The equations of tangents at and vertex of a parabola are , and respectively. Find the length of latus rectum.
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This is a nice question which is based on the property that the foot of perpendicular from focus of parabola to any tangent lies on the tangent at the vertex .
The diagram is not according to scale.
I am not posting the complete solution but i can provide the steps.
1) Find the point of intersection of 3 x + 4 y = 7 and y = x , also of 2 x + 3 y = 1 0 and y = x
2) Point of intersection are A and B
3) find the equation of A S and B S which are perpendicular to respective tangents of parabola.
4) The point of intersection of A S and B S gives the coordinates of focus.
5) length of perpendicular from focus to the tangent at the vertex gives a .
6) Just calculate 4 a