Let the normals at all the points on a given curve pass through a fixed point (a, b). If the curve passes through and and given that , then is equal to ____
Answer: 9
Solution
The normal at a point of the curve passes through exactly when is perpendicular to the tangent there, so along the curve
The distance from is therefore constant and the curve is a circle centred at . Equating the squared distances of and from the centre,
Subtracting the given relation leaves , so and . Hence
The value of is .
The distance from is therefore constant and the curve is a circle centred at . Equating the squared distances of and from the centre,
Subtracting the given relation leaves , so and . Hence
The value of is .
JEE Main · 2021 · 26 Feb 2021 · Shift 2 · Integer answer