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Conic Sections appeared 94 times across 3 years — 10.9% of Mathematics. This question is from Intersection of Curves and Locus of Centroid.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 29 44 21 94

If A and B are the points of intersection of the circle x²+y²-8x=0 and the hyperbola x²9- y²4=1 and a point P moves on the line 2x-3y+4=0, then the centroid of Δ PAB lies on the line:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Centroid (h, k) of a triangle with vertices (x₁,y₁), (x₂,y₂), (x₃,y₃):

h = (x₁ + x₂ + x₃)/(3), k = (y₁ + y₂ + y₃)/(3)
Core Logic

Given equations:

  • Circle: y² = 8x - x²
  • Hyperbola: 4x² - 9y² = 36
  • Substitute circle's y² into hyperbola equation:

4x² - 9(8x - x²) = 36 4x² - 72x + 9x² = 36 13x² - 72x - 36 = 0 (13x + 6)(x - 6) = 0

If x = -6/13, y² < 0 (rejected). Thus, x = 6. Substituting x = 6 into circle: y² = 8(6) - 6² = 48 - 36 = 12 y = ± √(12). The intersection points are A(6, √(12)) and B(6, -√(12)).

Step 1: Relate Centroid coordinates to P

Let point P have coordinates (α, β). Since P lies on 2x - 3y + 4 = 0:

2α - 3β + 4 = 0 β = (2α + 4)/(3)

Let the centroid be (h, k):

h = (6 + 6 + α)/(3) = (12 + α)/(3) α = 3h - 12 k = √(12) - √(12) + β3 = (β)/(3) β = 3k
Step 2: Form the Locus Equation

Substitute α and \beta into the line equation of P:

2(3h - 12) - 3(3k) + 4 = 0 6h - 24 - 9k + 4 = 0

6h - 9k = 20

Replacing (h, k) with general coordinates (x, y) gives the locus: 6x - 9y = 20

Pattern Recognition

Notice how the y-coordinates of intersection points A and B are symmetric (±√(12)), meaning their sum is zero. This simplifies the expression for k instantly to just β/3.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Coordinate Geometry Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Reference Study Guides

More Conic Sections Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q6 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Parabola
Let one end of a focal chord of the parabola y²=16x be (16, 16). If P(α,β) divides this focal chord internally in the ratio 5:2, then the minimum value of α+β is equal to:
  • A. 22
  • B. 7
  • C. 5
  • D. 16

Solution

Related Formula
For a focal chord with ends (at₁², 2at₁) and (at₂², 2at₂), the relation is t₁t₂ = -1 Section formula: (x, y) = ( (mx₂ + nx₁)/(m+n), (my₂ + ny₁)/(m+n) )
Core Logic

Parabola focal chord division diagram for Q6 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Parabola focal chord division diagram for Q6 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
For y² = 16x, a = 4. The given point A(16, 16) is equivalent to 4t² = 16 and 2(4)t = 16, which gives parameter t₁ = 2. The other end B has parameter t₂ = -(1)/(t₁) = -(1)/(2).

Step 1: Calculate coordinates of B

For t₂ = -1/2, point B is: x = 4(-1/2)² = 1 y = 8(-1/2) = -4 So, B(1, -4).

Step 2: Section formula calculations (Two cases)

Point P(α, β) divides AB in the ratio 5:2. There are two possibilities depending on which end the ratio starts from.

Case 1: Ratio 5 from B to A (i.e. A is x₂ and B is x₁):

α = (5(16) + 2(1))/(7) = (80 + 2)/(7) = (82)/(7) β = (5(16) + 2(-4))/(7) = (80 - 8)/(7) = (72)/(7)

Sum: α + β = (154)/(7) = 22.

Case 2: Ratio 5 from A to B (i.e. B is x₂ and A is x₁):

α = (5(1) + 2(16))/(7) = (5 + 32)/(7) = (37)/(7) β = (5(-4) + 2(16))/(7) = (-20 + 32)/(7) = (12)/(7)

Sum: α + β = (49)/(7) = 7.

Step 3: Minimum Value

Comparing the two possible sums, 7 < 22. Thus, the minimum value is 7.

Pattern Recognition

When a line segment is divided in a given ratio, 'internal division' inherently bears two solutions based on the orientation (from point A or point B). Always evaluate both cases when finding a minimum or maximum.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q25 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Locus
If P is a point on the circle x² + y² = 4, Q is a point on the straight line 5x + y + 2 = 0 and x - y + 1 = 0 is the perpendicular bisector of PQ, then 13 times the sum of abscissa of all such point P is ____.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 2 to 2

Solution

Related Formula
Perpendicular bisector properties: m₁m₂ = -1 and mid-point lies on the line. Parametric point on circle x²+y²=r² is (r θ, r θ)
Core Logic

Circle locus perpendicular bisector diagram for Q25 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Circle locus perpendicular bisector diagram for Q25 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Let P = (2 θ, 2 θ). Let Q on the line 5x + y + 2 = 0 be Q(α, -5α-2). The line x - y + 1 = 0 is the perpendicular bisector of PQ. This gives two conditions: slope of PQ is -1, and mid-point of PQ satisfies the bisector equation.

Step 1: Apply Slope Condition

Slope of bisector is 1, so slope of PQ must be -1.

(2 θ - (-5α - 2))/(2 θ - α) = -1 2 θ + 5α + 2 = -2 θ + α θ + θ + 2α + 1 = 0 (1)
Step 2: Apply Midpoint Condition

Midpoint of PQ is ( (2 θ + α)/(2), (2 θ - 5α - 2)/(2) ). Substitute into x - y + 1 = 0:

(2 θ + α)/(2) - (2 θ - 5α - 2)/(2) + 1 = 0 2 θ + α - 2 θ + 5α + 2 + 2 = 0 θ - θ + 3α + 2 = 0 (2)
Step 3: Eliminate alpha and Solve

From (1), 2α = - θ - θ - 1 α = (- θ - θ - 1)/(2). Substitute α into (2):

θ - θ + 3( (- θ - θ - 1)/(2) ) + 2 = 0 2 θ - 2 θ - 3 θ - 3 θ - 3 + 4 = 0 - θ - 5 θ + 1 = 0 θ + 5 θ = 1

Let's express in half angles:

1 - 2 ²(θ)/(2) + 10 (θ)/(2) (θ)/(2) = 1 2 (θ)/(2) ( 5 (θ)/(2) - (θ)/(2) ) = 0

So, (θ)/(2) = 0 θ = 1 or (θ)/(2) = 5 θ = (1 - ²(θ/2))/(1 + ²(θ/2)) = (1 - 25)/(1 + 25) = -(24)/(26) = -(12)/(13).

Step 4: Final Calculation

The abscissa of P is 2 θ. Values of abscissa are 2(1) = 2 and 2(-(12)/(13)) = -(24)/(13). Sum of abscissa values = 2 - (24)/(13) = (26 - 24)/(13) = (2)/(13). We need 13 × (Sum) = 13 × (2)/(13) = 2.

Pattern Recognition

Instead of finding the image of a generic circle point in a line, construct the reflection point Q parameter, use slope logic (m₁m₂=-1) and midpoint logic simultaneously to create a trigonometric linear equation.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Circles Class 11 Maths: Straight Lines

Q10 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Hyperbola and Line Intersection
If the line α x + 2y = 1, where α in R, does not meet the hyperbola x² - 9y² = 9, then a possible value of α is:
  • A. 0.6
  • B. 0.8
  • C. 0.5
  • D. 0.7

Solution

Related Formula
For a line y = mx + c and hyperbola (x²)/(a²) - (y²)/(b²) = 1: If they do not intersect, the quadratic in x formed by substituting y has D < 0.
Core Logic

Given line: α x + 2y = 1 y = (1 - α x)/(2). Given hyperbola: x² - 9y² = 9.

Substitute the expression for y into the hyperbola's equation:

x² - 9((1 - α x)/(2))² = 9
Step 1: Solving for Discriminant
x² - (9(1 - 2α x + α² x²))/(4) = 9

Multiply by 4:

4x² - 9(1 - 2α x + α² x²) = 36 4x² - 9 + 18α x - 9α² x² - 36 = 0 (4 - 9α²)x² + 18α x - 45 = 0

For the line to NOT intersect the hyperbola, the quadratic must yield non-real roots, meaning Discriminant D < 0.

D = (18α)² - 4(4 - 9α²)(-45) < 0 324α² + 180(4 - 9α²) < 0 324α² + 720 - 1620α² < 0 -1296α² + 720 < 0 1296α² > 720 α² > (720)/(1296) = (5)/(9)
Step 2: Finding Alpha Interval
α² - (5)/(9) > 0 α in (-∞, - √(5)3) ( √(5)3, ∞)

Since √(5) ≈ 2.236, we have √(5)3 ≈ 0.745. So α must be strictly greater than 0.745 (or less than -0.745).

Checking the given options: (1) 0.6 (No) (2) 0.8 (Yes, 0.8 > 0.745) (3) 0.5 (No) (4) 0.7 (No)

Pattern Recognition

Geometrically, for a line not to meet a hyperbola, its slope must lie within a specific range determined by the asymptotes (m = ± b/a), and its c² must satisfy c² < a²m² - b². Direct substitution to enforce D < 0 is purely mechanical and robust.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q12 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Intersection of Two Circles
Let the set of all values of r, for which the circles (x + 1)² + (y + 4)² = r² and x² + y² - 4x - 2y - 4 = 0 intersect at two distinct points be the interval (α, β). Then αβ is equal to
  • A. 25
  • B. 20
  • C. 21
  • D. 24

Solution

Related Formula
Two circles intersect at distinct points if |r₁ - r₂| < d < r₁ + r₂

where d is the distance between their centers.

Core Logic

Circle 1: (x + 1)² + (y + 4)² = r² Center C₁ = (-1, -4) and Radius r₁ = r.

Circle 2: x² + y² - 4x - 2y - 4 = 0 (x - 2)² + (y - 1)² = 3² Center C₂ = (2, 1) and Radius r₂ = 3.

Step 1: Distance Between Centers

Distance d between C₁ and C₂:

d = √((2 - (-1))² + (1 - (-4))²) d = √(3² + 5²) = √(9 + 25) = √(34)
Step 2: Applying the Intersection Condition

For two distinct intersection points:

|r - 3| < √(34) < r + 3

Breaking this down into two inequalities:

  • |r - 3| < √(34) -√(34) < r - 3 < √(34) 3 - √(34) < r < 3 + √(34)
  • r + 3 > √(34) r > √(34) - 3
  • Since radius r > 0, taking the intersection of the conditions:

r in (√(34) - 3, √(34) + 3)

Thus, α = √(34) - 3 and β = √(34) + 3.

Step 3: Calculating Final Product
αβ = (√(34) - 3)(√(34) + 3) = 34 - 9 = 25
Pattern Recognition

Intersection of two circles boils down to the fundamental triangle inequality relating the radii to the center distance: |r₁ - r₂| < d < r₁ + r₂. Solving this naturally yields an interval (α, β) formatted as a difference of squares upon multiplication.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Circles

Q17 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Properties of Parabola
If the chord joining the points P₁(x₁, y₁) and P₂(x₂, y₂) on the parabola y² = 12x subtends a right angle at the vertex of the parabola, then x₁x₂ - y₁y₂ is equal to
  • A. 288
  • B. 280
  • C. 284
  • D. 292

Solution

Related Formula
If a chord joining t₁ and t₂ subtends a right angle at the vertex (0,0), then t₁ t₂ = -4. Parametric coordinates for y² = 4ax: (at², 2at)
Core Logic

Given parabola y² = 12x 4a = 12 a = 3.

Let the points be P₁(x₁, y₁) = (3t₁², 6t₁) and P₂(x₂, y₂) = (3t₂², 6t₂).

Since the chord subtends a right angle at the vertex (origin),

mOP₁ · mOP₂ = -1 (6t₁)/(3t₁²) · (6t₂)/(3t₂²) = -1 (2)/(t₁) · (2)/(t₂) = -1 t₁ t₂ = -4
Step 1: Calculating the Expression

We need to evaluate x₁ x₂ - y₁ y₂:

x₁ x₂ = (3t₁²)(3t₂²) = 9(t₁ t₂)² y₁ y₂ = (6t₁)(6t₂) = 36(t₁ t₂)

Substitute t₁ t₂ = -4:

x₁ x₂ - y₁ y₂ = 9(-4)² - 36(-4)

= 9(16) + 144

= 144 + 144 = 288
Pattern Recognition

Right angles subtended at the vertex by a chord on y² = 4ax instantly lock the parameter product to t₁ t₂ = -4. Substitute this directly into any coordinate products required by the problem.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

More Conic Sections Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening

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