Straight Line

A ( x1, y1 ) and B ( x 2 ,y 2 )
1. Distance Formula The distance between the points is
( x1 − x 2 ) + ( y1 − y 2 )
2 2

A ( x1,y1 ) and B ( x 2 y 2 )
2. Section Formula If P (x,y) divides the line joining in the ratio m:n, then:

mx 2nx1 my 2 + ny1 m m
x= ;y =
m+n m + n If n is positive, the divisions is internal, but if n is negative, the division
external.
A ( x1, y1 ) , B ( x 2 ,y 2 ) ,C ( x3 , y3 )
3. Centroid and Incentre: If are the vertices of traiangle ABC, whose sides BC,
CA, AB are of lengths a,b,c respectively, thent he coordinates of the centroid are :
 x1 + x 2 + x 3 y1 + y 2 + y 3   ax1 + bx 2 + cx 3 ay1 + by 2 + cy 3 
 ,   , 
 3 3  and the coordinates of the incentre are  a+b+c a+b+c 
Note that incentre divides the angle bisectors in the ratio (b+c) : a; (c+a):b and (a+b):c
Note:
(i) Orthocentre, Centroid and circumcentre are always collinear and centroid divides the line joining
orthocentre and cercumcentre in the ratio 2:1
(ii) In an isosceles triangle G,O,I and C lie on the same line.

4. Slope Formula: If θ is the angle at whihc a straight line is inclined to the positive direction of x-axism and
θ0 ≤ θ < 1800 , θ ≠ 900
, then the slope of the line, denoted by m, is defined by m = tan θ . If θ is 90 ,m does
0

not exist, but the line is parallel to the y-axis.

A ( x1,y1 ) and B ( x 2 ,y 2 ) ,x1 ≠ x 2
If θ = 0 , then m=0 and the line is parallel to the x-axis. If , are points on a
straight line, then the slope m of the line is given by
 y − y2 
m= 1 
 x1 − x 2  .

5. Condition of Collinearity of Three Points (Slope Form Point A 1 1

( x ,y ) B ( x 2 , y 2 ) ,C ( x3 ,y 3 ) are collinear if

6. Equation of a Straight Line in Various Forms

(i) Slope-intercept form y - mx + c is the equation of a straight line whose slope is m and which makes an
intercept c on the y-axis.
y − y1 = m ( x − x1 )
(ii) Slope one point form is the equation of a straight line whose slope is m and which
passes through the point
( x1,y1 )
(iii) Parametric form The equation of the line in parametric form is given by
x − x1 y − y1
= =r
cos θ sin θ ( x ,y )
(say). Where ‘r’ is the distance of any point (x,y) on the line from the fixed point 1 1
( x ,y )
on the line. r is positive if the point (x,y) is on the right of 1 1 and negative if (x,y) lies on the left of
( x1,y1 )
y 2 − y1
y − y1 = ( x − x1 )
x 2 − x1
(iv) Two point form is the equation of a straight line which passes through the points
( x1,y1 ) and ( x 2 ,y 2 )
x y
+
(v) Intercept form a b =1 is the equation of a straight line whihc makes intercepts a and b on OX and OY
Respectively.

x cos α + y sin α = p
(vi) Perpendicular form is the equation of the straight line where the length of the
perpendicular from the origin O on the line is p and this perpendicular makes angle α with positive side
of x-axis

ax + by + c = 0
(vii) General form is the equation of a striaght line in the general form.
 (x y )
7. Position of the point 1 1 Relative to the Line
ax + by + c = 0
If
ax1 + by1 + c
is the same sign as c, then
the point
( x1,y1 )
lie on the origin side of
ax + by + c = 0,
But if the sign of
ax1 + by1 + c
is opposite to that of
c, the point
( x1,y1 )
will lie ont he non-origin side of
ax + by + c = 0

8. The Ratio in which a Given line Divides the line segment Joining Two points Let the given line
ax + by + c = 0 A ( x1,y1 ) B ( x2 , y2 )
divide the line segment joining and in the ratio m:n, then
m ax1 + by1 + c
=
n ax 2 + by 2 + c
P ( x1,y1 )
9. Length of perpendicular from a point on a line The length of perpendicular from P on
ax1 + by1 + c
ax + by + c = 0 is
a2 + b2
m and m2
10. Angle between Two straight Line in Terms of their slopes If 1 are the slopes of two intersecting
straight lines
( m1m2 ≠ −1)
and θ is the acute angle between them then
m − m2
tan θ = 1
1 + m1m2

m1,m2 ,m3 L = 0; L 2 = 0, L3 = 0 m > m2 > m3

Note Let are the slopes of three lines 1 where 1 then the interior
anlges of the ∆ABC found by these lines are given by,
m1 − m2 m − m3 m − m1
tan A = ; tan B = 2 and tanC 3
1 + m1m2 1 + m2 m3 1 + m3m1

11. (i) The distance between two parallel lines wiht equations
c − c2
ax + by + c1 = 0 and ax + by + c 2 = 0 is 1
a2 + b2 .
Note that the coefficients of x and y in both the equations must be same.
p1p2
(ii) The area of the parallelogram = sin θ , where p1 and p2 are distance between two pairs of opposite sides
and θ is the angle between any two adjacent sides. Note that area of the parallelogram bounded by the
lines
y = m1x + c1y = m1x + c 2
y = m2 x + d1y = m2 x + d2
and y = is given by
( c1 − c 2 ) ( d1 − d2 )
m2 − m2

12. Perpendicular lines

m and m2 m m = −1
(i) When two lines of slopes 1 are at right angles, the product of their slopes is -1, ie, 1 2
Thus, any line perpendicular to ax+by+c=0 is of the form bx-ay+k=0, where k is any parameter.

a' x + b' y + c ' = 0

are at right angles if and only if aa + bb = 0 .
' '
(ii) Straight lines ax+by=c=0 and

a1x + b1y + c1 = 0
13. Condition Concurrency three lines are concurrent if
a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c2 = 0
a3 b3 c3
Alternatively if three constants A,B and C can be found such that
A ( a1x + b1y + c1 ) + B ( a2 x + b2 y + c 2 ) + C ( a3 x + b3 y + c 3 ) ≡ 0
then the three straight lines are concurrent.
x1 y1 1
1
x2 y2 1
2
Area of a Triangle: If
( x1,y1 ) , i = 1,2,3 are the vertices of a triangles, then its area is equal to
x3 y 3 1
provided the vertices are considered in the counter clockwise sense. The above formula will give a negative
( x ,y ) , i = 1,2,3 are placed in the clockwise sense.
area if the vertices i i

14. Condition of collinearity of Three points (Area Form)

x1 y1 1
x2 y2 1

The points
( xi , yi ) i = 1,2,3 are collinear if
x3 y3 1
=0

15. The equation of a family of straight lines passing through the points of intersection of Two given lines the
a x + b1y + c i = 0
equation of a family of lines passing through the point of intersection of 1 and
a2 x + b2 y + c 2 = 0
is given by 1
( a x + b1 y + c 1)
+k
( 2
a x + b 2 y + c 2) = 0
where k is an arbitrary real number.
u1 = ax + by + c, u2 = a x + b y + d
' '
Note If
u3 = ax + by + c ' , u4 = a' x + b' y + d'
u = 0; u2 = 0; u3 = 0;u4 = 0
then 1
u1u3 − u1u4 = 0
represents the diagonal BD.
Proof Since, it is the first degree equation in x and y it is a straight line. Secondly point B satisfies the equation
u u =0
becausethe coordinates of B satisfy 2 =0 and 1 . Similarly, for the point D. Hence, the result. On the
u1u2 − u3u4
similar lines =0 respresents the diagonal AC.
u + λ u4 = 0 u + µu3 = 0
Note The diagonal AC is also given by 1 and 2 , if the two equations are identical for some
λ and µ.

16.Bisectors of the Angles between Two lines

ax + by + c = 0 and a' x + b' y + c ' = 0 (ab' ≠ a'b)

(i) Equations of the bisectors of angles between the lines are
ax + by + c a ' x + b' y + c '
=±
a2 + b2 a2 + b2
(ii) To discriminate between the acute angle bisector and the obtuse angle bisector
tan θ tan θ < 1 2θ < 900
If θ be the angle between one of the lines and one of the bisectors, find . If , then so
that this bisector is the acute angle bisector
tan θ > 1
If , then we get the bisector to be the obtuse angle bisector.

17. A pair of straight lines through origin

ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0
(i) A homogeneous equation of degree two of the type always represents a pair of straight
lines passing through the origin and if
h2 > ab ⇒ h2 = ab ⇒
(a) lines are real and distinct (b) lines are coincident
h < ab ⇒
2
(c) lines are imaginary with real point of intersection ie, (0,0)
m1x and y = m2 x ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0
(ii) If y = be the two equations represented by . then ;
2h a
m1 and m2 = − and m1m2 =
b b
θ
(iii) If is the acute angle between the pair of straight lines represented by,
2 h2 − ab
ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0, then tan θ =
a+b
The condition that these lines are
y2 = 0
(a) At right angles to each other is a+b =0 ie,coefficient of x + coefficient of
2

(b) Coincident is h = ab
2

(c) Equally inclined to the axis of x is h =0 ie, coefficient of xy = 0

Previous Year Questions from KVPY exams:

Stream-B

1. Let b, d > 0. The locus of all points P(r, θ ) for which the line OP (where O is the origin) cuts the line rsin θ
= b in Q such that PQ=d is :
(A) (r -d) sin θ = b (B)
(r ± d ) sin θ = b
(C)
(r − d ) cos θ = b (D)
(r ± d ) cos θ = b
[2014]
ax + 9 y = 5 4 x + by = 3
2. If a, b are positive real numbers such that the lines and are parallel. Then the least
possible value of a + b is
(A) 13 (B) 12 (C) 8 (D) 6
[2013]
3. Consider a triangle ABC in the xy plane with vertices A = (0,0), B = (1,1) and C = (9,1). If the line x = a
divides the triangle into two parts of equal area, then a equals
(A) 3 (B) 3.5 (C) 4 (D) 4.5
[2013]
4. In a triangle ABC, let G denote its centroid and let M, N be points in the interiors of the segments AB, AC,
respectively, such that M, G, N are collinear. If r denotes the ratio of the area of triangle AMN to the area of
ABC then
4 / 9 ≤ r < 1/ 2
(A) r = ½ (B) r > ½ (C) (D) 4/9 <r
[2013]
x 2 + 2x sin ( xy ) + 1 = 0
5. All the points (x, y) in the plane satisfying the equation lie on
(A) a pair of straight lines (B) a family of hyperbolas
(C) a parabola (D) an ellipse
[2011]
6. Let A = (4, 0), B = (0, 12) be two points in the plane. The locus of a point C such that the area of triangle
ABC is 18 sq. units is –
2 2 2 2
(A) (y + 3x + 12) = 81 (B) (y + 3x + 81) = 12 (C) (y + 3x - 12) = 81 (D) (y + 3x - 81) = 12
[2011]
7. Let the line 2x + 3y = 18 intersect the y-axis at B. Suppose C
( ≠ B ) , with coordinates (a, b), is a point on the
fine such that PB = PC, where P = (10,10). Then 8a +2b equals
(A) 60 (B)62 (C) 66 (D) 78
[2009]
ax 2 − 6xy + y 2 = 0
8. If the slopes of one of the lines represented by is the square of the other for some
positive value of a, then a is
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 8
[2008]
9. In a square ABCD, points P on BC and Q on CD are such that AP = 4, PQ = 3 and QA = 5. The area of
ABCD is
256 256 256
(A) 15 (B) 16 (C) 17 (D) 18
[2008]
2 2
10. If the slope of one of the lines represented by 4ax + xy + 4y = 0 is the square of the other then a equals:
(A) 1/8 (B) 1/4 (C) -1/4 (D) -1/8
[2007]
11. The triangle formed by x-axis, y - axis and the line 3x + 4y + c = 0 has inradius 1. Then the value of |c| is :
(A) 12 (B) 7 (C) 5 (D) 1
[2007]
12. A point P lies on the line y = 2x in the first quadrant. Another point Q lies on the line y = 3x in the first
quandrant. Suppose QP is perpendicular to the line y = 2x and QP = 5. The distance of P from the origin is :
(A) 7 5 (B) 25 (C) 35 (D) 39
 [2007]

STREAM – A

∠DAB = ∠ABC 600

13. In a quadrilateral ABCD, which is not a trapezium, it is known that = . Moreover,
∠CAB = ∠CBD . Then
(A) AB = BC + CD (B) AB = AD + CD (C) AB = BC +AD (D) AB = AC + AD [2014]

ASSIGNMENT

 1   1  1
1. Let A  α,  , B  β,  , C  γ,  be the vertices of a ∆ABC, where α, β are the roots of the equation
 α  β  γ
x – 6p1x + 2 = 0; β, γ are the roots of the equation x – 6p2 x + 3 = 0 and γ, α are the roots of the equation x – 6p3x + 6
2 2 2

= 0, p1, p2, p3 being positive then

α + β + Y = 12 p1 + α = 4 p3 + Y = 9 p1 + p 2 + p3 = 6
(A) (B) (C) (D)

2. A line cuts the x-axis at A(7, 0) and the y-axis at B(0, −5). A variable line PQ is drawn perpendicular to AB cutting the x-
axis in P and the y-axis in Q. If AQ and BP intersect at R, then locus of R is
(A) x 2 + 5y 2 − 7x + 5y = 0 (B) x 2 + 5y 2 + 7x + 5y = 0
x 2 + 5y 2 − 7x − 5y = 0
(C) (D)none of these

3. Find the slope of the line passing through the point (2, 3) and making intercept of length 2 units between the lines y + 2x
= 3 and y + 2x = 5.
(A)2 (B)1 (C)-2 (D)-1

4. Show that all chords of the curve 3x 2 − y 2 − 2x + 4y = 0 , which subtend a right angle at the origin, pass through a
fixed point. Find coordinates of that point.
(A)(1,2) (B)(1,-2) (C)(-1,-2) (D)(-1,2)

5. If a parameter a, c, b are in H.P. and p be length of the perpendicular from origin to any member of family of lines xc (a
+ b – 2ab) – 2ab (y – 5c) – 3abc = 0, then.
7 7
(A) p ≥ (B) p ≥ 7 (C) p ≤ 7 (D) p ≤
2 2

6. If the co-ordinate of the vertices of a triangle are rational, which of the following is not necessarily a rational point.
(A)Centroid (B)Incentre (C)Circum-centre (D)Orthocentre

7. If the slope of one line is double the slope of another line and the combined equation of the pair of straight lines is
x 2 2xy y 2 2
+ + = 0 , then ab : h is equal to
a h b
(A)9 : 8 (B)3 : 2 (C)8 : 3 (D)none of these
8. L is a variable line such that the algebraic sum of the distances of the points (1, 1), (2, 0) and (0, 2) from the line is
equal to zero. Then the line L will always pass through
(A)(1, 1) (B)(2, 1) (C)(1, 2) (D)none of these
9. If point P(2, 4) is translated parallel to the line y – x – 1 = 0, through a distance 3 2 units so that its ordinate is
decreased and it reaches to Q. If R is the mirror image of Q in the line y = x, its co-ordinates are
(A)(−1, 1) (B)(−1, −1) (C)(1, 1) (D)(1, −1)
π
10. If the straight lines ax + by + p = 0 and x cos α + y sin α = p are inclined at an angle 4 and concurrent with the straight
line x sin α − y cos α = 0, then the value of a + b is
2 2

(A)0 (B)1 (C)2 (D)3

11. The centroid of a triangle is origin. Circum centre of the triangle is the fixed point from where all the lines ax + by + c = 0
pass where a,b,c are distinct real parameter following the relation a + b + c = 3abc . The orthocenter of the triangle
3 3 3

will be,
 1 1
(A)  − ,  (B)(-1,-1) (C)(-2,-2) (D)(-2,2)
 2 2

2
12. Number of integral values of ‘b’ for which the origin and the point (1,1) lies on the same side of the straight line a x +
aby + 1 = 0 , for all a
∈ R − {0} is
(A)4 (B)3 (C)5 (D)None of these.
13. A ray of light incident at the point (-3,0) gets reflected from the diameter of the circle x 2 + y 2 = 4 passing from (-3,0) .
The reflected ray touches the circle. The equation of the line along which the incident ray moved is .
5y + 2x + 6 = 0 5x + 2y + 6 = 0
(A) (B)
5y + 2x − 6 = 0 5x − 2y − 6 = 0
(C) (D)

14. The locus of the middle point of the part of a line through (-1,3) which lies between the lines y = x & y = 3x is
(A)parabola (B)an ellipse (C)Hyperbola (D)None of these.

15. If the line y = 3x 3 2

cuts the curve x + 3y + 4x + 5y – 1 = 0 at the points A, B, C then OA.OB.OC is
4 2
(A) (3 3 − 1) (B) 3 3 +1 (C) +7 (D)none of these
13 3
16. If 5a + 5b + 20c = t, then the value of t for which the line ax + by + c – 1 = 0 always passes through a fixed point is
(A)0 (B)20 (C)30 (D)None of these

17. Let A ≡ (−2, −2) and B ≡ (2, −2) be two points and AB subtends an angle of 45º at any point P in the plane in such a
way that area of ∆APB is 8 square unit, then number of possible position(s) of P is
(A)1 (B)2 (C)4 (D)infinity

18. The ratio in which the line x – 2y + 5 = 0 divides the segment joining A(1, -2) and B(2, 5) is
(A)10 : 3 (internally) (B)10 : 7 (externally)
(C)10 : 17 (internally) (D)10 : 3 (externally)

19. The image of P(a, b) on y = −x is Q and the image of Q on the line y = x is R. Then the mid-point of PR is
a+b b+a
(A)(a + b, b + a) (B)  ,  (C)(a – b, b – a) (D)(0, 0)
 2 2 
20. If the straight lines 2x + 3y – 1 = 0, x + 2y – 1 = 0 and ax + by – 1 = 0 form a triangle with origin as orthocentre, then (a,
b) is given by
(A)(6, 4) (B)(−3, 3) (C)(−8, 8) (D)(0, 7)
2
21. If the point (2a – 5, a ) is on the same side of the x + y – 3 = 0 as that of the origin, then the set of values of ‘a’ is
(A)(−4, 2) (B)(−2, 4) (C)(1, −2) (D)(2, −3)

22. The straight line ax + by + c = 0 where abc ≠ 0 will pass through the first quadrant if
(A)ac > 0, bc > 0 (B)ac > 0 and bc < 0
(C)bc > 0 and/or ac > 0 (D)ac < 0 and/or bc < 0
2
23. If the point P(a , a) lies in the region corresponding to the acute angle between the lines
2y = x and 4y = x, then
(A)a ∈ (2, 6) (B)a ∈ (4, 6)
(C)a ∈ (2, 4) (D)none of these

24. θ1 and θ2 are the inclination of lines L1 and L2 with x-axis. If L1 and L2 pass through P(x1, y1), then equation of one of the
angle bisector of these lines is
x − x1 y − y1 x − x1 y − y1
(A) = (B) =
 θ − θ2   θ1 − θ2   θ − θ2   θ1 − θ2 
cos  1  sin   − sin  1  cos  
 2   2   2   2 
x − x1 y − y1 x − x1 y − y1
(C) = (D) =
 θ − θ2   θ1 − θ2   θ + θ2   θ1 + θ2 
sin  1  cos   − sin  1  cos  
 2   2   2   2 
25. A light ray emerging from the point source placed at P(2, 3) is reflected at a point ‘Q’ on the y-axis and then passes
through the point R(5,10). Coordinate of ‘Q’ is
(A)(0, 3) (B)(0, 2) (C)(0, 5) (D)None of these

26. Straight lines y = mx + c1 and y = mx + c2, where m ∈ R , meet the y-axis at A1 and A2 respectively and y-axis at B, and
+

B2 respectively. It is given that points A1, A2, B1 and B2 are concyclic. Locus of intersection of lines A1B2 and A2B1 is
(A)y = x (B)y + x = 0 (C)xy = 1 (D)xy + 1 = 0

27. A variable line ‘L’ is drawn through O(0, 0) to meet the lines L1 : y – x – 10 = 0 and L2 : y – x – 20 = 0 at the points A and
2 1 1
= +
B respectively. A point P is taken on ‘L’ such that OP OA OB Locus of ‘P’ is
(A)3x + 3y = 10 (B)3x + 3y + 40 = 0 (C)3x – 3y = 40 (D)3y – 3x = 40
28. Consider the point A ≡ (3, 4), B ≡ (7, 13). If ‘P’ be a point of the line y = x such that PA + PB is minimum, then
coordinates of ‘P’ is
 13 13   23 23   31 31   33 33 
 ,   ,   ,   , 
(A) 
7 7 (B) 
7 7  (C) 
7 7 (D) 
7 7 

29. Consider the points A ≡ (0, 1) and B ≡ (2, 0). ‘P’ be a point on the line 4x + 3y + 9 = 0. Coordinate of the point ‘P’ such
that |PA – PB| is maximum, is
 12 17   84 13   6 17 
− ,  − ,  − , 
(A) 
5 5 (B) 
5 5 (C) 
5 5 (D)None of these
2 2
30. Equation ax + 2hxy + by = 0 represents a pair of lines. Combined equation of lines that can be obtained by reflecting
these lines about the x-axis is
2 2 2 2 2 2
(A)ax – 2hxy + by = 0 (B)bx + 2hxy + ay = 0 (C)bx – 2hxy + ay = 0 (D)None of these

Straight Line
Answer key for kvpy questions :

1. B 2.B 3.A 4.C 5.A

6.C 7.D 8.D 9.C 10.D

11.A 12.C 13.D

Straight Line
Answer key for assignments:

1. B 2.A 3.C 4.B 5.D

6.B 7.A 8.A 9.D 10.C

11.C 12.B 13.A 14.B 15.

16.C 17.A 18.A 19.D 20.C

21.A 22.D 23.C 24.D 25.C

26.A 27.D 28.C 29.B 30.A

 CIRCLES
In this chapter, we discuss the algebraic equations representing a circle and the lines associated with it
i.e. a tangent, a pair of tangents and a chord of contact. The concepts of family of circles and that
of common tangents to two circles under various configurations are given due importance.
A circle can be defined as the curve traced out by a point that moves so that its distance from a given point
is constant. The distance between any of the points and the center is called the radius. It can also be
defined as the locus of a point equidistant from a fixed point.
The general equation of a circle in Cartesian coordinates with centre at (a, b) and radius r is given by

If the center is at (0, 0) then the equation becomes

In parametric form it may be represented as

where t is a parameter ranging between 0 to 2π.

We first recall the important terms and formulae related to circles:
• Length of circumference in a circle is given by 2πr, where r is the radius.
• The diameter is the longest chord of the circle.
•
2
Area of a circle is given by πr .
• The circle which is centered at the origin with radius 1 is called the unit circle.
• A line segment whose end points lie on a circle is defined as a chord.
• A line that cuts a circle at two distinct points is called a secant.
• Chords are equidistant from the center of a circle if and only if they are equal in length.
• Equal chords of a circle subtend equal angles at the center

• An arc is a section of the circumference of a circle.

• A sector is an area of a circle bounded by 2 radii.
• A quadrant is one-quarter of a circle.
• A segment of a circle is the part bounded by a chord and the circumference.
• Equal arcs of a circle subtend equal angles at the center.
• An angle in a semi-circle is a right angle.

Theorem:
An angle at the circumference of a circle is half the angle at the center subtended by the same arc.
Proof:
Let AB be an arc of a circle with center O, and let P be any point on the opposite arc. We need to prove AOB
=2 APB. The proof can be carried on in three cases:
Case 1: O lies inside APB
Case 2: O lies on APB
Case 3: O lies outside APB
We shall prove the case 1 here and the rest cases follow on the same lines.
Case 1: Join PO and produce PO to Q. Then OA = OB = OP (radii), so we have two isosceles triangles OAP
and OAQ.
Let
OAP = α and OBP = β.

Then =α
APO (base angles of isosceles OAP)

and =β
BPO (base angles of isosceles OBP).

Hence = 2α
AOQ (exterior angle of OAP)

and = 2β
BOQ (exterior angle of OBP),

AOB = 2α + 2β = 2(α + β) = 2 × APB.

The various results parallel to the above result are listed below:
Result: Angle between the tangent and the radius is 90°.
Result: Angles in the same segment are equal.
Result: Angle in a semi-circle is 90°.
Result: Two angles at the circumference subtended by the same arc are equal.
Important Points

Tangent to a circle

Equation of chord of a circle

Length of tangent
Previous Year Questions from KVPY exams

STREAM - B

14. Let C0 be a circle of radius 1 for n ≥ 1 , let Cn be a circle whose area equals the area of a square inscribed in Cn −1 .
∞
Then ∑ area(c ) equals:
i =0
i

π −2 1 π2 −2
(A) π2 (B) (C) (D) [2014 ]
π2 π2 π

15. Let C be the circle x 2 + y 2 = 1 in the xy-plane. For each t ≥ 0 , let Lt be

t the line passing through (0,1) and
(t,0) . Note that Lt intersects C in two points, one of which is (0,1). Let Qt be the other point. As t varies
between 1 and 1 + 2 , the collection of points Qt sweeps out an arc on C. The angle subtended by this arc
at (0,0) is:
π π π 3π
(A) (B) (C) (D) [2014]
8 4 3 8

16. Let n ≥ 3 and let C1, C2 ,.....Cn be circles with radii r1,r2 ,..........rn respectively. Assume that Ci and Ci+1 touch
externally for 1 ≤ i ≤ n − 1 . It is also given that the x-axis and the line y = 2 2 x + 10 are tangential to each
of the circles. Then r1, r2 ,.....rn are in
(A) An arithmetic progression with common difference 3+ 2
(B) A geometric progression with common ratio 3+ 2
(C) An arithmetic progression with common difference 2+ 3
(D) A geometric progression with common ratio 2+ 3 [2014]

4. Two line segments AB and CD are constrained to move along the x and y axes, respectively, in such a
way that the points A, B, C, D are concyclic. If AB = a and CD = b, then the locus of the centre of the circle
passing through A, B, C, D in polar coordinates is
a2 + b2 a2 − b 2
(A) r 2 = (B) r 2 cos 2θ =
4 4
(C) r = 4 ( a + b )
2 2 2
(D) r cos 2θ = 4 ( a 2 − b 2 )
2
[2013]

2 2
5. Suppose two perpendicular tangents can be drawn from the origin to the circle x + y -6x-2py+17=0, for
some real p. Then |p| is equal to
(A) 0 (B) 3 (C) 5 (D) 17 [2012]

6. In a rectangle ABCD, the coordinates of A and B are (1, 2) and (3, 6) respectively and some diameter of
the circumscribing circle of ABCD has equation 2x - y + 4 = 0. Then the area of the rectangle is :–
(A) 16 (B) 2 10 (C) 2 5 (D) 20 [2011]
7. Among all cyclic quadrilaterals inscribed in a circle of radius R with one of its angles equal to 1200 .
Consider the one with maximum possible area, its area is
(A) 2 R 2 (B) 3 R 2 (C) 2 R2 (D) 2 3 R 2 [2010]
8. Two perpendicular chords AB and CD of a circle meet at P. If PA = 2, PB = 18 and PC = 4, then the
diameter of the circle is :
5 17
(A) (B) 5 17 (C) 20 (D) 10 5 [2008]
2
 STREAM –A

9. A circle is drawn in a sector of a larger circle of radius, r, as shown in the adjacent figure. The smaller circle is
tangent to the two bounding radii and the arc of the sector. The radius of the small circle is

r r 2 3R r
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 5 (D) 2 [2012]

10. Suppose Q is a point on the circle with centre P and radius 1, as shown in the figure; R is a point outside
the circle such that QR = 1 and ∠QRP = 2 . Let S be the point where the segment RP intersects the given
0

circle. Then measure of -RQS equals

(a) 86° (b) 87° (c) 88° (d) 89° [2012]

11. Tangents to a circle at points P and Q on the circle intersect at a point R. If PQ = 6 and PR = 5 then the
radius of the circle is
13 15 16
(A) 3 (b) 4 (c) 4 (d) 5 [2013]
12. Three circles each of radius 1, touch one another externally and they lie between two parallel lines. The
minimum possible distance between the lines is
1
2+
(A) 2 + 3 (B) 3 + 3 (C) 4 (D) 3 [2011]

13. A company situated at (2,0) in the xy-plane charges Rs. 2 per km for delivery. A second company at (0,3)
charges Rs. 3 per km for delivery. The region of the plane where it is cheaper to use the first company is
(A) the inside of the circle ( x + 5.4 ) + y 2 = 18.72
2

(B) the outside of the circle ( x + 1.6 ) + ( y − 5.4 ) = 18.72

2 2

(C) the inside of the circle ( x − 1.6 ) + ( y + 5.4 ) = 18.72

2 2

(D) the outside of the circle ( x − 5.4 ) + ( y + 1.6 ) = 18.72

2 2
[2009]

14 Suppose S1 and S2 are two unequal circles; AB and CD are the direct
common tangents to these circles. A transverse common tangent PQ cuts
AB in R and CD in S. If AB = 10, then RS is.

(A) 8 (B) 9
(C) 10 (D) 11
 15. On the circle with center O, points A,B are such that OA = AB. A point C is
located on the tangent at B to the circle such that A and C are on the opposite
sides of the line OB and AB = BC. The line segment AC intersects the circle
again at F. Then the ratio ∠BOF : ∠BOC is equal to:

(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 3
(C) 3 : 4 (D) 4 : 5 [2014]

16. A semi-circle of diameter 1 unit sits at the top of a semi-circle of diameter 2 units.
The shaded region inside the smaller semi-circle but outside the larger semi-circle is
called a lune. The area of the lune is.
π 3 3 π
(a) − (b) −
6 4 4 24
3 π 3 π
(c) − (d) − [2014]
4 12 4 8

ASSIGNMENT
2 2 2
1. Let AB be a chord of the circle x + y = r subtending a right angle at the centre. Then the locus of the
centroid of the triangle PAB as P moves on the circle
(A) a parabola (B) a circle
(C) an ellipse (D) a pair of straight lines

2. Two vertices of an equilateral triangle are (−1, 0) and (1, 0), and its third vertex lies above the x-axis. The
sum of abscissa and ordinate of the circumcircle of the triangle is
2 1 −2
(A) (B) (C) 3 (D)
3 3 3

3. The maximum number of points with rational coordinates on a circle whose centre is ( 3, 0) is
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D)infinite

4. The intercept on the line y = x by the circle x 2 + y 2 − 2x = 0 is AB. The equation of the circle with AB as a
diameter is
(A) x 2 + y 2 = x − y (B) x 2 + y 2 = y − x (C) x 2 + y 2 + x + y = 0 (D) x 2 + y 2 = x + y

5. The equation of the circumcircle of the regular hexagon whose two consecutive vertices have the
coordinates (−1, 0) and (1, 0) and which lies wholly above the x-axis, is
(A) x2 + y 2 − 2 3 x − 1 = 0 (B) x2 + y 2 = 2 3 y − 1
(C) x2 + y 2 − 2 3 y + 1 = 0 (D) none of these

6. Let f(x, y) = 0 be the equation of a circle. If f(0, λ) = 0 has equal roots λ = 2, 2 and f(λ, 0) = 0 has roots
4
λ= , 5 then the radius of the circle is
5
22 29
(A) (B) (C) 2 (D) -4
10 10
7. The length of the chord of the circle x 2 + y 2 = 9 passing through (3, 0) and perpendicular to the line
y + x = 0 is
(A) 2 (B) 2 2 (C) 3 2 (D) 4 2

8. The chords of contact of the pair of tangents to the circle x 2 + y 2 = 1 drawn from any point on the line
2x + y = 4 pass through the point
 1 1  1 1  1 1
(A)  ,  (B)  ,  (C)  ,  (D) none of these
 2 2   2 4  4 4

9. The equation of the smallest circle passing through the intersection of the line x + y = 1 and the circle
x 2 + y 2 = 9 is
(A) x 2 + y 2 − x − y + 8 = 0 (B) x 2 + y 2 − x − y − 8 = 0
 (C) x 2 + y 2 − x + y + 8 = 0 (D) x 2 + y 2 + x + y − 8 = 0

10. The equation of a circle is x 2 + y 2 = 4 . The centre of the smallest circle touching this circle and the line

x + y = 5 2 has the coordinates

 −14 14   −7 −7   7 7   7 7 
(A)  ,−  (B)  ,−  (C)  ,−  (D)  , 
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

11. If the equation of one tangent to the circle with centre at (2, −1) from the origin is 3x + y = 0, then the
equation of the other tangent through the origin is
(A) y-3x =0 (B) x-3y=0 (C) y + 3x =0 (D) x+3y=0

12. A variable chord is drawn through the origin to the circle x 2 + y 2 − 2ax = 0 . The locus of the centre of the
circle drawn on this chord as diameter is
(A) x 2 + y 2 + ax = 0 (B) x 2 − y 2 + ax = 0 (C) x 2 + y 2 − ax = 0 (D) x 2 − y 2 − ax = 0

13. A line meets the coordinate axes in A and B. A circle is circumscribed about the triangle OAB. If m and n
are the distances of the tangent to the circle at the origin from the points A and B respectively, the diameter
of the circle is
(A) mn (B) m+n (C) m − n (D) none of these

14. An equilateral triangle is inscribed in the circle x 2 + y 2 = a 2 with the vertex at (a, 0). The equation of the side
opposite to this vertex is
(A) 2x + a = 0 (B) x+2a =0 (C) 2x-a=0 (D) x-2a=0

15. A line is drawn through the point P(3, 11) to cut the circle x 2 + y 2 = 9 at A and B. Then PA.PB is equal to
(A) 49 (B) 81 (C) 100 (D) 121

16. C1 and C2 are circles of unit radius with centres at (0, 0) and (1, 0) respectively. C3 is a circle of unit radius,
passes through the centres of the circles C1 and C2 and have its centre above x-axis. Equation of the
common tangent to C1 and C3 which does not pass through C2 is
(A) 3x − y − 2 = 0 (B) 3x + y − 2 = 0 (C) 3x − y + 2 = 0 (D) 3x + y + 2 = 0

17. A chord of the circle x 2 + y 2 − 4x − 6y = 0 passes through the origin subtends an angle tan–1(7/4) at the
point where the circle meets positive y-axis. Equation of the chord is
(A) x+2y =0 (B) 2x+y =0 (C) x-2y=0 (D) 2x-y=0

18. A circle C1 of radius b touches the circle x 2 + y 2 = a 2 externally and has its centre on the positive x-axis;
another circle C2 of radius c touches the circle C1 externally and has its centre on the positive x-axis. Given
a < b < c, then the three circles have a common tangent if a, b, c are in
(A) A.P (B) G.P (C) H.P (D) A.G.P

19. The locus of the point of intersection of the tangents at the extremities of a chord of the circle x 2 + y 2 = a 2
which touches the circle x 2 + y 2 − 2ax = 0 passes through the point
a a  −a   a  −a 
(A)  ,  (B)  ,0  (C)  0,  (D)  0, 
2 2  2   2  2 

20. The tangents drawn from the origin to the circle x 2 + y 2 − 2px − 2qy + q2 = 0 are perpendicular if
(A) pq =1 (B) p 2 = q (C) q2 = p (D) p 2 = q2

21. If the circle x 2 + y 2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 cuts each of the circles x 2 + y 2 − 4 = 0 , x 2 + y 2 − 6x − 8y + 10 = 0 and
x 2 + y 2 + 2x − 4y − 2 = 0 at the extremities of a diameter, then
(A) C = 4 (B) gf = 6 (C) g+f+1=-C (D) g2 + f 2 − c = 17

22. If ti is the length of the tangent to the circle x 2 + y 2 + 2gi x + 5 = 0 ; i = 1, 2, 3 from any point and g1, g2 , g3 are
in A.P., Ai = ( gi − t i2 ) . Then i
(A) Area of ∆ A1 A 2 A 3 is non zero (B) A1 is the mid point of A 2 and A 3
 (C) A 3 is mid point of A1 and A 2 (D) A1 A 2 , A 3 are in A.P

23. If a chord of the circle x 2 + y 2 − 4x − 2y − c = 0 is trisected at the points (1/3, 1/3) and (8/3, 8/3), then
(A) C = 20 (B) C= 25 (C) C = 7 2 (D) C = 15

24. In a right angled triangle, the length of the sides are a and b (0 < a < b). A circle C passes through the mid-
point of the smaller side and touches the hypotenuse at its mid-point then the radius of circle c is
b a2 + b2 b a2 + b2
(A) (B) (C) b a2 + b2 (D) none of these
a 4a
25. An equation of a circle through the origin, making an intercept of 10 on the line y = 2x + 5 / 2 , which
subtends an angle of 45º at the origin is x 2 + y 2 + ax + by = 0 then possible values of a + b is
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) none of the above

Comprehension

P(a, 5a) and Q(4a, a) are two points. Two circles are drawn through these points touching the axis of y.

26. Centre of these circles are at

 25a 29a   5a   29a 
(A) (a, a) (B)  ,  (C)  ,3a  (D)  3a, 
 18 3   2   3 

27. Angle of intersection of these circles is

4  40   84 
(A) tan−1   (B) tan−1   (C) tan−1   (D) none of these
3  9   187 

28. If C1, C2 are the centres of these circles then area of ∆OC1, C2, where O is the origin, is
2 2 2 2
(A) a (B) 5a (C) 10a (D) 20a

Circle

Answer key for KVPY questions:

1. B 2.B 3.D 4.B 5.C

6. A 7.B 8.B 9.B 10.B
11.C 12.A 13.B 14.C 15.B
16. B

Circle
Answer key for Assignments:

1. B 2.B 3.B 4.D 5.C

6. B 7.C 8.B 9.B 10.D
11.B 12.C 13.B 14.A 15.D
16.C 17.C 18.B 19.C 20.D
21.B 22.D 23.A 24.B 25.C
26.C 27.B 28.B
 PARABOLA

Conic Sections

Conics or conic sections are the curves corresponding to various plane sections of a right circular cone by
cutting that cone in different ways. Each point lying on these curves satisfies a special condition, which actually
leads us towards the mathematical definition of conic sections.
If a point moves in plane in such a way that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to its perpendicular
distance from a fixed straight line, always remains constant, then the locus of that point is called a Conic
Section.
The fixed point is called the focus and the fixed line is called directrix of the conic. The constant ratio is called
the eccentricity and is denoted by e.
According to the value of ‘e’ there are three types of conic i.e. for e = 1, e < 1 and e > 1 the corresponding conic
is called parabola, ellipse and hyperbola respectively.

The line which passes through focus and is perpendicular to the directrix is called the axis of the conic. The
intersection point of conic with axis is known as the vertex of the conic.
Parabola
The locus of a point which moves in such a way that its distance from a fixed point (i.e. focus) is always equal to
its perpendicular distance from a fixed straight line (i.e. directrix), is called parabola.
2
The general equation of a parabola opening to the right with vertex at (0, 0), is given by y = 4ax.
We first discuss the chief terms related to the parabola and then we shall try to find the srandard equation of
parabola.

Axis:
The straight line passing through the focus and perpendicular to the directrix is called the axis of the parabola.
Focus:
The focus of a parabola is a fixed point in the interior of the parabola.
Focal distance:
The distance of a point on the parabola from its focus is called the focal distance of the point.
Focal Chord:
A chord of the parabola, which passes through its focus is called Focal chord.
Vertex: The vertex of a parabola is the point where the parabola crosses its axis. When the coefficient of
2
the x term is positive, then the vertex is the lowest point on the graph but in case it is negative the vertex will be
the highest point on the graph.
Directrix:
A line perpendicular to the axis of symmetry is called the directrix.
Latus Rectum:
The latus rectum of a conic section is the chord through a focus parallel to the conic section directrix. The
quantity 4a is known as the latus rectum. Half the latus rectum is called the semilatus rectum.
Double Ordinate:
Any chord of the parabola which is perpendicular to the axis is called double ordinate.
Tangent:
The straight line perpendicular to the axis of the parabola passing through vertex is called tangent at the
vertex.
Conormal Points:
The three points on the parabola, the normals at which pass through a common point, are called the co-normal
points.
Director Circle:
2
Locus of the point of intersection of the perpendicular tangents to the parabola y = 4ax is called the director
circle. The equation of the director circle is gievn as x + a = 0 which is the directrix of the parabola.

Equation of Parabola:
Let S be the focus, V be the vertex, ZM be the directrix and x-axis be the axis of parabola. We require therefore
the locus of a point P, which moves so that its distance from S, is always equal to PM i.e. its perpendicular
distance from ZM. After appropriate configuration let S = (a, 0)

2 2
Then we have SP = PM
2 2 2
(x – a) + y = (a + x)
2
⇒ y = 4ax. This is the standard equation of a parabola.
Also if the vertex is at (x0, y0) instead of (0, 0), the equation of the parabola becomes
2
(y-y0) = 4a (x-x0)
If the parabola instead opens upwards, its equation is

2
x = 4ay
There are four common forms of parabola according to their axis, with their vertex at origin (0, 0).
Finding the end points of Latus Rectum
2
For finding the end points of latus rectum LL’ of the parabola y = 4ax, we put x = a as the latus rectum passes
through focus (a, 0) and therefore we have

2 2
y = 4a
⇒ y = +2a
Hence the end points are (a, 2a) and (a, – 2a).

Also LSL’ = |2a – (–2a)| = 4a = length of double ordinate through the focus S.

Note:
• Two parabolas are said to be equal when their latus recta are equal.
• The points and lines of two parabolas can be interchanged by transformations.
• If a > 0 & a < 0 the parabola will be forward opening and backward opening respectively.
• If b > 0 & b < 0 the parabola will be forward opening and downward opening respectively.

Parametric Form of a Parabola

2
Suppose that the equation of a tangent to the parabola y = 4ax. … (i) is y = mx + c. … (ii)
 2
The abscissa of the points of intersection of (i) and (ii) are given by the equation (mx + c) = 4ax. But the
condition that the straight line (ii) should touch the parabola is that it should meet the parabola in coincident
points hence discriminant should be zero
⇒ (mx − 2a)2 = m2 c 2 … (iii)
⇒ c = a/m .
2
Hence, y = mx + a/m is a tangent to the parabola y = 4ax, whatever be the value of m.
2 2
Equation (mx + c) = 4ax now becomes (mx – a/m) = 0.
⇒ x = a/m and y = 4ax ⇒ y = 2a/m.
2 2

2
Thus the point of contact of the tangent y = mx + a/m is (a/m , 2a/m).
2
Taking 1/m = t where t is a parameter, i.e., it varies from point to point. The parabola y = 4ax as a parametric
2
form is given by the co-ordinate (at , 2at) and we refer to it as point ‘t’.

Previous Year Questions from KVPY exams:

Stream-B:
2
1. The vertices of the base of an isosceles triangle lie on a parabola y = 4x and the base is a part of the line
y = 2x - 4. If the third vertex of the triangle lies on the x-axis, its coordinates are
5  7  9   11 
 ,0   ,0   ,0   ,0 
(A)  2  (B)  2  (C)  2  (D)  2  [2013]

2. In the xy-plane, three distinct lines l1, l2 , l3 concur at a point ( λ,0 ) . Further the lines l1, l2 , l3 are normals to the
parabola y 2 = 6x at the points A = (x1, y1), B = (x2, y2), C = (x3, y3) respectively. Then we have:
(A) λ < − 5 (B) λ > 3 (C) −5 < λ < − 3 (D) 0 < λ < 3 [2011]

3 2
3. The locus of the point P = (a, b) where a, b are real numbers such that the roots of x + ax + bx + a = 0 are
in arithmetic progression is :-
(A) an ellipse (B) a circle
(C) a parabola whose vertex in on the y-axis (D) a parabola whose vertex is on the x-axis
[2011]

4. A circle touches the parabola y 2 = 4 x at (1,2) and also touches its directrix. The y-coordinate of the point of
contact of the circle and the directrix is
(A) 2 (B) 2 (C) 2 2 (D) 4 [2010]

5. Let A and B be two points on the parabola y = 2x2 + x − 2 such that the origin is the midpoint of the line
segment joining A to B. The length of AB is :
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 2 3 (D) 2 2 [2007]

The coordinates (x0,y0 ) of the point on the line y = x + 2 which is closed to the parabola y = 4 x is :
2
6.
(A) (0, 2) (B) (1/2, 5/2) (C) (5/2, 9/2) (D) (1, 3) [2007]

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Equation of parabola having the extremities of it's latus rectum as (3, 4) and (4, 3) is
7  x + y−6 7   x + y −8 
2 2 2 2 2 2
 7   7 
(A)  x −  + y −  =  (B)  x +  + y +  = 
 2  2  2   2  2  2 
7  x+y−4
2 2 2
 7 
(C)  x −  + y −  =  (D) none of these
 2  2  2 

2
2. An equilateral triangle is inscribed in the parabola y = 4ax, such that one vertex of this triangle coincides
with the vertex of the parabola. Side length of this triangle is
(A) 4a 3 (B) 6a 3 (C) 2a 3 (D) 8a 3
 2 2 2
3. If the normal drawn to parabola y = 4ax at the point A(at1 , 2at1) meets the curve again at B(at2 , 2at2),
then
(A) |t2| ≥ 2 2 (B) |t2| ≤ 2 2 (C) |t1| ≥ 2 2 (D) |t1| ≤ 2 2
4. Maximum number of common chords of a parabola and a circle can be equal to
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8
2
5. Two perpendicular chords OA and OB of y = 4ax (where 'O' being the origin) are drawn and rectangle
OACB is completed. Locus of 'C' is
2 2 2 2
(A) y = 4a (x - 4a) (B) y = 4a(x - 8a) (C) y = 2a(x - 8a) (D) y = 2a(x -6a)
2
6. AB is a focal chord of x - 2x + y - 2 = 0 whose focus is 'S'. If AS = l1 then BS is equal to
4l 2 l1 2l 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) none of these
4l 1 − 1 4l 1 − 1 4l 1 − 1

7. Tangents and normal drawn to parabola y = 4ax at point P(at , 2at), t ≠ 0, meet the x-axis at points T and N
2 2

respectively. It 'S' is the focus of the parabola, then

(A) SP = ST ≠ SN (B) SP ≠ ST = SN (C) SP = ST = SN (D) SP ≠ ST ≠ SN
2
8. If the lines (y - b) = m1 (x + a) and (y - b) = m2(x + a) are the tangents of y = 4ax, then
(A) m1 + m2 = 0 (B) m1 m2 = 1 (C) m1 m2 = -1 (D) m1 + m2 = 1
2
9. Tangents drawn to parabola y = 4ax at the point A and B intersect at C. If 'S' be the focus of the parabola
then, SA, SC and SB forms
(A) a A.P (B) a G.P (C) a H.P (D) none of these
2 2
10. Equation of common tangent of y = 4ax and x = 4ay is
(A) x + y - a = 0 (B) x - y - a = 0 (C) x - y + a = 0 (D) x + y + a = 0
2
11. The straight line y = m(x - a) will meet the parabola y = 4ax in two distinct real points if
(A) m∈R (B) m∈[-1, 1] (C) m∈[-∞ 1]∪ [1, ∞) (D) m∈ R ~ {0}
2
12. Length of the shortest normal chord of the parabola y = 4ax is
(A) a 27 (B) 3a 3 (C) 2a 27 (D) none of these
2
13. Mutually perpendicular tangents TA and TB are drawn to y = 4ax, minimum length of AB is equal to
(A) 4a (B) 6a (C) 8a (D) 2a
2
14. If three distinct and real normals can be drawn to y = 8x from the point (a, 0), then
(A) a > 2 (B) a > 4 (C) a∈ (2, 4) (D) none of these

16. The points on the axis of the parabola 3 y + 4 y − 6 x + 8 = 0 from

2
where 3 distinct normals can be
drawn is given by
 4 19  2 19  2 16  2 7
(A)  a,  ; a > (B)  a , −  ; a > (C)  a , −  ; a > (D)  a, −  ; a >
 3 9  3 9  3 9  3 9
2
17. Circle drawn with diameter being any focal chord of the parabola y – 4x – y – 4 = 0 will always touch a
fixed line, whose equation is
(A) 16 + 33x = 0 (B) 32x + 13 = 0 (C) 13x + 22 = 0 (D) 16x + 33 = 0
2
18. Normal PO, PA and PB (‘O’ being the origin) are drawn to y = 4x from P(h, 0). If
∠AOB = π/2, then area of quadrilateral OAPB is equal to
(A) 12 sq. units (B) 24 sq. units (C) 6 sq. units (D) 18 sq. units

2
19. Radius of the circle that passes through origin and touches the parabola y = 4ax at the point (a, 2a) is
5
(A) a (B) 2 2a (C) 5 2a (D) 3 2a
2
20. The length of latus rectum of the parabola, whose focus is (a sin 2θ, a cos 2θ) and directrix is the line y = a,
is
(A) |4a cos θ| (B) |4a sin θ|
2 2
(C) |4a cos 2θ| (D) |a cos 2θ|
2
21. Tangents drawn to parabola y = 4ax at the points P and Q intersect at T. If triangle TPQ is equilateral, then
side length of this triangle is equal to
(A) 4a 3 (B) 2a 3 (C) 6a 3 (D) 8a 3
2
22. The line ax + by + c = 0 is a normal to the parabola y = 4ax. The equation of tangent to the parabola at the
foot of this normal is
b a2 b a
(A) y = − x − (B) y = − x−
a b a b
b a
(C) y = − x − (D) None of these
a 2b
2
23. If the line y = mx + c is a tangent to y = 4mx, then distance of this tangent from the parallel normal is
(A) 1 + m2 (B) 2 + m2 (C) (1 + m )
2 3/2
(D) (2 + m )
2 3/2

2
24. Tangents PA and PB are drawn to x = 4ay. If mPA and mPB be the slope of these tangents and
m 2
PA +m 2
PB = 4 ¸then locus of P is
2 2 2 2
(A) y – 2x(x – a) (B) y = x(x – a) (C) y = 2x(2x – a) (D) y = 2x(x – 2a)
2
25. A circle is drawn to pass through the extremities of the latus rectum of the parabola y = 8x. It is given the
this circle also touches the directrix of the parabola. Radius of this circle is equal to
(A) 4 (B) 21 (C) 3 (D) 26
2 2
26. If two different tangents of y = 4x are the normals to x = 4by, then
1 1 1 1
(A) | b |> (B) | b |< (C) | b |> (D) | b |<
2 2 2 2 2 2
2
27. y = 2x + c is a normal chord of the parabola y = 4ax. If point A is the foot of this normal and point B be it’s
other extremity, then angle of intersection of the normal chord and the parabola at the point B is equal to
π π π
(A) (B) (C) (D) None of these
3 6 4
2 2
28. Minimum distance between the curves y = x – 1 and x = y – 1 is equal to
3 2 5 2 7 1
(A) (B) (c) 2 (d) 2
4 4 4 4
29. The equation of directrix of the parabola x + 4 y − 6 x + k = 0 is y + 1 = 0 then find the value of
2

(A) 15 (B) -15 (C) 17 (D) -17

2 2 2
30. The circle x + y + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0, cuts the parabola x = 4ay at points Ai(xi, yi), i = 1, 2, 3, 4; then
(A) Σyi = 0 (B) Σyi = -4(f + 2a) (C) Σxi = -4(g + 2a) (D) Σxi = -2(g + 2a)
2 2
31. Maximum number of common normals of y = 4ax and x = 4by can be equal to
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 5
2 2
32. Length of the latus rectum of the parabola whose parametric equation is x = t + t + 1, y = t - t + 1 where
t∈R, is equal to
(A) 8 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) none of these
2
33. A moving variable parabola, having it's axis parallel to x-axis always touches the given equal parabola y =
4x, the lcous of the vertex of the moving parabola.
2 2 2 2
(A) y = 8x (B) y = 4x (C) y = 2 x (D) y = 5x
2 2 2
34. Chords of the parabola y = 4x touch the hyperbola x - y = 1. Then find the locus of the point of
intersection of tangents of the parabola drawn at the extremities of such chords.
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
(A) 4x + y (B) 2x + y = 4 (C) x + 2y = 4 (D) x + 4y = 4
2
35. AB is a chord of the parabola y = 4ax with vertex A. BC is drawn perpendicular to AB meeting the axis at
C. The projection of BC on the axis of the parabola is
 (A) a (B) 2a (C) 4a (D) 8a

36. A tangent and a normal is drawn at the point P ≡ (16, 16) or the parabola y = 16x which cut the axis of the
2

parabola at the points A and B respectively. If the centre of the circle through P, A and B is C then the angle
between PC and the axis of x is
-1 -1 -1 -1
(A) tan 1/2 (B) tan 2 (C) tan 3/4 (D) tan 4/3
2
37. Tangents are drawn from (-2, 0) to y = 8x, radius of circle(s) that would touch these tangents and the
corresponding chord of contact, can be equal to
(A) 4 ( )
2 +1 (B) 4 ( 2 −1 ) (C) 8 2 (D) none of these
38. Two parabolas have the same focus (3, -2). Their directries are the x-axis and the y-axis respectively. Then
the slope of their common chord is
3
(A) -1 (B) - 1/2 (C) - − (D) none of these
2
2
39. From a point (sinθ, cosθ) if three normals can be drawn to the parabola y = 4ax then the value of 'a' is
1   1  1 
(A)  ,1
2 
(B)
 − 2 , 0  (C)
 2 ,1 (D) none of these

Parabola

Answer key for KVPY questions

1 2 3 4 5 6

C B C C D A

Parabola

Answer key for Assignments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A D A C B B C C B D

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

D C A B B B D B A B

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A A C C A B C A C B

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

D D A A C D A A D
 ELLIPSE

Standard Equation and Definitions : Standard equation of an ellipse referred to its principal axes along
x2 y2
the coordinate axes is 2 + 2 = 1.
a b
Where a>b and b 2 = a 2 (1 − e2 ) ⇒ a 2 − b 2 = a 2 e 2
Where e=eccentricity (0<e<1)
Foci S(ae,0) and S' ≡ ( −a,e,0 ) .
Equations of directrices
a a
x = and x = −
e e
Vertices A ≡ ( −a,0 ) and A ≡ ( a,0 )
'

Major axis
The line segment A ' A in which the foci S' and S lies is of length 2a and is called the major axis (a>b)
S' and S lies of length 2a and is called the major axis (a>b) of the ellipse. Point of intersection of major axis
with directrix is called the foot of the directrix (z).
Minor axis the y-axis intersects the ellipse in the point B' ≡ ( 0,b ) and B ≡ (0,b) . The line segment B' B of
length 2b(b<a) is called the minor axis of ellipse.

Principal axis the major and minor axis together are called principal axis of the ellipse.
Centre The point which bisects every chord of the coin drawn through it is called the centre of the conic.
x2 y2
C=(0,0) the origin is the centre of the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1.
a b
Diameter A chord of the conic which passes through the centre is called a diameter of the conic.
Focal chord A chord which passes through a focus is called a focal chord.

Double ordinate A chord perpendicular to the major axis is called a double ordinate.
Latus rectum The focal chord perpendicular to the major axis is called the latusrectum. Length of Latusrectum
(minor axis )
2
2b2
( )
LL' =
a
=2
major axis
Note : (i) The sum of the focal distance of any point on the ellipse is equal to the major axis. Hence distance of
focus from the extremely of a minor axis is equal to semimajor axis.
i.e
x2 y2
(ii) If the equations of the elipse is given as 2 + 2 = 1 and nothing is mentioned then the rule is to
a b
assume that a>b

Position of Point w.r.t an Ellipse The point P ( x1,y1 ) lies outside, inside or on the ellipse according as;
x12 y 2
+ − 1 >< or = 0 .
a2 b2

Auxiliary Circle/Eccentric Angle: A circle described on major axis as diameter is called the auxiliary circle.
Let Q be a point on the auxiliary circle x 2 + y 2 = a2 such that QP produced is perpendicular to the x-axis, then
P and Q are called as the corresponding point on the ellipse and the auxiliary circle respectively ' θ ' is called
the eccentric angle of the point P on the ellipse ( 0 ≤ θ < 2π )

P (N) b Semiminor axis

Note that = =
( QN) a Semimajor axis
Hence “ If from each point of a circle perpendiculars are drawn upon the major axes then the locus of the points
dividing these perpendiculars in a given ratio is an ellipse of which the given circle is the auxiliary circle”.

Parametric Representation : The equations x = a cos θ and y = b sin θ together represent the ellipse
2 2
x y
2
+ 2 = 1.
a b
Where θ is a parameter. Note that if
P ( θ ) ≡ ( acos θ,b sin θ ) is on the ellipse then:
Q ( θ ) ≡ ( a cos θ,a sin θ ) is on the auxiliary circle.
x2 y2
Line and an Ellipse: The line y=mx+c meets the ellipse + = 1 in two points real, coincident or
a2 b 2
imaginary according as
c 2 is < = or > a2 m2 + b2 .
Hence, y = mx+c is tangent to the ellipse
x2 y2
+ =1
a2 b 2
If c 2 = a 2m 2 + b 2
The equation to the chord to the ellipse joining two points with eccentric angles α and β is given by
x α+β y α+β α −β
cos + sin = cos
a 2 b 2 2

Tangents
xx yy
(i) 21 + 21 = 1 is tangent to the ellipse at ( x1, y1 )
a b
(ii) y = mx ± a 2m 2 + b 2 is tangent to the ellipse for all values of m.
Note that there are two tangents to the ellipse having the same m, ie, there are two tangents parallel to
any given direction.

x cos θ y sin θ
(iii) + = 1 is tangent to the ellipse at the point ( a cos θ a, b sin θ )
a b
(iv) The eccentric angles of point of contact of two parallel tangents differ by π . Conversely if the difference
between the eccentric angles of two points is p then the tangents at these points are parallel.

(v) Point of intersection of the tangents at the point α and β is

α+β α+β
cos sin
a 2 ,b 2
α −β α −β
cos cos
2 2
Normals
(i) Equation of the normal at
a2 x b2 y
( x1,y1 ) is − = a2 − b2 = a 2 e 2
x1 y1
(ii) Equation of the normal at the point ( acos θ a, b sin θ ) is ax sec θ − by cos ecθ = ( a2 − b2 ) .
(iii) Equation of a normal in terms of its slope ‘m’ is

y = mx −
( )
a 2 − b2 m
.
a2 + b2 m2

Previous year questions from KVPY exam

SREAM – B

17. In a ellipse, its foci and the ends of its major axis are equally spaced, if the length of its semi-minor axis is
2 2 , then the length of its semi-major axis is :
(A) 4 (B) 2 3 (C) 10 (D) 3 [2014]

18. An ellipse inscribed in a semi-circle touches the circular are at two distinct points and also touches the
bounding diameter. its major axis is parallel to the bounding diameter. When the ellipse has the maximum
possible area, its eccentricity is
1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)none of these [2014]
2 2 3

19. Consider the conic ex 2 + πy 2 − 2e2 x − 2π2 y + e3 + π3 = e . Suppose P is any point on the conic and S1, S2
1
are the foci of the conic, then the maximum value of (PS1+PS2) is
(A) πe (B) πe (C) 2 π (D) 2 e [2012]
20. The smallest possible positive slope of a line whose y-intercept is 5 and which has a common point with the
2 2
ellipse 9x + 16y = 144 is
3 4 9
(A) (B) 1 (C) (D) [2011]
4 3 16
x2 y 2
21. Let P be an arbitrary point on the ellipse 2 + 2 − 1 = 0, a > b > 0. Suppose F1 and F2 are the foci of the
a b
ellipse. The locus of the centroid of the triangle PF1F2 moves on the ellipse is
(A) a circle (B) a parabola (C) an ellipse (D) a hyperbola [2010]
22.Consider an ellipse with foci at (5,15) and (21,15). If the x-axis is a tangent to the ellipse, then the length of its
major axis equals
(A) 17 (B) 34 (C)13 (D) 416 [2009]

23. The number of distinct points common to the curves x 2 + 4 y 2 = 1 and 4 x 2 + y 2 = 4 is

(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 4 [2008]

24. An ellipse has its major axis equal to the diameter of a circle and the area of the ellipse is one-third the area
of the circle. The eccentricity of the ellipse is :
2 2 2 1
2
(A) (B) 3 (C) 3 (D) 3 [2008]
3
25. In an ellipse, O is the centre, AB is the major axis and CD is the minor axis. Suppose the focus between
A and O is the ortho-centre of the triangle ACD. The eccentricity of the ellipse is
5 2+ 3
(A) (B)
2 2
5+2
(C) (D) not uniquely determinable [2008]
2

ASSIGNMENTS
2 2
x y
1. In ellipse + = 1 , find the equation to the chord which passes through the point (2,1) and is bisected at
36 9
that point.
(A) x+2y =4 (B) x-3y=-1 (C) 2x+y=5 (D) x+3y=5

2. A line of fixed length a+b moves so that its ends are always on her fixed perpendicular straight lines. What
is the locus of a point which divides this line into portions of length a and b
(A) circle (B) parabola (C) ellipse (D) hyperbola

3. Find the eccentricity of a ellipse, if its latus recturn be equal to one half its minor axis
1 3 3 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 2 4 2

x2 y2
4. Find the locus of the middle points of chords of an ellipse + = 1 which are drawn through the positive
a2 b 2
end of the minor axis
x2 y2 x x2 y2 y x2 y2 x x2 y2
(A) 2 + 2 − = 0 (B) + − =0 (C) + − =0 (D) − =0
a b a a2 b2 b b2 a 2 a a2 b2

 12  16
5. In an ellipse centre at origin, the length of the subtangent corresponding to the point  3,  is . Find
 5  3
the eccentricity of the ellipse
2 3 4 5
(A) (B) (C) (D)
5 5 5 6

6. If the normals at the ends of the latus recta, each passes through an end of the minor axis, then find the
relation on eccentricity
(A) e 4 − e2 + 1 = 0 (B) e 4 − e2 + 1 = 0 (C) e 4 + e2 − 1 = 0 (D) e 4 − e2 − 1 = 0
 x2 y2
7. Find the acute angle between the tangents to the ellipse + = 1 and the circle x 2 + y 2 = 4 at this
16 1
points of intersection.
3 4 2 3
(A) tan−1   (B) tan−1   (C) tan−1   (D) tan−1  
4 3 3 2

8. An ordinate NP of an ellipse meets, the auxiliary circle in Q. Find the locus of intersection of the normal at P
and Q.
(A) x 2 + y 2 = a2 + b2 (B) x 2 + y 2 = ( a + b )
2

x2 y2 x2 y2
= (a + b)
2
(C) + = a2 + b2 + (D)
a2 b 2 a2 b2
x2 y2 x2 y2
9. A tangent to the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 meets the ellipse + = a + b in the points P and Q. Find the angle
a b a b
between the tangents at P and Q
π π π π
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 4 6 2

10. Find the angle between the pairs of tangents drawn to the ellipse 3x 2 + 2y 2 − 5 from the point (1,2)
 12   3   4   6 
(A) tan−1   (B) tan−1   (C) tan−1   (D) tan−1  
 5  5  5  5

1 1 
11. An ellipse has eccentricity and one focus at S  ,1 . Its one directrix is the common tangent, (nearer to
2 2 
2 2 2 2
S) to the circle x + y = 1 and x – y = 1. The equation of the ellipse in standard form is
2 2
(A) 9  x − 1  + 12(y − 1)2 = 1 (B) 12  x − 1  + 9(y − 1) 2 = 1
   
 3  3
2
 1
 x −  2
2  (y − 1) (D) 3  x + 1  + 4(y − 1) 2 = 1
2
(C)  +
12 9  2

12. The line 2 px + y 1 − p = 1(| p |< 1) for different value of p touches.

2

2 3
(A) An ellipse of eccentricity (B) An ellipse of eccentricity
3 2
(C) Hyperbola of eccentricity 2 (D) None
2 2
13. If x = 9 is the chord of contact of the hyperbola x – y = 9, then the equation of the corresponding pair of
tangents is
2 2 2 2
(A) 9x – 8y + 18x – 9 = 0 (B) 9x – 8y + 18x + 9 = 0
2 2 2 2
(C) 9x – 8y – 18x + 9 = 0 (D) 9x – 8y + 18x + 9 = 0

x 2 y2
14. Consider an ellipse + = 1 , centered at point 'O' and having AB and CD is it's major and minor axes
a 2 b2
respectively. If S1 be one of the focus of the ellipse, radius of incircle of triangle OCS1 be 1 unit and OS1 = 6
units, then area of the ellipse is equal to
(A) 16 π sq. units (B) 36 π sq. units (C) 45 π sq. units (D) none of these
2 2
15. If tangents drawn to the ellipse x + 2y = 2, then the locus of the mid-point of the intercept made by the
tangents between the coordinate axes is
1 1 1 1
(A) 2
+ 2 =1 (B) 2
+ 2 =1
2x 4y 4x 2y
x 2 y2 x 2 y2
(C) + =1 (D) + =1
2 4 4 2
16. For the ellipse 3(x + y − 5) + 2(x − y + 7) = 6 foci of the ellipse are
2 2

 1 11   3 13   1 13   3 11 
(A)  − ,  and  − ,  (B)  − ,  and  − , 
 2 2  2 2  2 2  2 2
 1 11   3 13   1 11   3 13 
(C)  − , −  and  , −  (D)  ,  and  , 
 2 2 2 2 2 2  2 2 
x 2 y2
17. Locus of the mid-point of chords of the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 that are parallel to the line y = 2x + c, is
a b
(A) 2b y − a x = 0 (B) 2a y − b x = 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
(C) 2b y + a x = 0 (D) 2a y + b x = 0
x 2 y2
18. Normal drawn to the ellipse + = 1 at the point P(θ) meets the ellipse again at Point Q(2θ), value of
16 9
cosθ can be
16 1 19 21
(A) − (B) − (C) − (D) −
23 2 23 23
x 2 y2
19. P is any variable on the ellipse + = 1 having the points S1 and S2 as it's foci. Locus of incentre of
a 2 b2
triangle PS1S2 is
(A) a straight line (B) a circle (C) a parabola (D) an ellipse

x 2 y2
20. Tangents drawn to the ellipse + = 1 , from the point 'P', meets the coordinate axes at concyclic
16 9
points, then locus of 'P' is
(B) x − y = 7 (D) x − y = 25
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
(A) x + y = 7 (C) x + y = 25
x 2 y2
21. A variable tangent of the ellipse + = 1 meets the coordinate axes at the points A and B. Minimum
a 2 b2
area of circumcircle of triangle OAB, 'O' being the center of the ellipse, is
π π 2 2 π
(a − b) (B) π(a + b )
2 2 2 2
(A) (C) (a + b ) (D) (a + b)
4 4 4
2 2
22. Eccentricity of the ellipse 5x + 6xy + 5y = 8 is
1 3 2 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 2 3 3
x 2 y2
23. Tangents are drawn to the ellipse + = 1 from any point on the parabola y2 = 4x. The corresponding
36 9
chord of contact will touch a parabola, whose equation is
2 2 2 2
(A) y + 4x = 0 (B) y = 4x (C) y + 9x = 0 (D) y = 9x

24. An ellipse with major and minor axes of length 10 3 and 10 respectively, slides along the coordinates
axes and always remains confined in the first quadrant. The locus of the centre of the ellipse will be the arc
of a circle. The length of this arc will be equal to
5 5
(A) 10 π units (B) 5 π units (C) π units (D) π units
4 3
x 2 y2
25. PQ is variable chord of the ellipse + = 1. If PQ subtends a right angle at the center of the ellipse
a 2 b2
1 1
then + , ('O' being the origin) is equal to
OP OQ 2
2

1 1 2 1 1 2  1 1 
(A) 2 + 2 (B) 2 + 2 (C) + (D) 2 2 + 2 
a b a b a 2 b2 a b 
26. Locus of all such points so that sum of its distances from (2, −3) and (2, 5) is always 10, is
(x − 2) 2 (y − 1) 2 (x − 2) 2 (y − 1) 2
(A) + =1 (B) + =1
25 9 25 16
(x − 2) 2 (y − 1) 2 (x − 2) 2 (y − 1) 2
(C) + =1 (D) + =1
16 25 9 25
27. Coordinates of the vertices B and C of a triangle ABC are (2, 0) and (8, 0) respectively. The vertex A is
B C
varying in such a way that 4 tan tan = 1. Then locus of A is
2 2
(x − 5) 2
y 2
(x − 5) 2 y 2
(A) + =1 (B) + =1
25 16 16 25
(x − 5) 2 y 2 (x − 5) 2 y 2
(C) + =1 (D) + =1
25 9 9 25
x 2 y2 π
28. If the line lx + my + n = 0 cuts the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1 in points whose eccentric angles differ by , then
a b 2
a 2l 2 + b 2 m 2
=
n2
3
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D)
2
2 2
x y
29. Tangents are drawn to the ellipse + = 1 at ends of laterarecta. The area of quadrilateral so formed is
9 5
27 27 27
(A) 27 (B) (C) (D)
2 4 55
x2 y2
30. If a tangent of slope ‘m’ at a point of the ellipse + = 1 passes through (2a, 0) and if ‘e’ denotes the
a2 b2
eccentricity of the ellipse then
2 2 2 2 2 2
(A) m + e = 1 (B) 2m + e = 1 (C) 3m + e = 1 (D) none of these
2 2
31. If equation of ellipse is 16x + 25y = 400, then eccentricity of the ellipse
(A) 2/5 (B) 4/5 (C) 3/5 (D) 1/5

x2 y2
+
32. If any tangent to the ellipse is = 1 intercepts lengths h and k on the axes, then
a2 b2
h2 k 2 h2 k 2 a2 b2 a2 b 2
(A) 2 + 2 = 1 (B) 2 + 2 = 2 (C) 2 + 2 = 1 (D) 2 + 2 = 2
a b a b h k h k
2 2
x y
33. Two perpendicular tangents drawn to the ellipse + = 1 intersect on the curve
25 16
2 2 2 2
(A) x= 4 (B) y = 5 (C) x +y = 41 (D) x +y = 9

34. Equation to an ellipse whose centre is (-2, 3) and whose semi-axes are 3 and 2 and major axis parallel
to x-axis, is given by
2 2 2 2
(A) 4x + 9y + 16 x – 54y – 61 = 0 (B) 4x + 9y - 16 x + 54y + 61 = 0
2 2
(C) 4x + 9y + 16 x – 54y + 61 = 0 (D) none of these

35. Length of major axis of the ellipse, 3x − 6x + 4y − 8y − 5 = 0, is

2 2

(A) 4 (B) 1 (C) 3 (D) 2

36. Length of minor axis of the ellipse, 3x − 6x + 4y − 8y − 5 = 0, is

2 2

(A) 4 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 2 3

2 2
37. Equation of tangents to the ellipse 9x + 10y = 144 from the point (2, 3) are
(A) y = 3, x + y = 5 (B) x = 3, x – y = 5
(C) x + y = 3, x – y + 5 = 0 (D) none of these
 2 2 2
38. The equation of common tangents to the curves x + 4 y = 8 and y = 4 x are
(A) 2 y − x − 4 = 0 and 2 y + x + 4 = 0 (B) y − 2 x − 4 = 0 and y + 2 x + 4 = 0
(C) 2 y − x − 2 = 0 and 2 y + x + 2 = 0 (D) y − 2 x − 2 = 0 and y + 2 x + 2 = 0

x2 y2
39. If the line y = mx + c is a tangent to the ellipse + = 1 then corresponding point of contact is
a2 b2
a m b   −a m −b   a m −b   −a m b 
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

(A)  ,  (B)  , (C) , (D) ,

 c c   c c   c
 c   c
 c 

Ellipse

Answer key for KVPY questions:

1.D 2.D 3.C 4.B 5.C
6.B 7.C 8.C 9.D

Ellipse
ANSWER KEY

1.A 2.C 3.B 4.B 5.C

6.C 7.D 8.B 9.D 10.A
11.A 12.B 13.C 14.A 15.A
16.C 17.D 18.A 19.A 20.B
21.D 22.B 23.C 24.D 25.A
26.D 27.A 28.B 29.A 30.C
31. C 32.C 33.C 34.C 35.A
36. D 37.D 38.A 39.D
 Hyperbola
The hyperbola is a conic whose eccentricity is greater than unity (e>1).
Standard Equation and Definition (s) Standard equation of the hyperbola is
x2 y2
2
− 2 = 1 . Where b 2 = a 2 ( e 2 − 1)
a b
y
L
B (0,b)
(
x = ae, b2 / a )

A’ A
x’ x
(-a,0) C (0,0) (a,0) S ( ae,0 )
( −ae,0 ) S '

B’ (0,-b)

L’
a a
x = − y' x=
e e

b2
or a2 e2 = a2 + b 2 ie, e2 = 1 +
a2
2
 C.A 
= 1+  
 T.A 
Foci S ≡ ( ae,0 ) and S' ≡ ( −ae, 0 )
Equations of Directrices
a a
x= and x = −
e e
Vertices A ≡ ( a,0 ) and A ' ≡ ( −a,0 )
2b2
(Latusrectum) =
a
Transverse axis: The line segment A’ A of length 2a in which the foci S’ S and S both lie is called the T.A of
the hyperbola. The T.A and the C.A of the hyperbola are together called the principal axes of the hyperbola.

Focal Property The difference of the focal distances of any point on the hyperbola is constant and equal to
transverse axis i.e, || PS | - |PS’|| = 2a. The distance SS’ = focal length.
Conjugate Hyperbola Two hyperbolas such that transverse and conjugate axes of one hyperbola are
respectively the conjugate and the transverse axes of the other are called Conjugate Hyperbolas of each other.
x2 y2 −x2 y2
Eg, 2 − 2 = 1 and 2 + 2 =1 are conjugate hyperbola of each.
a b a b
Note: (i) If e1 and e2 are the eccentricities of the hyperbola and its conjugate then e1−2 + e2−2 = 1
Rectangular or Equilateral Hyperbola. The particular kind of hyperbola in which the lengths of the transverse
and hyperbola axis are equal is called an Equilateral Hyperbola.
Note that the eccentricity of the rectangular hyperbola is 2 and the length of its latusrectum is equal to its
transverse or conjugate axis.
x2 y2
Note: (i) The equation x = a sec θ and y =b tan θ together represents the hyperbola 2 − 2 = 1
a b
Where θ is a parameter. The parametric equations x = a cosh φ, y = b sin h φ , also repesents the same
hyperbola.
(ii) Since the fundamental equation to the hyperbola only differs from that to the ellipse in having - b 2
instead of b 2 it will be found that many propositions for the hyperbola are derived from those for the ellipse
by simple changing the sign of b 2

Line and Hyperbola The straight line y = mx-c is a secant, a tangent or passes outside the hyperbola
x2 y2
− = 1 according as
a2 b 2
C 2 >=< a 2m 2 − b 2
 x2 y2 xx yy
Tangent(i) Equation of the tangent to the hyperbola 2
− 2 = 1 at the point ( x1,y1 ) is 21 − 21 = 1
a b a b
x 2
y 2
x sec θ y tan θ
(ii) Equation of the tangent to the hyperbola 2 − 2 = 1 at the point ( a sec θ, b tan θ ) is − =1
a b a b
x2 y2
(iii) y = mx ± a 2 m2 − b2 can be taken as the tangent to hyperbola 2 − 2 = 1
a b
Normals

x2 y2
(iii) The equation of the normal to the hyperbola − = 1 at the point P ( x1,y1 ) on it is
a2 b 2
a2 x b2 y
+ = a2 − b = a2 e2
x1 y1
Previous Year Questions from KVPY exam
Stream-B

1. Suppose a,b are real numbers such that ab ≠ 0 . Which of the following four figures represents the curve
( y = ax + b ) (bx 2 + ay 2 − ab ) = 0 ?

[2010]

ASSIGNMENTS
5
1. Find the coordinates of the centre of the hyperbola, whose eccentricity is , whose focus is (a,0) and
4
whose directrix is 4x-3y=a.
a   −a  a a  −a 
(A)  , −a  (B)  ,a  (C)  ,  (D)  ,a 
3   3  2 2  2 

2. Find the length of the common tangent to the per hyperbola:

x2 y2 y2 x2
2
− 2 = 1 and 2 − 2 = 1
a b a b
 2 2  2 2  2 2
 a +b  2  a −b  2  a +b  2 2
(a)   (b)   (C)   (D) a −b
a − b2
2
a + b2
2
a − b2
2
a + b2
2

3. Find the equation of the chord of the hyperbola 25x 2 − 16y 2 = 400 which is bisected at the point (5,3)
(A) 25x-16y=81 (B) 125x+16y=121 (c) 125x-48y=181 (D) 45x+24y=111

4. From points on the circle x 2 + y 2 = a2 tangents are drawn to the hyperbola x 2 − y 2 = a2 . Find the locus of
the middle points of the chords of contact.
(a) ( x 2 − y 2 ) = a 2 ( x + y ) ( )
(B) x 2 + y 2 = a2 ( x − y )
2

(C) ( x 2 − y 2 ) = a 2 ( x 2 + y 2 ) (D) ( x ) ( )
2
2
+ y2 = a2 x 2 + y 2

1 1
5. If e and e ' be the eccentricities of a hyperbola and its conjugate hyperbola, then find the value of +
e2 e12
1 3
(A) 1 (B) (c) 2 (d)
2 2

6. Find the equation to the hyperbola, whose asymptotes are the straight lines x + 2y + 3 = 0 and
3x + 4y + 5 = 0 and which passes through the point (1,-1)
(A) 3x 2 + 10xy + 4y 2 + 7x + 11y + 7 = 0 (B) 3x 2 + 10xy + 8y 2 + 14x + 22y + 23 = 0
(C) 3x 2 + 5xy + 16y 2 + 21x + 11y + 21 = 0 (D) none of these
 x2 y2
7. Through the positive vertex of the hyperbola − = 1 a tangent is drawn. Find the points of constant of
a2 b 2
the tangent with the conjugate hyperbola in the first quadrant.
(A) (a,b) (
(B) a,b 2 ) (
(c) a 2,b 2 ) (
(d) a 2,b )
x2 y2
8. If a variable straight line xcosα + ysinα = p which is a chord of the hyperbola − =1
a2 b2
( b > a) subtend a right angle at the centre of the hyperbola then it always touches a fixed circle whose
radius is
ab ab ab
(A) (B) (C) (D) none of these
b2 − a2 b +a
2 2
a − b2
2

x 2 y2
9. If tangent at a point on the hyperbola − = 1 cuts the axis at A and B and rectangle OAPB is
a 2 b2
completed, then locus of point P is given by (when O is the centre of the hyperbola)
a 2 b2 a 2 b2
(A) − =1 (B) + =1
x2 y2 y2 x 2
a 2 b2 x2 y2
(C) − =1 (D) + =1
y2 x2 a 1 − b2 b 1 − a2

10. If a triangle is inscribed in a rectangular hyperbola, then its orthocentre will lie on a
(A) circle (B) straight line
(C) rectangular hyperbola (D) none of these

11. Which of the following expressions (t being the parameter) can't represent a hyperbola?
tx y x ty a  1
b  1
(A) − + t = 0, + − 1 = 0 (B) x =  t + , y =
t − 
a b a b 2 t
2 t
−t −t  2 t 
(C) x = e + e , y = e − e (D) x = 2(cos t + 3), y = 2  2 cos − 1
t t 2 2

 2 
2 2
x y
12. Shortest distance between the curves 2 − 2 = 1, 4x + 4y = a (b > a), is
2 2 2

a b
b b a a
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 2 2 2
2 2
13. The coordinates of the center of the hyperbola x + 2y + 3xy + 2x + 3y + 2 = 0 is
(A) (1, 0) (B) (−1, 0) (C) (−1, 1) (D) (1, −1)
2
14. Length of the latus rectum of the hyperbola xy = c , is equal to
(A) 2c (B) 2c (C) 2 2c (D) 4c
2
15. Area of the triangle formed by any arbitrary tangent of the hyperbola xy = c , with coordinate axes is equal
to
(A) 2c
2
(B) 2c2 (C) 2 2c2 (D) 4c
2

x 2 y2
16. Total number of tangents of the hyperbola − = 1, that are perpendicular to the line
9 4
5x + 2y - 3 = 0, is/are
(A) zero (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) none of these
2 2
17. Total number of common tangents of y = 4ax and xy = C , is equal to
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
2
18. Tangent at any arbitrary point 'P' on the curve xy = c , meets the coordinate axes at A and B. Locus of the
circumcentre of triangle AOB, 'O' being the origin, is
2
(A) xy = c (B) x = cy (C) y = cx (D) None of these
19. Locus of the center of a circle touching two given circles externally, will be a hyperbola if
(A) the circles are orthogonal (B) the circles have unequal radii
(C) the circles are non-intersecting (D) all of these

20. The asymptotes of the hyperbola hx + ky = xy, are

(A) x − k = 0, y − h = 0 (B) x + h = 0, y + k = 0
(C) x − h = 0, y − k = 0 (D) x + k = 0, y + h = 0
x 2 y2
21. Locus of the point of intersection of tangents drawn to the curve − = 1 at the points whose eccentric
a 2 b2
angles differ by π/2 is
(A) x = ab (B) y = ab (C) y = b (D) x = b

22. Product of the distances of a moving point 'P' from the lines x + y − 3 = 0 and x − y + 6 = 0 is equal to 12. 'P'
will lie on a hyperbola, whose eccentricity is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 2 2 (C) 2 3 (D) 2 5
2
23. M and N are the foot of altitudes drawn from any point P on the hyperbola xy = c on it's asymptotes. Locus
of the mid-point of MN is
2 2 2 2
(A) xy = 2c (B) xy = 4c (C) 2xy = c (D) 4xy = c

x 2 y2
24. If 'e' is the eccentricity of the hyperbola − = 1 and 'θ' be the angle between it's asymptotes, then
a 2 b2
θ
cos is equal to
2
1 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2e e e2 2e 2

25. The equation of a line passing through the center of a rectangular hyperbola is x − y − 1 = 0. If one it's
asymptote is 3x − 4y − 6 = 0, then equation of it's other asymptote is
(A) 4x + 3y + 17 = 0 (B) 4x + 3y − 17 = 0 (C) 4x + 3y − 15 = 0 (D) 4x + 3y + 15 = 0

26. Equation of one of the latus rectum of the hyperbola (10x − 5) + (10y − 2) = 9(3x + 4y −7) is
2 2 2

(A) 30x − 40y − 23 = 0 (B) 40x + 30y − 23 = 0

(C) 30x + 40y + 23 = 0 (D) 40x + 30y + 23 = 0
2
27. A circle cuts the rectangular hyperbola xy = c the points (x1, y1), i = 1 to 4. Then the values of x1, x2, x3, x4
and y1.y2.y3.y4 are respectively
(C) c , −c (B) c , −c
4 4 2 2 4 4 2 2
(C) c , c (D) c , c
2
28. If sum of the slopes of normals drawn from the point 'P' to the hyperbola xy = c is equal to 4, then locus of
'P' is
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
(A) x = 2c (B) x = 4c (C) x + y = 2c (B) x + y = 4c

29. Normals drawn to the hyperbola xy = 1 at any point 'P' on it, meets the coordinates axes at the points A and
B respectively. If the rectangle OACB (O being the origin) is completed, then locus of C is
(A) c (x −y ) − x y = 0 (B) c (x + y ) − x y = 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3

(C) c (x −y ) + x y = 0 (D) c (x −y ) + x y = 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3

x 2 y2
30. Foot of the normals drawn from the point P(h, k) to the hyperbola − = 1 will always lie on the conic
a 2 b2
(A) a ky − b hx = xy(a − b )
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
(B) a ky + b hx = xy(a + b )
(C) a ky − b hy = xy(a − b )
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
(D) a hy + b kx = xy(a + b )

x 2 y2
31. The coordinates of the point on the hyperbola − = 1 that is nearest to line 3x+2y + 1 = 0 is
24 18
(A) (6, 3) (B) (6, −3) (C) (−6, −3) (D) (−6, 3)
 2
32. The chord PQ of the hyperbola xy = c , meets the x-axis at A. If 'R' is the mid-point of PQ and 'Q' is the
origin, then triangle ARO is necessarily
(A) Equilateral (B) Isosceles
(C) Right angled (D) None of these
x 2 y2
33. A variable chord PQ, x cos θ + y sin θ = p of the hyperbola − = 1 , subtends a right angle at the
a 2 2a 2
origin. This chord will always touch a circle whose radius is
a
(A) a (B) (C) a 2 (D) 2a 2
2
34. P is any point on the hyperbola x − y = a . If F1 and F2 are the foci of the hyperbola and PF1.PF2 = λ. OP ,
2 2 2 2

where O is the origin then 'λ' is equal to

(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 2 (D) None of these
2
35. The vertices of a triangle ABC lie on the hyperbola xy = c . If the tangent drawn to hyperbola at 'A' is right
angle to the side BC of the triangle, then triangle ABC is necessarily
(A) Equilateral (B) Isosceles (C) Right angled (D) None of these

36. The product of the lengths of the perpendicular drawn from foci on any tangent to the hyperbola
x2 y2
− = 1 is
a2 b2
(D) a − b
2 2 2 2 2 2
(A) a (B) b (C) a + b

x2 y2
37. If the tangent at the point (2secθ, 3 tanθ) of the hyperbola − = 1 is parallel to
4 9
3x − y + 4 = 0, then the value of θ is
(A) 45° (B) 60° (C) 30° (D) 75°

38. Consider the system of hyperbola xy = k, k∈R. Let e1 be the eccentricity when k = 4 and e1 be the
eccentricity when k = 9 then e1 – e2 =
(A) -1 (B) 1 (C) 0 (D) 2
 c 2
39. If the normal at  ct,  on the curve xy = c meets the curve again in t1, then
 t
1 1 1 1
(A) t1 = − (B) t1 = − (C) t1 = 2 (D) t1 = −
t3 t t t2
x2 y2
40. If one asymptote of the hyperbola − = 1 makes an angle of 30°, with the positive direction of x-
a2 b2
axis, then the eccentricity of the hyperbola is
1 2
(A) 2 (B) (C) (D) none of these
2 3

Hyperbola

Answer key for KVPY questions

1.B

Hyperbola

Answer Key for Assignments

1. B 2.A 3.C 4.C 5. A

6.B 7.B 8. A 9. A 10. C
11. D 12.C 13.B 14.C 15. A
16. A 17. A 18. A 19. D 20. A
21. C 22. A 23. D 24. B 25. B
26. A 27. C 28. C 29. D 30. D
31. D 32. B 33. C 34. B 35. C
36. B 37.C 38. C 39. A 40. C