If the coordinates of the ends of a focal chord of the parabola $x^2=4$ ay are $\left(x_1, y_1\right)$ and…

If the coordinates of the ends of a focal chord of the parabola $x^2=4$ ay are $\left(x_1, y_1\right)$ and $\left(x_2, y_2\right)$, then
  1. $y_1 y_2=4 a^2$
  2. $y_1 y_2=-4 a^2$
  3. $y_1 y_2=-a^2$
  4. $y_1 y_2=a^2$

Solution

Given parabola, $x^2=4 a y$ Let point on parabola is $\left(2 a t_1, a t_1^2\right)$ and $\left(2 a t_2, a t_2^2\right)$ Now, $\left(2 a t_1, a t_1^2\right)$ and $\left(2 a t_2, a t_2^2\right)$ are end points of a focal chord of parabola. $ \begin{array}{rlrl} & \therefore & t_1 t_2 & =-1 \\ \therefore & & y_1 y_2 & =\left(a t_1^2\right)\left(a t_2\right)^2 \\ & & =a^2\left(t_1 t_2\right)^2=a^2(-1)^2 \\ & & y_1 y_2 & =a^2 \end{array} $

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2021 (25 Aug Shift 1)

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