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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
The shortest distance between the parabolas y2=4x and y2=2x-6 is
MathematicsApplication of DerivativesBITSATBITSAT 2017
Options:
  • A 2
  • B 5
  • C 3
  • D None
Solution:
2230 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 5

Shortest distance between two curves occured along the common normal.

Normal to y2=4x at m2,2m is

y+mx-2m-m3=0

Normal to y2=2x-3 at m22+3,m is

y+mx-3-m-m32=0

Both normals are same, if

-2m-m3=-4m-12m3m=0,2

So, points will be (4,4) and (5,2) or (4,-4) and (5,-2).

Hence, shortest distance will be 

(1+4)=5 unit.

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