Determining the equation of a curve

[Craig is Lege]

Homework Statement

A curve is traced by a point P (x,y) which moves such that its distance from the point A (-1,1) is three times its distance from the point B (2,-1). Determine the equation.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

used distance formulas to find A is the squareroot of 13 away from B.

how do i find the curve

 

[Hitman2-2]

I would try to translate what the problem says in words into equations.

You're told that the distance from point A to point P is always 3 times the distance from point B to point P.

So it seems to me that the way to proceed is to write down an expression for the distance from A to P and set it equal to the expression for the distance from B to P multiplied by 3.

 

[symbolipoint]

You should try applying the distance formula for the problem as you described it. That should help you to start.