Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

-- Mathematics - Section B1

Chapter

Applications of Derivatives

Question:

The curves $x^3-3 x y^2=a$ and $3 x^2 y-y^3=b$, where a and b are constants, cut each other at an angle of

Options:

$\frac{\pi}{3}$

$\frac{\pi}{4}$

$\frac{\pi}{2}$

none of these

Correct Answer:

$\frac{\pi}{2}$

Explanation:

The equations of the two curves are

$C_1: x^3-3 x y^2=a$            ......(i)

$C_2: 3 x^2 y-y^3=b$            ......(ii)

Differentiating (i) and (ii) w.r.t. x, we get

$\left(\frac{d y}{d x}\right)_{C_1}=\frac{x^2-y^2}{2 x y}$ and $\left(\frac{d y}{d x}\right)_{C_2}=-\frac{2 x y}{x^2-y^2}$

Clearly, $\left(\frac{d y}{d x}\right)_{C_1} \times\left(\frac{d y}{d x}\right)_{C_2}=-1$

So, the two curves intersect at right angle.