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JEE MainMathematicsToughCircles

Suppose a parabola y=x2−ax−1y = x^{2} - ax - 1 intersects the
coordinate axes at three points A, B and C. The circumcircle of ∆ABC

intersects the y -axis again at the point D(0, t).Find the value of t.

Show answer and solution
 We have x=a±a2+42\ We\ have\ x = \frac{a \pm \sqrt{a^{2} + 4}}{2}
α=a+a2+42;β=a−a2+42\alpha = \frac{a + \sqrt{a^{2} + 4}}{2};\beta = \frac{a - \sqrt{a^{2} + 4}}{2}
[IMAGE] Equation of family of circles through

A and B is (x−α)(x−β)+y2+λy=0A\ and\ B\ is\ (x - \alpha)(x - \beta) + y^{2} + \lambda y = 0
As it passes through

C(0,−1),αβ+1−λ=0( But αβ=−1)C(0, - 1),\alpha\beta + 1 - \lambda = 0(\ But\ \alpha\beta = - 1)
-1+1-
λ=0⇒λ=0\lambda = 0 \Rightarrow \lambda = 0
Equation of circle through

A,B and C is (x−α)(x−β)+y2=0A,B\ and\ C\ is\ (x - \alpha)(x - \beta) + y^{2} = 0
It cuts the y -axis when x=0, so

αβ+y2=0 (Put  αβ=−1)\alpha\beta + y^{2} = 0\ (Put\ \left. \ \alpha\beta = - 1 \right)
y^2=1
⇒\Rightarrow y=1 or -1
Hence t=1

Source: Grass-G / M-28 Mathematics Paper FST 16 Jan.docx

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