Parabola is the locus of a point P which moves in a plane so that its distance from a fixed line of the

plane and its distance from a fixed point of the plane, not on the line, are equal.
The fixed point F is called the focus and fixed line is called the directrix of the parabola.
The perpendicular to he directix from the focus is called the axis of the parabola.
The intersection of the parabola and the axis of the parabola is called vertex.
Vertex is the mid point of axis.
The iine joining any two distinct points of the parabola is called a chord.
A chord which passes through the focus is called a focal chord.
The distance between the focus and any point of the focal chord is called focal radius.
The focal chord which is penpendicular to the axis is called the latus rectum

3. Equation of parabola in its standard form

y = 4ax
For this equation focus is at F(a,0) and the equation of the directrix is d: x=-a. It vertex is at (0,0).
If a is positive it open to the right.
Length of the latus rectum = |4p|

4. Some other standard forms of parabola

y = -4ax
x = 4ay
In this case, the vertex is at the origin and the axis coincides with y-axis.
Focus is at F(0,a) and the equation of the directrix d: y = -a.
The parabola opens upward
x = -4ay

5. Position of a point with respect to a parabola

6. Equation of a parabola in parametric form

x = at
y = 2at

It satisfies y = 4ax
y = 4at
4ax = 4at

7. Equation of the chord joining any two points on the parabola

From the straight line chapter we know: "The equation of a line having slope m and passing through
(x1,y1) is
(y-y1) = m(x-x1)"
slope between (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)
Two points on parabola are A(at1,2at1) and B(at2,2at2)
So the equation joining these two points is
(y-2at1) = [(2at2-2at1)/(at2-at1)]*(x-at1)
=> y - 2at1 = [2/(t2+ta)]*(x-at1)
=> y(t1+t2) = 2x+2at1t2

8. Intersection of a straight line and a parabola

Parabola equation y = 4ax,
Straight line equation y = mx+c
At intersection point, both equations are satisfied
hence (mx+c) = 4ax
=> mx+2x(mc-2a)+c = 0
It is a quadratic equation. Solution gives intersection points
The intersection points are concident if
4(mc-2a) - 4mc>0
=> a - amc>0
=>a-mc>0
=>a>mc
=>a/m>c
=>c

The intersection points are real and distinct if

4(mc-2a) - 4mc=0
=> 4(mc-2a) = 4mc
The intersection points are imaginary if
4(mc-2a) - 4mc<0

9. Equation of tangent in different forms

Parabola equation y = 4ax; at point (x1,y1)
(y-y1) = (2a/y1)*(x-x1)
=> yy1 = 2a(x+x1)
In parametric form Points is (at,2at)
ty = x+at
In terms of slope of the tangent, If slope is m
y = mx + a/m

10. Equation of normal in different forms

Parabola equation y = 4ax; at point (x1,y1)
(y-y1) = (-y1/2a)* (x-x1)
In parametric form Points is (at,2at)
y+tx = 2at + at
Slope form, slope of the normal = m
y = mx-2am-am

11 Number of normals drawn from a point to a parabola

In general three normals can be drawn from a point to a parabola

12. Some results in conormal points

The sumof the slopes of the normals at conormal points is zero.

13 Number of tangents drawn from a point to a parabola

Two tangents can be drawn from a point to a parabola

13a. Equation of the pair of tangents from a point to a parabola

Parabola equation y = 4ax; point from which tangents are drawn is (x1,y1)
Equation is SS' = T
S = y = 4ax
S' = y1 = 4ax1
T = yy1 - 2a(x+x1)
14. Equation of the chord of contacts of tangents to a parabola
From a point two tangents are drawn to a parabola. The chord between the
contact points of these two tangents is chord of contact of tangents.
When Parabola equation y = 4ax; point from which tangents are drawn is
(x1,y1)
chord equation is yy1 = 2a(x+x1)

15. Equation of the chord bisected at a given point

When a chord to Parabola equation y = 4ax is bisected at (x1,y1)
equation of the chord is yy1 - 2a(x+x1) = y1-4ax1

16. Equation of diameter of a parabola

The locus of bisectors of a system of parallel chords is termed diameter.
If Parabola equation is y = 4ax, and system of parallel chords equation is y =
mx+c,
The equation of the diameter is y = 2a/m
It is a line parallel to the X-axis.

17. Length of tangent, subtangent, normal and subnormal

Let tangent and normal to a parabola at a point P(x1,y1) be extended to meet
the axis of the parabola at N and T respectively.
PT is termed the length of the tangent.
PN is termed the length of the normal.
Drop a perpendicular to the axis from the point P and call it PP'.
P'T = subtangent
P'N = subnormal
If the tangent makes an angle of with the axis
length
length
length
length

of
of
of
of

the
the
the
the

tangent = y1 cosec
normal = y1 sec
subtangent = y1 cot
subnormal = y1 tan

tan = 2a/y1 = m (slope of the tangent)

18. Pole and Polar