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Question 66

Let $$A$$ be a fixed point $$(0, 6)$$ and $$B$$ be a moving point $$(2t, 0)$$. Let $$M$$ be the mid-point of $$AB$$ and the perpendicular bisector of $$AB$$ meets the y-axis at $$C$$. The locus of the mid-point $$P$$ of MC is

We have the fixed point $$A(0,\,6)$$ and the moving point $$B(2t,\,0)$$, where $$t$$ is a real parameter.

First we find the midpoint $$M$$ of $$AB$$. The midpoint formula states: if the endpoints are $$(x_1,\,y_1)$$ and $$(x_2,\,y_2)$$, then the midpoint is $$\left(\dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2},\;\dfrac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right).$$ Hence

$$M\;=\;\left(\dfrac{0+2t}{2},\;\dfrac{6+0}{2}\right)\;=\;\left(t,\,3\right).$$

Now we write the equation of the perpendicular bisector of $$AB$$. The slope of $$AB$$ is found from the two-point slope formula $$m=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$$:

$$m_{AB}\;=\;\dfrac{0-6}{2t-0}\;=\;-\dfrac{6}{2t}\;=\;-\dfrac{3}{t}.$$

The slope of a line perpendicular to another is the negative reciprocal, so

$$m_{\perp}\;=\;-\dfrac{1}{m_{AB}}\;=\;-\dfrac{1}{-\dfrac{3}{t}}\;=\;\dfrac{t}{3}.$$

The perpendicular bisector passes through $$M(t,\,3)$$, so using the point-slope form $$y-y_0=m(x-x_0),$$ we get

$$y-3=\dfrac{t}{3}\,(x-t).$$

Next we locate its intersection $$C$$ with the $$y$$-axis. On the $$y$$-axis we have $$x=0$$, so we substitute $$x=0$$:

$$y-3=\dfrac{t}{3}\,(0-t)=-\dfrac{t^2}{3}\;\;\Longrightarrow\;\;y=3-\dfrac{t^2}{3}.$$

Thus $$C\;(0,\,3-\dfrac{t^2}{3}).$$

We are asked for the locus of the midpoint $$P$$ of $$MC$$. Again using the midpoint formula between $$M(t,\,3)$$ and $$C\!\left(0,\,3-\dfrac{t^2}{3}\right)$$, we obtain

$$x_P=\dfrac{t+0}{2}=\dfrac{t}{2},$$ $$y_P=\dfrac{\,3+\left(3-\dfrac{t^2}{3}\right)}{2}=\dfrac{\,6-\dfrac{t^2}{3}}{2}=3-\dfrac{t^2}{6}.$$

Let $$P(x,\,y)$$ denote a general position of this midpoint. Then

$$x=\dfrac{t}{2}\;\;\Longrightarrow\;\;t=2x.$$

Substituting this value of $$t$$ into the expression for $$y$$ gives

$$y=3-\dfrac{(2x)^2}{6}=3-\dfrac{4x^2}{6}=3-\dfrac{2x^2}{3}.$$

To eliminate fractions, multiply by $$3$$:

$$3y=9-2x^2.$$

Rearranging all terms to one side, we finally obtain the Cartesian equation of the locus:

$$2x^2+3y-9=0.$$

This equation coincides with Option D in the given list. Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

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