Join the Most Relevant JEE Main 2025 Test Series & get 99+ percentile! Join Now
Search any question & find its solution
Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
The normals at three points $P, Q$ and $\mathrm{R}$ of the parabola $y^{2}=4 a x$ meet at $(h, k)$. The centroid of the $\Delta P Q R$ lies on
MathematicsParabolaVITEEEVITEEE 2014
Options:
  • A $x=0$
  • B $y=0$
  • C $x=-\mathrm{a}$
  • D $y=\mathrm{a}$
Solution:
2383 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: $y=0$
The sum of ordinates of feet of normals drawn from a point to the parabola, $\mathrm{y}^{2}=4 \mathrm{ax}$ is always zero.
Now, as normals at three points $\mathrm{P}, \mathrm{Q}$ and $\mathrm{R}$ of parabola $y^{2}=4 a x$ meet at $(h, k)$.
$\Rightarrow$ The normals from $(h, k)$ to $y^{2}=4 a x$ meet the parabola at $\mathrm{P}, \mathrm{Q}$ and $\mathrm{R}$.
$\Rightarrow y$-coordinate $y_{1}, y_{2}, y_{3}$ of these points and R will be zero.
$\Rightarrow \quad y$-coordinate of the centroid of $\Delta P Q R$
i. e., $\frac{y_{1}+y_{2}+y_{3}}{3}=\frac{0}{3}=0$
$\therefore \quad$ centroid lies on $\mathrm{y}=0$

Looking for more such questions to practice?

Download the MARKS App - The ultimate prep app for IIT JEE & NEET with chapter-wise PYQs, revision notes, formula sheets, custom tests & much more.