Porisma

Worked solution

Find a normal and distinguish its second curve intersection

For x=4t/(1−t2)x=4t/(1-t^2), y=1/(1−t2)y=1/(1-t^2), show the normal at P(8/3,4/3)P(8/3,4/3) is 3y=−15x+443y=-15x+44. It meets the curve again at Q; find t at Q.

[2006//PJC/II/3]

CJC · Lecture · Example 11

Differentiate the two rational functions

dx/dt=[4(1−t2)+8t2]/(1−t2)2=(4+4t2)/(1−t2)2dx/dt=[4(1-t^2)+8t^2]/(1-t^2)^2=(4+4t^2)/(1-t^2)^2, while dy/dt=2t/(1−t2)2dy/dt=2t/(1-t^2)^2. Thus dy/dx=t/[2(1+t2)]dy/dx=t/[2(1+t^2)], with the original exclusions t≠±1t\ne\pm1.

How did this part go?

Select the parameter matching the whole point

4/3=1/(1−t2)4/3=1/(1-t^2) gives t=±1/2t=\pm1/2. At t=1/2t=1/2, x is 8/38/3; at t=−1/2t=-1/2, x is −8/3-8/3. Hence P uses t=1/2t=1/2. Its gradient is 1/51/5, so the normal gradient is −5-5. Thus y−4/3=−5(x−8/3)y-4/3=-5(x-8/3), giving 3y=−15x+443y=-15x+44.

How did this part go?

Substitute a second parameter into the normal

At parameter q, 3/(1−q2)=−60q/(1−q2)+443/(1-q^2)=-60q/(1-q^2)+44. Since q≠±1q\ne\pm1, multiply to obtain 44q2+60q−41=0=(2q−1)(22q+41)44q^2+60q-41=0=(2q-1)(22q+41). The roots are 1/21/2 (the existing P, rejected for “again”) and −41/22-41/22. Therefore t at Q is −41/22-41/22.

How did this part go?

Common mistakes

A parameter root giving P must be rejected when the question asks for the second intersection.

Read the hint