (It is the condition of tangency).
m
a
If c> ,  then line neither touch nor intersect the parabola.
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m +919920265265
 Tangent to a Parabola

a. Slope form of Tangent & Point of Tangency

1. 
Equation of Point of contact in Equation of Condition of
parabola terms of slope (m) tangent in terms tangency
of slope (m)
y2  = 4ax ⎛⎜ a 2a ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ , ⎟ y= mx+
a
c=
a
2 m ⎟ m m
⎝ m ⎠
y2  = -4ax ⎛⎜ a
⎜⎜ − ,−
2a ⎞⎟
⎟⎟ y= mx−
a
c= −
a
2 m m m
⎝ m ⎠
x2  = 4ay (2am ,am2) y = mx-am2 c= -am2
x2  = -4ay (-2am ,-am2) y = mx+am2 c= am2
a
2.   (y−k) = m(x−h)+  is tangent to the parabola (y-k)2=4a(x-h)
m

b. Point form & Parametric form of tangent (parabola)

1.
Equation of Parabola Tangent at (x1,y1)
y2 = 4ax yy1  =  2a (x+x1)
y2 = - 4ax  yy1 =   -2a (x+x1)
x2  = 4ay  xx1  =    2a (y+y1)
x2  = -4ay xx1 =  -2a(y+y1)

2. The equation of tangent at (x1 ,y1) can also be obtained by replacing x2 by xx1, y2 by
x+x1 y+y1 xy1 +yx1
yy1 ,  x by    , y by    and xy by  and without changing the constant
2 2 2
(if any ) in the equation of curve .

3. 
Equation of parabola Parametric Coordinates Tangent at P(t)

y2  = 4ax (at2,2at) ty=x+at2

y2  = -4ax (-at2,2at) ty=-x+at2
x2  = 4ay (2at,at2) tx=y+at2
x2  = -4ay (2at,-at2) tx=-y+at2

c. Intersection point of Tangents, Director Circle

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 2at1 +2at2
1. The arithmetic mean of the y coordinate of P and Q = a(t1 +t2 )   is the y-
2
coordinate of the point of intersection of tangents at P and Q on the parabola.
2. The Geometric mean of the x coordinate of P and Q ( at12 ×at22 = at1t2 ) is the x-
coordinate of the point of intersection of tangents at P and Q on the parabola.  
3. Director Circle: The locus of a point from which two perpendicular tangents can
be drawn at parabola is known as the director circle. In the case of parabola
perpendicular tangents intersect at directrix hence directrix is the Director circle
for parabola.
So director circle for parabola y2=4ax is x+a=0.

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 Normal to a Parabola

a. Slope form of Normal to Parabola

Equation of Point of contact in Equation of normals Condition of

parabolas terms of slope (m) in terms of slope normality
(m)
y2=4ax 2
(am ,-2am) y=mx-2am-am3 c=-2am-am3
x2=4ay ⎛⎜ 2a a
⎜⎜ − , 2
⎞⎟
⎟⎟ y= mx+2a+
a
c= 2a+
a
2
⎝ m m ⎠ m m2

b. Point form ,Parametric form of Normal to Parabola

y1
1. The normal of the parabola y2=4ax  at (x1,y1) is y−y1 = − (x−x1 )
2a
2.  Put (x1,y1)= (at2,2at), The normal of the parabola y2=4ax  at (at2,2at) is y=-
tx+2at+at3
Equation of Parabola Parametric Coordinate Equation of Normal
          y2 = 4ax         (at2, 2at)     y + tx = 2at + at3
          y2 = - 4ax         (-at2, 2at)     y - tx = 2at + at3
          x2 = 4ay         (2at, at2)     x + ty = 2at + at3
          x2 = - 4ay         (2at, -at2)     x - ty = 2at + at3
c. Normal Intersecting on the Parabola

2
1. If normal at t1 meets the parabola again at t2  ⇒ t2 = −t1 −
t1
2. If normal at point P(t1) & Q(t2) on parabola cut each other at parabola at point R(t3)
then t1+t2=-t3 & t1t2=2
d. Point of Intersection and other Properties

If the points P(at12,2at1) and Q(at22,2at2) lie on the parabola y2=4ax. The point of
intersection of the normal at P(at12,2at1) and Q(at22,2at2) is R=(2a+a(t12+t22+t1t2),-
at1t2(t1 + t2 ))
e. Number of normals

Number of Normals to the parabola:

Let y2=4ax be given parabola and P (h,k) be a given point. Then

1. If 27ak2<4(h-2a)3 is satisfied then 3 real & distinct normal are drawn, otherwise
one normal will be drawn from a given point.

2. If 27ak2= 4(h-2a)3 and (h,k) is any point other than (2a,0) then 3 real normals will
be formed, two of which will be coincident.

3.  If (h,k) is (2a,0) then three real normal will be formed and all will be coincident.
2 3

4. If 27ak > 4(h-2a)

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is satisfied then only one real normal can be drawn.
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 5.  If the point (h,0) and h>2a, then one of the normal is the axis of the parabola and
the other two are equally inclined to the axis of the parabola.
f. Conormal Points and their properties

1. The algebraic sum of the slopes of three concurrent normals is 0.

2. The algebraic sum of ordinates of the feet of three normal drawn to a parabola
from a given point is 0.

3. If three normal are drawn to any parabola y2=4ax from a given point (h,k) are
real then h>2a.

4. The centroid of the triangle formed by the feet of the three normal lies on the axis
of the parabola.
5. Circle passing through three conormal points A, B, and C also pass through the
vertex of the parabola.

g. Length of Tangent, Subtangent, Normal, Subnormal to Parabola

1. length of tangent = PT = ycosec Ψ                             2. length of normal = PG = ysec Ψ

3. length of sub-tangent = NT = ycot Ψ                        4. length
of sub-normal = NG = ytan Ψ

Where Ψ is the angle that tangent makes with the x-axis.

h. Reflection Property of Parabola

If M is foot of perpendicular from any point P on parabola to directrix and S is

focus of parabola:
1. Tangent and normal at any point P bisect the
angle between PS and PM internally & externally.

2. Ray parallel to axis meet parabola at P and after

reflection from P it passes through the focus.

3. Ray emanating from focus after reflection from P

becomes parallel to the axis of the parabola.

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 Equation of Chord of Contact to a Parabola

a. Equation of chord of contact to a parabola T= 0

1.  The equation of chord of contact for a parabola is given as T=0.

y12 +4a2 y12 −4ax1
2. Length of chord of contact from P(x1,y1) on y2=4ax is 
a
3.  Area of ΔPAB formed by the pair of tangent and their chord of contact is 
2 3/2 3/2
( y1 −4ax1) (S1)
=
2a 2a

Equation of Chord of Parabola with given Midpoint

a. Equation of Chord of Parabola with given Midpoint

Equation of the parabola is y2=4ax and AB be a chord of the parabola whose middle
point is P(x1,y1). Then equation of chord is T=S1

Pair of Tangents to the Parabola

a. Pair of tangents equation

The equation of pair of tangent drawn from an outside point P(x1,y1) to

parabola y2=4ax is SS1=T2.

Diameter of Parabola

a. Diameter of Parabola

2a
1. The equation of diameter of parabola y2=4ax is  y=
m
2. A diameter of a parabola is parallel to its axis.

Pole and Polar of Parabola

a. Pole and Polar of Parabola

1. Equation of polar of the point P(x1,y1) w.r.t. parabola y2= 4ax is, yy1=2a(x+x1)
⎛n 2am ⎟⎞

2. The pole of the line lx+my+n=0 w.r.t. the parabola y2= 4ax is ⎜⎜ ,− ⎟.
⎝ l l ⎠

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 Some standard properties of parabola

a. Standard properties

1. Circle described on the focal length as diameter touches the tangent at vertex.
2. Circle described on the focal chord as diameter touches directrix.
3. The tangent at the extremities of a focal chord intersects at right angles on the
directrix.
4. The portion of tangent to the parabola intercepted between the directrix & the curve
subtends a right angle at the focus.
5. The foot of perpendicular from the focus on any tangent to a parabola lies on the
tangent at vertex. i.e. the locus of foot of perpendicular drawn from focus upon a
variable tangent is the tangent drawn to the parabola at its vertex.
6. Tangents & Normals at the extremities of the latus rectum of a parabola y2=4ax
constitute a square, their points of intersection being (-a, 0) & (3a,0).
7. The circle circumscribing the triangle formed by any three tangents to a parabola
passes through the focus.

8. The orthocentre of any triangle formed by three tangents to a parabola y2=4ax lies
on the directrix & has coordinates (-a, a (t1+t2+t3+t1t2t3))

9. The area of the triangle formed by three points on a parabola is twice the area of the
triangle formed by the tangents at these points.
10. Semi latus rectum of the parabola y2=4ax, is the harmonic mean between
2bc 1 1 1
segments of any focal chord of the parabola. 2a = ⇒ + =
b+c b c a
11. If the tangent &normal to any point ‘P’ of the parabola intersect the axis at T&G then
ST =SG=SP where ‘S’ is the focus .

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