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Mathematics 8 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Find the equation of the locus of the set of points P such that PF + PF' = 8 where F is (6,0) and F' is (-2,0)

OpenStudy (apoorvk):

Realise that this is the basic definition of the locus of an ellipse?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

the locus is actually a line segment :c

OpenStudy (apoorvk):

Unhmm.. it IS an ellipse.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

umm realise that the focal length = sum of distances .: it has to be a line

OpenStudy (apoorvk):

Umm, not necessarily. Check out this link: http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/LocusOfPointsDefinitionOfAnEllipseHyperbolaParabolaAndOvalOf/

OpenStudy (anonymous):

unless if u count as the line segment as an ellipse.. the locus of points cannot extend beyond the line segments as the sum of the distances from the focal points will exceed the definition as the sum of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the remaining side..

OpenStudy (amistre64):

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