Prove Newtons trident is an algebraic curve

algebraic-curvesalgebraic-geometrycurvesgeometryprojective-geometry

I was working on a problem where I have two curves $C_1 \longleftrightarrow x^2-y=0$ and $C_2 \longleftrightarrow xy-1=0$ in $\mathbb{A}^2$ (so a parabola and a hyperbola). Now consider the connection lines from a point of $C_1$ to a point of $C_2$ parallel to the y-axis. Then I have to show that the points lying on the middle of these lines form an algebraic curve. The problem also says that this curve is called Newtons trident.

I made a sketch so I could see how the curve lies inbetween $C_1$ and $C_2$. The left side of the y-axis is trivial, since it follows both asymptotes. For the right side I am a little confused. Because how i look at is my new curve (let's call it $C$) has to go through the intersection of $C_1$ and $C_2$. But if I look up Newtons trident, it does not go through this intersection. Why is that the case?

My second question is how can I find the formule for this algebraic curve. I suppose I can take x fixed and then look at the middle of both y-values. But I would need absolute value for that, right? So I have no idea how to do this. Or should I first go to $ \mathbb{C}P^2$, then I get
$$ f_1(x_0,x_1,x_2)=x_1^2-x_0x_2$$
$$ f_2(x_0,x_1,x_2)=x_1x_2-x_0^2$$
Could someone please help me? Thanks in advance!

Best Answer

I think the easiest way to find an equation of the curve in this case is by parametrizing it.

We parametrize the parabola by $(t, t^2)$ and hyperbola by $(t,1/t)$. So the midpoints are parametrized by $$(t, \frac{t^2 + 1/t}{2}) = (t, \frac{t^3 + 1}{2t})$$ and it can be readily seen that the equation for these points is $$2xy = x^3 + 1$$ In general, you could compute the resultant to work out the equation of parametrized curve, see this question for example.

The algebraic curve $2xy = x^3 + 1$ is a particular case of trident curve (which in general have the form $xy+ax^{3}+bx^{2}+cx=d$, according to wikipedia)

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