Equation of two diameters of a circle are 2x-3y=5 and 3x-4y=7. The line joining the points (-(22)/(7),-4) and (-(1)/(7),3) intersects the circle at only one point P(α,β). Then 17β-α is equal to

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 2 to 2 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

The intersection of any two non-parallel diameters yields the center of the circle. A line that intersects a circle at exactly one point is a tangent line. The tangent at the point of contact P is always perpendicular to the radius CP, thus mtangent × mradius = -1.

Core Logic

Find the center C by solving the two diameter equations:

2x - 3y = 5 (1) 3x - 4y = 7 (2)

Multiply (1) by 3 and (2) by 2: 6x - 9y = 15 6x - 8y = 14 Subtracting the equations gives -y = 1 ⇒ y = -1. Substitute y = -1 into (1): 2x + 3 = 5 ⇒ 2x = 2 ⇒ x = 1. Center C is (1, -1).

Find the equation of the line joining A(-(22)/(7), -4) and B(-(1)/(7), 3). Slope of AB: mAB = (3 - (-4))/(-1/7 - (-22/7)) = (7)/(21/7) = (7)/(3). Equation of line AB:

y - 3 = (7)/(3)(x + (1)/(7))

3y - 9 = 7x + 1

7x - 3y + 10 = 0 (Line AB)

Tangents and Normal
Tangents and Normal

Step 1: Exploit Tangency Geometry

Since line AB intersects the circle at only one point P(α, β), line AB is a tangent to the circle, and P is the point of tangency. The radius line CP is perpendicular to tangent AB. Slope of CP (mCP) must be -(3)/(7).

Equation of the line passing through center C(1, -1) with slope -(3)/(7):

y - (-1) = -(3)/(7)(x - 1) 7y + 7 = -3x + 3 3x + 7y + 4 = 0 (Line CP)
Step 2: Solve for Intersection P

Point P(α, β) is the intersection of Tangent AB and Radius CP. Solve the system:

7x - 3y = -10 (× 7) 3x + 7y = -4 (× 3)

49x - 21y = -70 9x + 21y = -12 Add them: 58x = -82 ⇒ x = -(82)/(58) = -(41)/(29). So, α = -(41)/(29).

Substitute x into 3x + 7y = -4:

3(-(41)/(29)) + 7y = -4 -(123)/(29) + 7y = -(116)/(29)

7y = (123 - 116)/(29) = (7)/(29) ⇒ y = (1)/(29)$. So, $β = (1)/(29)$.

Step 3: Evaluate Target Expression

Evaluate $17β - α$:

17\left(\frac{1}{29}\right) - \left(-\frac{41}{29}\right) = \frac{17 + 41}{29} = \frac{58}{29} = 2$$
Pattern Recognition

When a line "intersects a circle at exactly one point", it's a coded cue to stop thinking about quadratics and discriminants, and immediately build a perpendicular geometric radius from the center to find the exact tangency coordinate.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Circles Class 11 Mathematics: Straight Lines

Reference Study Guides

More Circles Previous-Year Questions — Page 7

Q67 jee_main_2025_02_april_evening Parabola
Let the point P of the focal chord PQ of the parabola y² = 16x be (1, -4). If the focus of the parabola divides the chord PQ in the ratio m : n, (m, n) = 1, then m² + n² is equal to:
  • A. 17
  • B. 10
  • C. 37
  • D. 26

Solution

Related Formula
Parametric coordinates on y² = 4ax: (at², 2at) Focal Chord relation: t₁ t₂ = -1 Section Formula: (xc, yc) = ( (m x₂ + n x₁)/(m+n), (m y₂ + n y₁)/(m+n) )
Core Logic

We find the parametric parameters of coordinates P and Q, obtain their Cartesian values, and then apply the section formula with the focus S to calculate the splitting ratio.

Step 1: Find coordinates of P and Q

For parabola y² = 16x, the focal parameter is a = 4. Focus is S(4, 0). Let P be (a t₁², 2a t₁) = (1, -4):

2a t₁ = -4 2(4) t₁ = -4 t₁ = -(1)/(2)

Since PQ is a focal chord, the parametric points are coupled:

t₁ t₂ = -1 t₂ = 2

Now, calculate the coordinates of Q:

Q ≡ (a t₂², 2 a t₂) = (4(4), 2(4)(2)) = (16, 16)
Step 2: Solve for the dividing ratio

Let the focus S(4, 0) divide the line segment PQ internally in the ratio λ : 1. Using the y-coordinate of the section formula:

yₛ = (λ yq + 1 yₚ)/(λ + 1) 0 = (λ(16) + 1(-4))/(λ + 1) 16λ - 4 = 0 λ = (1)/(4)

Thus, the focus S divides the chord internally in the ratio 1:4. Since (1, 4) = 1, we have m = 1 and n = 4:

m² + n² = 1² + 4² = 1 + 16 = 17
Pattern Recognition

Harmonic Mean Shortcut: In any parabola, the focus divides a focal chord internally into segments of lengths SP and SQ such that the semi-latus rectum 2a is the harmonic mean of these segments: (1)/(SP) + (1)/(SQ) = (1)/(a).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Properties of Hyperbola
Let one focus of the hyperbola H: (x²)/(a²) - (y²)/(b²) = 1 be at (√(10), 0) and the corresponding directrix be x = 9√(10). If e and l respectively are the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of H, then 9(e² + l) is equal to:
  • A. 14
  • B. 15
  • C. 16
  • D. 12

Solution

Related Formula

For a standard hyperbola: Focus: (± ae, 0) Directrix: x = ± (a)/(e) Eccentricity relation: (ae)² = a² + b² Length of latus rectum: l = (2b²)/(a)

Core Logic

Given ae = √(10) and (a)/(e) = 9√(10). Multiplying these gives a², which determines both parameters.

Step 1: Find a and e
a² = (ae) · ((a)/(e)) = √(10) · 9√(10) = 9 a = 3

Substitute a = 3 into ae = √(10):

e = √(10)3 e² = (10)/(9)
Step 2: Find b and l

Using (ae)² = a² + b²:

10 = 9 + b² b² = 1

Then the length of latus rectum l is:

l = (2b²)/(a) = (2(1))/(3) = (2)/(3)
Step 3: Evaluate Final Expression

Calculate 9(e² + l):

9((10)/(9) + (2)/(3)) = 10 + 6 = 16
Pattern Recognition

Multiplying focus location by directrix location immediately eliminates e, giving a² directly. Once a² is known, b² follow seamlessly via (ae)² = a²+b².

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Properties of Ellipse
If S and S' are the foci of the ellipse (x²)/(18) + (y²)/(9) = 1 and P be a point on the ellipse, then (SP · S'P) + (SP · S'P) is equal to:
  • A. 3(1+√(2))
  • B. 3(6+√(2))
  • C. 9
  • D. 27

Solution

Related Formula

Focal distances of any point P(a θ, b θ) on an ellipse are given by:

SP = a - exP = a(1 - e θ) S'P = a + exP = a(1 + e θ)

Product of focal distances:

SP · S'P = a²(1 - e² ²θ) = a² - e²xP²
Core Logic

Compute the eccentricity e, express the product SP · S'P in terms of ²θ, and analyze its bounds across the domain to find minimum and maximum limits.

Properties of Ellipse diagram for Q66 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Properties of Ellipse diagram for Q66 - JEE Main 2025 Morning

Step 1: Determine Ellipse Parameters

Given a² = 18 and b² = 9.

b² = a²(1 - e²) 9 = 18(1 - e²) 1 - e² = (1)/(2) e = 1√(10)
Step 2: Express Focal Product

The parametric coordinates are P(3√(2) θ, 3 θ).

SP · S'P = a² - (ae)² ²θ

Since a²=18 and (ae)² = a²-b² = 18-9 = 9:

SP · S'P = 18 - 9 ²θ
Step 3: Evaluate Extrema and Sum

Since 0 ≤ ²θ ≤ 1:

  • Maximum value occurs when ²θ = 0 = 18.
  • Minimum value occurs when ²θ = 1 = 18 - 9 = 9.
Sum = + = 9 + 18 = 27
Pattern Recognition

The product of focal distances can also be written directly as b² at the minor axis vertices (max) and a²(1-e²) varying down to a²-c². Summing them up yields b² + a² = 9 + 18 = 27 instantly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Properties of Parabola
Let the focal chord PQ of the parabola y² = 4x make an angle of 60^° with the positive x-axis, where P lies in the first quadrant. If the circle, whose one diameter is PS, S being the focus of the parabola, touches the y-axis at the point (0, a), then 5a² is equal to:
  • A. 15
  • B. 25
  • C. 30
  • D. 20

Solution

Related Formula

For a standard parabola y² = 4ax: Focus: S(a, 0) Parametric coordinates: (at², 2at) Equation of a circle on diametric endpoints (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂):

(x - x₁)(x - x₂) + (y - y₁)(y - y₂) = 0
Core Logic

Find the point P using the slope of the focal chord, write the equation of the circle with diameter PS, and find its y-intercept.

Properties of Parabola diagram for Q70 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Properties of Parabola diagram for Q70 - JEE Main 2025 Morning

Step 1: Determine P Coordinates

For y² = 4x, parameter a=1 S(1,0) and P(t², 2t). Slope of focal chord PS:

60^° = (2t - 0)/(t² - 1) = √(3) 2t = √(3)t² - √(3) √(3)t² - 2t - √(3) = 0 (√(3)t + 1)(t - √(3)) = 0

Since P is in the first quadrant, t > 0 t = √(3). Thus, P((√(3))², 2√(3)) = P(3, 2√(3)).

Step 2: Construct the Diametric Circle Equation

Endpoints are S(1,0) and P(3, 2√(3)):

(x - 1)(x - 3) + (y - 0)(y - 2√(3)) = 0
Step 3: Solve for y-intercept

The circle touches/intersects the y-axis at x = 0:

(0 - 1)(0 - 3) + y(y - 2√(3)) = 0 3 + y² - 2√(3)y = 0

This is a perfect square expression (y - √(3))² = 0 y = √(3). Thus, the intercept value is a = √(3).

Step 4: Compute Final Target Value
5a² = 5(√(3))² = 15
Pattern Recognition

A circle whose diameter is a focal radius always touches the tangent at the vertex (y-axis for a standard parabola). The coordinate of the contact point is simply given by a t = 1 · √(3) = √(3), bypasses the full equation construction entirely.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Q75 jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Tangent Properties of Circles
The absolute difference between the squares of the radii of the two circles passing through the point (-9, 4) and touching the lines x + y = 3 and x - y = 3, is equal to ________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 768 to 768

Solution

Related Formula

Perpendicular distance from point (x₀, y₀) to line Ax + By + C = 0:

d = |Ax₀ + By₀ + C|√(A² + B²)
Core Logic

Since the circle touches two symmetric intersecting lines, its center must lie on their angle bisector (x-axis). Use this property to find the center parameters.

Tangent Properties of Circles diagram for Q75 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Tangent Properties of Circles diagram for Q75 - JEE Main 2025 Morning

Step 1: Establish Center and Radius Equations

The lines are x+y-3=0 and x-y-3=0. The intersection point is (3,0), and the bisector line is the x-axis. Let the center be C(a, 0). The radius r is the perpendicular distance to either line:

r = |a - 0 - 3|√(1² + 1²) = |a - 3|√(2)
Step 2: Apply Point Passage Constraint

The circle equation is (x - a)² + y² = r². Substitute the given passage point (-9, 4):

(-9 - a)² + 4² = ( a - 3√(2))² 2(a² + 18a + 81 + 16) = a² - 6a + 9 2a² + 36a + 194 = a² - 6a + 9 a² + 42a + 185 = 0
Step 3: Solve for Quadratic Roots

Factor the quadratic equation:

(a + 37)(a + 5) = 0 a₁ = -37, a₂ = -5
Step 4: Compute Radii Squares Difference

Find the corresponding radius value for each root:

r₁ = |-37 - 3|√(2) = 40√(2) = 20√(2) r₁² = 800 r₂ = |-5 - 3|√(2) = 8√(2) = 4√(2) r₂² = 32

The absolute difference between their squares is:

|r₁² - r₂²| = |800 - 32| = 768
Pattern Recognition

Recognizing that the center must lie on the line of symmetry (x-axis) eliminates one variable parameter immediately, reducing a difficult geometric system to a simple single-variable quadratic equation.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Circles Class 11 Mathematics: Straight Lines

More Circles Questions — jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning

Practice all Circles previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)