Q.

Let r be the radius of the circle, which touches x-axis at point (a, 0), a < 0 and the parabola y2=9x at the point (4, 6). Then r is equal to __________.          [2025]


Ans.

(30)

Equation of circle is given by

         (xa)2+(yr)2=r2

Now, circle passes through the point A(4, 6). So, we have

         (4a)2+(6r)2=r2

16+a28a+36+r212r=r2

 a212r8a+52=0          ... (i)

Equation of tangent to the barabola y2=9x at the point A(4, 6) is given by yy1=2a(x+x1)

 6y=2×94(x+4)  6y=9x+362

 3x4y+12=0

Distance of this line from centre of circle is equal to radius of circle.

  |3a4r+129+16|=r

 3a4r+12=±5r

 3a+12=9r or 3a+12=-r

If 3a + 12 = 9r i.e., a + 4 = 3r, then by using equation (i), we get

a212(a+43)8a+52=0

 a24a168a+52=0  a212a+36=0

 (a6)2=0  a=6 but a<0  a6

Now, if 3a + 12 = – r, so by using equation (i), we get

         a28a+12(3a+12)+52=0

 a2+28a+196=0  (a+14)2=0

 a=14  r=30.