Q. The equation of tangent to the curve $\frac{x^{2}}{3} - \frac{y^{2}}{2} = 1$, which is parallel to $y = x$, is

A) $y = x \pm 1$
B) $y = x - 1/2$
C) $y = x + 1/2$
D) $y = 1 - x$
Explanation

(a)
Given, $\frac{x^{2}}{3} - \frac{y^{2}}{2} = 1$ …(i)
$\Rightarrow \ \ \frac{2x}{3} - y\frac{dy}{dx} = 0$
$\Rightarrow \ \ \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2x}{3y}$
Now, slope of the line $y = x$ is 1
Since, tangent is parallel to given line, then
$\frac{2x}{3y} = 1\ \ \ \ \ \ \Rightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ x = \frac{3y}{2}$ ...(ii)
From Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get $y = \pm 2$
$\therefore$ Points of contact are (3, 2) and $( - 3,\ - 2)$
$\therefore$ equations of tangents are
$y - 2 = (x - 3)\ \ \ \ \ \ \Rightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ x - y - 1 = 0$
and $y + 2 = x + 3\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \Rightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ x - y + 1 = 0$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.