Parabola MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Parabola - Download Free PDF
Last updated on Apr 22, 2025
Latest Parabola MCQ Objective Questions
Parabola Question 1:
The common tangents to the circle x² + y² = 2 and the parabola y² = 8x touch the circle at the points P, Q and the parabola at the points R, S. Then the length of the diagonal PR of quadrilateral PQRS is ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 1 Detailed Solution
Calculation
For the parabola
where m is the slope of the tangent.
The tangent must also touch the circle
The perpendicular distance of (0, 0) to the tangent
The perpendicular distance d from the origin (0, 0) to the line
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Let
⇒
⇒ (z + 2)(z - 1) = 0.
Thus z = 1 (since z = -2 is not valid for
⇒
Equation of the common tangents
For m = 1, the tangent equation is:
⇒ y = x + 2.
For m = -1, the tangent equation is:
⇒ y = -x + 2.
These are the equations of the two direct common tangents.
Points of tangency on the circle
For y = x + 2:
Substitute y = x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Substituting x = -1 into y = x + 2
⇒ y = -1 + 2 = 1
So, the point of tangency is (-1, 1).
For y = -x + 2
Substitute y = -x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Substituting x = -1 into y = -x + 2
⇒ y = -(-1) + 2 = -1
So, the point of tangency is (-1, -1).
Thus, the points of tangency on the circle are P(-1, 1) and Q(-1, -1)
Points of tangency on the parabola
Substitute the tangent equations into the parabola y^2 = 8x to find the points of tangency:
For y = x + 2:
Substitute y = x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Substituting x = 2 into y = x + 2
⇒ y = 2 + 2 = 4
So, the point of tangency is R(2, 4).
For y = -x + 2
Substitute y = -x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
So, the point of tangency is S(2, -4)
The vertices of the quadrilateral are
P(-1, 1), Q(-1, -1), R(2, 4), S(2, -4)
PR =
Hence Option(2) is the correct answer.
Parabola Question 2:
A chord is drawn through the focus of the parabola
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 2 Detailed Solution
Calculation
Let the equation chord be
y2 = 6x
⇒
Now as mentioned in the question, this line will pass from focus
Substitute this in equation we get
Now Distance of this line from vertex is given to be
Taking square
Solving both the equation we get
Hence option 1 is correct
Parabola Question 3:
The common tangents to the circle x² + y² = 2 and the parabola y² = 8x touch the circle at the points P, Q and the parabola at the points R, S. Then the length of the diagonal PR of quadrilateral PQRS is ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 3 Detailed Solution
Calculation
For the parabola
where m is the slope of the tangent.
The tangent must also touch the circle
The perpendicular distance of (0, 0) to the tangent
The perpendicular distance d from the origin (0, 0) to the line
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Let
⇒
⇒ (z + 2)(z - 1) = 0.
Thus z = 1 (since z = -2 is not valid for
⇒
Equation of the common tangents
For m = 1, the tangent equation is:
⇒ y = x + 2.
For m = -1, the tangent equation is:
⇒ y = -x + 2.
These are the equations of the two direct common tangents.
Points of tangency on the circle
For y = x + 2:
Substitute y = x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Substituting x = -1 into y = x + 2
⇒ y = -1 + 2 = 1
So, the point of tangency is (-1, 1).
For y = -x + 2
Substitute y = -x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Substituting x = -1 into y = -x + 2
⇒ y = -(-1) + 2 = -1
So, the point of tangency is (-1, -1).
Thus, the points of tangency on the circle are P(-1, 1) and Q(-1, -1)
Points of tangency on the parabola
Substitute the tangent equations into the parabola y^2 = 8x to find the points of tangency:
For y = x + 2:
Substitute y = x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
Substituting x = 2 into y = x + 2
⇒ y = 2 + 2 = 4
So, the point of tangency is R(2, 4).
For y = -x + 2
Substitute y = -x + 2 into
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
So, the point of tangency is S(2, -4)
The vertices of the quadrilateral are
P(-1, 1), Q(-1, -1), R(2, 4), S(2, -4)
PR =
Hence Option(2) is the correct answer.
Parabola Question 4:
The coordinate of the point at which the line 2x - y = 12 is normal to the parabola y2 = 4x, is
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 4 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
Given parabola
y2 = 4x
2yy' = 4
y' = 2/y
So, slope of the tangent is 2/y
Now, the line 2x - y = 12 is normal to the parabola y2 = 4x.
2x - y = 12 ⇒ y = 2x - 12
slope of the normal is 2
Therefore slope tangent to the parabola should be -1/2
Hence,
i.e., y = -4
Since the point is passing through 2x - y = 12
So, putting y = - 4 we get
2x + 4 = 12
⇒ 2x = 8 ⇒ x = 4.
Hence required point (4, -4)
(4) is true.
Parabola Question 5:
The evaluate of the parabola y2 = 4ax is
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 5 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
Equation of parabola
y2 = 4ax
differentiating both sides w.r.t x
2yy' = 4a
y' = 2a/y...(i)
again differentiating
y'' =
The the coordinate of centre of curvature is
X = x -
Y = y +
Substituting the values and simplifying we get
X = 3x + 2a ....(i) and
Y =
⇒ Y2 =
⇒ aY2 = 4x3
⇒ aY2 =
Simplifying we get
27aY2 = 4(X - 2a)2
Option (4) is true.
Top Parabola MCQ Objective Questions
The vertex of the parabola (y - 3)2 = 20(x - 1) is:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 6 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Standard Form of the equation: | (y - k)2 = 4a(x - h) |
Equation of the Axis: | y = k |
Vertex: | (h, k) |
Focus: | (h + a, k) |
Directrix: | x = h - a |
Calculation:
Comparing the given equation (y - 3)2 = 20(x - 1) with the general equation of the parabola (y - k)2 = 4a(x - h), we can say that:
k = 3, a = 5, h = 1.
Vertex is (h, k) = (1, 3).
In the parabola y2 = x, what is the length of the chord passing through the vertex and inclined to the x-axis at an angle θ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 7 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
The coordinates of the point where the chord cut the parabola satisfIes the equation of a parabola.
Calculation:
Given:
The equation of a parabola is y2 = x.
The angle made by Chord OA with x-axis is θ
Let the length of the chord OA of the parabola is L
So, Length of AM = L sinθ
and Length of OM = L cosθ
So, The coordinate of A = (L cos θ, L sin θ)
And this point will satisfy the equation of parabola y2 = x.
⇒ (Lsin θ)2 = L cos θ
⇒L2 sin2 θ = L cos θ
⇒ L = cos θ. cosec2 θ
∴ The required length of chord is cos θ. cosec2 θ.
What is the focus of the parabola x2 = 16y ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 8 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Parabola: The locus of a point which moves such that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed straight line. (Eccentricity = e =1)
Equation |
x2 = 4ay; |
Vertex |
(0, 0) |
Focus |
(0, a) |
Equation of the directrix |
y = -a |
Equation of the axis |
x = 0 |
Length of Latus rectum |
4a |
Focal distance |
y + a |
Calculation:
Given: x2 = 16y
⇒ x2 = 4 × 4 × y
Compare with standard equation of parabola x2 = 4ay
So, a = 4
Therefore, Focus = (0, a) = (0, 4)
For the parabolas y2 = 4ax and x2 = 4ay
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 9 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Parabola: The locus of a point which moves such that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed straight line. (Eccentricity = e =1)
Equation |
y2 = 4ax |
x2 = 4ay |
Vertex |
(0, 0) |
(0, 0) |
Focus |
(a, 0) |
(0, a) |
Equation of the directrix |
x = -a |
y = -a |
Equation of the axis |
y = 0 |
x = 0 |
Equation of Latus rectum |
x = a |
y = a |
Length of Latus rectum |
4a |
4a |
Find the length of the latus rectum of the hyperbola x2 - y2 = 1 ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 10 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFCONCEPT:
The properties of a rectangular hyperbola
- Its centre is given by: (0, 0)
- Its foci are given by: (- ae, 0) and (ae, 0)
- Its vertices are given by: (- a, 0) and (a, 0)
- Its eccentricity is given by:
- Length of transverse axis = 2a and its equation is y = 0.
- Length of conjugate axis = 2b and its equation is x = 0.
- Length of its latus rectum is given by:
CALCULATION:
Given: Equation of hyperbola is x2 - y2 = 1
As we can see that, the given hyperbola is a horizontal hyperbola.
So, by comparing the given equation of hyperbola with
⇒ a = 1 and b = 1
As we know that, length of latus rectum of a hyperbola is given by
So, the length of latus rectum of given hyperbola is 2 units.
Hence, option D is the correct answer.
What is the focus of the parabola y2 = -12x ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 11 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Parabola: The locus of a point which moves such that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed straight line. (Eccentricity = e =1)
Equation |
y2 = 4ax; |
Vertex |
(0, 0) |
Focus |
(a, 0) |
Equation of the directrix |
x = -a |
Equation of the axis |
y = 0 |
Length of Latus rectum |
4a |
Focal distance |
x + a |
Calculation:
Given: y2 = -12x
⇒ y2 = 4 × (-3) × x
Compare with standard equation of parabola y2 = 4ax
So, a = -3
Therefore, Focus = (a, 0) = (-3, 0)
Focus of the parabola y2 − 8x + 6y + 1 = 0 is
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 12 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Latus rectum:
The latus rectum of a conic section is the chord (line segment) that passes through the focus, is perpendicular to the major axis, and has both endpoints on the curve.
- Length of Latus Rectum of Parabola y2 = 4ax is 4a
- End points of the latus rectum of a parabola are L = (a, 2a), and L’ = (a, -2a)
Calculation:
Given equation:
y2 − 8x + 6y + 1 = 0
⇒ y2 + 6y + 9 - 9 - 8x + 1 = 0
⇒ (y + 3)2 - 8x - 8 = 0
⇒ (y + 3)2 = 8x + 8
⇒ (y + 3)2 = 8 (x + 1)
Let new coordinate axes be X and Y,
Here X = x + 1 and Y = y + 3
⇒ Y2 = 4aX
Now comparing with above equation,
∴ 4a = 8 ⇒ a = 2
Focus: (a, 0)
X = a and Y = 0
⇒ x + 1 = 2 and y + 3 = 0
⇒ x = 1 and y = -3
∴ focus of parabola is (1, -3)
If parabola y2 = 4kx passes through point (-2, 1), then the length of latus rectum is:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 13 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
The length of the latus rectum of the parabola y2 = 4ax is 4a.
Calculations:
Given, the parabola y2 = 4kx passes through point (-2, 1),
⇒The point (-2, 1) is satisfying the equation of parabola y2 = 4kx
⇒ (1)2 = 4k (-2)
⇒ k =
Now, the length of the latus rectum = 4k
⇒The length of latus rectum = 4(
⇒The length of latus rectum =
The length of latus rectum can not be negative.
⇒The length of latus rectum =
Hence, if parabola y2 = 4kx passes through the point (-2, 1), then the length of the latus rectum is
Find the length of the latus rectum of the parabola y2 = - 12x ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 14 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFCONCEPT:
The following are the properties of a parabola of the form: y2 = - 4ax where a > 0
- Focus is given by (- a, 0)
- Vertex is given by (0, 0)
- Equation of directrix is given by: x = a
- Equation of axis is given by: y = 0
- Length of latus rectum is given by: 4a
- Equation of latus rectum is given by: x = - a
CALCULATION:
Given: Equation of parabola is y2 = - 12x
The given equation can be re-written as: y2 = - 4 ⋅ 3 ⋅ x---------(1)
Now by comparing the equation (1), with y2 = - 4ax we get
⇒ a = 3
As we know that, the length of latus rectum of a parabola is given by: 4a
So, length of latus rectum of the given parabola is: 4 ⋅ 3 = 12 units
Hence, option B is the correct answer.
The length of latus rectum of the parabola x2 = 20y ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Parabola Question 15 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Parabola: The locus of a point which moves such that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed straight line. (Eccentricity = e =1)
Equation |
x2 = 4ay; |
Vertex |
(0, 0) |
Focus |
(0, a) |
Equation of the directrix |
y = -a |
Equation of the axis |
x = 0 |
Length of Latus rectum |
4a |
Focal distance |
y + a |
Calculation:
Given: x2 = 20y
⇒ x2 = 4 × 5 × y
Compare with standard equation of parabola x2 = 4ay
So, 4a = 4 × 5
Therefore, Length of Latus rectum = 4a = 4 × 5 = 20