TOPIC 6 : COORDINATE GEOMETRY

6.6 : THE EQUATION OF LOCUS

INVOLVING DISTANCE
BETWEEN TWO POINTS

6.6.1 : THE EQUATION OF LOCUS

 In Mathematics:

Locus = Place

Definition:
The locus of a moving point P(x,y) is the path
taken or traced out by it.
 Determining The Locus of Points

Circle Perpendicular Bisector

The locus of points The locus of points

that are of constant that are equidistant
distance from a fixed from two fixed points
point is a circle is the perpendicular
bisector of the line
joining the two points
Locus of P Locus of P
A.

A P B
The equation of locus can be determine by using
the distance formula
From Pythagoras’ Theorem:

c2 = c x c
c2 = 4 x 1 ab + (b – a)2
2

= 2ab + b2 – 2ab +a2

c2 = b2 + a2
 Distance Between Two Points
Let P ( x1 , y1 )and Q( x2 , y2 ) be any two points on the
coordinate plane, using Pythagoras’ Theorem that:
y
Q ( x2 , y 2 )
PQ 2  PN 2  QN 2
y2  y1  ( x2  x1 ) 2  ( y2  y1 ) 2
P( x1 , y1 )
N
x2  x1 PQ  ( x2  x1 ) 2  ( y2  y1 ) 2

0 x

Hence, the equation of locus can be determine

by using the distance formula
a) The locus of moving point that is of constant
distance from a fixed point.
Example:
Find the equation of locus of a point which moves such that its
distance from the point A(3,2) is 5 units.

Solution:
Let the point be P(x,y).
The given condition is PA = 5
Squaring both
PA = 5
sides to
(x – x1)2 + (y – y1)2 = d eliminate the
square root.
(x-3)2 + (y-2)2 = 5
(x-3)2 + (y-2)2 = 25
X2 – 6x + 9 + y2 – 4y + 4 = 25
X2 – 6x + y2 – 4y + 9 + 4 – 25 = 0
X2 + y2 – 6x – 4y – 12 = 0

Hence, X2 + y2 – 6x – 4y – 12 = 0 is required locus.

b) The ratio of the distance of a moving point from the two
fixed points is constant.
Example 1:
Find the equation of the locus of P if P is equidistant from the point
A(-2,0) and B(0,3).

Solution:
Let the point be P(x,y).
The given condition is distance P(x,y) from A(-2,0) and B(0,3)
is equidistant that:
PA = PB
(x – x1)2 + (y – y1)2 = (x – x2)2 + (y – y2)2 Squaring both
sides to
(x – (-2))2 + (y – 0)2 = (x – 0)2 + (y – 3)2 eliminate the
square root.
(x + 2)2 + y2 = x2 + (y – 3)2
(x + 2)2 + y2 = x2 + (y – 3)2
X2 + 4x + 4 + y2 = x2 + y2 – 6y + 9
4x + 6y – 5 = 0
Hence, 4x + 6y – 5 = 0 is required locus.
Example 2:
A point P moves such that its distances from S(1,2) and T (4,-1) are
in the ratio 2 : 1. Find the equation of locus P.
Solution:

Let P(x,y) be the moving point.

The given condition is PS : PT = 2 : 1 2 1

PS = 2
PT 1 S P T
PS = 2PT Squaring
both sides
(x – x1)2 + (y – y1)2 = 2 (x – x2)2 + (y – y2)2 to remove
the square
(x – 1)2 + (y – 2)2 = 2 (x – 4)2 + (y + 1)2 root sign

x2 – 2x + 1 + y2 – 4y + 4 = 2 (x2 – 8x + 16 + y2 + 2y + 1)
 x2 – 2x + 1 + y2 – 4y + 4 = 4 (x2 – 8x + 16 + y2 + 2y + 1)

x2 – 2x + y2 – 4y + 5 = 4x2 – 32x + 64 + 4y2 + 8y + 4

x2 – 2x + y2 – 4y + 5 = 4x2 – 32x + 4y2 + 8y + 68

3x2 – 30x + 3y2 + 12y + 63 = 0 Dividing

each term of
x2 – 10x + y2 + 4y + 21 = 0 the equation
by 3

x2 + y2 – 10x + 4y + 21 = 0

Thus, the equation of the locus of P is x2 + y2 – 10x + 4y + 21 = 0.

 Exercises:
Find the equation of the locus of the point P(x,y) if it moves:

a) Its distance from the point A (3,5) is 3 cm.

b) It is equidistant from the points A (-1,-2) and B (2,3).

c) Its distance from the points A (2,6) and B (-4,0) is in the

ratio 2 : 1
Summary:
The Equation of Locus

a) The locus of moving point that is of

constant distance from a fixed point.

b) The ratio of the distance of a moving

point from the two fixed points is constant.
• The equation of locus can be determine by using the
distance formula.

d  ( x2  x1 )  ( y2  y1 )
2 2
 HOMEWORK

Exercise 6.6.1:
Do the number 4, 5 and 6.