Question ID: #506
Two parabolas have the same focus $(4, 3)$ and their directrices are the x-axis and the y-axis, respectively. If these parabolas intersect at the points $A$ and $B$, then $(AB)^{2}$ is equal to:
- (1) 192
- (2) 384
- (3) 96
- (4) 392
Solution:

Let the focus be $S(4,3)$.
For Parabola I, the directrix is the x-axis ($y=0$). The equation is:
$(x-4)^{2} + (y-3)^{2} = y^{2}$ …..(1)
For Parabola II, the directrix is the y-axis ($x=0$). The equation is:
$(x-4)^{2} + (y-3)^{2} = x^{2}$ …..(2)
The intersection points $A(x_{1}, y_{1})$ and $B(x_{2}, y_{2})$ satisfy both equations.
From (1) and (2), we equate the left-hand sides:
$y^{2} = x^{2} \Rightarrow y = x$ (Since the focus is in the first quadrant and directrices are axes, the intersection lies where coordinates have same sign).
Substitute $y=x$ into equation (1):
$(x-4)^{2} + (x-3)^{2} = x^{2}$
$x^{2} – 8x + 16 + x^{2} – 6x + 9 = x^{2}$
$x^{2} – 14x + 25 = 0$
Let roots be $x_{1}$ and $x_{2}$.
$x_{1} + x_{2} = 14$
$x_{1}x_{2} = 25$
The points are $A(x_{1}, x_{1})$ and $B(x_{2}, x_{2})$ since $y=x$.
The distance squared $(AB)^{2}$ is:
$(AB)^{2} = (x_{1}-x_{2})^{2} + (y_{1}-y_{2})^{2}$
$(AB)^{2} = (x_{1}-x_{2})^{2} + (x_{1}-x_{2})^{2} = 2(x_{1}-x_{2})^{2}$
Using the identity $(x_{1}-x_{2})^{2} = (x_{1}+x_{2})^{2} – 4x_{1}x_{2}$:
$(AB)^{2} = 2[(14)^{2} – 4(25)]$
$(AB)^{2} = 2[196 – 100]$
$(AB)^{2} = 2[96] = 192$
Ans. (1)
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