1. ## Coordinate systems help!

Question is:

The variable chord $PQ$ on the parabola with equation $y^2=4x$ subtends a right angle at the origin $O$. By taking $P$ as $(t_1^2,2t_1)$ and $Q$ as $(t_2^2,2t_2)$, find a relation between $t_1$ and $t_2$ and hence show that $PQ$ passes through a fixed point on the $x-axis$.

2. Hello,

If you've learnt vectors, you can say that :

$\vec{OP}.\vec{OQ} = 0$

$\vec{OP}$ is $(t_1^2, 2t_1)$
$\vec{OQ}$ is $(t_2^2, 2t_2)$

$\vec{OP}.\vec{OQ} = x_{\vec{OP}} x_{\vec{OQ}} + y_{\vec{OP}} y_{\vec{OQ}}$

Then, you'll have a relation between $t_1$ and $t_2$

To find the fixed point, on the x-axis, find the equation of (PQ) (form y=ax+b) and solve it for the point of 0-ordinate (on the x-axis, all points have 0-ordinate)

3. Originally Posted by rednest
Question is:

The variable chord $PQ$ on the parabola with equation $y^2=4x$ subtends a right angle at the origin $O$. By taking $P$ as $(t_1^2,2t_1)$ and $Q$ as $(t_2^2,2t_2)$, find a relation between $t_1$ and $t_2$ and hence show that $PQ$ passes through a fixed point on the $x-axis$.
The staionary vector pointing at P is $\vec p=\left(\begin{array} {c}t_1^2\\2t_1 \end{array}\right)$ and the staionary vector pointing at Q is $\vec q=\left(\begin{array} {c}t_2^2\\2t_2 \end{array}\right)$

Since these 2 vectors subtend a right angle the dot product of the vectors must be zero:

$\vec p \cdot \vec q = \left(\begin{array} {c}t_1^2\\2t_1 \end{array}\right) \cdot \left(\begin{array} {c}t_2^2\\2t_2 \end{array}\right) = 0$ That means:

$t_1^2 \cdot t_2^2 + 4\cdot t_1 t_2 = 0~\implies~t_1 t_2 = 0~\vee~ t_1 t_2 = -4$

The first case happens if P = O or Q = O.
From the 2nd case we get: $t_2 = -\frac4{t_1}$. Therefore the coordinates of the point Q become: $Q\left(\frac{16}{t_1^2} ,~ -\frac8{t_1}\right)$

I only write t if $t_1$ is meant.

Calculate the equation of the line PQ:

$y - 2t=\frac{2t+\frac8t}{t^2-\frac{16}{t^2}} \cdot (x-t^2)$ Solve for y.

$y = \frac{2t}{t^2-4}\cdot (x-4)$

Now choose 2 different values for t, for instance t = r or t = s. You'll get 2 different equations for 2 different lines. Calculate the coordinates of the point of intersection between these 2 lines.
You'll get the Point I(4, 0)

I've attached a sketch of the situation.