Worked solution
Test whether a tangent meets the curve again
A curve has , , where . Find the tangent at where , and determine whether that tangent cuts the curve again. marks
[2009/TPJC/Promo/10]
CJC · Discussion · Question 7
Answer
; no second intersection.
Find P and its tangent
, , so . At , , and the gradient is . The tangent is , or .
How did this part go?
Solve for all intersections with that line
Substitute the parametric equations into the tangent: . Since , clearing denominators gives , so . Only occurs, and is one-to-one in . Thus the tangent meets the curve only at and does not cut it again.
How did this part go?
Common mistakes
A repeated root at the tangent point is not another point of intersection.