Finding Center and Radius of a Sphere

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the center and radius of a sphere defined by the condition that the distance from point P to point A (-1, 5, 3) is twice the distance from P to point B (6, 2, -2). The distance formulas for |PA| and |PB| are established as |PA| = √((x + 1)² + (y - 5)² + (z - 3)²) and |PB| = √((x - 6)² + (y - 2)² + (z + 2)²). By equating |PA| to 2|PB| and squaring both sides, one can derive the equation of the sphere, which ultimately leads to identifying its center and radius.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of 3D coordinate geometry
  • Familiarity with distance formulas in Euclidean space
  • Knowledge of algebraic manipulation and equation solving
  • Basic concepts of spheres in geometry
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  • Study the derivation of the equation of a sphere from distance constraints
  • Learn about the geometric interpretation of spheres in three-dimensional space
  • Explore applications of spheres in physics and computer graphics
  • Investigate the properties of conic sections related to distance ratios
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Students in geometry, mathematics educators, and anyone interested in spatial reasoning and the properties of spheres in three-dimensional space.

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Homework Statement


If distance |AB| = root 83, and i also know that |PA| is twice |PB|, then how do you find? |PA| or |PB| ?

The whole question states: consider the points P such that the distance from P to A (-1,5,3) is twice the distance from P to B (6,2,-2).
Show that the set of all such points is a sphere, and find its center and radius.
please help!



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Let P=(x,y,z) and then the vector PB would be (6-x,2-y,-2-z)
Similarly, do with A...then use the fact that |PA|=2|PB|
 
Do you know the distance formula? Let P be the general point (x,y,z). Then the distance from P to (-1, 5, 3) is [itex]\sqrt{(x+1)^2+ (y-5)^2+ (z-3)^2}[/itex] and the distance from P to (6, 2, -2) is [itex]\sqrt{(x- 6)^2+ (y-2)^2+ (z+2)^3}[/itex]. Those are the |PA| and |PB| rock.freak667 is talking about. Put them into the equation he gives and simplify (I would square both sides).
 

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