Any point on the circle x2+y2=r2 is (rcosθ,rsinθ) and the equation of the tangent at this point is xcosθ+ysinθ=r.
Thus, any point on circle x2+y2=1 is (cosθ,sinθ) and the equation of tangent at this point is xcosθ+ysinθ=1.
To find the point where this line intersects the x-axis, put y=0,⇒x=cosθ1
⇒P=(cosθ1,0)
And, to find the point where this line intersects the y-axis, put x=0,
⇒y=sinθ1
⇒Q=(0,sinθ1)
The mid-point of a line segment joining the points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) is (2x1+x2,2y1+y2)
Let, midpoint of PQ is (h,k)
∴(h,k)=(2cosθ1,2sinθ1)
\Rightarrow h=\frac{1}{2\mathrm{cos}\theta } & k=\frac{1}{2\mathrm{sin}\theta }
\Rightarrow \mathrm{cos}\theta =\frac{1}{2h} & \mathrm{sin}\theta =\frac{1}{2k}
∵sin2θ+cos2θ=1
⇒4h21+4k21=1
⇒h21+k21=4
To get the locus of the required point, replace (h,k) by (x,y)
∴Locus is x21+y21=4
⇒x2+y2–4x2y2=0.