Related Formula
The locus definition of a parabola states that the squared distance from any point P(x,y)$P(x,y)$ to the focus S(x₀, y₀)$S(x_0, y_0)$ equals the squared perpendicular distance to the directrix line Ax + By + C = 0$Ax + By + C = 0$:
(x - x₀)² + (y - y₀)² = ((Ax + By + C)²)/(A² + By²)$$(x - x_0)^2 + (y - y_0)^2 = \frac{(Ax + By + C)^2}{A^2 + By^2}$$
Step 1: Determine the Focus coordinates
The axis line of the parabola is perpendicular to the directrix x + 2y = 0$x + 2y = 0$ and passes through the vertex V(1.5, 3)$V(1.5, 3)$.
Slope of directrix = -0.5 ⇒$-0.5 \Rightarrow$ Slope of axis = 2.
Equation of axis :
y - 3 = 2(x - (3)/(2)) ⇒ y - 2x = 0$$y - 3 = 2\left(x - \frac{3}{2}\right) \Rightarrow y - 2x = 0$$
The intersection of the axis (y - 2x = 0$y - 2x = 0$) and directrix (x + 2y = 0$x + 2y = 0$) gives the foot of the directrix, which is (0, 0)$(0, 0)$.
Since the vertex is the midpoint between the focus and the foot of the directrix :
((3)/(2), 3) = ((xf + 0)/(2), (yf + 0)/(2)) ⇒ Focus S = (3, 6)$$\left(\frac{3}{2}, 3\right) = \left(\frac{x_f + 0}{2}, \frac{y_f + 0}{2}\right) \Rightarrow \text{Focus } S = (3, 6)$$
Step 2: Derive the Parabola Locus Equation
Equate the distance equations from point P(x,y)$P(x,y)$ :
(x - 3)² + (y - 6)² = ((x + 2y)²)/(1² + 2²)$$(x - 3)^2 + (y - 6)^2 = \frac{(x + 2y)^2}{1^2 + 2^2}$$
5(x² - 6x + 9 + y² - 12y + 36) = x² + 4xy + 4y²$$5\left(x^2 - 6x + 9 + y^2 - 12y + 36\right) = x^2 + 4xy + 4y^2$$
5x² - 30x + 45 + 5y² - 60y + 180 = x² + 4xy + 4y²$$5x^2 - 30x + 45 + 5y^2 - 60y + 180 = x^2 + 4xy + 4y^2$$
4x² + y² - 4xy - 30x - 60y + 225 = 0$$4x^2 + y^2 - 4xy - 30x - 60y + 225 = 0$$
Step 3: Coefficient Extraction
Compare with the equation template α x² + β y² - γ xy - 30x - 60y + 225 = 0$\alpha x^2 + \beta y^2 - \gamma xy - 30x - 60y + 225 = 0$ :
α = 4, β = 1, γ = 4$$\alpha = 4, \quad \beta = 1, \quad \gamma = 4$$
α + β + γ = 4 + 1 + 4 = 9$$\alpha + \beta + \gamma = 4 + 1 + 4 = 9$$
Pattern Recognition
The vertex is always exactly midway between the focus and the foot of the directrix line along the line of symmetry. Finding the origin (0,0)$(0,0)$ as the foot quickly reveals the focus coordinates via doubling.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections