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Printjmc
algebra intermediate
Problem
Let be a point on the parabola The normal to the parabola at is drawn, intersecting the parabola again at Find

Note: The normal at a point on a curve is the line passing through that is perpendicular to the tangent to at
Note: The normal at a point on a curve is the line passing through that is perpendicular to the tangent to at
Solution
Then the equation of the tangent at is of the form or Substituting into we get Then Since we have a tangent, this quadratic should have a double root. And since the -coordinate of is the double root is Hence, this quadratic is identical to which means
Then the slope of the normal is so the equation of the normal is We want the intersection of the normal with so we set : We can factor the left-hand side: The solution corresponds to the point Otherwise, so we can divide both sides by : Hence, so
Then the slope of the normal is so the equation of the normal is We want the intersection of the normal with so we set : We can factor the left-hand side: The solution corresponds to the point Otherwise, so we can divide both sides by : Hence, so
Final answer
\left( -\frac{3}{2}, \frac{9}{4} \right)