Edexcel F1 2020 June — Question 7 10 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleF1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2020
SessionJune
Marks10
PaperDownload PDF ↗
TopicConic sections
TypeParabola area calculations
DifficultyStandard +0.8 This is a multi-part Further Maths question requiring: (a) finding parameter a by using tangency conditions with implicit differentiation or parametric forms, (b) finding the point of tangency, and (c) calculating a triangle area involving the focus and directrix. While it tests standard parabola theory from F1, it requires coordinating multiple concepts (tangency, focus-directrix properties, coordinate geometry) across three connected parts, making it moderately challenging but still within standard Further Maths expectations.
Spec1.03d Circles: equation (x-a)^2+(y-b)^2=r^21.07m Tangents and normals: gradient and equations

7. The parabola \(C\) has equation \(y ^ { 2 } = 4 a x\), where \(a\) is a positive constant. The line \(l\) with equation \(3 x - 4 y + 48 = 0\) is a tangent to \(C\) at the point \(P\).
  1. Show that \(a = 9\)
  2. Hence determine the coordinates of \(P\). Given that the point \(S\) is the focus of \(C\) and that the line \(l\) crosses the directrix of \(C\) at the point \(A\),
  3. determine the exact area of triangle \(P S A\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a3457c24-fbda-413d-b3b2-6be375307318-25_2255_50_314_34}
    VIXV SIHIANI III IM IONOOVIAV SIHI NI JYHAM ION OOVI4V SIHI NI JLIYM ION OO

7. The parabola $C$ has equation $y ^ { 2 } = 4 a x$, where $a$ is a positive constant.

The line $l$ with equation $3 x - 4 y + 48 = 0$ is a tangent to $C$ at the point $P$.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that $a = 9$
\item Hence determine the coordinates of $P$.

Given that the point $S$ is the focus of $C$ and that the line $l$ crosses the directrix of $C$ at the point $A$,
\item determine the exact area of triangle $P S A$.\\

\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a3457c24-fbda-413d-b3b2-6be375307318-25_2255_50_314_34}\\

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|}
\hline
VIXV SIHIANI III IM IONOO & VIAV SIHI NI JYHAM ION OO & VI4V SIHI NI JLIYM ION OO \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\begin{center}

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\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel F1 2020 Q7 [10]}}