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 number of values of a for which the curves 4x2+a2y2=4a2 and y2=16x are orthogonal is
MathematicsApplication of DerivativesJEE Main
Solution:
1722 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 2

Given curves are 

4x2+a2y2=4a2 ...(i)

and y2=16x ...(ii)

If the curves intersect at Pα,β, then 

α2a2+β24=1 and β2=16α.

On differentiating equation (i), we get,
2xa2+2y4y'=0
y = 4x a 2 y
m1=-4αa2β

On differentiating equation (ii), we get,
2yy'=16
m2=8β

For curves to be orthogonal,
m1m2=-1

i.e. -4αa2β8β=-1
32α=a2β2
2β2=a2β2
a2=2
a=±2
Hence, two values of a

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.