Analyzing the Setup
Welcome, future engineer! Today, we are going to peel back the layers of a beautiful coordinate geometry problem. It is not just about finding an area; it is about understanding the soul of a rectangle inscribed in a circle.
When you look at a problem like this, do not just see numbers; see the geometric constraints that define the shape.
The Horizontal Chord
We begin with points A(−3,4) and B(5,4). Notice the y-coordinates are identical. This is a gift!
It tells us that the chord AB is perfectly horizontal. In the world of coordinate geometry, horizontal and vertical lines are our best friends because they simplify our calculations immensely.
The midpoint M of this chord is simply the average of the coordinates:
The Perpendicular Bisector
Here is the core geometric reality: the perpendicular bisector of any chord in a circle must pass through the center. Since AB is horizontal, its perpendicular bisector is a vertical line passing through M(1,4).
Thus, the equation of this line is x=1. This line is the locus of all points equidistant from A and B, and it is guaranteed to house the center of our circle.
This is the first pillar of our solution.
The Intersection
We are given the equation of a diameter: 4y=x+7. The center of the circle, let's call it O, must lie on this diameter.
But we also know O lies on our perpendicular bisector x=1. This is the intersection point!
By substituting x=1 into the diameter equation, we get:
Our center is O(1,2). We have successfully located the heart of the circle.
The Rectangle's Symmetry
In a rectangle inscribed in a circle, the center of the circle is the midpoint of the diagonals. This is the key to finding the remaining vertices C and D.
Using the midpoint formula in reverse, we find C(5,0) and D(−3,0). It is a beautiful moment of symmetry—the rectangle is perfectly balanced around the center O(1,2).
Final Calculation
With the vertices identified, the length of the rectangle is 8 and the width is 4.
The area is calculated as:
We have conquered the problem! Remember, in JEE Advanced, the path is often hidden in the symmetry of the figures. Keep visualizing, keep calculating, and keep falling in love with the math behind the problem. The final answer is 32.