Originally posted by Rahul
P(ct, c/t) lies on teh rectangular hyperbola xy = c^2. the normal at P meets the hyperbola again at Q. M is the midpioint of PQ. Find teh equation of the locus of M.
Equation of normal of xy=c^2 at P(ct, c/t):
y - c/t = t^2*(x-ct)
solving with xy=c^2:
t^3*x^2 + (c-ct^4)x - c^2*t = 0
now the x-value of M is the sum of roots of this eqn:
M_x = (ct^4-c)/t^3
similarly:
M_y = (c-ct^4)/t
M[(ct^4-c)/t^3, (c-ct^4)/t]
-y/x = t^2
subbing into the y-value of m gives:
y = (c-c*y^2/x^2)/sqrt(-y/x)
x^4*c^2 - 2*c^2*x^2*y^2 + y^4*c^2 + x^3*y^3
There may be a silly error in there somwhere.
edit: Hmmm i'm not sure whether you needed help with this q, or whether you were just giving it to him. Oh well...