find the coordinates of the point A(t), 0<t<1 on the parabola y^2=4ax such that the area of triangle ABC (where C is the focus and B is the point of intersection of tangents at A and vertex) is maximum.
Dear Student,
Vertex of parabola is (0 , 0)
Focus of parabola is (a , 0)
Co-ordinates of A are (at2 , 2at)
Co-ordinates of C are (a , 0)
Tangent at A is given by:
yt = x + at2
Also tangent at vertex is the y - axis i.e. x = 0
For Co-ordinate of B put x = 0 in equation of tangent,
yt = 0 + at2
y = at
Co-ordinates of B are (0 , at)
Area of triangle ABC = (With co-ordinates of Vertices given)
A =
A = [(0-a2t) + (2at.a - 0) + (at2.at - 0)]
A = [ -at2 + 2a2t + a2t3 ]
For A to be maximum: = 0
= [ -2at + 2a2 + 3a2t2]
[ 3a2t2 - 2at + 2a2 ] = 0
3at2 - 2t + 2a = 0
t =
=
=
Therefore,
2at =
at2 = a
Hence Co-ordinates of A are (a , )
Regards
Vertex of parabola is (0 , 0)
Focus of parabola is (a , 0)
Co-ordinates of A are (at2 , 2at)
Co-ordinates of C are (a , 0)
Tangent at A is given by:
yt = x + at2
Also tangent at vertex is the y - axis i.e. x = 0
For Co-ordinate of B put x = 0 in equation of tangent,
yt = 0 + at2
y = at
Co-ordinates of B are (0 , at)
Area of triangle ABC = (With co-ordinates of Vertices given)
A =
A = [(0-a2t) + (2at.a - 0) + (at2.at - 0)]
A = [ -at2 + 2a2t + a2t3 ]
For A to be maximum: = 0
= [ -2at + 2a2 + 3a2t2]
[ 3a2t2 - 2at + 2a2 ] = 0
3at2 - 2t + 2a = 0
t =
=
=
Therefore,
2at =
at2 = a
Hence Co-ordinates of A are (a , )
Regards