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Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
There exists a constant so that among all chords of the parabola passing through is a fixed constant. Find the constant

Solution
Let be a line passing through Setting we get or Let and be the roots of this equation. By Vieta's formulas, and
Also, and are and in some order, so For this expression to be independent of we must have Hence, the constant is
Also, and are and in some order, so For this expression to be independent of we must have Hence, the constant is
Final answer
4