TANGENTS & NORMALS

1. Geometrical Interpretation of the Derivative

dy
Let y f x be a given function. Its derivative f ' x or is equal to the trigonometrical tangent of the angle
dx
which tangent to the graph of the function at the point x,y makes with the positive direction of x-axis. Therefore
dy
is the slope of the tangent.
dx
dy
Thus f ' x tan
dx

Hence at any point of a curve y f x

dy
(i) Inclination of the tangent (with x-axis) = tan1
dx
dy
(ii) Slope of the tangent =
dx
1 dx
(iii) Slope of the normal =
dy
dy

dx
(iv) Slope of the tangent at x1,y1 is denoted by dy
dx x1,y1

dx
(v) Slope of the normal at x1,y1 is denoted by
dy x1 ,y1

Ex.1 Find the following for the curve y 2 4x at point 2, 2

(i) inclination of the tangent (ii) slope of the tangent (iii) slope of the normal
Sol. Differentiating we get
dy 2
dx 1
2,2 y
So at the given that

(i) inclination of the tangent tan1 1 1350 (ii) slope of the tangent = 1 (iii) slope of the normal = 1

Ex.2 Find the slopes of the tangent and the normal to the curve x 2 3y y 2 5 at 1,1

Sol. The equation of the curve is x 2 3y y 2 5

Differentiating w.r.t. x, we get
dy dy
2x 3 2y 0
dx dx
dy 2x dy 2 2

dx 2y 3 dx
1,1 2 3 5
dy 2
Slope of the tangent at 1,1 and,
dx
1,1 5

1 1 5
Slope of the normal at 1,1
2 2
dy
5
dx 1,1

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 TANGENTS & NORMALS

Ex.3 Find the slope of the normal to the curve x 1 a sin , y b cos 2 at
2
Sol. We have,
2
x 1 a sin and y b cos

dx dy
a cos and 2bcos sin
d d

dy
dy d 2b sin cos 2b
sin
dx dx acos a
d
dy 2b 2b
sin
dx a 2 a
2

1 a
Hence, slope of the normal at dy
2 2b
dx

2

Ex.4 Find the slope of the normal to the curve x acos3 , y a sin3 at
4
Sol. We have,
dx dy
x a cos3 , y a sin3 3a cos 2 sin , 3a sin2 cos
d d
dy
dy d dy 3a sin2 cos
tan
Now, dx dx
dx 3acos2 sin
d
1 1
Slope of the normal at any point on the curve cot
dy tan
dx

Hence, Slope of the normal at cot 1
4 4

2. Equation of Tangent

dy
(i) The equation of the tangent to the curve y f x at x,y is Y y X x
dx

dy
(ii) The equation of tangent to the curve y f x at x1,y1 is Y y1 X x1
dx x1,y1
dy
Slope of tangent dx
( x1,y1 )
(iii) If a tangent is parallel to the axis of x then 0

dy dy
tan tan0 0 0
dx dx

(iv) If the equation of the curve be given in the parametric form say x f t and y g t , then

dy dy dx g' t

dx dt dt f ' t

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 TANGENTS & NORMALS

g' t
The equation of tangent at any point t on the curve is given by y g t f ' t x f t

(v) If the tangent is perpendicular to the axis of x, then
2

dy dx
tan tan 0
dx 2 dy

(vi) The value of always lie in ,

dy
(vii) If the tangent at any point on the curve is equally inclined to both the axes then 1
dx

1 35
Ex.5 Find the equation of the tangent to the curve y 5x 2 6x 7 at the point ,
2 4
Sol. The equation of the given curve is
y 5x 2 6x 7

dy dy 10
6 1
10x 6 dx ,
1 35 2
dx 2 4

1 35
The required equation of the tangent at , is
2 4
35 dy 1 35 1 33
y x
4 dx 1, 35 2 y 1 x y x
2 4
4 2 4

Ex.6 Find the equation of the tangent to the curve y x 3 1 x 2 at the points where the curve cuts the x-axis.

Sol. The equation of the curve is y x 3 1 x 2 .... i

It cuts x-axis at y 0 . So, putting y 0 in i , we get

x 3

1 x 2 0

x 1 x 2 x 2 x 1 0 x 1 0, x 2 0 x 2 x 1 0

x 1, 2 .
Thus, the points of intersection of curve (i) with x-axis are (1, 0) and (2, 0). Now,
dy dy dy

y x3 1 x 2
dx

3x 2 x 2 x 3 1 3 and 7
dx
1,0 dx 2,0
The equations of the tangents at (1, 0) and (2, 0) are respectively
y 0 3 x 1 and y 0 7 x 2 y 3x 3 0 and 7x y 14 0

Ex.7 Find the equation of the tangents to the curve 1 x 2 y 1 at the points of its intersection with the curve

x 1 y 1
Sol. Here, the given curves are:
1
y .....(i)
1 x2
1
and y .....(ii)
x 1

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

dy 2x
for the curve (i), 2
dx
x2 1
Solving (i) and (ii), we get

1 x2 1 x x2 x 0 ; i.e., x 0,1

1
The point of intersection are A 0,1 and B 1,
2

Slope of tangent at A dy 0
dx 0,1
dy 1
and slope of tangent at B
dx
1,
1 2
2

y 1
Equation of tangent at A, x 0 0 y 1
1
y
and equation of tangent at B, 2 1 2y 1 x 1
x 1 2
x 2y 2

3. Intercepts Made by the Tangent on the Co-ordinate Axes

dy
We know that the equation of tangent at P(x1, y1) is y y1 x x1 .....(1)
dx x1,y1
Putting Y = 0 in (1), we get
dx
x x1 y
dy p
dx
Hence the length of intercept the tangent cuts off from the x-axis is x1 y dy
p
dy
Similarly by putting x = 0, we get y y1 x dx
p
dy
Hence the length of intercept the tangent cuts off from the y-axis is y1 x dx
p
y
4. Length of the Tangent
PT y cos ec y 1 cot 2
p (x,y)
dx 2 y 1 (dy / dx ) 2
y 1 or
dy (dy / dx )
y
T ) N
x
O M
5. Length of Sub-Tangent
y dx y
TM y cot y or
tan dy (dy / dx )

Ex.8 Find the equations of the tangent to the curve y x 2 x 3 x 7 0 at the point, where it cuts x-axis.
Sol. The equation of the given curve is
y x 2 x 3 x 7 0 ..... (i)

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 TANGENTS & NORMALS

This cuts the x-axis at the point, where y 0 .

Putting y 0 in (i), we get x 7 0 x 7

So, the point of contact is 7,0 .

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

dy
x 2 x 3 y 2x 5 1 0 ..... (ii)
dx

Putting x 7 and y 0 in (ii), we get

dy dy 1
dx 7 2 7 3 1 0 dx
7,0 7,0 20

So, the equation of the tangent at 7,0 is

1
y 0 x 7 x 20y 7 0
20

6. Equation of Normal

The equation of normal

dx
(i) at x,y is Y y X x and
dy

(ii) at the point P x1,y1 on the curve Y f x is

1
y y1 x x1
dy

dx x1,y1

dx
y y1 x x1
dy x1,y1

1 1
Slope of normal =
slope of tan gent dy
dx

(i) If the normal is parallel to the axis of y, then 0

dy
tan tan0 0
dx
y
dx
(ii) If the normal is parallel to the axis of x, then dy 0

p(x,y)
7. Length of Normal
)

dy 2
y 1 tan2 y 1 T ) N
PN y sec x
dx O M
L

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

8. Length of Sub-Normal

dy
MN y tan y
dx
Ex.9 Find the equations of the tangent and the normal at the point t on the curve x a sin3 t, y bcos3 t .
3
Sol. We have, x asin3 t and y b cos t
dy
dx dy dy dt 3b cos2 t sin t b cos t
3a sin 2 t cos t and 3b cos2 t sin t .
dt dt dx dx 3a sin2 t cos t a sin t
dt
So, the equation of the tangent at the point t is
b cos t dy
y bcos3 t x a sin3 t Usin g : y y1 x x1
a sin t dx x1,y1
bx cos t ay sin t ab sin t cos t
The equation of the normal at the point t is
1 1
y bcos3 t
x a sin3 t Using : y y1 dy x x1
bcos t

a sin t dx x1,y1
ax sin t by cos t a2 sin4 t b2 cos4 t

Ex.10 Find the equations of the tangent and normal to the parabola y 2 4ax at the point at 2 ,2at

Sol. The equation of the given curve is y 2 4ax .... (i)

dy dy 2a dy 2a 1
Differentiating (i) w.r.t. x, we get 2y 4a
dx dx y dx
at ,2at
2 2at t

So, the equation of the tangent at at 2 ,2at is

dy
y 2at
dx at2 ,2at

x at 2
1
y 2at
t

x at 2 ty x at 2

The equation of the normal at z at 2 ,2at is

1
y 2at
dy

x at 2

dx at2 ,2at
1
y 2at
1

x at 2
y 2at t x at 2 y tx 2at at 3

t
Ex.11 Find the equations of the tangent and the normal to 16x 2 9y 2 144 at x1,y1 where x1 2 and y1 0
Sol. The equation of the given curve is
16x 2 9y 2 144 ..... (i)

Since x1,y1 lies on (i). Therefore,

2 80 4 5
16x12 9y12 144 16 2 9y12 144 y12 y1 y1 0
9 3
4 5
So, coordinates of the given point are 2, 3

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 TANGENTS & NORMALS
2 2
Now, 16x 9y 144
dy
32x 18y 0 [Differentiating w.r.t. x]
dx
dy 16x dy 16 2 8

dx 9y dx 2, 4 5
4 5 3 5
3 9
3
4 5 4 5 dy
The equation of the tangent at 2, 3 is y x 2
3 dx 2, 4 5

3

4 5 8
y x 2 8x 3 5y 36 0
3 3 5
4 5
The equation of the normal at 2, 3 is

4 5 1
y x 2
3 dy
4
dx 2, 5

3

4 5 1
y
8
x 2 4 5 3 5
3 y x 2 9 5x 24y 14 5 0
3 5 3 8

9. Angle of intersection of two Curves

If two curves y f1 x and y f2 x intersect at a point p, the angle between their tangents at p is defined as

dy dy
the angle between these two curves at p. But slopes of tangents at P are dx and dx
1 2
y
So at p their angle of intersection is given by
dy dy

dx 1 dx 2 p
tan
)

dy dy
1
dx 1 dx 2

m1 m2 2
or tan ) 1 x
)
1 m1m 2
O

1. If two curves cut perpendicular then
2

dy dy
1 or m1m2 1
dx 1 dx 2

2. If two curves are parallel 00

dy dy
or m1 m2
dx 1 dx 2

Ex.12 Show that the tangents to the curve y 2x 3 3 at the points where x 2 and x 2 are parallel.

Sol. The equation of the curve is y 2x 3 3

Differentiating w.r.t. x, we get

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

dy
6x 2
dx

dy 2
Now, m1 Slope of the tangent at x 2 6 2 24 ,
dx x 2

dy 2
and, m2 Slope of the tangent at x 2 6 2 24 .
dx
x 2
Clearly, m1 m2 .
Thus, the tangents to the given curve at the points where x 2 and x 2 are parallel.
Ex.13 Find the angle of intersection between the curves y x and y 2 4x at 4,4 .
Sol. Differentiating given equations, we have
dy dy 2
1 and
dx
1 2 y
dx

dy dy 2 1
at 4,4 1,
dx 1 dx 2 4 2
Hence angle of intersection
1
1
tan 1 2 1
1 tan1
1 1 3
2

10. Point of Inflexion

If at point of p the curve is concave on the side and convex on other side then point Y

called a point of inflexion.

P
2 3
dy dy
Points of inflexion point 0 but 0
dx 2 dx 3 X
O

If f " x f "' x ...... f n 1 x 0 but f n x 0 , n is odd

d2 y d3 y
e.g. 0,0 is the point of inflexion of the curve y x 3 because at origin dx 2
0 but
dx3
6 0.

11. Rolle's Theorem

If a function f x is defined on a,b satisfying

(i) f is continuous on a,b

(ii) f is differentiable on a,b

(iii) f a f b then there exists c a,b ; Such that f ' c 0

Ex.14 If ax 2 bx c 0, a,b,c R . Find the condition that this equation would have at least one root in 0,1 .

Sol. Let f ' x ax2 bx c

Integrating both sides,

ax 3 bx 2
f x cx d
3 2

8
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

a b
f 0 d and f 1 cd
3 2
Since, Rolles theorem is applicable

a b
f 0 f 1 d cd
3 2

2a 3b 6c 0
Here required condition is 2a 3b 6c 0

Ex.15 Verify Rolles theorem for the function f x x 3 3x 2 2x in the interval 0,2 .

Sol. Here we observe that

(a) f x is polynomial and since polynomial are always continuous, f x is continuous in the interval 0,2

(b) f ' x 3x 2 6x 2 clearly exists for all x 0,2 . So f x is differentiable for all x 0,2 and

2
(c) f 0 0, f 2 23 3. 2 2 2 0

f 0 f 2

Thus, all the condition of Rolles theorem are satisfied.

So, there must exists some c 0,2 such that f ' c 0

1
f ' c 3c 2 6c 2 0 c 1
3

1
Where c 1 0,2 thus Rolles, theorem is verified.
3

12. Langrage's Mean Value Theorem

If a function f x is defined on a,b satisfying

(i) f is continuous on a,b

f b f a
(ii) f is differentiable on a,b then there exists c a,b Such that f ' c
ba

Ex.16 Find c of the Lagranges mean value theorem for which f x 25 x 2 in 1,5 .

Sol. It is clear that f x has a definite and unique value of each x 1,5 .

Thus, every point in the interval 1,5 the value of f x is equal to the limit of f x

So, f x is continuous in the interval 1,5

x
Also, f ' x , which clearly exists for all x in open interval 1,5
25 x 2

Hence, f x is differentiable in 1,5

So, there must be a value c 1,5 such that,

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

f 5 f 1 0 24 6
f ' c
5 1 4 2

c
But f ' c
25 c 2

c 6

25 c 2 2

4c 2 6 25 c 2 c 15
Clearly c 15 1,5 such that Lagranges theorem is satisfied.

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 TANGENTS & NORMALS

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1 The inclination of the tangent to the curve y x 1 x 2 with x-axis at the point 1,0 is

3
(1) (2) (3) (4)
4 3 4 2
Sol. [3]
Given equation is y x 2 3x 2

dy
2x 3
dx

dy
1
dx 1,0

3
tan1 1
4

Ex.2 The point at the curve y 12x x 3 where the slope of the tangent is zero will be

(1) 0,0 (2) 2,16 (3) 3,9 (4) None of these

Sol. [2]

dy
12 3x 2 . Now
dx

dy
slope of tangent 0 0
dx

12 3x 2 0

x 2, 2

Then from the equation of the curve y 16, 16

required points are 2,16 ; 2, 16

Ex.3 The equation of the normal to the curve y x 2 x at the point 2,0 is

(1) x 2y 2 (2) x 2y 2 0 (3) 2x y 4 (4) 2x y 4 0

Sol. [1]
Differentiating y 2x x 2 , we get

dy dy
2 2x 2
dx dx 2,0

normal at 2,0 is

1
y 0 x 2
2
x 2y 2

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

Ex.4 The equation of the tangent to the curve x acos3 t, y a sin3 t at t point is

(1) x sec t y cos ec t a (2) x sec t y cosec t a (3) x cosec t y sec t a (4) x cosec t y sec t a
Sol. [2]

dy
dy dt

dx dx
dt

3a sin2 t cos t sin t

2

3acos t sin t cos t
which is the slope of the tangent at t point. Hence equation of the tangent at t point is

sin t
y a sin3 t
cos t
x a cos3 t
y x
a sin2 t acos2 t
sin t cos t

x sec t y cosec t a

Ex.5 The equation of the normal to the curve y x sin x cos x at x is
2
(1) x 2 (2) x (3) x 0 (4) 2x
Sol. [4]

dy
x y 0 , so the given point , . Now from the given equation 1 cos 2 x sin2 x
2 2 2 2 2 dx

dy
1 0 1 0
dx ,
2 2

required equation of the normal is

1
y x
2 0 2

x 0 2x
2

Ex.6 The point on the curve y x 2 3x 2 where tangent is perpendicular to y x is

(1) 0,2 (2) 1,0 (3) 1,6 (4) 2, 2

Sol. [2]
dy
2x 3 which is the slope of the tangent. Also slope of the line y x is 1 and it is perpendicular to the
dx
dy
tangent so 1 1
dx
2x 3 1
x 1

required point 1,0

12
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

x2 y 2
Ex.7 If a tangent to the curve 1 is parallel to x-axis, then its point of contact is
a2 b2

(1) a,0 (2) 0, b (3) 0, b (4) a,0

Sol. [3]
Differentiating given equation, we have

dy b2 x
2
dx a y

dy
If tangent is parallel to x-axis, then 0
dx

b2 x
0 x0
a2 y

Thus from the given equation y b

required point 0, b

Ex.8 The angle of intersection between the curve x 2 32y and y 2 4x at point 16,8 is

1 3 1 4
(1) 600 (2) 900 (3) tan (4) tan
5 3
Sol. [3]

dy x
x 2 32y
dx 16

dy 2
y 2 4x
dx y

dy dy 1
at 16,8 1,
dx 1 dx 2 4

1

So required angle tan 1 4 tan1 3

1 5
1 1
4

5
Ex.9 The point of inflexion for the curve y x 2 is

(1) 1,1 (2) 0,0 (3) 1,0 (4) 0,1

Sol. [2]

d2 y 15 21 d3 y 15 1
Here x ,
dx2 4 dx3 8 x

From the given points we find that 0,0 is the point of the curve where

d2 y d3 y
0 but 0
dx 2 dx 3

0,0 is the required point

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

Ex.10 The length of the normal to the curve x a sin , y a 1 cos at is
2
a a
(1) 2a (2) (3) 2a (4)
2 2
Sol. [3]
dy
dy d a sin dy
tan tan 1
dx dx a 1 cos 2 dx 4
d 2


Also at , y a 1 cos a
2 2
2
dy
required length of normal y 1 a 1 1 2a
dx

t
Ex.11 The length of the tangent to the curve x a cos t logtan , y a sint is
2
(1) ax (2) ay (3) a (4) xy
Sol. [3]
dy dy dx acos t
tan t
dx dt dt 1
a sin t
sin t
2
dy
1
dx
length of the tangent y
dy

dx

1 tan2 t a sin t sec t a

a sin t tan t
tan t

Ex.12 If curve y 1 ax 2 and y x 2 intersect orthogonally then the value of a is

1 1
(1) (2) (3) 2 (4) 3
2 3
Sol. [2]
dy
y 1 ax 2 2ax
dx
dy
y x2 2x
dx

dy dy
Two curves intersect orthogonally if dx dx 1
1 2

2ax 2x 1 4ax 2 1 ..... (1)

Now eliminating y from the given equations we have 1 ax 2 x 2

1 a x 2 1 ..... (2)

Eliminating x 2 from (1) and (2) we get

4a 1
1 a
1 a 3

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 TANGENTS & NORMALS
2
Ex.13 The equation of the normal to the curve x t , y 2t at point t 1 is
(1) x y 1 (2) x y 2 (3) x y 3 (4) x y 4
Sol. [3]

dy dy dx 2 dy
1
dx dt dt 2t dx t 1
Also t 1 x 1, y 2
Equation of the normal at point t 1 is
y 2 1 x 1 x+y=3

Ex.14 Find the slopes of the normal to the curve x 3 3xy y 3 2 at 1,1
(1) 1 (2) 0 (3) 1 (4)
Sol. [1]
The equation of the curve is, x 3 3xy y 3 2
Differentiating with respect to x, we get
dy dy
3x 2 3x 3y 3y 2 0
dx dx

dy


3x 2 3y
dy

x2 y
dx
3x 3y 2 dx x y2
dy 2
1
dx
1,1 2
1 1
slope of normal at 1, 1 1
dy 1

dx x1,y1

Ex.15 Find the point on the curve y x 3 3x at which tangent is parallel to x-axis.

(1) 1, 2 , 1,2 (2) 1,2 , 1,2 (3) 1, 2 ,1,2 (4) None

Sol. [1]
Let the point at which tangent is parallel to x-axis be P x1,y1
Then it must lie on curve i.e., y1 x13 3x1 ..... (i)
dy
also differentiating w.r.t. x, we get 3x2 3
dx

dy
3x12 3
dx
x1,y1
Since, the tangent is parallel to x-axis,
dy
0
dx x1,y1

3x12 3 0 x1 1 ..... (ii)

from (i) and (ii); y1 x13 3x1
when x1 1 when x1 1
y1 1 3 2 y1 1 3 2

points at which tangent is parallel to x-axis are 1, 2 and 1,2 .

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

Ex.16 Find the point on the curve y x 3 2x 2 x at which the tangent line is parallel to the line y 3x 2

2 14 2 14 2 14 2 14
(1) 2, 2 , , (2) 2, 2 , , (3) 2,2 , , (4) 2,2 , ,
3 27 3 27 3 27 3 27
Sol. [2]
Let P x1,y1 be the required point. The given curve can be written as y1 x13 2x12 x1 ..... (i)

differentiating the curve y x 3 2x 2 x w.r.t. x, we get

dy
3x 2 4x 1
dx

dy
3x12 4x1 1
dx
x1,y1

Since, tangent at x1,y1 is parallel to the line y 3x 2

Slope of the tangent at P x1,y1 = slope of the line

dy
3
dx x1,y1

3x12 4x1 1 3

3x12 4x1 4 0

x1 2 3x1 2 0

2
x1 2, ...... (ii)
3
from (i) and (ii),

2
when x1 2 when x1
3

y1 x13 2x12 x1 y1 x13 2x12 x1

8 8 2
y1 8 8 2 y1
27 9 3

14
y1 2 y1
27

2 14
Thus the point at which tangent is parallel to y 3x 2 are 2, 2 and ,
3 27

Ex.17 Find equation of tangent to the curve 2y x 2 3 at x1,y1 .

(1) y y1 yx1 3 (2) y y1 xx1 3 (3) x y1 xx1 3 (4) None of these

Sol. [2]
We can replace 2y to y y1 and x 2 to xx1
i.e., equation of tangent is,

y y1 xx1 3

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 TANGENTS & NORMALS

x2 y2
Ex.18 Find the equation of tangent at point P x1,y1 to the curve 1
a2 b2
xx1 yy1 xy1 yx1 x1y1 xy
(1) 2 1 (2) 2 1 (3) 2 1 (4) None of these
a2 b a2 b a2 b
Sol. [1]
x2 y 2
We know the equation of curve 1 is standard curve equation thus, equation of tangent is obtained by
a2 b2
replacing x 2 to xx1 and y 2 to yy1
xx1 yy1
i.e., 2 1
a2 b

Ex.19 Find the acute angle between the curves y x 2 1 and y x 2 3 at their points of intersection when x 0 .

2 2 4 2 2
(1) tan1 (2) tan1 (3) tan1 (4) None
7 7 7
Sol. [2]
For the intersection of the given curves
2 2

x2 1 x 2 3 x 2 1 x 2 3
2 2

x2 1 x2 3 0
x2 1 x 2 3 x 2 1 x2 3 0

2 2x 2 4 0 2x 2 4 x 2

neglecting x 2 as x 0
We have point of intersection as x 2

Here y x 2 1 x 2 1 in the neighbouring of x 2

dy
and y x 2 3 in the neighbouring of x 2 2x 2 2
dx c1

dy
and 2x 2 2
dx c 2

tan
2 2 2 2 4 2 4 2

Hence, if is angle between them, 1 2 2 2 2 7 7

4 2
tan1
7

Ex.20 Find the equation of tangent at the point on the curve x a sin , y a 1 cos .

(1) x a cot y 2a 0 (2) x a cot y 2a 0
2 2

(3) x a cot y 2a 0 (4) x a cot y 2a 0
2 2
Sol. [2]
The equation of the curve is
x a sin , y a 1 cos

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TANGENTS & NORMALS

dy
dy d a 0 sin sin
cot
dx a 1 cos 1 cos
dx 2
d

The equation of the tangent at is

y a 1 cos cot x a sin x a cot y a 1 cos a sin cot
2 2
2

2a sin2 2a cos2 2a sin2 cos 2 2a
2 2 2 2

x a cot y 2a 0
2

2 3 1 2
Ex.21 At what points on the curve y x x , the tangents make equal angles with coordinate axes?
3 2

1 5 1 1 5 1 1 5 1 1 5 1
(1) , , 1, (2) , , 1, (3) , , 1, (4) , , 1,
2 24 6 2 25 6 2 24 6 2 24 6
Sol. [1]
2 3 1 2
Given curve is y x x ..... (1)
3 2

dy
Differentiating both sides w.r.t. x, then 2x 2 x
dx
Tangents make equal angles with co-ordinate axes
dy 2
2x 2 x 1 0 and 2x 2 x 1 0
1 or 2x x 1 or
dx
2
or 2x 2x x 1 0 (If 2x 2 x 1 0 then x is imaginary)
1
or 2x 1 x 1 x
2
, 1

1 2 1 1 1 5
From (1), for x ,y . .
2 3 8 2 4 24

2 1 1
and for x 1, y
3 2 6

1 5 1
Hence points are , and 1,
2 24 6

Ex.22 Find the length of sub-tangent at any point on the curve x a yb c a b

b b a
(1) x (2) x (3) x (4) None of these
a a b
Sol. [1]
Given curve is x a y b c a b
Taking logarithm of both sides, we get

ln x a y b ln c a b a ln x b ln y a b ln c

18
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

Differentiating both sides w.r.t. x, we get

a b dy
0
x y dx

dy ay

dx bx

dx bx b
Length of sub-tangent y y. x
dy ay a

Ex.23 The length of the subtangent to the ellipse x a cos t, y b sint at t is
4

b a
(1) a (2) b (3) (4)
2 2
Sol. [4]

dx dy dy b
a sin t and b cos t , therefore cot
dt dt dx x a 4
4

b dy a a
. The length of the subtangent y 0 b sin
a dx x 4 b 2
4

Ex.24 Tangent of the angle at which the curve y a x and y b x a b 0 intersect is given by
a
logab log logab
(1) (2) b (3) 1 loga logb (4) None of these
1 logab 1 loga logb
Sol. [2]
Intersection of the two curves is given by ax bx which implies x 0 . If is the angle at which the two curves
intersect then
a
m1 m2 a x loga b x logb log
tan b
1 m1m2 1 a xb x loga logb (Putting x=0)
1 loga logb

Ex.25 For the parabola y 2 16x , the ratio of the length of the subtangent to the abscissa is

(1) 2:1 (2) 1:1 (3) x:y (4) x 2 : y

Sol. [1]

dy dy 8 dx y 2 16x
Differentiating, 2y 16 so . Thus the length of the subtangent is y. 2x . Hence
dx dx y dy 8 8
length of the subtangent : abscissa = 2x : x = 2 : 1.

Ex.26 If the normal to the curve x 3 y 2 0 at m2 , m3 is y mx 2m3 , then the value of m2 is

1 1 2 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3 6 3 3

Sol. [3]

Differentiating x 3 y 2 0 ,

19
TANGENTS & NORMALS

dy 3x 2 dy 3m2 3m
we have
dx 2y dx
m m
2 3 2m 2

2
3 2
Hence the equation of normal at m2 , m3 is Y m m X m .
3

2 2m
Simplifying we have Y m X m3
3 3
2 2
This will be identical with y mx 2m3 if m
3

Ex.27 Find the equation of normal to the curve x y x y , where it cuts x-axis.

(1) y x 1 (2) y x 1 (3) y x 1 (4) y x 1

Sol. [3]

Given curve is x y x y ..... (i)

at x-axis y=0,

x 0 x0 x = 1

Point is A 1,0

Now to differentiation x y x y take log on both sides

log x y ylog x

1 dy 1 dy
1 y. log x
x y dx x dx

dy dy
Putting x 1, y 0 1 0 1
dx dx 1,0
slope of normal = 1
Equation of normal is,
y0
1 y x 1
x 1

Ex.28 Find the total number of parallel tangents of f1 x x2 x 1 and f2 x x3 x 2 2x 1

(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) (4) None

Sol. [3]
Here,
f1 x x2 x 1 and f2 x x3 x 2 2x 1 f1' x1 2x1 1 and f2' x 2 3x22 2x 2 2

Let tangents drawn to the curves y f1 x and y f2 x at x1, f1 x1 and x 2 ,f2 x 2 are parallel,
2x1 1 3x 22 2x 2 2

or 2x1 3x 22 2x 2 1
which is possible for infinite numbers of ordered pairs;
Infinite solutions.

20
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

x
Ex.29 Find the length of subtangent to the curve, y e a

a
(1) a (2) a2 (3) (4) None of these
2
Sol. [1]
x
Here, y e a .... (i)

x
dy 1
ea . ..... (ii)
dx a
and we know,
x
dx a
length of subtangent y ea . x {using (i) and (ii)}
dy
ea
a

21
TANGENTS & NORMALS

EXERCISE -1
Q.1 An equation of the tangent to the curve y x 4 from the point 2,0 not on the curve is

(1) y 0 (2) x 0 (3) x y 0 (4) None of these

2
Q.2 At what point on the curve x 3 8a2 y 0 , the slope of the normal is
3

(1) a,a (2) 2a, a (3) 2a,a (4) None of these

Q.3 The tangent drawn at the point 0,1 on the curve y e 2x meets x-axis at the point

1 1
(1) ,0 (2) ,0 (3) 2,0 (4) 0,0
2 2

Q.4 The tangent to the curve y 2x 2 x 1 at a point P is parallel to y 3x 4 , the co-ordinates of P are

(1) 2,1 (2) 1,2 (3) 1,2 (4) 2, 1

Q.5 For the curve xy c 2 the subnormal at any point varies as

(1) x 2 (2) x 3 (3) y 2 (4) y3

dy
Q.6 If normal to the curve y f x at a point makes 1350 angle with x-axis, then at that point equals
dx
(1) 1 (2) 1 (3) 0 (4)

2
length of normal
Q.7 For a curve 2 is equal to
length of tan gent

subnormal sub tangent

(1) sub tangent (2)
subnormal
(3) sub tangent subnormal (4) constant

subnormal
Q.8 At any point of a curve is equal to
sub tan gent
(1) the abscissa of that point (2) the ordinate of that point
(3) slope of the tangent at that point (4) slope of the normal at that point

Q.9 If tangent at any point of the curve y f x makes equal intercepts with positive direction of co-ordinate axes,

dy
then at that point equals
dx
(1) 1 (2) 1 (3) 0 (4)

Q.10 If the slope of the tangent to the curve xy ax 2y 0 at point 1,1 is 2, then a equals
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3

22
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

Q.11 The equation of the normal to the curve y sin x at point ,0 is

(1) x y (2) x y (3) x y 0 (4) x y 0

Q.12 The equation of the normal to the curve y 2 4ax at point a,2a is

(1) x y a 0 (2) x y 3a 0 (3) x 2y 4a 0 (4) x y 4a 0

Q.13 The slope of the normal to the curve x a cos sin , y a sin cos at point is
(1) tan (2) cot (3) tan (4) cot

Q.14 The equation of the normal to the curve x a cos3 t, y asin3 t at t point is

(1) x cos t y cos t acos 2t (2) x cos t y sin t a sin2t

(3) x cos t y sin t acos 2t (4) x cos t y sin t a sin 2t

Q.15 The equation of the tangent to the curve x y a at x1,y1 is

x y x y 1
(1) a (2) x x1 y y1 a (3) (4) None of these
x1 y1 x1 y1 a

Q.16 The equation of the normal to the curve y e x at point 0,1 is

(1) x y 1 (2) x y 1 (3) ex y e (4) e y 1 x 0

1 1
Q.17 The equation of the tangent to the curve 2 a at point a,a is
x y

a a
(1) 2 a (2) x y 2a (3) x y 2 a (4) None of these
x y

Q.18 The angle of intersection of the curves 2y = x3 and y 2 32x at origin is

(1) (2) (3) (4)
6 3 2 4

x2 y2
Q.19 If curves 1 and xy c 2 intersect orthogonally, then
a2 b2
(1) a b 0 (2) a2 b2 (3) a b c (4) None of these

Q.20 The length of the tangent to the curve x a sin , y a 1 cos at point is

(1) 2a sin (2) a sin (3) 2a sin (4) a cos
2

Q.21 The length of the subnormal of the curve y 2 8ax is

(1) 2a (2) 4a (3) 6a (4) 8a

Q.22 The angle of intersection between the curves y 2 2x and x 2 y 2 8 at point 2,2 is

1 1
(1) tan (2) tan1 3 (3) (4) 0
3 2

23
TANGENTS & NORMALS

Q.23 The equation of the normal to the curve xy a2 at point h,k is

(1) hx ky a2 (2) hx ky a2 (3) hx ky h2 k 2 (4) hx ky h2 k 2

x2 y2
Q.24 The equation of the normal to the curve
16 9

1 at point 8,3 3 is
(1) 3x 2y 25 (2) x y 25 (3) y 2x 25 (4) 2x 3y 25

Q.25 The angle of intersection between the curves y 2 4ax and ay 2x 2 is

1 3 1 3 1 4 1 5
(1) tan (2) tan (3) tan (4) tan
4 5 3 3

Q.26 The length of the subtangent at point 1, 3 of the curve x 2 xy y 2 7 is

3
(1) 3 (2) 5 (3) 15 (4)
5
2 2 2
Q.27 The length of the tangent at any point to the curve x 3 y 3 a 3 which is intercepted between the axes, is

a
(1) a (2) 2a (3) a (4)
2
Q.28 The length of the subtangent to the curve x y 3 at the point 4,1 is
1
(1) 2 (2) (3) 3 (4) 4
2

Q.29 The equation of the tangent to the curve y 2cos x at point x is
4

(1) y 2 x 1 0 (2) y 2 x 1 0 (3) y 2 x 1 0 (4) None of these
4 4 4

Q.30 The point of the curve y 2 2 x 3 where the normal to the curve is parallel to the line y 2x 1 0 is

1 3
(1) 5,2 (2) , 2 (3) 5, 2 (4) ,2
2 2

Q.31 The point on the curve y 2 2x 3 where tangent to the curve is perpendicular to the line 4x 3y 0 is

1 1 1 1
(1) 2,4
(2) 1, 2 (3) ,
2 2
(4) ,
8 16

2 2x
Q.32 One angle of intersection between the curves y and y sin x is

1 1 1 1
(1) tan (2) cot (3) tan1 (4) cot 1

Q.33 The angle of intersection between the curves y 2 4x and x 2 y 2 5 at point 1,2 is

(1) (2) tan1 3 (3) tan1 2 (4)
4 2

24
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

Q.34 The equation of the tangent to the curve x a cos t , y b sin t at the point a cos t, b sin t is

(1) bx cos t ay sin t ab (2) bx sin t ay cos t ab (3) bx sin t ay cos t ab (4) bx cos t ay sin t ab

Q.35 The slope of the tangent to the circle x 2 y 2 2c 2 at point c,c is

(1) 1 (2) 1 (3) 0 (4) 2

Q.36 At any point x1,y1 of the curve y ce a

(1) subtangent is constant
(2) subnormal is proportional to the square of the ordinate of the point
(3) tangent cuts x-axis at x1 a distance from the origin (4) all the above

3
Q.37 If the normal to the curve y f x at point 3,4 makes an angle of with positive x-axis, then f ' 3
4

3 4
(1) 1 (2) (3) (4) 1
4 3

Q.38 If the tangent to the curve x = at2, y = 2at is perpendicular to x-axis, then its point of conatct is
(1) (a, a) (2) (0, a) (3) (0, 0) (4) (a, 0)

Q.39 The point on the curve y2 = x where tangent makes 45 angle with x-axis is
(1) (1/2, 1/4) (2) (1/4, 1/2) (3) (4, 2) (4) (1, 1)

Q.40 The equation of the tangent to the curve y = bex/a at the point where it meets y-axis is

x y x y x y x y
(1) 1 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 2
b a a b b a a b

dy
Q.41 The normal to the curve y = f(x) at a point will be parallel to xaxis if at that point is equal to
dx

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) (4) 1

Q.42 The angle of intersection of the curves xy = a2 and x2 + y2 = 2a2 is

(1) 0 (2) 45 (3) 90 (4) none of these

Q.43 The sum of the squares of intercepts on axes made by a tangent at any point on the curve
x2/3 + y2/3 = a2/3 is
(1) a (2) 2a (3) a2 (4) 2a2

Q.44 The equation of tangent at those points where the curve y = x2 3x + 2 meets x-axis are
(1) x y + 2 = 0 = x y 1 (2) x + y 1 = 0 = x y 2
(3) x y 1 = 0 = x y (4) x y = 0 = x + y

25
TANGENTS & NORMALS

EXERCISE -2
Q.1 The equation of the normal to the curve y 2 x 3 at the point whose abscissa is 8, will be [REE 1973]

(1) x 2y 104 (2) x 3 2y 104 (3) 3 2x y 104 (4) None of these

Q.2 The points where tangent to the curve x 2 y 2 2x 3 0 is parallel to x-axis are [MNR 1976]

(1) 2, 3 (2) 1, 2 (3) 1,2 (4) 3,0

Q.3 The equation of the tangents to the curve y x 3 1 x 2 at the points where it meets x-axis are [REE 1980]

(1) y 3x 3, y 7x 14 0 (2) y 3x 3, y 7x 14 0

(3) y 3x 3, y 7x 14 0 (4) None of these

Q.4 The equation of the normal to the curve y x 3 2x 2 4 at x = 2 is [REE 1981]

(1) 4x y 18 (2) x 4y 18 (3) 4x y 0 (4) x 4y 0

Q.5 The curve y x 2 and 4y 5 x 2 intersect at point 1,1 at the angle [CET 1982]

(1) (2) (3) (4) None of these
4 3 2
Q.6 The equation of the tangent to the curve x at 2 , y 2at at t point is [MNR 1983]

(1) ty x at 2 (2) tx y at 2 (3) ty x 2at (4) None of these

Q.7 The slope of the tangent to the curve y sin x cos 2 x is zero at the point [RPET 1984]

(1) x (2) x (3) x (4) None of these
2 4

Q.8 The equation of the normal to the curve 2y 3 x 2 at 1,1 is [MNR 1985]

(1) x y 0 (2) x y 1 0 (3) x y 1 0 (4) x y 0

Q.9 If ax by c 0 is a normal to the curve xy 1 , then [IIT 1986]

(1) a 0, b 0 (2) a 0, b 0
(3) a 0, b 0 or a 0, b 0 (4) a,b R

Q.10 The equation of the tangent to the curve y cos x at x is [RPET 1987]
3
(1) 3x 2 3y 3 (2) 3x 2 3y 3 (3) 3x 2 3y 3 (4) None of these

Q.11 If the curve ay x 2 7 and x 3 y cut orthogonally at 1,1 , then a is equal to [ICS 1990]

(1) 1 (2) 6 (3) 6 (4) 0

Q.12 The angle made by the tangent to the curve x et cos t , y et sin t at point t with x-axis is [REE 1992]
4

(1) 0 (2) (3) (4)
4 3 2

26
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

Q.13 The tangent the curve y exy x 0 is vertical at the point [IIT Scr. 1992]

(1) 1,1 (2) 0,1 (3) 1,0 (4) No where

Q.14 The points on the curve 9y 2 x 3 where the normal to the curve cuts equal intercepts from the axes are

[REE 1993]
8 8 1 1
(1) 4, , 4, (2) 1, , 1, (3) 0,0 (4) None of these
3 3 3 3
Q.15 Let C be the curve y 3 3xy 2 0 . If H and V be the set of points on the curve C where tangent to the curve is
horizontal and vertical respectively, then [IIT 1994]

(1) H 1,1 , V (2) H , V 1,1 (3) H 0,0 , V 1,1 (4) None of these

Q.16 If y 4x 5 is a tangent to the curve y 2 px 3 q at point 2,3 , then [IIT Scr.1994]

(1) p 2, q 7 (2) p 2, q 7 (3) p 2, q 7 (4) p 2,q 7

Q.17 At what point the slope of the tangent to the curve x 2 y 2 2x 3 0 is zero [RPET 1995]

(1) 3,0 ; 1,0 (2) 3,0 ; 1,2 (3) 1,0 ; 1,2 (4) 1,2 ; 1, 2
n n
x y x y
Q.18 If the line 2 touches the curve 2 at point (a, b) then n is equal to- [RPET 1998]
a b a b
[1] 1 [2] 2 [3] 3 [4] all non zero values

Q.19 The angle of intersection between curves y x 3 and 6y 7 x 2 at point 1,1 is [KCEE 1998]

(1) (2) (3) (4) None of these
4 3 2
Q.20 For the curve y n an 1x , the subnormal at any point is constant. The value of n must be [KCET 1999]
(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 0 (4) 1
x y x
Q.21 At which point the line 1 , touches the curve y be a [RPET 1999]
a b
(1) 0,0 (2) 0,a (3) 0,b (4) b,0

Q.22 The angle between curves y 2 4x and x 2 y 2 5 at 1,2 is [KCET 1999]

(1) tan1 3 (2) tan1 2 (3) (4)
2 4
Q.23 The abscissa of the points of curve y x x 2 x 4 where tangents are parallel to x-axis is obtained as

[UPSEAT 1999]
2 1 1
(1) x 2 (2) x 1 (3) x 2 (4) x 1
3 3 3
2 3 1 2
Q.24 At what points of the curve y x x , tangent makes the equal angle with axis [UPSEAT 1999]
3 2
1 5 1 1 4
(1) , and 1, (2) , and 1,0
2 24 6 2 9
1 1 1 1 4 1
(3) , and 3, (4) , and 1,
3 7 2 3 47 3

27
TANGENTS & NORMALS
3
Q.25 For the curve by 2 x a the square of subtangent is proportional to [RPET 1999]
1 3
(1) Subnormal 2 (2) Subnormal (3) Subnormal 2 (4) None of these

Q.26 The tangent to the curve y ax 2 bx at 2, 8 is parallel to x-axis. Then [AMU 1999]

(1) a 2, b 2 (2) a 2, b 4 (3) a 2,b 8 (4) a 4, b 4

Q.27 If the normal to the curve y = f(x) at point (3, 4) makes 3/4 angle with positive direction of x-axis then f (3) is
equal to- [IIT 2000]
[1] 1 [2] 1 [3] 3/4 [4] 4/3
Q.28 Coordinates of a point on the curve y x log x at which the normal is parallel to the line 2x 2y 3 are
[RPET 2000]
(1) 0,0 (2) e,e (3) e ,2e
2 2
(4) e , 2e
2 2

Q.29 The length of subtangent to the curve x 2 y 2 a4 at the point a,a is [KCET 2001]

(1) 3a (2) 2a (3) a (4) 4a

3 2
Q.30 The abscissa of the points, where the tangent to curve y x 3x 9x 5 is parallel to x-axis, are
[KCET 2001]
(1) 0 and 0 (2) x=1 and 1 (3) x=1 and 3 (4) x=1 and 3
d2 y
Q.31 t t
If x e sin t, y e cos t,t is a parameter, then at 1,1 is equal to [AMU 2001]
dx2
1 1 1
(1) (2) (3) 0 (4)
2 4 2
Q.32 The equation of tangent at 4, 4 on the curve x 2 4y is [KCET 2001]
(1) 2x y 4 0 (2) 2x y 12 0 (3) 2x y 4 0 (4) 2x y 4 0

Q.33 The point at which the tangent to the curve y 2x 2 x 1 is parallel to y 3x 9 will be
[KCET 2001]
(1) 2,1 (2) 1,2 (3) 3,9 (4) 2,1

Q.34 At what point of the curve y 2x 2 x 1 tangent is parallel to y 3x 4 [KCET 2001]

(1) 0,1 (2) 1,2 (3) 1,4 (4) 2,7

Q.35 The length of the subnormal at any point of the curve x = a( + sin ), y = a(1 cos ) is [RPET 2001]
[1] 2a sin /2 [2] 2a cos /2 [3] 2a sin2 /2 tan /2 [4] a cos
Q.36 The area of the triangle formed by coordinate axes and the tangent to the curve f(x) = x2 + bx b at point (1, 1)
is 2 units. If this triangle lies in first quadrant, then b is equal to- [IIT 2001]
[1] 1 [2] 3 [3] 3 [4] 1
2/3 2/3 2/3
Q.37 The equation of the tangent to the curve x + y/ =a at point (h, k) is [RPET 2002]
[1] xh1/3 + yk1/3 = a2/3 (hk)1/3 [2] xk1/3 + yh1/3 = a2/3 (hk)1/3
[3] xh1/3 + yk1/3 = (ahk)1/3 [4] none of these
Q.38 Tangent to the curve y = e2x at point (0, 1) meets x-axis at the point [RPET 2002]
[1] (0, a) [2] (2, 0) [3] (1/2, 0) [4] no where

28
 TANGENTS & NORMALS

Q.39 The equation of the tangent to the curve 1 x 2 y 2 x , where it crosses the x-axis, is [Kerala (Engg) 2002]

(1) x 5y 2 (2) x 5y 2 (3) 5x y 2 (4) 5x y 2 0

x

Q.40 The equation of the tangent to curve y be a at the point where it crosses y-axis is [Karnataka CE 2002]
x y x y
(1) ax by 1 (2) ax by 1 (3) 1 (4) 1
a b a b
Q.41 The point(s) on the curve y 3 3x 2 12y where the tangent is vertical (parallel to y-axis), is [IIT Scr. 2002]

4 11 4
(1) , 2 (2) 3 ,1 (3) 0,0 (4) ,2
3 3
Q.42 The slope of the tangent to the curve x 3t 2 1, y t 3 1 at x=1 is [KCET 2003]
1
(1) 0 (2) (3) (4) 2
2
Q.43 The normal to the curve x = a(1 + cos ), y = a sin at any point always passes through the fixed point
[AIEEE 2004]
[1] (0, 0) [2] (0, a) [3] (a, 0) [4] (a, a)
Q.44 The normal to the curve x = a (cos + sin ), y = a (sin - cos ) at any point is such that [AIEEE 2005]

(1) it is at a constant distance from the origin (2) it passes through a , a
2

(3) it makes angle with the x-axis (4) it passes through the origin
2
Q.45 Let f be the differentiable for x. If f(1) = 2 and f ' (x) 2 for [1, 6], then [AIEEE-2005]
[1] f(6) < 8 [2] f(6) 8 [3] f(6) = 5 [4] f(6) < 5.
Q.46 A spherical iron ball 10 cm in radius is coated with a layer of ice of uniform thickness that melts at a rate of
50 cm3/min. When the thickness of ice is 5 cm, then the rate at which the thickness of ice decreases, is
[AIEEE-2005]
1 1 5 1
[1] cm / min [2] cm / min [3] cm / min [4] cm / min
18 36 6 54

29
TANGENTS & NORMALS

ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE - 1
Que . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans . 1 3 2 2 4 1 1 3 2 2 2 2 4 3 2
Que . 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans . 1 2 3 2 1 2 2 4 4 2 3 1 1 1 3
Que . 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44
Ans . 4 4 2 4 2 4 4 3 2 2 3 1 3 2

EXERCISE - 2
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. 2 2 3 2 3 1 1 4 3 2 3 4 3 1 2
Que. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. 1 4 4 3 2 3 1 1 1 2 3 2 4 3 4
Que. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Ans. 1 4 2 2 3 3 2 3 1 4 4 1 3 1,3 2
Que. 46
Ans. 1

30