Edexcel FP1 2016 June — Question 5

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleFP1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2016
SessionJune
TopicStraight Lines & Coordinate Geometry

5. Points \(P \left( a p ^ { 2 } , 2 a p \right)\) and \(Q \left( a q ^ { 2 } , 2 a q \right)\), where \(p ^ { 2 } \neq q ^ { 2 }\), lie on the parabola \(y ^ { 2 } = 4 a x\).
  1. Show that the chord \(P Q\) has equation $$y ( p + q ) = 2 x + 2 a p q$$ Given that this chord passes through the focus of the parabola,
  2. show that \(p q = - 1\)
  3. Using calculus find the gradient of the tangent to the parabola at \(P\).
  4. Show that the tangent to the parabola at \(P\) and the tangent to the parabola at \(Q\) are perpendicular.