Vertical and horizontal gaps to a parabola

The curve CC and the line LL have equations y=x2y=x^2 and y=12x−2y=\frac12x-2 respectively.

(i) The point AA on CC and the point BB on LL are such that they have the same xx-coordinate. Find the coordinates of AA and BB that gives the shortest distance ABAB. marks

(ii) The point PP on CC and the point QQ on LL are such that they have the same yy-coordinate. Find the coordinates of PP and QQ that gives the shortest distance PQPQ. marks

(iii) Find the exact area of the polygon formed by joining the points found in (i) and (ii). marks

(iv) A variable point on CC with coordinates (s,s2)(s,s^2) starts from origin OO and moves along the curve with ss increasing at a rate of 2 units/s. Find the rate of change of the area bounded by the curve, the yy-axis and the line y=s2y=s^2, at the instant when s=2s=\sqrt2. marks

[2017/ACJC/Prelim/I/8]

Total marks: 12

Solution

If this part uses an earlier result, revisit (ii) Optimisation: horizontal gap or open all working together.

(iii)

Area of a polygon

Find the exact area of the polygon formed by joining the points found in (i) and (ii).

Explore this idea

Hint

  1. AA and PP are the same point, so the polygon is the triangle PBQPBQ.

  2. The base ABAB is vertical and the base PQPQ is horizontal, so the angle at AA is a right angle.

Answer · (iii)

Area =961/256=961/256 square units.

Explore the idea

Open interactive exploration

A right-angled triangle between the curve and the line

Switch on the points and the two gaps.

Switch on a feature to add it to the sketch and see how it is found. A full-mark sketch shows all of them.

  • C
  • L
Ideas to try
Why is the area 12×AB×PQ\frac12\times AB\times PQ?