Problem 4: If the point 𝑃 represents 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 in the Argand

plane, then find the locus of 𝑧 if 𝑧 − 4𝑖 + 𝑧 + 4𝑖 = 10.

Solution:

Given 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 and 𝑧 − 4𝑖 + 𝑧 + 4𝑖 = 10

⟹ 𝑥 + 𝑖 𝑦 − 4 + 𝑥 + 𝑖 𝑦 + 4 = 10

⟹ 𝑥2 + 𝑦 − 4 2 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦 + 4 2 = 10

⟹ 𝑥2 + 𝑦 − 4 2 = 10 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 + 4 2

Squaring on both sides, we get

𝑥2 + 𝑦 − 4 2
= 100 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 + 4 2
− 20 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 + 4 2

⟹ −16𝑦 − 100 = −20 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 + 4 2

⟹ 4𝑦 + 25 = 5 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 + 4 2

Squaring on both sides, we get

16 𝑦2 + 200𝑦 + 625 = 25 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 8𝑦 + 16

⟹ 25 𝑥 2 + 9 𝑦 2 = 225

𝑥2 𝑦2
The locus of 𝑃 is the ellipse + =1
9 25