The locus of the mid-point of all chords of the parabola \(y^2 = 4x\) which are drawn through its vertex is
Step-by-step Solution:
Step 1: Equation of Chord using Midpoint Formula
The equation of a chord of a parabola \( y^2 = 4ax \) with midpoint \( (h, k) \) is given by the midpoint formula:
\[
T = 0 \Rightarrow yy_1 = 2(x + x_1)
\]
Since the chord passes through the vertex (0,0), substituting \( x = 0, y = 0 \) in the chord equation:
\[
0 = 2(h + x_1) \Rightarrow x_1 = -h
\]
\[
yy_1 = 2(x + x_1) \Rightarrow yk = 2(x - h)
\]
Replacing \( x_1, y_1 \) with \( (-h, -k) \) (as midpoint formula uses symmetry),
\[
k(-k) = 2(h - h)
\]
\[
-k^2 = -2h
\]
\[
h = \frac{k^2}{2}
\]
Step 2: Finding the Locus
Replacing \( h \) with \( x \) and \( k \) with \( y \), we get:
\[
x = \frac{y^2}{2}
\]
\[
y^2 = 2x
\]
Step 3: Conclusion
Thus, the required locus is: \(
{y^2 = 2x}
\)