27 problems found
The curve \(C\) is given parametrically by the equations \(x = 3t^2\), \(y = 2t^3\). Show that the equation of the tangent to \(C\) at the point \((3p^2 , 2p^3)\) is \(y = px - p^3\). Find the point of intersection of the tangents to \(C\) at the distinct points \((3p^2 , 2p^3)\) and \((3q^2 , 2q^3)\). Hence show that, if these two tangents are perpendicular, their point of intersection is \((u^2 + 1 , -u)\), where \(u = p + q\). The curve \(\tilde{C}\) is given parametrically by the equations \(x = u^2 + 1\), \(y = -u\). Find the coordinates of the points that lie on both \(C\) and \(\tilde{C}\). Sketch \(C\) and \(\tilde{C}\) on the same axes.
Solution: \begin{align*} && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= \frac{\frac{\d y}{\d t}}{\frac{\d x}{\d t}} \\ &&&= \frac{6t^2}{6t} = t \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{y-2p^3}{x - 3p^2} &= p \\ \Rightarrow && y &= px-3p^3+2p^3 \\ && y &= px - p^3 \end{align*} The two lines will be \begin{align*} && y &= px - p^3 \\ && y &= qx - q^3 \\ \Rightarrow && p^3-q^3 &= (p-q)x \\ \Rightarrow && x &= p^2+pq+q^2 \\ && y &= p(p^2+pq+q^2)-p^3 \\ &&&= pq(p+q) \\ && (x,y) &= (p^2+pq+q^2,pq(p+q)) \\ \end{align*} If the tangents are \(\perp\) then \(pq=-1\), so we have \begin{align*} && (x,y) &= (p^2+2pq+q^2-pq, pq(p+q)) \\ &&&= ((p+q)^2-1, -(p+q)) \\ &&&= (u^2-1, -u) \end{align*} We have \(x = y^2+1\) and \(\left ( \frac{x}{3} \right)^3 = \left ( \frac{y}{2}\right)^2 \Rightarrow y^2 = \frac{4}{27}x^3\) so \begin{align*} && 0 &= \frac{4}{27}x^3-x+1 \\ &&0&=4x^3-27x+27 \\ &&&= (x+3)(2x-3)^2 \end{align*} So we have the points \((x,y) = \left (\frac32, \pm\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right)\)
The Devil's Curve is given by $$y^2(y^2 - b^2) = x^2(x^2 - a^2),$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive constants.
Solution:
The line \(y=a^2 x\) and the curve \(y=x(b-x)^2\), where \(0 < a < b\,\), intersect at the origin \(O\) and at points \(P\) and \(Q \). The \(x\)-coordinate of \(P\) is less than the \(x\)-coordinate of \(Q\). Find the coordinates of \(P\) and \(Q\), and sketch the line and the curve on the same axes. Show that the equation of the tangent to the curve at \(P\) is \[ y = a(3a-2b)x + 2a(b-a)^2 . \] This tangent meets the \(y\)-axis at \(R\). The area of the region between the curve and the line segment \(OP\) is denoted by \(S\). Show that \[ S= \frac1{12}(b-a)^3(3a+b)\,. \] The area of triangle \(OPR\) is denoted by \(T\). Show that \(S>\frac{1}{3}T\,\).
Solution:
The point \(P(a\sec \theta, b\tan \theta )\) lies on the hyperbola \[ \dfrac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}-\dfrac{y^{2}}{b^{2}}=1\,, \] where \(a>b>0\,\). Show that the equation of the tangent to the hyperbola at \(P\) can be written as \[ bx- ay \sin\theta = ab \cos\theta \,. \]
Solution: Note that \begin{align*} && \frac{\d a \sec \theta}{\d \theta} &= a \sec \theta \tan \theta \\ && \frac{\d b \tan \theta}{\d \theta} &= b \sec^2 \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= \frac{b \sec^2 \theta}{a \sec \theta \tan \theta} \\ &&&= \frac{b}{a} \frac{1}{\sin \theta} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{y-b \tan \theta}{x - a \sec \theta} &= \frac{b}{a} \frac{1}{\sin \theta} \\ \Rightarrow && a \sin \theta y - ab \tan \theta \sin \theta &= bx -ab \sec \theta \\ \Rightarrow && bx-ay\sin \theta &= ab \sec x (1 - \sin ^2 \theta) \\ &&&= ab \cos \theta \end{align*}
The points \(P(ap^2, 2ap)\) and \(Q(aq^2, 2aq)\), where \(p>0\) and \(q<0\), lie on the curve \(C\) with equation $$y^2= 4ax\,,$$ where \(a>0\,\). Show that the equation of the tangent to \(C\) at \(P\) is $$y= \frac 1 p \, x +ap\,.$$ The tangents to the curve at \(P\) and at \(Q \) meet at \(R\). These tangents meet the \(y\)-axis at \(S\) and \(T\) respectively, and \(O\) is the origin. Prove that the area of triangle \(OPQ\) is twice the area of triangle \(RST\).
Solution: \begin{align*} && 2yy' &= 4a \\ \Rightarrow && y' &= \frac{2a}{y} = \frac{2a}{2ap} = \frac1p \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{y-2ap}{x-ap^2} &= \frac1p \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \frac1p x +ap \end{align*} The other tangent will be \(y = \frac1qx+aq\) \begin{align*} &&& \begin{cases} py-x &= ap^2 \\ qy - x &= aq^2 \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && y(p-q) &= a(p^2-q^2) \\ \Rightarrow && y &= a(p+q) \\ && x &= apq \end{align*} Therefore \(R(apq, a(p+q)), S(0, ap), T(0, aq)\).
Show that the point \(T\) with coordinates \[ \left( \frac{a(1-t^2)}{1+t^2} \; , \; \frac{2bt}{1+t^2}\right) \tag{\(*\)} \] (where \(a\) and \(b\) are non-zero) lies on the ellipse \[ \frac{x^2}{a^2} + \frac{y^2}{b^2} =1 \,. \]
Solution:
The curve \(C_1\) has parametric equations \(x=t^2\), \(y= t^3\), where \(-\infty < t < \infty\,\). Let \(O\) denote the point \((0,0)\). The points \(P\) and \(Q\) on \(C_1\) are such that \(\angle POQ\) is a right angle. Show that the tangents to \(C_1\) at \(P\) and \(Q\) intersect on the curve \(C_2\) with equation \(4y^2=3x-1\). Determine whether \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) meet, and sketch the two curves on the same axes.
Solution: \(\angle POQ = 90^\circ\) means that if \(P(p^2,p^3)\) and \(Q(q^2,q^3)\) are our points then \(OP^2+OQ^2 = PQ^2\), so \begin{align*} && p^4+p^6+q^4+q^6 &= (p^2-q^2)^2+(p^3-q^3)^2 \\ &&&= p^4+q^4-2p^2q^2+p^6+q^6-2p^3q^3 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2p^2q^2(1+pq) \\ \Rightarrow && pq &= -1 \\ \\ && \frac{\d y}{ \d x} &= \frac{\frac{\d y }{\d t}}{\frac{\d x}{\d t}} \\ &&&= \frac{3t^2}{2t} = \tfrac32t \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{y-p^3}{x-p^2} &= \tfrac32p \\ \Rightarrow && 2(y-p^3) &=3p(x-p^2) \\ && 2(y-q^3) &=3q(x-q^2) \\ \Rightarrow && 2(q^3-p^3) &= (3p-3q)x+3(q^3-p^3) \\ && p^3-q^3 &= 3(p-q)x \\ \Rightarrow && x &= \tfrac13(p^2+q^2+pq) \\ && 2y &= 3p(\tfrac13(p^2+q^2+pq)-p^2)+2p^3 \\ &&&= p(p^2+q^2+pq)-p^3 \\ &&&= pq^2+p^2q \\ &&&= -p-q \\ &&y&= -\frac{p+q}{2} \\ \\ && 4y^2 &= p^2+q^2 \\ && 3x-1 &= p^2+q^2 \\ \end{align*} To check if they meet, try \(4t^6=3t^2 - 1\). Consider \(y = 4x^3-3x+1\) \(y(0) = 1\) and \(y' = 12x^2-3 = 3(4x^2-1)\) which has roots at \(\pm \tfrac12\), therefore we need to test \(y(\tfrac12) = \tfrac12-\tfrac32 + 1 = 0\), so there is a one intersection at \(x = \tfrac1{2}, y = \tfrac1{2\sqrt{2}}\)
Let \(L_a\) denote the line joining the points \((a,0)\) and \((0, 1-a)\), where \(0< a < 1\). The line \(L_b\) is defined similarly.
Solution:
The curve \(C\) has equation \(xy = \frac12\). The tangents to \(C\) at the distinct points \(P\big(p, \frac1{2p}\big)\) and \(Q\big(q, \frac1{2q}\big)\) where \(p\) and \(q\) are positive, intersect at \(T\) and the normals to \(C\) at these points intersect at \(N\). Show that \(T\) is the point \[ \left( \frac{2pq}{p+q}\,,\, \frac 1 {p+q}\right)\!. \] In the case \(pq=\frac12\), find the coordinates of \(N\). Show (in this case) that \(T\) and \(N\) lie on the line \(y=x\) and are such that the product of their distances from the origin is constant.
Solution: \begin{align*} && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= -\frac1{2x^2} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{y - \frac{1}{2p}}{x - p} &= - \frac{1}{2p^2} \\ \Rightarrow && y - \frac1{2p} &= -\frac{1}{2p^2}x +\frac1{2p} \\ \Rightarrow && y +\frac{1}{2p^2}x &= \frac1p \\ \Rightarrow && 2p^2 y + x &= 2p\\ \Rightarrow && 2q^2 y + x &= 2q \\ \Rightarrow && (p^2-q^2)y &= p-q \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \frac{1}{p+q} \\ && x &= \frac{2pq}{p+q} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \text{normal}: && \frac{y-\frac1{2p}}{x-p} &= 2p^2 \\ \Rightarrow && y - \frac1{2p} &= 2p^2x - 2p^3 \\ \Rightarrow && 2py -4p^3x &= 1-4p^4 \\ \Rightarrow && 2qy -4q^3x &= 1-4q^4 \\ pq = \tfrac12: && y - 2p^2 x &= q-2p^3 \\ && y - 2q^2 x &= p-2q^3 \\ \Rightarrow && (2q^2-2p^2)x &= q-p +2q^3-2p^3 \\ &&&= (q-p)(q+p+2q^2+1+2p^2) \\ \Rightarrow && x &= \frac{1+2(p^2+q^2)+1}{2(p+q)} \\ &&&= \frac{1+2(p^2+q^2+2pq-1)+1}{2(p+q)} \\ &&&= p+q\\ && y &= 2p^2 \left ( p+q \right) + q - 2p^3 \\ &&&= p+q \end{align*} So \(N(p+q, p+q)\) and \(T\left (\frac{1}{p+q}, \frac{1}{p+q} \right)\), so both points lie on \(y = x\). \[ OT \cdot ON = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{p+q} \cdot (p+q)\sqrt{2} = 2 \] which is clearly constant.
Solution:
The distinct points \(P\) and \(Q\), with coordinates \((ap^2,2ap)\) and \((aq^2,2aq)\) respectively, lie on the curve \(y^2=4ax\). The tangents to the curve at \(P\) and \(Q\) meet at the point \(T\). Show that \(T\) has coordinates \(\big(apq, a(p+q)\big)\). You may assume that \(p\ne0\) and \(q\ne0\). The point \(F\) has coordinates \((a,0)\) and \(\phi\) is the angle \(TFP\). Show that \[ \cos\phi = \frac{pq+1}{\sqrt{(p^2+1)(q^2+1)}\ } \] and deduce that the line \(FT\) bisects the angle \(PFQ\).
Solution: The tangent at \((at^2, 2at)\) can be found \begin{align*} && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= \frac{\dot{y}}{\dot{x}} \\ &&&= \frac{2a}{2at} = \frac1t \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{y-2at}{x-at^2} &= \frac1t \\ \Rightarrow && ty -x &= at^2 \\ \\ PT: && py - x &= ap^2 \\ QT: && qy - x &= aq^2 \\ \Rightarrow && (p-q)y &= a(p^2-q^2) \\ \Rightarrow && y &= a(p+q) \\ && x &= aq(p+q) - aq^2 \\ &&&= apq \end{align*} By the cosine rule: \begin{align*} && TP^2 &= FT^2 + FP^2 - 2 \cdot FT \cdot FP \cdot \cos \phi \\ && (apq - ap^2)^2 + (a(p+q)-2ap)^2 &= (a-apq)^2+(a(p+q))^2 + \\ &&&\quad + (a-ap^2) + (2ap)^2 - 2 \cdot FT \cdot FP \cdot \cos \phi \\ \Rightarrow && a^2p^2(q-p)^2 + a^2(q-p)^2 &= a^2(1-pq)^2+a^2(p+q)^2 + \\ &&&\quad + a^2(1-p^2)^2+4a^2p^2 - 2 \cdot FT \cdot FP \cdot \cos \phi \\ && a^2(p^2+1)(q-p)^2 &= a^2(1+p^2)(1+q^2) + a^2(1+p^2)^2 + \\ &&&\quad - 2 \cdot a^2(1+p^2)\sqrt{(1+p^2)(1+q^2)} \cos \phi \\ \Rightarrow && \cos \phi &= \frac{a^2(1+p^2)(2+q^2+p^2-(q-p)^2)}{2 a^2 (1+p^2)\sqrt{(1+p^2)(1+q^2)}} \\ &&&= \frac{1+pq}{\sqrt{(1+p^2)(1+q^2)}} \end{align*} As required. Notice that by symmetry, \(\cos \angle TFQ = \frac{1+qp}{\sqrt{(1+q^2)(1+p^2)}} = \cos \phi\). Therefore they have the same angle and \(FT\) bisects \(PFQ\)
A curve has the equation \[ y^3 = x^3 +a^3+b^3\,, \] where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive constants. Show that the tangent to the curve at the point \((-a,b)\) is \[ b^2y-a^2x = a^3+b^3\,. \] In the case \(a=1\) and \(b=2\), show that the \(x\)-coordinates of the points where the tangent meets the curve satisfy \[ 7x^3 -3x^2 -27x-17 =0\,. \] Hence find positive integers \(p\), \(q\), \(r\) and \(s\) such that \[ p^3 = q^3 +r^3 +s^3\,. \]
Solution: \begin{align*} && y^3 &= x^3 + a^3 + b^3 \\ \Rightarrow && 3y^2 \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= 3x^2 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= \frac{x^2}{y^2} \end{align*} Therefore the tangent at the point \((-a,b)\) has gradient \(\frac{a^2}{b^2}\), ie \begin{align*} && \frac{y-b}{x+a} &= \frac{a^2}{b^2} \\ \Rightarrow && b^2y - b^3 &= a^2 x + a^3 \\ \Rightarrow && b^2 y-a^2 x &= a^3 + b^3 \end{align*} Notice that tangent will be, \(4y-x = 9\) so substituting this we obtain: \begin{align*} && \left (\frac{9+x}{4} \right)^3 &= x^3 + 9 \\ \Rightarrow && 9^3 + 3 \cdot 9^2 x + 3 \cdot 9x^2 + x^3 &= 64x^3 + 64 \cdot 9 \\ \Rightarrow && 9 \cdot (9^2 - 8^2) + 9 \cdot (3 \cdot 9) + 9 \cdot 3x^2 -9 \cdot 7x^3 &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && 7x^3-3x^2-27x-17 &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && (x+1)^2(7x-17) &= 0 \tag{repeated root since tangent} \end{align*} So we have another point on the curve \(y^3 = x^3 + 2^3 + 1^3\), namely \((\frac{17}7, \frac{17+9 \cdot 7}{28}) = (\frac{17}7, \frac{20}{7})\), so \begin{align*} 20^3 &= 17^3 + 14^3 + 7^3 \end{align*}
A curve is given by \[x^2+y^2 +2axy = 1,\] where \(a\) is a constant satisfying \(0 < a < 1\). Show that the gradient of the curve at the point \(P\) with coordinates \((x,y)\) is \[\displaystyle - \frac {x+ay}{ax+y}\,,\] provided \(ax+y \ne0\). Show that \(\theta\), the acute angle between \(OP\) and the normal to the curve at \(P\), satisfies \[ \tan\theta = a\vert y^2-x^2\vert\;. \] Show further that, if \(\ \displaystyle \frac{\d \theta}{\d x}=0\) at \(P\), then:
Solution: \begin{align*} && 1 &= x^2 + y^2 + 2axy \\ \frac{\d}{\d x}: && 0 &= 2x + 2y \frac{\d y}{\d x} + 2ay + 2ax \frac{\d y}{\d x} \\ &&&= (2x+2ay) + \frac{\d y}{\d x} \left (2ax + 2y \right) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= -\frac{x+ay}{ax+y} \end{align*}
The point \(P(a\cos\theta\,,\, b\sin\theta)\), where \(a>b>0\), lies on the ellipse \[\dfrac {x^2}{a^2} + \dfrac {y^2}{b^2}=1\,.\] The point \(S(-ea\,,\,0)\), where \(b^2=a^2(1-e^2)\,\), is a focus of the ellipse. The point \(N\) is the foot of the perpendicular from the origin, \(O\), to the tangent to the ellipse at \(P\). The lines \(SP\) and \(ON\) intersect at \(T\). Show that the \(y\)-coordinate of \(T\) is \[\dfrac{b\sin\theta}{1+e\cos\theta}\,.\] Show that \(T\) lies on the circle with centre \(S\) and radius \(a\).
Solution: Find the gradient of the tangent of the ellipse at \(P\): \begin{align*} && \frac{2x}{a^2} + \frac{2y}{b^2} \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{\d y}{\d x} &= - \frac{2xb^2}{2ya^2} \\ &&&=- \frac{a \cos \theta b^2}{b \sin \theta a^2} \\ &&&=-\frac{b}{a} \cot \theta \end{align*} Therefore the gradient of \(ON\) is \(\frac{a}{b} \tan \theta\). \begin{align*} && y &= \frac{a}{b} \tan \theta x \\ && \frac{y-0}{x-(-ea)} &= \frac{b\sin \theta-0}{a\cos \theta -(-ea)} \\ && y &= \frac{b \sin \theta}{a(e+\cos \theta)}(x+ea) \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \frac{b \sin \theta}{a(\cos \theta+e)}\frac{b}{a} \cot \theta y+ \frac{eb \sin \theta}{\cos \theta + e} \\ &&&= \frac{b^2 \cos \theta}{a^2(\cos \theta +e)}y + \frac{eb \sin \theta}{\cos \theta + e} \\ \Rightarrow && (\cos \theta+e)y &= (1-e^2)\cos \theta y +eb \sin \theta\\ && e(1+e\cos \theta)y &= eb \sin \theta \\ \Rightarrow && y &= \frac{b \sin \theta}{1+e\cos \theta} \\ && x &= \frac{b \sin \theta}{1+e\cos \theta} \frac{b}{a} \cot \theta \\ &&&= \frac{b^2 \cos \theta}{a(1+e\cos \theta)} \end{align*} Therefore \(\displaystyle T\left (\frac{b^2 \cos \theta}{a(1+e\cos \theta)}, \frac{b \sin \theta}{1+e\cos \theta} \right)\). Finally, we can look at the distance of \(T\) from \(S\) \begin{align*} && d^2 &= \left (\frac{b^2 \cos \theta}{a(1+e\cos \theta)}-(-ea) \right)^2 + \left (\frac{b \sin \theta}{1+e\cos \theta} -0\right)^2 \\ &&&= \frac{\left (b^2 \cos \theta+ea^2(1+e\cos\theta)\right)^2 + \left ( ab \sin \theta\right)^2}{a^2(1+e\cos \theta)^2} \\ &&&= \frac{b^4\cos^2\theta+e^2a^4(1+e\cos\theta)^2+2ea^2b^2(1+e\cos\theta)+a^2b^2\sin^2\theta}{a^2(1+e\cos\theta)^2} \\ &&&= \frac{a^4(1-e^2)^2\cos^2\theta+e^2a^4(1+e\cos\theta)^2+2ea^2a^2(1-e^2)(1+e\cos\theta)+a^4(1-e^2)\sin^2\theta}{a^2(1+e\cos\theta)^2} \\ &&&= a^2 \left ( \frac{(1-e^2)^2\cos^2\theta+e^2(1+e\cos\theta)^2+2e(1-e^2)(1+e\cos\theta)+(1-e^2)(1-\cos^2\theta)}{(1+e\cos\theta)^2} \right) \\ &&&= a^2 \left ( \frac{e^2(1+e\cos\theta)^2+(1-e^2)((1-e^2)\cos^2\theta+2e(1+e\cos\theta)+(1-\cos^2\theta))}{(1+e\cos\theta)^2} \right) \\ &&&= a^2 \left ( \frac{e^2(1+e\cos\theta)^2+(1-e^2)(1+e\cos\theta)^2}{(1+e\cos\theta)^2} \right) \\ &&&= a^2 \end{align*} Therefore a circle radius \(a\) centre \(S\).
A curve is given parametrically by \begin{align*} x&= a\big( \cos t +\ln \tan \tfrac12 t\big)\,,\\ y&= a\sin t\,, \end{align*} where \(0 < t < \frac12 \pi\) and \(a\) is a positive constant. Show that \(\ds \frac{\d y}{\d x} = \tan t\) and sketch the curve. Let \(P\) be the point with parameter \(t\) and let \(Q\) be the point where the tangent to the curve at \(P\) meets the \(x\)-axis. Show that \(PQ=a\). The {\sl radius of curvature}, \(\rho\), at \(P\) is defined by \[ \rho= \frac {\big(\dot x ^2+\dot y^2\big)^{\frac32}} {\vert \dot x \ddot y - \dot y \ddot x\vert \ \ } \,, \] where the dots denote differentiation with respect to \(t\). Show that \(\rho =a\cot t\). The point \(C\) lies on the normal to the curve at \(P\), a distance \(\rho\) from \(P\) and above the curve. Show that \(CQ\) is parallel to the \(y\)-axis.