Parabola Three Normals Homework: Solving for Coordinates and Equations

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the equation of the normal for the parabola represented by \large (y-4)^{2}=16(x+1) and finding the coordinates of the feet of the normals drawn from the point (14,7). The user initially references the standard normal equation for parabolas, \large y=-tx+2at+at^{3}, and seeks to adapt this to the transformed parabola. The solution involves substituting the parameters of the transformed equation to derive the correct normal equation, enabling the user to formulate a cubic equation in t to find the required coordinates.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of parabolic equations and their transformations
  • Familiarity with the concept of normals to curves
  • Knowledge of cubic equations and their solutions
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to derive the equation of normals for transformed parabolas
  • Study the method of solving cubic equations
  • Explore the geometric interpretation of normals and tangents to parabolas
  • Investigate the properties of the parabola \large (y-4)^{2}=16(x+1)
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Students studying calculus and analytic geometry, particularly those focusing on conic sections and their properties, as well as educators looking for examples of normal lines to parabolas.

utkarshakash
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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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