Equation of a Locus

Locus (plural Loci) generally refers to the location of an equation or set of points that
satisfies a given geometric condition. Locus is can be a point or in equation form.
Locus naturally occurs as a moving point and can be expressed as 쳌 䁠   䁞.
Equation of the locus can be written in the form ܿ ݀쳌‫ݕ‬

Illustrations and examples of a locus:

A Straight Line Locus

A Circle Locus

A Parabolic Locus

Illustration
Example:
A point moves equideistant to
points A(4,0) and B(4,0). Find the
equation of the locus.

WRITTEN BY: EARL BRIAN ROBLE

How to solve for the equation of the Locus

1. Write the given points and measurements.

2. Assume the locus point 䁠   䁞䁠
3. Write given geometrical condition.
4. Use distance, section, centroid, and other formula applicable in the condition.
5. Substitute in geometrical condition. Solve and Simplify to get the equation of locus.

Illustrative Examples

I.
Find the equation of the locus moving point P and its distance from point A is
3 units. Where A is a fixed point with coordinates, (2,5).

Given point and measurements: 쳌 䁠  P䁞, 쳌 h th

Assumption: 䁠   䁞
Given Condition: 쳌h

Equation to find the equation of the locus: 䁠 䁞 䁠 䁞 쳌

Solve and Simplify:
Steps Explanation
䁠 䁞 䁠 P䁞 쳌 h Substitute the formula to the given
values.
䁠 䁠 䁞 P 䁞 쳌 䁠h䁞 Square both sides to get rid of the
radical sign.
䁠 䁞 P 쳌⴪ Simplify the second step.
t t Ͷ‫ݕ‬ P쳌⴪ Expand the equation.
t Ͷ‫ݕ‬ P t ⴪쳌‫ݕ‬ Move the everything to one side.
t Ͷ‫ݕ‬ ‫ݕ‬쳌‫ݕ‬ Simplify the equation.

Final Answer:
t Ͷ‫ݕ‬ ‫ݕ‬쳌‫ݕ‬

WRITTEN BY: EARL BRIAN ROBLE

Illustration of the equation of the locus:

WRITTEN BY: EARL BRIAN ROBLE

II.
Find the equation of the locus point P, such that its distance from point
A (-2,4) and point B (3,5) is equal.

Given point and measurements: 쳌䁠  t䁞, 쳌 䁠h P䁞

Assumption: 䁠   䁞
Given Condition: 쳌
Equation to find the equation of the locus:

䁠 䁞 䁠 䁞 쳌 䁠 䁞 䁠 䁞
Solve and Simplify:
Steps Explanation
Substitute the
䁠 䁞 䁠 t䁞 쳌 䁠 h䁞 䁠 P䁞 formula to the
given values.
Square both sides
䁠 䁠 䁞 t 䁞 쳌䁠 䁠 h䁞 P 䁞 to get rid of the
radical sign.
䁠 䁞 t 쳌䁠 h䁞 P Simplify the
second step.
t t Ͷ 쳌 ⴪ Ͷ‫ݕ‬ P Expand the
equation.
t t Ͷ 쳌 ⴪ Ͷ‫ݕ‬ P Simplify the
t ‫ݕ‬쳌 Ͷ‫ݕ‬ P equation.
Ͷ‫ݕ‬ ‫ ݕ‬ht 쳌 ‫ݕ‬ Move everything
Ͷ‫ݕ‬ Ͷt 쳌 ‫ݕ‬ to one side and
simplify again.
P ‫ݕ‬쳌‫ݕ‬

Final Answer:
P ‫ݕ‬쳌‫ݕ‬

WRITTEN BY: EARL BRIAN ROBLE

Illustration of the equation of the locus.

WRITTEN BY: EARL BRIAN ROBLE