Find the equation of the normal lines to the curve 3x2 – y2 = 8 which are parallel to the line x + 3y = 4.

Given: equation of the curve 3x2–y2 = 8, equation of line x+3y = 4


To find: the equation of the normal lines to the given curve which are parallel to the given line


Explanation:


Now given equation of curve as 3x2 -y2 = 8


Differentiating this with respect to x, we get







Now let slope of the normal to the curve be m2 is given by



Substituting value from equation (i), we get




The given equation of the line is


x+3y = 4


3y = 4-x




the slope of this line is



Since, slope of normal to the curve should be equal to the slope of the line which is parallel to the curve,


m2 = m3


Substituting values from equation (ii) and (iii), we get



3y = 3x


y = x……(iv)


Now substituting y = x in the equation of the curve, we get


3x2 -y2 = 8


3x2 -x2 = 8


2x2 = 8


x2 = 4


x = ±2


But from equation (iv)


y = x


y = ±2


Thus the points at which normal to the given curve is parallel to the given line are (2, 2) and (-2, -2)


Now the equations of the normal are given by


y-2 = m2(x-2) and y+2 = m2(x+2)


and


3y-6 = -x+2 and 3y+6 = -x-2


3y+x = 8 and 3y+x = -8


Hence the equation of the normal lines to the curve 3x2 – y2 = 8 which are parallel to the line x + 3y = 4 are 3y+y = ±8.


18