Question

If A(–2, 2, 3) and B(13, –3, 13) are two points.
Find the locus of a point P which moves in such a way the 3PA = 2PB.

Answer 1

Let coordinates of point P be (x, y, z).
Given:
3PA = 2PB

\[\Rightarrow 3\left( \sqrt{\left( x + 2 \right)^2 + \left( y - 2 \right)^2 + \left( z - 3 \right)^2} \right) = 2\left( \sqrt{\left( x - 13 \right)^2 + \left( y + 3 \right)^2 + \left( z - 13 \right)^2} \right)\]
\[ \Rightarrow 3\left( \sqrt{x^2 + 4x + 4 + y^2 - 4y + 4 + z^2 - 6z + 9} \right) = 2\left( \sqrt{x^2 - 26x + 169 + y^2 + 6y + 9 + z^2 - 26z + 169} \right)\]
\[\text{ Squaring both sides }, \]
\[ \Rightarrow 9\left( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 + 4x - 4y - 6z + 17 \right) = 4\left( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 - 26x + 6y - 26z + 347 \right)\]
\[ \Rightarrow 9 x^2 + 9 y^2 + 9 z^2 + 36x - 36y - 54z + 153 = 4 x^2 + 4 y^2 + 4 z^2 - 104x + 24y - 104z + 1388\]
\[ \Rightarrow 5 x^2 + 5 y^2 + 5 z^2 + 140x - 60y + 50z - 1235 = 0\]
\[ \Rightarrow 5\left( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 \right) + 140x - 60y + 50z - 1235 = 0\]
\[ \therefore 5\left( x^2 + y^2 + z^2 \right) + 140x - 60y + 50z - 1235 = 0 \text{ is the locus of the point P } .\]