MATHEMATICS

Parabola
1. It is advisable to use PM for finding focal distance as PM = PS

2. Focal length of standard parabola from a point P(at 2 , 2at) is

f = a(1 + t 2 )

3. Slope of line through vertex at P,

2
m=
t

4. If these are two perpendicular chords of a parabola passing through vertex, then their
points of contact (other than vertex) are related as
t1 t 2 = −4

5. Slope of chord passing through P(t1 ) and Q(t 2 )

2
m=
t1 + t 2

6. The above focal chord cuts the axis (in std. parabola) at
M(−at1 t 2 , 0)

7. For focal chord,

t1 t 2 = −1

8. Length of focal chord

1 2
l = a (t + ) = 4a csc 2 θ
t
Where θ is the angle made by chord with axis

9. Semi latus rectum is harmonic mean of segments of FC.

1 1 1
= +
a PS QS

10. Parametric form of tangent

i. Horizontal parabola
ty = x + at 2
ii. Vertical parabola
tx = y + at 2

11. Slope m and t are related in std. parabola as

1
m=
t

12. Slope form of tangent

i. y 2 = 4ax

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a
y = mx +
m
ii. y 2 = −4ax
a
y = mx −
m
iii. x 2 = 4ay
y = mx − am2
iv. x 2 = −4ay
y = mx + am2

13. For POC of tangent and normal, comparing slope and parametric forms is a good idea

14. Interesting idea of family of curves: If a circle touches a conic at (a, b) then use family of
circles,
S + λL = 0
Where S is the equation of point circle at (a, b) and L is the tangent at (a, b)

15. For common tangents, common normal, shortest distance b/w line and parabola,
shortest distance b/w 2 parabolas: always use slope form of tangent/normal

16. Directrix is the director circle of parabola

17. Equation of chord of contact of pair of tangents: If R is their POI then take T = 0 w.r.t. R.

18. If we take any point R on the directrix and draw a pair of tangents, then they will be
perpendicular and their common chord PQ is focal chord.

19. In above situation,

RS ⊥ PQ
i.e. FOP from directrix on common chord is nothing but focus.

20. The FOP from focus to any tangent lies on TAV and its
mirror image lies on directrix.

21. In the given figure1,

∆PTM ≅ ∆PTS

22. Parametric equation of normal in std. parabola

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y + tx = 2at + at 3

23. Slope form of normal in std. parabola

y − mx = −2am − am3

24. Slope m and t for normal in std. parabola are related as

m = −t

25. lx + my + n = 0 is a normal to y 2 = 4ax if

al(cl2 + 2m2 ) + m2 n = 0

26. If normal at P(t1 ) meets Q(t 2 ) again on parabola then

2
t 2 = −t1 −
t1

27. If normal at P(t1 ) and Q(t 2 ) meet again at R(t 3 ) on the parabola then
t1 t 2 = 2
t1 + t 2 + t 3 = 0

28. If normal at P(t) subtends 90° at the vertex then

t2 = 2

29. Normal chord to the parabola at point where abscissa = ordinate subtends 90° at focus

30. Centroid of triangle formed by joining the feet of normal drawn from a point to the
parabola lies on the axis of the parabola, and we say the 3 foot of normal are co-normal
points

31. If the slopes of 3 concurrent normal whose POI is (x1 , y1 ) are m1 , m2 , m3 then
∑m = 0
2a − x1
∑ m1 m2 =
a
y1
m1 m2 m3 = −
a

32. Circle through the co-normal points passes through the vertex of the parabola

33. Algebraic sum of ordinates of the 4 POI of circle and parabola = 0

34. The common chords of a circle and parabola are in pairs, equally inclined to axis of
parabola.

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35. Condition for 3 normal2: If ‘t’ is a parametric

coordinate of a foot of normal drawn from a
point (h, k), then in the equation
at 3 + t(2a − h) − k = 0
We need
i. h > 2a
ii. 4(h − 2a)3 > 27ak 2

36. Equation of COC with given midpoint:

T = S1

37. If normal through a circle cuts parabola at 2 points; the locus of POI of tangents at these
pts. passes through the centre of the circle

38. Equation of diameter (locus of midpoint of parallel chords)

2a
y=
m
Where m is the slope of the parallel chords. Point where diameter intersects conic is
called vertex.

39. Tangent at the extremity of diameter of parabola is parallel to the system of chords

40. Tangents drawn at extremities of these parallel chords intersect on the diameter

41. If we draw a COC from a point, then the locus of POI of pair of tangents from the
extremities of the COC is called polar and the point itself is called pole
T = 0 w. r. t. pole is polar

42. P and Q are called conjugate if polar of P contains Q and vice versa. Similarly, if pole of a
line lies on another line and vice versa then the lines are conjugate lines.

43. Circle drawn on any focal distance as diameter touched tangent at vertex, and circle with
focal chord as diameter touches directrix

44. Tangent and normal bisect external and internal angle respectively made by PM and PS.

45. A ray of light incident parallel to the axis will pass through the focus after getting
reflected and vice versa.

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46. In the given figure,3

T ≡ (−at 2 , 0)
N ≡ (2a + at 2 , 0)
F ≡ (at 2 , 0)
Will come in handy in some q

47. S is midpoint of TN.

Thus, ST = SN = SP
T, P, N lie on a circle

48. Length of subtangent

lST = 2at 2

49. Length of subnormal

lSN = 2a

50. If P, Q, R, are pairwise POI of tangents at 3 points then

1
ar(∆PQR) = ar(∆ formed by POC with parabola)
2

51. Orthocentre of ∆PQR lies on directrix of parabola.

Ellipse
1. Directrix:
a
x=±
e

2. For a point P(h, k) on the ellipse

PF1 = a − eh and PF2 = a + eh

3. Equation of auxiliary circle of ellipse:

x 2 + y 2 = a2
It is a circle with diameter as major axis

4. Eccentric angle is measured w.r.t. the auxiliary circle and not the ellipse

5. Condition of tangency:
c 2 = a2 m2 + b2
Thus, y = mx ± √a2 m2 + b 2

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6. POC of tangents is at
a2 m b2
(− , )
c c

7. Parametric eqn. of tangent

x cos θ y sin θ
+ =1
a b

8. Parametric form of normal

ax sec θ − by csc θ = a2 − b2 = a2 e2

9. Slope form of normal

m(a2 − b2 )
y = mx ±
√a2 + b 2 m2

10. Minimum length of intercepts of any tangent b/w axes = a + b

11. Equation of director circle

x 2 + y 2 = a2 + b2
Tangents from any point on the director circle are perpendicular to each other.

12. Chord joining two points P(θ1 ) and Q(θ2 ) will subtend a right angle at centre if
a2
tan θ1 tan θ2 = − 2
b

13. If chords are drawn from an end of the minor axis of the ellipse, then the locus of
midpoint of these chords is also a part of another ellipse.

14. Important homogenization tip: If a chord subtends right angle at the centre, then
homogenize the equation and make sum of coefficients of x 2 and y 2 zero.

15. If chords are drawn from a point P on the ellipse and the locus of their midpoints is also
an ellipse, it is given by
T = S1 w. r. t. P

16. If line joining P(α) and Q(β) are end points of a focal chord then
e−1 e+1
tan α tan β = or
e+1 e−1

17. Semi LR is the HM of the two focal chord segments

b2 2(PS)(SQ)
=
a PS + SQ

18. Affine transformation:

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b
Ratio of area = Ratio of ordinates =
a

19. The portion of tangent between the POC and the directrix subtends right angle at focus

20. If we take any point on directrix and draw pair of tangents, then COC is focal chord and
FOP from point on directrix on COC is nothing but focus.

21. Area of rhombus formed by tangents at LR:

2a2
Area =
e

22. Tangent and normal bisect the external and internal angle respectively of PF1 and PF2

23. If ray through one focus is incident on ellipse, then it passes through other focus after
reflection

24. Circle drawn on focal distance (PF1 or PF2 ) as diameter touches the auxiliary circle

25. 4 normal to an ellipse are concurrent at a point, then

α + β + γ + δ = (2n + 1)π

26. If circle cuts ellipse at 4 points

α + β + γ + δ = 2nπ

27. If the tangent at a point P on an ellipse cuts the tangents at vertices at M and N, then
circle through M and N as diameter passes through both foci.

28. The FOP (M and N) from foci to any tangent of ellipse lies on the auxiliary circle.

29. If tangents are drawn to the auxiliary circle at above points M and N, then let their POI
will lie on R. Property for all M, N: R will lie on another ellipse.

30. Mirror image of F1 about a tangent lies on the line joining F2 and POC of tangent.

31. If p1 and p2 are the lengths of perpendiculars from foci to above tangent then
p1 p2 = b2

32. If P(α) and Q(β) are the endpoints of the focal chord then eccentricity of ellipse

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α−β
cos ( 2 )
e=| |
α+β
cos ( 2 )

33. lx + my + n = 0 is a normal to ellipse if

2
a2 b2 a2 − b2
+ = ( )
l2 m 2 n2

34. If two concentric ellipse be such that the foci of one be on other, and if e and e’ be their
eccentricities, then angle between their axes
e2 + e′2 − 1
cosθ = √
ee′

35. If normal at endpoint of latus rectum masses through an end of the minor axis, then the
eccentricity of the ellipse is given by
e4 + e2 − 1 = 0

36. Maximum distance of the centre of the ellipse to its normal = a-b. It is always ≤ this
value.

37. If P(α), Q(β) and R(γ) represent three co-normal points on ellipse then
sin(α + β) + sin(β + γ) + sin(γ + α) = 0

38. Length of subtangent at P(h, k) for standard ellipse:

a2
lST = − h
h

39. Length of subnormal at P(h, k) for standard ellipse:

lSN = (1 − e2 )h

40. In the given figure,

(TM)(PY) = a2 − b2

41. Minimum area of ∆CMT = ab

42. Equation of diameter (locus of midpoint of parallel

chords of slope m)
b2
y=− 2 x
a m

43. Two diameters are conjugate if each bisects all chords parallel to the other. Angle
between conjugate diameters is always > 90°

44. If y = m1 x and y = m2 x be two conjugate diameters of ellipse then

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b2
m1 m2 = −
a2

45. Note that major and minor axis are also conjugate diameters of each other however all
the above properties do not apply to them (exception)

46. The tangent at extremity/vertex of diameter is parallel to all the chords it bisects, i.e.
parallel to conjugate diameter.

47. Tangent at ends of any chord meet on the diameter bisecting the chord.

48. Eccentric angles of the end points of a pair of conjugate diameters differ by 90°

49. Sum of squares of two conjugate diameters AB and CD is

(AB)2 + (CD)2 = 4(a2 + b2 )

50. In above situation, we also get

(CD)2
(F1 A)(F2 A) = (F1 B)(F2 B) =
4

51. Tangents at the ends of a pair of conjugate diameters form a

parallelogram4 whose area is = 4ab

52. The polar of any point w.r.t. ellipse is parallel to the diameter on which the point lies.
Sometimes we could probably compare y = mx to T = 0 idk.

53. If the conjugate diameters are symmetrical/equal in length, then

lDiameter = √2(a2 + b 2 )

54. Sum of the squares of reciprocal of two perpendicular diameters (NEVER confuse
between perpendicular and conjugate) of ellipse is constant

Hyperbola
1. For a point P(h, k) lying on the hyperbola
PF1 = eh − a and PF2 = eh + a

2. Equation of auxiliary circle

x 2 + y 2 = a2

3. Parametric coordinates
P ≡ (asec θ , b tan θ)

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4. Parametric form of tangent

x sec θ y tan θ
− =1
a b

5. Slope form
c 2 = a2 m2 − b2
y = mx ± √a2 m2 − b 2
c 2 > 0 for real tangent

6. Condition for asymptote:

b
m=±
a

7. Point of contact of tangent:

a2 m b2
P ≡ (− ,− )
c c

8. For conjugate hyperbola, condition of tangency is

c 2 = b2 − a2 m2

9. Equation of director circle for

i. Standard hyperbola
x 2 + y 2 = a2 − b2
ii. Conjugate hyperbola
x 2 + y 2 = b2 − a2
Notice there is also an extra condition for director circle to exist here(!)

10. 4 normal to a hyperbola are concurrent at a point, then (same prop as ellipse)
α + β + γ + δ = (2n + 1)π

11. If P(α), Q(β) and R(γ) represent three co-normal points on hyperbola then (same prop
as ellipse)
sin(α + β) + sin(β + γ) + sin(γ + α) = 0

12. If normal at P meets the transverse axis at G, then

SG = e(SP)
Where S is the corresponding focus

13. If P(α) and Q(β) are the end points of focal chord then
α β 1−e
tan tan =
2 2 1+e

14. Length of subtangent from (h, k)

a2
lST = h −
h

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15. Length of subnormal from (h, k)

lSN = (e2 − 1)h

16. If an incoming light ray passing through one focus strikes the convex side of the
hyperbola, then the other focus will lie on the reflected ray (extended)

17. The FOP from foci onto tangent of a hyperbola lie on auxiliary circle (same as ellipse)

18. Further, these FOP are basically POI of directrix and auxiliary circle.

19. If p1 and p2 are the lengths of perpendiculars from foci to any tangent then (same as
ellipse)
p1 p2 = b2

20. If a tangent at any point P meets the asymptotes at Q and R, then (C = centre)
(CQ)(CR) = a2 + b2

21. If asymptotes are L1 = L2 = 0 then the equation of hyperbola is

L1 L2 = λ

22. If a tangent at any point P meets the asymptotes at Q and R then

Area of ∆CQR = ab

23. The POC of the tangent with hyperbola is the midpoint of the part intercepted between
asymptotes.

24. Angle between asymptotes: (e is eccentricity)

θ = 2 sec −1 e

25. Chord joining two points P(t1 ) and Q(t 2 ) of a rectangular hyperbola has a slope
1
m=−
t1 t 2

26. Tangent to rectangular hyperbola at (x1 , y1 )

x y
+ =2
x1 y1

27. Parametric tangent for rectangular hyperbola xy = c 2

x + t 2 y = 2ct

28. Normal to above rect. hyperbola

xt 3 − yt = c(t 4 − 1)

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29. If normal at ‘t’ meets xy = c 2 again at ′t1 ′

1
t1 = −
t3

30. If a triangle has all 3 vertices on a rect. hyperbola, then its orthocentre also lies on the
hyperbola.

31. If a circle x 2 + y 2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 cuts rect. hyperbola at 4 points ‘t’ then
2g
∑ t1 = −
c
k
∑ t1 t 2 = 2
c
2f
∑ t1 t 2 t 3 = −
c
t1 t 2 t 3 t 4 = 1

32. The portion of tangent b/w the POC and directrix subtends right angle at the
corresponding focus.

33. Tangent and normal are the internal and external angle bisectors respectively of PF1 and
PF2 (opposite of ellipse)

34. If an ellipse and hyperbola are confocal then they cut each other orthogonally.

35. Let a tangent to a hyperbola cut both its TAV at points M and N. Then circle drawn with
MN as diameter passes through both the foci as well (same as ellipse)

36. A variation (probably) of pole polar: Tangents are drawn from points on a certain
tangent of x 2 − y 2 = a2 to parabola y 2 = 4ax. If all the corresponding COCs pass through
a fixed point, then
T = 0 w. r. t. fixed point gives that tangent of hyperbola

37. Equation of diameter bisecting chords of slope ‘m’

b2 x
y= 2
a m

38. If y = m1 x and y = m2 x are conjugate diameters then

b2
m1 m2 = 2
a

39. If a pair of diameters are conjugate w.r.t. a hyperbola, then they are conjugate w.r.t. the
conjugate hyperbola also

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40. Only one of the two conjugate diameters actually meets the hyperbola

41. Condition for POSL Ax 2 + 2Hxy + By 2 = 0 to be conjugate diameters of hyperbola:

a2 A = b2 B

42. If CP and CQ are conjugate diameters

P ≡ (a sec θ , b tan θ)
Q ≡ (a tan θ , b sec θ)
Which means Q meets conjugate hyperbola!

43. It is also evident from above that

CP2 − CQ2 = a2 − b2

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