# Homework Help: Straight lines homework

1. Aug 15, 2012

### Kartik.

1. A point P(x,y) is given equidistant from the points A(a+b,b-a) and B(a-b,a+b), then prove that bx = ay
also find the locus of the variable point Z(a cos (theta), b sin (theta)), where (theta) is a variable quantity.

2. T0 prove that ax = by

3. In an attempt towards implementing what's given, i applied the distance formula knowing the fact that it will be a lengthy solution but still i did not came up with an answer.
and the second part of the question, i am still doubtful about how to find a locus to a variable point. The value of theta is variable so, the x-coordinate and y-coordinate will oscillate from [-1,1].

2. Aug 15, 2012

### Mentallic

For the first one, could you show us what you've done? You can skip some trivial working out steps to save yourself time if you like, but the important parts would be what equality you set up by using the distance formula, and what answer you arrived at at the end.

For the second, it's quite similar to solving the locus of a circle $(x,y)=(a\cos\theta,a\sin\theta)$ except now in this case we have a b constant as well, so simply using $x^2+y^2=a^2$ won't work.

But what about $$\frac{x^2}{a^2}$$ can you see a way of using this and doing something similar for the y variable?

3. Aug 15, 2012

### Kartik.

Solved 'em all. Thank you.
Not with the distance formula but deriving the locus of the point equidistant from A and B. for the second one its x^2/a^2+y^2/b^2 = 1