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Conic Sections appeared 76 times across 3 years — 8.8% of Mathematics. This question is from Properties of Focal Chords.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 22 38 16 76

Let y² = 12x the parabola and S be its focus. Let PQ be a focal chord of the parabola such that (SP) (SQ) = (147)/(4). Let C be the circle described taking PQ as a diameter. If the equation of a circle C is 64x² + 64y² - α x - 64√(3)y = β, then \beta - \alpha is equal to

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 1328 to 1328 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Properties of focal chord parameter metrics in parabolas y² = 4ax:

t₁ · t₂ = -1

Distance to the directrix property:

SP = a(1 + t²), SQ = a(1 + (1)/(t²))
Core Logic

Given parabola y² = 12x a = 3. Focus S = (3, 0). Set up focal segments product equation:

SP · SQ = 3(1+t²) · 3(1+(1)/(t²)) = (147)/(4) 9 · ((1+t²)²)/(t²) = (147)/(4) ((1+t²)²)/(t²) = (49)/(12)

Solving for t²:

12t⁴ - 25t² + 12 = 0 t² = (3)/(4) or (4)/(3)
Step 1: Compute Endpoint Coordinate Bounds

Choosing t = - √(3)2 allows defining both chord coordinates symmetrically:

P(3t², 6t) P((9)/(4), -3√(3)) Q((3)/(t²), -(6)/(t)) Q(4, 4√(3))
Step 2: Derive Circle Equation

Write the diameter circle form equation:

(x - 4)(x - (9)/(4)) + (y - 4√(3))(y + 3√(3)) = 0 x² + y² - (25)/(4)x - √(3)y - 27 = 0

Multiply by 64 to clear the fractions and match the given equation template structure:

64x² + 64y² - 400x - 64√(3)y - 1728 = 0

Comparing directly with 64x² + 64y² - α x - 64√(3)y = β yields:

α = 400, β = 1728 β - α = 1728 - 400 = 1328
Pattern Recognition

The distance from focal chord endpoints to the focus equals their perpendicular distance to the directrix. This property connects parameter metrics to geometric lengths cleanly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections Class 11 Mathematics: Circles

Reference Study Guides

More Conic Sections Previous-Year Questions

Q11 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Coinciding Foci of Ellipse and Hyperbola
Let the foci of hyperbola coincide with the foci of the ellipse (x²)/(36) +(y²)/(16) = 1 . If the eccentricity of the hyperbola is 5, then the length of its latus rectum is:
  • A. 12
  • B. 16
  • C. 96√(5)
  • D. 24√(5)

Solution

Related Formula
Eccentricity of ellipse e₁ = √(1 - (b²)/(a²)) Foci = (± ae₁, 0) Length of Latus Rectum of hyperbola = 2bhyp²ahyp
Core Logic

For the given ellipse (x²)/(36) + (y²)/(16) = 1: a² = 36 ⇒ a = 6 b² = 16

e₁ = √(1 - (16)/(36)) = √(1 - (4)/(9)) = √(5)3

Foci of the ellipse are at (± ae₁, 0) = (± 6 · √(5)3, 0) = (± 2√(5), 0).

Step 1: Establish Hyperbola Parameters

Let the hyperbola be (x²)/(p²) - (y²)/(q²) = 1. Its foci coincide with the ellipse, so the foci of hyperbola are also (± 2√(5), 0). Let e be the eccentricity of the hyperbola. We are given e = 5. Focus of hyperbola is pe = 2√(5).

p(5) = 2√(5) ⇒ p = 2√(5)5 = 2√(5)
Step 2: Find the Conjugate Axis (q)

For the hyperbola:

e² = 1 + (q²)/(p²) 25 = 1 + q²( 2√(5))² 24 = (q²)/(4/5) ⇒ 24 = (5q²)/(4) 5q² = 96 ⇒ q² = (96)/(5)
Step 3: Calculate Latus Rectum

Length of Latus Rectum = (2q²)/(p)

= 2 ((96)/(5)) 2√(5) = (96)/(5) × √(5) = 96√(5)
Pattern Recognition

Co-focal conics share the exact mathematical value of their focal length ae (or pe). Instantly extract c = ae from the first shape and map it directly to c = pe for the second.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q20 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Locus of Internal Section Point
Let O be the vertex of the parabola x²=4y and Q be any point on it. Let the locus of the point P, which divides the line segment OQ internally in the ratio 2: 3 be the conic C. Then the equation of the chord of C, which is bisected at the point (1, 2), is:
  • A. 5x-y-3=0
  • B. 4x-5y+6=0
  • C. x-2y + 3 = 0
  • D. 5x-4y+3=0

Solution

Related Formula
Section Formula: P = (m · Q + n · O)/(m + n) Chord bisected at (x₁, y₁) : T = S₁
Core Logic

Given parabola x² = 4y, its vertex O = (0, 0). A general point Q on x² = 4y is (2t, t²). Let P(h, k) divide OQ in ratio 2:3. By section formula:

h = (2(2t) + 3(0))/(5) = (4t)/(5) k = (2(t²) + 3(0))/(5) = (2t²)/(5)

Locus of point dividing parabolic chord for Q20 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Locus of point dividing parabolic chord for Q20 - JEE Main 2026 Morning

Step 1: Finding the Locus C

From h = (4t)/(5), we get t = (5h)/(4). Substitute into k:

k = (2)/(5) ((5h)/(4))² = (2)/(5) · (25h²)/(16) = (5h²)/(8) 8k = 5h² ⇒ 5x² = 8y

So the conic C is the parabola 5x² = 8y.

Step 2: Chord bisected at a point

We need the equation of the chord of C: 5x² - 8y = 0 bisected at (x₁, y₁) = (1, 2). Use T = S₁. T = 5xx₁ - 4(y + y₁) = 5x(1) - 4(y + 2) = 5x - 4y - 8 S₁ = 5(1)² - 8(2) = 5 - 16 = -11

Equating T and S₁:

5x - 4y - 8 = -11

5x - 4y + 3 = 0

Pattern Recognition

Internal division locus of a vertex chord on standard conic identically scales the conic. Once the child-conic is found, standard mid-point chord protocol (T=S₁) strictly applies algebraically.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Parabola Class 11 Maths: Straight Lines

Q4 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Ellipse
In the line α x + 4y = √(7), where α in R, touches the ellipse 3x² + 4y² = 1 at the point P in the first quadrant, then one of the focal distances of P is:
  • A. 1√(3) - 12√(11)
  • B. 1√(3) + 12√(5)
  • C. 1√(3) - 12√(5)
  • D. 1√(3) + 12√(7)

Solution

Related Formula
Condition of tangency for ellipse (x²)/(a²) + (y²)/(b²) = 1 is c² = a²m² + b² Focal distance SP = a ± ex Eccentricity e = √(1 - (b²)/(a²))
Core Logic

Ellipse diagram for Q4 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Ellipse diagram for Q4 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Identify the slope and intercepts of the line to find α. Use the point of contact formula to locate P(x₁, y₁) and apply focal distance definitions.

Step 1: Determine alpha

Rewrite the ellipse: (x²)/(1/3) + (y²)/(1/4) = 1 a² = (1)/(3), b² = (1)/(4). The line is y = -(α)/(4)x + √(7)4. Using c² = a²m² + b²:

( √(7)4)² = (1)/(3) (-(α)/(4))² + (1)/(4) (7)/(16) = (α²)/(48) + (4)/(16) (3)/(16) = (α²)/(48) α² = 9 α = ± 3

Since P is in the first quadrant, coordinates x, y are positive, so we use the tangent 3x + 4y - √(7) = 0.

Step 2: Find Point of Contact P

The tangent at P(x₁, y₁) is 3xx₁ + 4yy₁ = 1. Comparing this with 3x + 4y = √(7) (divided by √(7) to match constant 1): 3x√(7) + 4y√(7) = 1. Comparing coefficients:

3x₁ = 3√(7) x₁ = 1√(7) 4y₁ = 4√(7) y₁ = 1√(7)

So P = ( 1√(7), 1√(7)).

Step 3: Calculate Focal Distance

Find eccentricity:

e = √(1 - (1/4)/(1/3)) = √(1 - (3)/(4)) = (1)/(2)

The focal distances are a - ex and a + ex. Since a² = 1/3 a = 1/√(3).

SP = a - ex₁ = 1√(3) - (1)/(2)( 1√(7)) = 1√(3) - 12√(7) S'P = a + ex₁ = 1√(3) + (1)/(2)( 1√(7)) = 1√(3) + 12√(7)

Matching with the options, the focal distance is 1√(3) + 12√(7).

Pattern Recognition

For tangency lx+my+n=0 to x²/a² + y²/b² = 1, use a² l² + b² m² = n². Points of contact can be quickly evaluated by comparing T=0 to the normalized tangent equation.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections

Q5 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Parabola
Let y² = 12x be the parabola with its vertex at O. Let P be a point on the parabola and A be a point on the x-axis such that ∠ OPA = 90°. Then the locus of the centroid of such triangles OPA is:
  • A. y² - 6x + 4 = 0
  • B. y² - 9x + 6 = 0
  • C. y² - 2x + 8 = 0
  • D. y² - 4x + 8 = 0

Solution

Related Formula
Centroid G(x,y) = ( (x₁ + x₂ + x₃)/(3), (y₁ + y₂ + y₃)/(3) ) Product of slopes for perpendicular lines m₁ m₂ = -1
Core Logic

Parabola geometry diagram for Q5 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Parabola geometry diagram for Q5 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Define coordinates: O(0,0), P(3t², 6t) (since y² = 12x 4a = 12 a=3). Determine the slope of OP and use perpendicularity to find the equation of PA and locate point A on the x-axis.

Step 1: Locate A via Perpendicularity

Slope of OP is mOP = (6t - 0)/(3t² - 0) = (2)/(t). Since ∠ OPA = 90^°, slope of AP is mAP = -(t)/(2). Equation of AP:

y - 6t = -(t)/(2)(x - 3t²)

To find A on the x-axis, put y = 0:

-6t = -(t)/(2)(x - 3t²) 12 = x - 3t² x = 12 + 3t²

So, A is (12 + 3t², 0).

Step 2: Locus of the Centroid

Let the centroid of OPA be G(h, k).

h = (0 + 3t² + (12 + 3t²))/(3) = (6t² + 12)/(3) = 2t² + 4 k = (0 + 6t + 0)/(3) = 2t

From k = 2t t = (k)/(2). Substitute t into the equation for h:

h = 2((k)/(2))² + 4 = (k²)/(2) + 4 2h = k² + 8 k² = 2h - 8

Replacing (h, k) with (x, y), the locus is y² = 2x - 8 y² - 2x + 8 = 0.

Pattern Recognition

For any right-angled configuration involving the origin and axis on a parabola, parametric geometry simplifies equations significantly. Find coordinates O, P, A, set up the centroid algebraic relations, and eliminate parameter t.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections Class 11 Maths: Straight Lines

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

More Conic Sections Questions — jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening

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