Question:medium

If two tangents from point \((h,k)\) to parabola \(y^2 = 64x\) have slopes such that one is 8 times the other, then value of \( \frac{k^2}{2h} \) is:

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Use tangent slope form for parabola and relation between roots.
Updated On: Apr 17, 2026
  • \(9\)
  • \(27\)
  • \(81\)
  • \(162\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A tangent to a parabola passing through an external point must satisfy the quadratic equation for slopes. We use the sum and product of roots for these slopes.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Parabola: \(y^{2} = 64x \implies 4a = 64 \implies a = 16\).
2. Equation of tangent in slope form: \(y = mx + a/m \implies y = mx + 16/m\).
3. Since it passes through \((h, k)\):
\[ k = mh + 16/m \implies m^{2}h - mk + 16 = 0 \]
Let the slopes be \(m_{1}\) and \(m_{2}\). Given \(m_{1} = 8m_{2}\).
4. Sum of roots: \(m_{1} + m_{2} = 9m_{2} = \frac{k}{h} \implies m_{2} = \frac{k}{9h}\).
5. Product of roots: \(m_{1}m_{2} = 8m_{2}^{2} = \frac{16}{h} \implies m_{2}^{2} = \frac{2}{h}\).
6. Equate:
\[ \left( \frac{k}{9h} \right)^{2} = \frac{2}{h} \]
\[ \frac{k^{2}}{81h^{2}} = \frac{2}{h} \implies \frac{k^{2}}{h} = 162 \implies \frac{k^{2}}{2h} = 81 \]
Step 3: Final Answer:
The value is 81.
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