MCQMediumJEE 2023Conic Sections (Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola)

JEE Mathematics 2023 Question with Solution

Let RR be the focus of the parabola y2=20xy^2 = 20x and the line y=mx+cy = mx + c intersect the parabola at two points PP and QQ. Let the point G(10,10)G(10, 10) be the centroid of the triangle PQRPQR. If cm=6c - m = 6, then (PQ)2(PQ)^2 is:

  • A

    325325

  • B

    346346

  • C

    296296

  • D

    317317

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The parabola is y2=20xy^2 = 20x, the line is y=mx+cy = mx + c, the focus is RR, and the centroid of triangle PQRPQR is G(10,10)G(10,10). Also, cm=6c-m=6.

Find: The value of (PQ)2(PQ)^2.

For the parabola y2=20xy^2 = 20x, we compare with y2=4axy^2 = 4ax, so 4a=204a=20 and hence a=5a=5. Therefore, the focus is

R=(5,0).R=(5,0).

Let the intersection points be P(x1,y1)P(x_1,y_1) and Q(x2,y2)Q(x_2,y_2). Using the centroid formula for triangle PQRPQR,

(x1+x2+53,y1+y2+03)=(10,10).\left(\frac{x_1+x_2+5}{3},\frac{y_1+y_2+0}{3}\right)=(10,10).

Thus,

x1+x2=25,y1+y2=30.x_1+x_2=25, \qquad y_1+y_2=30.

Now use the line equation in the form

x=ycm.x=\frac{y-c}{m}.

Substitute this into the parabola y2=20xy^2=20x:

y2=20(ycm).y^2=20\left(\frac{y-c}{m}\right).

So,

my220y+20c=0.my^2-20y+20c=0.

Dividing by mm,

y220my+20cm=0.y^2-\frac{20}{m}y+\frac{20c}{m}=0.

Since the roots of this quadratic in yy are y1y_1 and y2y_2, by Vieta's relations,

y1+y2=20m.y_1+y_2=\frac{20}{m}.

But from the centroid condition, y1+y2=30y_1+y_2=30. Hence,

20m=30m=23.\frac{20}{m}=30 \Rightarrow m=\frac{2}{3}.

Given cm=6c-m=6, we get

c=m+6=23+6=203.c=m+6=\frac{2}{3}+6=\frac{20}{3}.

Substitute these values into

y220my+20cm=0:y^2-\frac{20}{m}y+\frac{20c}{m}=0: y230y+200=0.y^2-30y+200=0.

Solving,

(y10)(y20)=0,(y-10)(y-20)=0,

so

y1=10,y2=20.y_1=10, \qquad y_2=20.

Now find the corresponding xx-coordinates from x=y220x=\frac{y^2}{20}:

x1=10220=5,x2=20220=20.x_1=\frac{10^2}{20}=5, \qquad x_2=\frac{20^2}{20}=20.

Hence the points are

P=(5,10),Q=(20,20).P=(5,10), \qquad Q=(20,20).

Therefore,

(PQ)2=(205)2+(2010)2=152+102=225+100=325.(PQ)^2=(20-5)^2+(20-10)^2=15^2+10^2=225+100=325.

Therefore, the value of (PQ)2(PQ)^2 is 325325. The correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Using the wrong focus of the parabola. For y2=20xy^2=20x, compare with y2=4axy^2=4ax to get a=5a=5, so the focus is R=(5,0)R=(5,0), not R=(10,0)R=(10,0). Always match with the standard form first.

  • Applying the centroid formula incorrectly. The centroid uses the average of all three vertices of triangle PQRPQR, so the coordinates are (x1+x2+53,y1+y23)\left(\frac{x_1+x_2+5}{3},\frac{y_1+y_2}{3}\right). Do not average only the points PP and QQ.

  • Substituting the line into the parabola and then using Vieta's relations with the wrong variable. Here it is cleaner to write x=ycmx=\frac{y-c}{m} and form a quadratic in yy, because the centroid directly gives y1+y2=30y_1+y_2=30. Use the sum of roots for the same variable as the quadratic.

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