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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 — Page 6

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

Q53 jee_main_2025_03_april_evening Circles
If the four distinct points (4, 6), (-1, 5), (0, 0) and (k, 3k) lie on a circle of radius r, then 10k + r² is equal to
  • A. 32
  • B. 33
  • C. 34
  • D. 35

Solution

Related Formula

The general equation of a circle is:

x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0

Radius of the circle:

r = √(g² + f² - c)

If a set of points lies on this circle, their coordinates must satisfy the equation.

Core Logic

Since (0,0) lies on the circle:

0² + 0² + 2g(0) + 2f(0) + c = 0 c = 0

Thus, the equation simplifies to:

x² + y² + 2gx + 2fy = 0
Step 1: Finding g, f and r²

Substitute (4,6):

16 + 36 + 8g + 12f = 0 2g + 3f = -13 --- (1)

Substitute (-1,5):

1 + 25 - 2g + 10f = 0 -g + 5f = -13 g = 5f + 13 --- (2)

Substituting g from (2) into (1):

2(5f + 13) + 3f = -13 13f + 26 = -13 f = -3 g = 5(-3) + 13 = -2

The circle equation is:

x² + y² - 4x - 6y = 0

Calculating radius squared r²:

r² = g² + f² - c = (-2)² + (-3)² - 0 = 13

Circle diagram for Q53 - JEE Main 2025 Evening Shift
Circle diagram for Q53 - JEE Main 2025 Evening Shift

Step 2: Solving for k

The point (k, 3k) lies on this circle:

k² + (3k)² - 4k - 6(3k) = 0 10k² - 22k = 0 k(10k - 22) = 0

Since the points must be distinct and k=0 gives (0,0) which is already a given point, we must have:

10k = 22 k = (11)/(5)

Now, calculate 10k + r²:

10k + r² = 10((11)/(5)) + 13 = 22 + 13 = 35
Pattern Recognition

Notice that the slope of the line joining origin (0,0) to the general point is y = 3x. For three given coordinates, if origin is one of them, the circle equation lacks the constant c. It is always faster to first solve for parameters g, f and then check geometry.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections Class 10 Mathematics: Coordinate Geometry

Q67 jee_main_2025_03_april_evening Ellipse
Let C be the circle of minimum area enclosing the ellipse E: (x²)/(a²) + (y²)/(b²) = 1 with eccentricity (1)/(2) and foci (pm 2, 0). Let PQR be a variable triangle, whose vertex P is on the circle C and the side QR of length 8 is parallel to the major axis of E and contains the point of intersection of E with the negative y-axis. Then the maximum area of the triangle PQR is:
  • A. 6(3 + √(2))
  • B. 8(3 + √(2))
  • C. 6(2 + √(3))
  • D. 8(2 + √(3))

Solution

Related Formula

For an ellipse E:

  • Foci: (± ae, 0)
  • Eccentricity: b² = a²(1 - e²)
  • The circle of minimum area enclosing a centered ellipse has diameter equal to the major axis of the ellipse (R = a).
  • Area of triangle: Area = (1)/(2) · base · height
Core Logic

Let's first find coordinates a and b:

  • ae = 2
  • e = (1)/(2) a((1)/(2)) = 2 a = 4
  • b² = a²(1 - e²) = 16(1 - (1)/(4)) = 12 b = 2√(3)
Step 1: Setting Circle and Triangle geometry

The enclosing circle C has radius R = a = 4, centered at (0,0). Thus, its equation is:

x² + y² = 16 P = (4 θ, 4 θ)

The intersection of the ellipse with the negative y-axis is (0, -b) = (0, -2√(3)).

Since side QR (length = 8) is parallel to the major axis (x-axis) and contains (0, -2√(3)), the equation of the line containing QR is: y = -2√(3)

Enclosing circle diagram for Q67 - JEE Main 2025 Evening Shift
Enclosing circle diagram for Q67 - JEE Main 2025 Evening Shift

Step 2: Maximizing Area of Δ PQR

The perpendicular height of vertex P(4 θ, 4 θ) from the base line y = -2√(3) is:

H = 4 θ - (-2√(3)) = 4 θ + 2√(3)

To maximize the area, we maximize height H by choosing θ = 1:

Hmax = 4 + 2√(3) Maximum Area = (1)/(2) · base QR · Hmax Maximum Area = (1)/(2) · 8 · (4 + 2√(3)) = 4(4 + 2√(3)) = 8(2 + √(3))
Pattern Recognition

The enclosing circle with minimum area is called the auxiliary circle. Its radius is equal to the semi-major axis a. Max height of a triangle with a base fixed at line y=-k and vertex on the circle is R + k. This directly gives Area = (1)/(2) · base · (a+b).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

Q68 jee_main_2025_03_april_evening Parabola
The shortest distance between the curves y² = 8x and x² + y² + 12y + 35 = 0 is :
  • A. 2√(3) - 1
  • B. √(2)
  • C. 3√(2) - 1
  • D. 2√(2) - 1

Solution

Related Formula

For a circle x² + (y-k)² = R² and any smooth curve, the shortest distance lies along the normal to the curve passing through the center of the circle C(h,k):

Shortest Distance = Distance(P, C) - R

where P is the point of normal intersection on the curve.

Core Logic

Let's first identify the circle parameters:

x² + y² + 12y + 35 = 0 x² + (y+6)² = 36 - 35 = 1

Center C = (0, -6) and radius R = 1.

The first curve is the parabola y² = 8x, where a = 2.

Normal equation of y² = 4ax in slope form:

y = mx - 2am - am³

Substituting a=2:

y = mx - 4m - 2m³
Step 1: Find normal passing through circle center

Normal passes through C(0, -6):

-6 = m(0) - 4m - 2m³ 2m³ + 4m - 6 = 0 m³ + 2m - 3 = 0

By inspection, m=1 is a real solution:

(m-1)(m² + m + 3) = 0

Since m² + m + 3 = 0 has complex roots, the unique real normal slope is m=1.

Shortest distance diagram for Q68 - JEE Main 2025 Evening Shift
Shortest distance diagram for Q68 - JEE Main 2025 Evening Shift

Step 2: Point calculation and shortest distance

For m=1 and a=2, normal intersection point P(am², -2am) is:

P = (2(1)², -2(2)(1)) = (2, -4)

Distance from P(2,-4) to center C(0,-6):

PC = √((2-0)² + (-4 - (-6))²) = √(4 + 4) = 2√(2)

Shortest distance:

SD = PC - R = 2√(2) - 1
Pattern Recognition

The shortest distance between a parabola and a circle is always along the common normal of the parabola passing through the circle's center. Finding the normal in slope form and solving for m avoids complex calculus.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections

More Conic Sections Questions — jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening

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