Parabola Three Normals Homework: Solving for Coordinates and Equations

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To find the coordinates of the feet of the normals from the point (14,7) to the parabola defined by the equation y² - 16x - 8y = 0, the equation of the normal must first be established. The parabola can be rewritten in the form (y-4)² = 16(x+1). The normal equation for this transformed parabola is derived from the standard form, leading to a cubic equation in terms of the parameter t. Solving this cubic equation will yield the required coordinates of the feet of the normals. Further assistance is requested for another related question on the locus of the circumcenter.
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Homework Statement


Three normals are drawn from the point (14,7) to the curve \large y^{2} -16x-8y=0. Find the co-ordinates of the feet of the normals.

Homework Equations


Converting the equation of parabola in the form of a perfect square I get
\large (y-4)^{2}=16(x+1)

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that for the parabola \large y^{2}=4ax the equation of normal is \large y=-tx+2at+at^{3}. But what will be the equation of normal for the parabola in this question? If I get to know the equation of normal in terms of t then I can get a cubic equation in t and by solving that equation I can obtain the coordinates of feet of normals. But I'm falling short of the equation of normal. How do I get it?
 
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utkarshakash said:

Homework Statement


Three normals are drawn from the point (14,7) to the curve \large y^{2} -16x-8y=0. Find the co-ordinates of the feet of the normals.

Homework Equations


Converting the equation of parabola in the form of a perfect square I get


The Attempt at a Solution


. But what will be the equation of normal for the parabola in this question? If I get to know the equation of normal in terms of t then I can get a cubic equation in t and by solving that equation I can obtain the coordinates of feet of normals. But I'm falling short of the equation of normal. How do I get it?

Remember how if we have some parabola y=x2 and we then substitute x'-1 for x, to get y=(x'-1)2, this is now a parabola that has moved 1 unit to the right. Also, if we substitute y'-1 for y and get y'-1=(x'-1)2 this is now a parabola that now moved up 1 unit as well, so its apex is now at (1,1).

This also applies to all functions. So if we have a tangent to the parabola y=x2 as y= mx+c, then if we move the parabola across a units and up b units (a and b could be negative too so we can move then down and left) to get the parabola y-b=(x-a)2 then if we do the same transformation to y=mx+c to get y-b=m(x-a)+c this will now still be a tangent to the parabola at the same point.

So where am I going with this?

Well, you've already told me that

utkarshakash said:
I know that for the parabola \large y^{2}=4ax the equation of normal is \large y=-tx+2at+at^{3}

So then what is the normal for the parabola \large (y-4)^{2}=16(x+1) now?
 
Yep. That worked! Thank You once again for helping me. Can you please solve my another question which I have posted in this forum titled "Locus of circumcentre". I really need some hints to get started with.
 
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