Pre-Semi-mock 4 Practice 2

On a rectangular coordinate plane with origin O, there is a straight line L: y  4 and a parabola C: y  x 2 .
P and Q are moving points on L and C respectively such that PQ is parallel to the y-axis. Denote the
mid-point of the segment PQ by M.

(a) Find the equation of locus of M.

(b) Michelle claims that the locus of the circumcentre of OPQ is a parabola. Do you agree with her claim?
Explain your answer briefly.

(c) Ami claims that the locus of the orthocentre of OPQ is a parabola. Do you agree with her claim?
Explain your answer briefly.

在一以 O 為原點的直角座標平面上有一直線 L： y  4 及一拋物線 C： y  x 2 。P 及 Q 分別為在 L 及

C 上的點使得 PQ 與 y 軸平行。把線段 PQ 的中點記為 M。

(a) 求 M 的軌跡方程。

(b) 小湘指出 OPQ 的外心的軌跡為一拋物線。你是否同意她的宣稱？試詳細解釋你的答案。

(c) 小美指出 OPQ 的垂心的軌跡為一拋物線。你是否同意她的宣稱？試詳細解釋你的答案。

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a Let Q  a, b  .

Since Q lies on C, we have b  a 2 .

Since PQ is parallel to the y-axis, the x-coordinate of P is a.
Since P lies on L, the y-coordinate of P is 4.

 a  a 4 a2 
M   , 

 2 2 
 a2 
  a,  2 
 2 

x2
Therefore, the equation of locus of M is y  2.
2
b Let x, y  be the coordinates of the circumcentre of OPQ .
Note that the perpendicular bisector of PQ is a horizontal line.

a2
Therefore, we have y  2.
2

0a 04
The mid - point of OP   , 
 2 2 
a 
  ,2 
2 

The slope of OP  The slope of the line joining the circumcent re and the mid - pt. of OP  1
a2
22
40 2
  1
a0 a
x
2
4a 2   a 2 x  a 
3
x a
2
9 2
x2  a
4
x 2  2 y  4 
9
4
2
y  x2  2
9
Hence, the locus of the circumcentre of OPQ is a parabola.
As a result, Michelle’s claim is agreed with.
c Note that PQ is vertical. Hence, the line joining O and the orthocenter of OPQ is horizontal.
Since O lies on the x-axis, the locus of the orthocentre of OPQ is the x-axis.
Hence, the locus of the orthocentre of OPQ is a straight line, but not a parabola.
As a result, Ami’s claim is disagreed with.