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From an external point P tangents are drawn to the parabola, find the equation to the locus of P when these tangents make angles ` theta _(1) and theta _(2)` with the axis, such that
` tan theta _(1) tan theta _(2) ` is constant (= c)

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To find the equation of the locus of point P from which tangents are drawn to the parabola \( y^2 = 4ax \), we will follow these steps: ### Step 1: Write the equation of the tangents The equation of the tangent to the parabola \( y^2 = 4ax \) at a point where the slope is \( m \) is given by: \[ y = mx + \frac{a}{m} \] ### Step 2: Set up the point P Let point P be represented as \( P(h, k) \). The point P lies on both tangents drawn to the parabola. Therefore, it must satisfy the tangent equation for both slopes \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \). ### Step 3: Substitute point P into the tangent equation For the first tangent with slope \( m_1 \): \[ k = m_1h + \frac{a}{m_1} \] For the second tangent with slope \( m_2 \): \[ k = m_2h + \frac{a}{m_2} \] ### Step 4: Rearranging the equations Rearranging both equations gives us: \[ m_1h - k + \frac{a}{m_1} = 0 \quad \text{(1)} \] \[ m_2h - k + \frac{a}{m_2} = 0 \quad \text{(2)} \] ### Step 5: Form a quadratic equation From equations (1) and (2), we can form a quadratic equation in terms of \( m \): \[ m^2h - km + a = 0 \] Here, \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) are the roots of this quadratic equation. ### Step 6: Use Vieta's formulas From Vieta's formulas, we know: - The sum of the roots \( m_1 + m_2 = \frac{k}{h} \) - The product of the roots \( m_1 m_2 = \frac{a}{h} \) ### Step 7: Given condition We are given that \( \tan \theta_1 \tan \theta_2 = c \), which implies: \[ m_1 m_2 = c \] Thus, we have: \[ \frac{a}{h} = c \] ### Step 8: Solve for h From the equation \( \frac{a}{h} = c \), we can rearrange to find \( h \): \[ h = \frac{a}{c} \] ### Step 9: Write the locus equation The locus of point P can be expressed as: \[ x = \frac{a}{c} \] This is the equation of a vertical line. ### Final Answer The equation of the locus of point P is: \[ x = \frac{a}{c} \] ---
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