Focal Distance in Cartesian Coordinates

Rarely Tested

Focal Distance in Cartesian Coordinates

For a point $$(x,y)$$ on:

$$y^2=4ax$$

its distance from the focus $$(a,0)$$ is:

$$SP=x+a$$

Usage

- Used to simplify focal-distance calculations without using the distance formula.

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Question 1

Let $$T$$ be the tangent to the parabola $$y^2=16x$$ at the point $$(64,32)$$. Let $$L$$ be the tangent to the same parabola at another point $$(x_1,\,y_1)$$ on the parabola. If $$L$$ and $$T$$ are perpendicular to each other, then the distance between the point $$(x_1,\,y_1)$$ and the focus of the parabola, is

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