# Find the circle circumscribing a triangle related to a parabola [duplicate]

Consider the following lines

1. $x-y-1=0$
2. $x+y-5=0$
3. $y=4$

The line 1 is the axis of the parabola, the line 2 is the tangent at the vertex to the same parabola, and the line 3 is another tangent to the same parabola at some point $P$.

Now let a circle $C$ circumscribe the triangle formed by tangent and normal at the point $P$ and the axis of the parabola.

Then how can I find the equation of the circle?

I found that the vertex of this parabola is $(3,2)$. Don't know how to proceed further.

• It's better to close in the opposite direction: this copy has a reasonable answer.
– user147263
Oct 20, 2015 at 13:19

HINT

I would say, help subtangent of parabola:

axis: $x-y-1=0,\quad t_V:\,x+y-5=0, \quad t_P:\, y-4=0$

Theorem: Vertex bisects subtangent of parabola. -->

$P_1 = t_P \times \,$axis, $\quad\overline{P_1V}=\overline{VP_2}\Rightarrow P_2$

Perpendicular from P_2 to axis $\times\, t_P = P, \quad$ perpendicular from P to $t_P \times\,$axis $= P_3$

$P_2$ = mid searched circle, = focus of parabola.

• Thanks brother for your help.... Oct 19, 2015 at 18:10