Let y = x$y = x$ be the equation of a chord of the circle C₁$C_{1}$ (in the closed half-plane x ≥ 0$x \geq 0$) of diameter 10$10$ passing through the origin. Let C₂$C_{2}$ be another circle described on the given chord as its diameter. If the equation of the chord of the circle C₂$C_{2}$, which passes through the point (2, 3)$(2, 3)$ and is farthest from the center of C₂$C_{2}$, is x + ay + b = 0$x + ay + b = 0$, then a - b$a - b$ is equal to:
A.10$10$
B.-6$-6$
C.-2$-2$
D.6$6$
Solution & Explanation
Core Logic
Chord of a CircleChord of a Circle
Equation of circle C₂$C_{2}$ with diameter along y=x$y=x$ passing through origin and having length 10. Wait, C₁$C_1$ has diameter 10. The chord y=x$y=x$ passes through (0,0)$(0,0)$. For the chord to be a diameter of C₂$C_2$, the points of intersection with C₁$C_1$ must form the diameter.
The center of C₂$C_2$ is the midpoint of the chord. Let the ends of the chord be (0,0)$(0,0)$ and (5,5)$(5,5)$ (since length is √(50)$\sqrt{50}$? Wait, the problem implies the chord of C₁$C_1$ is y=x$y=x$. If C₁$C_1$ is a circle in x ≥ 0$x \geq 0$ of diameter 10 through origin. Center of C₂$C_2$ lies on the chord y=x$y=x$.
The equation of circle C₂$C_{2}$ is:
x² + y² - 5x - 5y = 0$$x^2 + y^2 - 5x - 5y = 0$$
Its center is N((5)/(2), (5)/(2))$N\left(\frac{5}{2}, \frac{5}{2}\right)$.
Step 1: Find Farthest Chord
We need the chord of C₂$C_2$ passing through B(2, 3)$B(2, 3)$ which is farthest from the center N((5)/(2), (5)/(2))$N\left(\frac{5}{2}, \frac{5}{2}\right)$.
The farthest chord passing through a given point is always perpendicular to the line joining the center to that point.
Slope of line NB$NB$:
The slope of the required chord is perpendicular to mNB$m_{NB}$:
Slope of required chord = 1$$\text{Slope of required chord } = 1$$
Equation of the required chord passing through (2,3)$(2,3)$:
y - 3 = 1(x - 2)$$y - 3 = 1(x - 2)$$
x - y + 1 = 0$x - y + 1 = 0$
Comparing this with x + ay + b = 0$x + ay + b = 0$, we get:
a = -1, b = 1$$a = -1, \quad b = 1$$
Step 3: Final Calculation
a - b = -1 - 1 = -2$$a - b = -1 - 1 = -2$$
Pattern Recognition
The chord of a circle passing through a given internal point that is FARTHEST from the center is exactly the chord that is PERPENDICULAR to the radius (or line segment) connecting the center to that internal point.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Mathematics: Circles
Class 11 Mathematics: Straight Lines
Keywords:#farthest chord from center#JEE Main 2026 Morning Q3#Circles JEE Main 2026#Chord of a Circle JEE Main 2026
More Circles Previous-Year Questions — Page 6
Q3jee_main_2026_28_january_eveningParabola and Triangles
Let A$A$ be the focus of the parabolay² = 8x$y^{2} = 8x$. Let the line y = mx + c$y = mx + c$ intersect the parabola at two distinct points B$B$ and C$C$. If the centroid of the triangle ABC$ABC$ is ((7)/(3), (4)/(3))$\left(\frac{7}{3}, \frac{4}{3}\right)$, then (BC)²$(BC)^{2}$ is equal to :
Focus of y² = 8x$y^2 = 8x$ is A(2, 0)$A(2, 0)$ since 4a = 8 ⇒ a=2$4a = 8 \Rightarrow a=2$.
Let points on parabola be B(2t₁², 4t₁)$B(2t_1^2, 4t_1)$ and C(2t₂², 4t₂)$C(2t_2^2, 4t_2)$.
The centroid of Δ ABC$\Delta ABC$ is given as ((7)/(3), (4)/(3))$\left(\frac{7}{3}, \frac{4}{3}\right)$.
Equating coordinates:
Using parametric coordinates (at², 2at)$(at^2, 2at)$ systematically reduces algebraic complexity when determining intersections or triangle properties on a parabola.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections
Q9jee_main_2026_28_january_eveningEllipse Parameters and Latus Rectum
An ellipse has its center at (1,-2)$(1,-2)$, one focus at (3,-2)$(3,-2)$ and one vertex at (5, - 2)$(5, - 2)$. Then the length of its latus rectum is :
From the given coordinates on the major axis (y = -2$y = -2$):
Center C(1, -2)$C(1, -2)$, Focus F₁(3, -2)$F_1(3, -2)$, Vertex A₁(5, -2)$A_1(5, -2)$.
Distance from center to vertex, CA₁ = a = 5 - 1 = 4$CA_1 = a = 5 - 1 = 4$.
Distance from center to focus, CF₁ = ae = 3 - 1 = 2$CF_1 = ae = 3 - 1 = 2$.
Ellipse dimensions mapped to coordinates
Execution
Calculate eccentricity e$e$:
ae = 2 ⇒ 4e = 2 ⇒ e = (1)/(2)$$ae = 2 \Rightarrow 4e = 2 \Rightarrow e = \frac{1}{2}$$
Aligning focus, center, and vertex along a constant y-axis implies a standard shifted ellipse where absolute differences in x-coordinates yield standard parameters (a$a$ and ae$ae$) directly.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections
Q10jee_main_2026_28_january_eveningConfocal Ellipse and Hyperbola
Let the ellipse E: x²144 + y²169 = 1$E: \frac{x^{2}}{144} + \frac{y^{2}}{169} = 1$ and the hyperbola H: x²16 - y²λ² = -1$H: \frac{x^{2}}{16} - \frac{y^{2}}{\lambda^{2}} = -1$have the same foci. If e$e$ and L$L$ respectively denote the eccentricity and the length of the latus rectum of H$H$, then the value of 24(e + L)$24(e + L)$ is:
Eccentricity of hyperbola, e = (5)/(3)$e = \frac{5}{3}$.
Length of latus rectum of hyperbola, L = (2(16))/(λ) = (32)/(3)$L = \frac{2(16)}{\lambda} = \frac{32}{3}$.
Confocal conics usually align along the same major axis. Notice the -1$-1$ on the RHS of the hyperbola equation indicates a conjugate hyperbola orienting it vertically to match the b>a$b>a$ ellipse.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Maths: Conic Sections
Q12jee_main_2026_28_january_eveningParametric Form and Chord Intersections
Let the circle x² + y² = 4$x^{2} + y^{2} = 4$ intersect x-axis at the points A(a, 0), a > 0$A(a, 0), a > 0$ and B(b, 0)$B(b, 0)$. Let P(2 α, 2 α), 0 < α < (π)/(2)$P(2 \cos\alpha, 2 \sin\alpha), 0 < \alpha < \frac{\pi}{2}$ and Q(2 β, 2 β)$Q(2 \cos\beta, 2 \sin\beta)$ be two points such that (α - β) = (π)/(2)$(\alpha - \beta) = \frac{\pi}{2}$. Then the point of intersection of AQ$AQ$ and BP$BP$ lies on:
Intersection of circle with x-axis provides A(2,0)$A(2,0)$ and B(-2,0)$B(-2,0)$.
Let the point of intersection of AQ$AQ$ and BP$BP$ be R(h, k)$R(h, k)$.
Since R$R$ lies on BP$BP$, the slope mBR = mBP$m_{BR} = m_{BP}$:
Locus of R$R$ is x² + y² - 4y - 4 = 0$x^2 + y^2 - 4y - 4 = 0$.
Pattern Recognition
Connecting chords from extreme diameter vertices to points whose parametric angles differ by π/2$\pi/2$ reliably generates perpendicular-like slope products or standard tangent angle identities, mapping directly to a circular locus.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Maths: Circles
Q55jee_main_2025_02_april_eveningEllipse
If the length of the minor axis of an ellipse is equal to one fourth of the distance between the foci, then the eccentricity of the ellipse is :
A.4√(17)$\frac{4}{\sqrt{17}}$
B.√(3)16$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{16}$
C.3√(19)$\frac{3}{\sqrt{19}}$
D.√(5)7$\frac{\sqrt{5}}{7}$
Solution
Related Formula
Length of minor axis = 2b$$\text{Length of minor axis} = 2b$$Distance between foci = 2ae$$\text{Distance between foci} = 2ae$$Eccentricity: e = √(1 - (b²)/(a²))$$\text{Eccentricity: } e = \sqrt{1 - \frac{b^2}{a^2}}$$
Core Logic
We set up an algebraic equation relating b$b$, a$a$, and e$e$ from the given geometric condition, then substitute it into the eccentricity identity.
Step 1: Set up the geometric relation
Given that 2b = (1)/(4) (2ae)$2b = \frac{1}{4} (2ae)$:
Standard Ellipse relations: For standard ellipses, the ratio of axes and the eccentricity are coupled quadratic equations. Expressing b/a$b/a$ as a function of e$e$ allows direct solving of the eccentricity.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Mathematics: Conic Sections
More Circles Questions — jee_main_2026_28_january_morning
Practice past-year questions one chapter at a time. Pick an exam → subject → chapter and get every PYQ for that topic — pulled together from all past papers — with the chapter's key formulas alongside.