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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
If the tangent at \( P \) and \( Q \) on the parabola meet in \( T \), then \( S P, S T \) and \( S Q \) are in
MathematicsParabolaJEE Main
Options:
  • A AP
  • B GP
  • C HP
  • D None of these
Solution:
1625 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: GP

Since, tangent at P and Q on the parabola meet in T

Taking parametric co-ordinates of the point of tangency, let the coordinates of P and Q are at12, 2at1 and at22, 2at2 respectively, then coordinates of T are at1t2, at1+t2

Now S being the focus of the standard parabola y2=4ax i.e. co-ordinates of S being a,0.

By distance formula, 

SP=a-at122+0-2at122=a2+a2t14-2a2t12+4a2t12=a2+a2t14+2a2t12=a1+t12

Similarly, SQ=a-at222+0-2at222=a2+a2t24-2a2t22+4a2t22=a2+a2t24+2a2t22=a1+t22

and ST=a21-t1t22+a2t1+t22
=a21+t12+t22+t12t22
=a1+t12a1+t22=SP×SQ
Thus, SP, ST, SQ are in GP

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