LOCUS
A locus is the set of all points that satisfy a given condition or set of conditions.
Equidistant from two points
The locus of the points equidistant from two points A and B is the perpendicular
bisector of the line segment determined by the points A and B.
EXAMPLE
Describe and write an equation for the locus of points equidistant from the
points 𝐴(1, −4) and 𝐵(3, −2).
Check Yourself
Describe and write an equation for the locus of points equidistant from the points 𝐴(3, −5)
and 𝐵(−1, 7).
Equidistant from two intersecting lines
The locus of the points equidistant from two intersecting lines 𝑙1 and 𝑙 2
is a pair of lines that bisect the angles formed by the intersecting lines 𝑙1
and 𝑙2.
EXAMPLE
Write an equation of the locus of points equidistant from the lines 𝑙1 : 𝑥 + 2𝑦 – 10 = 0 and
𝑙 2: 2𝑥 – 𝑦 + 5 = 0.
Check Yourself
Write an equation of the locus of points equidistant from the lines 𝑙1 : 3𝑥 + 𝑦 + 2 = 0 and
𝑙 2: 𝑥 – 3𝑦 + 4 = 0
Equidistant from two parallel lines
The locus of the points equidistant from two parallel lines 𝑙1 and 𝑙2 is a third line 𝑙,
parallel to the given lines 𝑙1 and 𝑙 2 and midway between them.
EXAMPLE
Write an equation of the locus of points equidistant from the parallel lines
𝑙1: 2x – y +5 = 0 and 𝑙 2 : 2𝑥 – 𝑦 + 7 = 0.
Check Yourself
Write an equation of the locus of points equidistant from the parallel lines 𝑙1: 𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 9 = 0 and
𝑙 2: 𝑥 + 4𝑦 –1 = 0
At a fixed distance from a line
The locus of the points at a fixed distance from a line 𝑙 is the pair of lines, each
parallel to the given line and at a fixed distance from the given line 𝑙.
EXAMPLE
Write an equation of the locus of points at a distance of 3 units from the line 𝑙: 3𝑥 – 4𝑦 + 7 = 0.
Check Yourself
Write an equation of the locus of points at a distance of 2 units from the line 𝑙: 5𝑥 – 12𝑦 + 13 = 0
At a fixed distance from a point
The locus of the points at a fixed distance from a fixed point P is a circle whose
center is the fixed point P and whose radius is the fixed distance.
EXAMPLE 9
Write the equation of the locus of points at a distance of 2 units from the point P(1, -3).
Check Yourself
Write the equation of the locus of points at a distance of 3 units from the point P(2, 0).
Exercises
1. Describe and write an equation for the locus of points equidistant from the points 𝐴(3, 5) and
𝐵(−7, 3).
2. Find the locus of the points 𝑃(3𝜆 + 2, 2 − 𝜆) where ∈ ℝ .
3. Find the locus of the points equidistant from the lines 𝑙1 : 7𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 5 = 0 and
𝑙2 : 2𝑥 + 7𝑦 − 8 = 0
4. Write the equation of the locus of points at a distance of 5 units from the point 𝑃(0, −2).
5. Write the equation of the locus of points at a distance of 4 units from the line
𝑙: 7𝑥 − 24𝑦 + 2 = 0 .
6. Write the equation of the locus of points equidistant from the lines 𝑙1 : 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 11 = 0 and
𝑙2 :3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 5 = 0.