Locus of a Point: Find Equation for Equidistant Point P from (3,-1)

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In summary, the conversation is about finding the equation of the locus of a point that is equidistant from the y-axis and the point (3,-1). The equation involves using the distance formula and simplifying it to get an equation in terms of x and y. The final equation is y=x^2 +3, but the individual is confused about the process.
  • #1
zebra1707
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1. Find the equation of the locus of a point P which is equidistant from the y-axis and the point (3,-1)


2. I think that I need to use

SqRoot (x-x)sq + (y-y)sq = x
SqRoot (x-3)sq + (y+1)sq = x

Expanding is where I get stuck



Cheers
 
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  • #2
If [tex] (a,b) [/tex] is the point, you need work with

Distance from [tex] (a,b) [/tex] to [tex] (3,-1) [/tex] = distance from [tex] (a,b) [/tex] to the [tex]y-[/tex] axis. Part of this equation is

[tex]
\sqrt{(a-0)^2 + (b-b)^2} = \sqrt{a^2} = |a|
[/tex]

What is the other part? remember your solution will be an equation, not a single number.
 
  • #3
Hi there
There is no other part to this question. I think the equation should be y=x Sq + 3

Cheers (very confused).
 

What is the definition of "Locus of a Point"?

The locus of a point refers to the set of all points that satisfies a given condition or set of conditions. In this case, the condition is that the point is equidistant from a fixed point (3,-1).

How do you find the equation for the locus of a point that is equidistant from a fixed point?

To find the equation, you first need to determine the distance formula between the point and the fixed point. This can be done using the Pythagorean theorem. Then, set the distance formula equal to a variable, such as d, and solve for x and y. This will give you the equation for the locus of the point.

What does the equation for the locus of a point represent?

The equation represents all the points that are equidistant from the fixed point. This means that any point on this locus will have the same distance from the fixed point as any other point on the locus.

Can the equation for the locus of a point be written in different forms?

Yes, the equation can be written in different forms depending on the given conditions. For example, if the fixed point is at the origin (0,0), the equation can be simplified to only include the distance formula. If the fixed point is not at the origin, the equation will include both the distance formula and the coordinates of the fixed point.

How can the locus of a point be graphed?

The locus of a point can be graphed by plotting points that satisfy the given condition, which in this case is being equidistant from the fixed point. This will result in a specific shape, such as a circle, ellipse, or parabola. Alternatively, the equation for the locus of a point can also be plugged into a graphing calculator or software to generate a visual representation.

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