Question 12 Marks
if $O$ is the origin and $Q$ is a variable point on $y^2 = x.$ Find the locus of the mid$-$point of $OQ.$
Answer
View full question & answer→Let the coordinates of $Q$ be $(a, b),$ which lies on the parabola.
$y^2=x$
$\Rightarrow b^2=a \ldots \ldots(i)$
Let $P(h, k)$ be the mid$-$point of $OQ.$
Now, we have
$h =\frac{0+a}{2}$ and $k =\frac{0+b}{2}$
$\Rightarrow a =2 h$ and $b =2 k$
Substituting $a = 2h$ and $b = 2k$ in equation $(i),$ we obtain
$(2 k)^2=2 h$
$\Rightarrow 2 k^2=h$
Therefore, the required locus of the mid$-$point of $O Q$ is $2 y^2=x$.
$y^2=x$
$\Rightarrow b^2=a \ldots \ldots(i)$
Let $P(h, k)$ be the mid$-$point of $OQ.$
Now, we have
$h =\frac{0+a}{2}$ and $k =\frac{0+b}{2}$
$\Rightarrow a =2 h$ and $b =2 k$
Substituting $a = 2h$ and $b = 2k$ in equation $(i),$ we obtain
$(2 k)^2=2 h$
$\Rightarrow 2 k^2=h$
Therefore, the required locus of the mid$-$point of $O Q$ is $2 y^2=x$.
