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Let the focal chord PQ of the parabola $y^2=4x$ make an angle of $60^\circ$ with the positive x-axis, where P lies in the first quadrant. If the circle, whose one diameter is PS, S being the focus of the parabola, touches the y-axis at the point (0, $\alpha$), then $5\alpha^2$ is equal to :

The correct answer is
15

We need to find the value of $5\alpha^2$ based on the properties of a parabola, its focal chord, and a circle touching the y-axis.

Parabola and Focus Identification

The given parabola is $y^2 = 4x$. Comparing this with the standard form $y^2 = 4ax$, we find $4a = 4$, which implies $a=1$. The focus of the parabola is located at $S = (a, 0) = (1, 0)$.

Focal Chord Properties

The focal chord PQ makes an angle of $60^\circ$ with the positive x-axis. The slope ($m$) of the chord is given by the tangent of the angle: $m = \tan(60^\circ) = \sqrt{3}$. The equation of the line PQ passing through the focus $S(1, 0)$ with slope $m=\sqrt{3}$ is given by the point-slope form $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$: $y - 0 = \sqrt{3}(x - 1)$ $y = \sqrt{3}(x - 1)$

Finding Points P and Q

To find the coordinates of the intersection points P and Q, substitute the equation of the line into the parabola's equation ($y^2 = 4x$): $(\sqrt{3}(x - 1))^2 = 4x$ $3(x - 1)^2 = 4x$ $3(x^2 - 2x + 1) = 4x$ $3x^2 - 6x + 3 = 4x$ $3x^2 - 10x + 3 = 0$ Factor the quadratic equation: $(3x - 1)(x - 3) = 0$ This gives two possible x-values: $x = 1/3$ and $x = 3$. For $x = 3$, $y = \sqrt{3}(3 - 1) = 2\sqrt{3}$. So, $P = (3, 2\sqrt{3})$. Since P lies in the first quadrant ($x>0, y>0$), this is point P. For $x = 1/3$, $y = \sqrt{3}(1/3 - 1) = \sqrt{3}(-2/3) = -2/\sqrt{3}$. So, $Q = (1/3, -2/\sqrt{3})$.

Circle Properties and Tangency

The circle has PS as its diameter, where $P = (3, 2\sqrt{3})$ and $S = (1, 0)$. The center of the circle is the midpoint of PS: Center $(h, k) = \left(\frac{3+1}{2}, \frac{2\sqrt{3}+0}{2}\right) = (2, \sqrt{3})$. The radius ($r$) is half the length of the diameter PS, or the distance from the center to S: $r^2 = (2-1)^2 + (\sqrt{3}-0)^2 = 1^2 + (\sqrt{3})^2 = 1 + 3 = 4$. So, the radius $r = 2$. The circle touches the y-axis at $(0, \alpha)$. For a circle with center $(h, k)$ and radius $r$, touching the y-axis means the distance from the center to the y-axis is equal to the radius, i.e., $|h|=r$. Here, $|2| = 2$, which is consistent. The point of tangency on the y-axis for a circle with center $(h, k)$ is $(0, k)$. Therefore, $\alpha = k$. From the center coordinates, we have $k = \sqrt{3}$. So, $\alpha = \sqrt{3}$.

Calculating the Final Value

We need to find the value of $5\alpha^2$. $5\alpha^2 = 5(\sqrt{3})^2$ $5\alpha^2 = 5(3)$ $5\alpha^2 = 15$.

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