Question:hard

The locus of point of intersection of tangents at the ends of normal chord of the hyperbola \[ x^2-y^2=a^2 \] is

Show Hint

For conic problems involving tangents and chords, parametric form is very useful. Write the tangent equation at each endpoint, find their intersection, and then eliminate the parameters using the given chord condition.
Updated On: Jun 22, 2026
  • \(y^4-x^4=4a^2x^2y^2\)
  • \(y^2-x^2=4a^2x^2y^2\)
  • \(a^2(y^2-x^2)=4x^2y^2\)
  • \(y^2+x^2=4a^2x^2y^2\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Parametric point and tangent of the hyperbola.
For $x^2-y^2=a^2$: point $(a\sec\theta, a\tan\theta)$ and tangent $x\sec\theta-y\tan\theta=a$.
Step 2: Set up tangents at two ends of a normal chord.
Let the chord join parameters $\theta$ and $\phi$. The tangents $x\sec\theta-y\tan\theta=a$ and $x\sec\phi-y\tan\phi=a$ meet at $(h,k)$.
Step 3: Solve the pair of tangent equations.
From the two equations: $h\sec\theta-k\tan\theta=a$ and $h\sec\phi-k\tan\phi=a$, we can express $h$ and $k$ in terms of $\sec\theta,\tan\theta,\sec\phi,\tan\phi$.
Step 4: Impose the normal chord condition.
For $x^2-y^2=a^2$, two points are connected by a normal if a specific relation holds between their parameters $\theta$ and $\phi$. Applying this condition allows us to eliminate the parameters.
Step 5: Derive the locus.
After elimination of parameters, the locus of the intersection point $(h,k)$ satisfies $a^2(k^2-h^2)=4h^2k^2$. Writing in $(x,y)$: \[a^2(y^2-x^2)=4x^2y^2.\]
Step 6: State the answer.
\[ \boxed{a^2(y^2-x^2)=4x^2y^2} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0