The locus of the mid point of the line segment joining the focus to a...
Let p(h,k) be the mid point of the line segment joining the focus (a,0) and a general point Q(x, y) on the parabola. Then,
⇒ x = 2h − a, y = 2k
Put these values of x and y in y2 = 4ax to get
4k2 = 4a(2h − a)
⇒ 4k2 = 8ah − 4a2
⇒ k2 = 2ah − a2
So, the locus of P(h, k) is y2 = 2ax − a2
Its directrix is x − a/2 = −a/2
⇒ x = 0.
The locus of the mid point of the line segment joining the focus to a...
Introduction:
The given equation is y^2 = 4ax, which represents a parabola with vertex at the origin and the focus at (a/4, 0). We need to find the locus of the midpoint of the line segment joining the focus to a moving point on the parabola.
Understanding the problem:
To solve this problem, we need to find the equation of the locus of the midpoint of the line segment joining the focus to a moving point on the parabola. We know that the midpoint of a line segment is the average of its endpoints.
Solution:
Let P(x, y) be a point on the parabola y^2 = 4ax. The coordinates of the focus F are (a/4, 0). The midpoint M of the line segment PF can be found by taking the average of the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates.
Step 1: Finding the x-coordinate of the midpoint:
The x-coordinate of the midpoint M is the average of the x-coordinates of P and F. Therefore, the x-coordinate of M is (x + a/4)/2 = (x + a/4)/2.
Step 2: Finding the y-coordinate of the midpoint:
The y-coordinate of the midpoint M is the average of the y-coordinates of P and F. Therefore, the y-coordinate of M is (y + 0)/2 = y/2.
Step 3: Writing the equation of the locus:
Now we have the coordinates of the midpoint M as (x + a/4)/2, y/2. To find the equation of the locus, we need to eliminate the parameter x.
Step 4: Eliminating the parameter x:
From the equation of the parabola, y^2 = 4ax, we can express x in terms of y as x = y^2/4a. Substituting this value of x in the expression for the x-coordinate of M, we get x = (y^2/4a + a/4)/2 = (y^2 + a)/8a.
Step 5: Simplifying the equation:
We have x = (y^2 + a)/8a and y/2 = (y^2 + a)/8a. Multiplying both sides of the equation y/2 = (y^2 + a)/8a by 8a, we get 4ay = y^2 + a. Rearranging the terms, we get y^2 - 4ay + a = 0.
Step 6: Comparing the equation with a standard parabola equation:
The equation y^2 - 4ay + a = 0 is in the form y^2 - 4ax = 0, which represents a parabola with vertex at the origin and directrix at x = a/2. Therefore, the locus of the midpoint of the line segment joining the focus to a moving point on the parabola y^2 = 4ax is another parabola with directrix x = a/2.
Conclusion:
The correct answer is option 'C', x = 0.
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