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 = 2Now, 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 = 17Pattern 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