Let the focus and directrix of parabola y2=2px (p>0) be F and l, respectively. A and B are moving points on the parabola satisfying ∠AFB=3π. Let the projection of M, the midpoint of segment AB, on l be N. Then the maximum value of ∣AB∣∣MN∣ is ______.
Solutions — 2
Solution 1
Suppose ∠ABF=θ (0<θ<32π). Then by the Law of Sine, we have sinθ∣AF∣=sin(32π−θ)∣BF∣=sin3π∣AB∣ And then sinθ+sin(32π−θ)∣AF∣+∣BF∣=sin3π∣AB∣ So ∣AB∣∣AF∣+∣BF∣=sin3πsinθ+sin(32π−θ)=2cos(θ−3π). As seen in Fig. 4.1, by using the definition of a parabola and the property of a trapezoid, we have ∣MN∣=2∣AF∣+∣BF∣. Then ∣AB∣∣MN∣=cos(θ−3π). Therefore, ∣AB∣∣MN∣ reaches the maximum value 1 when θ=3π.
Solution 2
By using the definition of a parabola and the property of a trapezoid, we have ∣MN∣=2∣AF∣+∣BF∣. In △AFB, by using the Law of Cosines we have ∣AB∣2=∣AF∣2+∣BF∣2−2∣AF∣⋅∣BF∣cos3π=(∣AF∣+∣BF∣)2−3∣AF∣⋅∣BF∣≥(∣AF∣+∣BF∣)2−3(2∣AF∣+∣BF∣)2=(2∣AF∣+∣BF∣)2=∣MN∣2. The equality holds if and only if ∣AF∣=∣BF∣. Therefore, the maximum value of ∣AB∣∣MN∣ is 1. □
Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track
puts 2,000 problems in a working order, from AMC 10 level to the IMO shortlist.
Source: MathNet,
licensed CC-BY-4.0.
Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.