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HOW TO FIND EQUATION OF COMMON TANGENTS TO PARABOLA\ELLIPSE\HYPERBOLA WITH EACH OTHER OR WITH A CIRCLE GIVE ME FULL DETAIL ON THIS TOPIC

HOW TO FIND EQUATION OF COMMON TANGENTS TO PARABOLA\ELLIPSE\HYPERBOLA WITH EACH OTHER OR WITH A CIRCLE
GIVE ME FULL DETAIL ON THIS TOPIC

Grade:12

4 Answers

Mardava Rjgpl
18 Points
14 years ago

Hey Aman.

I think this will work.

Assume a line y = mx + c touches the two given curves.

Hence, when you take one of the curves, and substitute the value of y, you will get a quadratic equation in x which can have only one solution. Because this quadratic equation contains the terms m and c, you can use b^2 - 4ac = 0. This will get you one equation in m and c. Now , take the second curve and repeat the same thing. This gives you another equation in m and c.

Take these two equations and solve them. Depending on the combinations of the curves, it may be very simple or very lengthy.

You may get upto four tangents that way, assuming that the equations you get are quadratic in both m and c.

Mardava

Rishab Dugar
11 Points
7 years ago
Let the equation of common tangent to y2 = 4ax and x2 = 4 by be y = mx + c.y = mx + c is the tangent to the parabola y2 = 4ax.is tangent to the parabola x2 = 4 by, then it will cut the parabola x2 = 4 by in two coincidental points.mx2 = 4bm2x + 4abmx2 – 4bm2x – 4ab = 0∴ D = (– 4bm2)2 – 4 × m × (– 4ab) = 0Equation of the common tangent isThus, the equation of the common tangent is
Mani
13 Points
6 years ago
Y=x+2Y=mx+2/m is a tangent of y^2=8xY=mx+_2m^1/2 is tangent of xy=-1They are same Som/m^2=1/m=+_m^1/2
Rishi Sharma
askIITians Faculty 646 Points
3 years ago
Dear Student,
Please find below the solution to your problem.

Assume a line y = mx + c touches the two given curves.
Hence, when you take one of the curves, and substitute the value of y, you will get a quadratic equation in x which can have only one solution. Because this quadratic equation contains the terms m and c, you can use b^2 - 4ac = 0. This will get you one equation in m and c. Now , take the second curve and repeat the same thing. This gives you another equation in m and c.
Take these two equations and solve them. Depending on the combinations of the curves, it may be very simple or very lengthy.

Thanks and Regards

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