Let P be a variable point on the parabola y = 4x2 + 1. Then the locus ...
Explanation:
Given, the equation of parabola is y = 4x^2 - 1.
Let P be a variable point on the parabola and Q be the foot of the perpendicular drawn from P to the line y = x.
Let R be the mid-point of P and Q.
Let the coordinates of P be (a, 4a^2 - 1).
The slope of the line PQ is -1.
Therefore, the equation of PQ is y - (4a^2 - 1) = -1(x - a).
Simplifying the above equation, we get x + y = 4a^2.
The equation of the tangent to the parabola at P is y = 8ax - 4a^2 - 1.
The slope of the tangent at P is 8a.
Therefore, the slope of the normal at P is -1/8a.
The equation of the normal at P is y - (4a^2 - 1) = (-1/8a)(x - a).
Simplifying the above equation, we get x + 8ay = 32a^3 - 1.
The coordinates of Q can be found by solving the equations of PQ and the normal at P.
On solving, we get Q as (16a^3 - a, 16a^3 - 4a^2).
The coordinates of R, the mid-point of P and Q, can be found as ((a + 16a^3 - a)/2, (4a^2 - 1 + 16a^3 - 4a^2)/2).
Simplifying the above equation, we get R as (8a^3, 8a^3 - 1/2).
Eliminating a from the equations of x and y of R, we get the locus of R as:
2(3x - y)^2 * (x - 3y) = 0.
Therefore, the correct option is (c).
Let P be a variable point on the parabola y = 4x2 + 1. Then the locus ...