Analyzing the Setup
We begin with the general form of a quadratic curve: f(x)=ax2+bx+c. Our mission is to determine the constants a,b, and c using the provided geometric clues.
The curve passes through
(−1,0), which gives us the equation:
a(−1)2+b(−1)+c=0⇒a−b+c=0
It also passes through
(1,1), leading to:
a(1)2+b(1)+c=1⇒a+b+c=1
Subtracting these two equations, we find that 2b=1, so b=21.
The Tangency Trap
The curve touches the line y=x at (1,1), meaning the line is tangent to the parabola at that point. Since the slope of y=x is 1, the derivative of our curve at x=1 must also be 1.
We know
f′(x)=2ax+b. Substituting
x=1 and
b=21:
2a(1)+21=1⇒2a=21⇒a=41
Returning to
a+b+c=1, we substitute
a=41 and
b=21 to find
c=41. Our curve is:
f(x)=41x2+21x+41=41(x+1)2
Locating the Point
The problem introduces a point (α,α+1) on this curve. Since it lies on the parabola, it must satisfy f(α)=α+1.
Substituting into our equation:
α+1=41(α+1)2
Multiplying by
4 and rearranging:
(α+1)2−4(α+1)=0⇒(α+1)(α−3)=0
This yields α=−1 or α=3. Since the point is in the first quadrant, we must have α=3, giving us the point (3,4).
Final Calculation
We now find the normal at
(3,4). First, we calculate the tangent slope
mt:
mt=f′(3)=2(41)(3)+21=23+21=2
The normal slope is the negative reciprocal,
mn=−21. The equation of the normal is:
y−4=−21(x−3)
To find the
x-intercept, we set
y=0:
−4=−21(x−3)⇒8=x−3⇒x=11
The x-intercept is 11.