Locus

Locust
 Locus
The path of an object that obeys a
certain condition.
 Specific condition
A cow, grazing in a field, moves so that it is always a

distance of 5m from the pole that it is tied to.

How will the locus of the cow look like?

path
lo
cu
s

Burp!
If cows run on 2 legs…………..
 Specific condition
A cow runs on a straight level road.
How will the locus of the cow look like?
path

locus
2 loci that you will encounter often are
circles and straight lines
A cow, grazing in a field, moves so that it is always a

distance of 5m from the pole [P] that it is tied to.

How will the locus of the cow [C] look like?

Alamak! How to draw 5 m on paper?

Perform scale drawing! Let’s use 1 cm to represent 1 m.
The locus of the cow is a circle with centre P & radius 5 m.

5 cm C
P
The goat moves such that it is always 3 m away from the bar.
How will the locus of the goat look like?
 The loci of the goat are 2 straight lines // to the
bar [Line AB] at a distance of 3 m from the bar
[Line AB].

3 cm 3 cm

A B

3 cm 3 cm

We will be using scaled drawing here too =]

Suppose you created a canyon that can bring you to
outer space. Your canyon is magnetic. You must find
a path that goes exactly between the 2 walls – one
false move and your canyon will be dragged over to
the side and splattered, WITH YOU ON IT.
The locus of canyon is the angle bisector of angle created
when the 2 walls [2 lines] meet.

Place your
compass
Place your at the
compass blue pts.
at where
the lines
[walls]
meet.
 Exams Tips
• 1 point Locus Circle

• 1 line Locus 2 parallel lines

• 2 points Locus Perpendicular bisector

• 2 lines Locus Angle bisector

 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci in 2 dimensions

2 straight lines AB & CD intersect at right angles at

point O. Draw & describe in each diagram:
(a) C (b) C

3cm 3cm

2.5cm

A O B A O B

D D
The locus of a point 2.5cm from O The loci of a point 3cm from CD
=> a circle of radius 2.5cm => 2 straight lines // to CD at a
with centre O distance of 3cm from CD.
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci in 2 dimensions

Q5. 2 straight lines AB & CD intersect at right angles at

point O. Draw & describe in each diagram:
(c) C (d) C

A O B A O B

D D
The locus of a point equidistant The locus of a point equidistant
from C & O => the perpendicular from OB & OD => the angle
bisector of OC bisector of angle BOD
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Intersection of Loci
Q1. (a) Using ruler & compasses, construct ABC
in which AB = 8.8cm, BC = 7cm & AC = 5.6cm.
(b) On the same diagram, draw (i)
(i) the locus of a point which
is 6.4cm from A (ii)
(ii)the locus of a point C
equidistant from
BA & BC.
(c) Find the distance 11.4cm
between 2 pts which A B
are both 6.4cm from
A & equidistant from
BA & BC. Give your ans in
cm, correct to 1 dec place.
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Intersection of Loci
Q2. Construct & label XYZ in which XY = 8cm,
YZX = 60o & XYZ = 45o.
(a) On your diagram,
(i) measure & write down the length of YZ,
(ii)draw the locus of a pt which is equidistant from X & Z,
(iii)draw the locus of a pt which is
Z (a) (i) YZ = 9cm
equidistant from ZX & ZY,
(iv) draw the locus of a pt (a)(ii)
which is 3cm from XY (a)(iv)
& on the same side of
XY as Z,

75o 45o

X Y
(a)(iii)
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Intersection of Loci
Q2. Construct & label XYZ in which XY = 8cm,
YZX = 60o & XYZ = 45o.
(b) On your diagram,
(i) label pt P which is equidistant
from pts X & Z and from Z (a) (i) YZ = 9cm
the lines ZX & ZY. (b) (iii) PQ = 1cm
(ii) label the pt Q which is (a)(ii)
on the same side of (a)(iv)
XY as Z, is
equidistant from X & Q
Z, & is 3cm from the P
line XY.
(iii) measure & write down 75o 45o
the length of PQ.
X Y
(a)(iii)
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q1. (a) The locus of a point P whose distance from a
fixed point O is OP<= 2cm, is represented by the
points inside & on the circumference of the
circle with centre O & radius 2 cm.

2cm P
O
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q1. (b) If OP < 2cm, the locus of P will not include the
points on the circumference & the circumference
will be represented by a broken line.

P P

2cm P 2cm
O O

OP <=2cm OP < 2cm

LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q1. (c) If OP > 2cm, the locus of P is the set of points
outside the circle.

P
2cm
O
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q1. (d) If OP >= 2cm, the locus of P is the set of points
outside the circle including the points
on the circumference .

2cm P
O
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q2. (a) If X and Y are 2 fixed pts and if a pt P moves in
a plane such that PX=PY, then the locus of P is
the ______________
perpendicular ________ of the line XY.
bisector

Place your
compass at
X & Y.
X Y
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q2. (b) If P moves such that PX <= PY, the locus of P is
the set of points shown in the shaded region
_______
including all the pts on the perpendicular
solid line.
bisector, which is represented by a ______

X Y
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q2. (c) If P moves such that PX < PY, the locus of P is
the set of points shown in the shaded region
_______
excluding all the pts on the perpendicular
broken line.
bisector, which is represented by a ______

X Y
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Further Loci (with shading)
Q3. The figure below shows a circle, centre O. The
diameter AB is 4cm long. Indicate by shading, the
locus of P which moves such that OP>= 2 cm & PA < PB.
X

2cm
A O B

The shaded region represents the

locus of P where XY is the
perpendicular bisector of AB

Y
LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci Involving Areas
Introduction:
The figure below shows a triangle ABC of area 24cm2.
Draw the locus of pt X, on the same side of AB as C
such that area of XAB = area of ABC.
Hint: Both triangles have
the same height & base.
X X C
locus of X

6cm

A 8cm B
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci Involving Areas
Q4. The figure shows a rectangle PQRS
of length 6 cm & width 4 cm.
A variable pt X moves
S R
inside the rectangle
such that Region in
which X
XP <= 4cm, XP>= XQ
must lie
& the area of
PQX >= 3cm2.
Construct & shade
the region in which 1cm
X must lie.
P Q
If area of PQX >= 3cm2,
½x6xh >= 3
h >=1
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci Involving Areas
Q5. (a)
(b) Draw
On your ABC
diagram, drawbase
in which the AB
locus of pts within
= 12cm, ABC=50o
&the
BC triangle which are:
= 7cm. Measure & write down the size of
(i) 9cm from
ACB.A,
(b)(i)
(ii) 5.5cm from B, (b)(ii)
(iii) 2.5cm from C
AB, (b)(iii)
7cm

50o
A 12cm B

(a) ACB = 95o

 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci Involving Areas
Q5. (c) Mark & label on your diagram a possible position
of a pt P within triangle ABC such that AP <=9cm,
BP <= 5.5cm & area of PAB = 15cm2.
(b)(i)
(b)(ii)
If area of PAB
= 15cm2, C
½x12xh = 15 (b)(iii)
h =15/6 7cm
=2.5
50o
12cm
A B

possible
position of P
(a) ACB = 95o
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci Involving Areas
Q5. (d) A pt Q is such that AQ >= 9cm, BQ <= 5.5 cm &
area QAB >=15cm2. On your diagram, shade the
region in which Q must lie.
(b)(i)
(b)(ii)
If area of
QAB >= 15cm2, C
½x12xh >= 15 (b)(iii)
h >=15/6 7cm Region
>=2.5 of Q
50o
A 12cm B

possible
position of P
(a) ACB = 95o
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci Involving Areas
Q6. Construct PQR in which PQ = 9.5cm, QPR=100o
& PR = 7.2cm.
(a)(iii)
(a) On the same diagram, draw
(i) the locus of a pt Place your
equidistant from P & R, compass at
(ii) the locus of a pt Q & R.
equidistant from Q & R, R (a)(i)
(iii) the circle through P,
Q&R
(a)(ii)

100o
Place your
(b) Measure & write down
compass
the radiusatof the circle. P Q
P & R.
Radius = 6.5 cm
 LOCI CONSTRUCTION - Loci Involving Areas
Q6. (c) A is the point on the same side of QR such that
AQR is isosceles, with QA=RA & QAR =100o.
Mark the point A clearly on your diagram.
(a)(iii)

R (a)(i)

(a)(ii)

100o

P Q
Radius = 6.5 cm A
 Q-7: Point F is 50 mm from a vertical straight line AB.
Draw locus of point P, moving in a plane such that
it always remains equidistant from point F and line AB.

P7
A P5
SOLUTION STEPS:
1.Locate center of line, perpendicular to P3
AB from point F. This will be initial
point P.
P1
2.Mark 5 mm distance to its right side,
name those points 1,2,3,4 and from those
draw lines parallel to AB.
3.Mark 5 mm distance to its left of P and p
name it 1. 1 2 3 4
F
4 3 2 1
4.Take F-1 distance as radius and F as
center draw an arc
cutting first parallel line to AB. Name
upper point P1 and lower point P2. P2
5.Similarly repeat this process by taking
again 5mm to right and left and locate P4
P 3 P4 .
6.Join all these points in smooth curve. P6
B P8
It will be the locus of P equidistance
from line AB and fixed point F.
Q-8:
A circle of 50 mm diameter has it’s center 75 mm from a vertical
line AB.. Draw locus of point P, moving in a plane such that
it always remains equidistant from given circle and line AB. P7
P5
A
SOLUTION STEPS: P3
1.Locate center of line, perpendicular to 50 D
AB from the periphery of circle. This
will be initial point P. P1
2.Mark 5 mm distance to its right side,
name those points 1,2,3,4 and from those
draw lines parallel to AB.
3.Mark 5 mm distance to its left of P and p
name it 1,2,3,4. C
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
4.Take C-1 distance as radius and C as
center draw an arc cutting first parallel
line to AB. Name upper point P1 and
lower point P2. P2
5.Similarly repeat this process by taking
again 5mm to right and left and locate
P 3 P4 . P4
6.Join all these points in smooth curve.
B P6
It will be the locus of P equidistance P8
from line AB and given circle.
75 mm
 Q-9:
Center of a circle of 30 mm diameter is 90 mm away from center of another circle of 60 mm diameter.
Draw locus of point P, moving in a plane such that it always remains equidistant from given two circles.

SOLUTION STEPS:
1.Locate center of line,joining two 60 D
centers but part in between periphery P7
of two circles.Name it P. This will be P5 30 D
initial point P.
P3
2.Mark 5 mm distance to its right
side, name those points 1,2,3,4 and P1
from those draw arcs from C1
As center.
3. Mark 5 mm distance to its right p
side, name those points 1,2,3,4 and C1 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 C2
from those draw arcs from C2 As
center. P2
4.Mark various positions of P as per
previous problems and name those P4
similarly. P6
5.Join all these points in smooth
curve. P8

It will be the locus of P

equidistance from given two circles.
95 mm
 Q-10:-Two points A and B are 100 mm apart.
There is a point P, moving in a plane such that the
difference of it’s distances from A and B always
remains constant and equals to 40 mm.
Draw locus of point P.

p7
p5
p3
p1
Solution Steps:
1.Locate A & B points 100 mm apart.
2.Locate point P on AB line, P
A B
70 mm from A and 30 mm from B 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
As PA-PB=40 ( AB = 100 mm )
3.On both sides of P mark points 5
mm apart. Name those 1,2,3,4 as usual. p2
4.Now similar to steps of Problem 2,
p4
Draw different arcs taking A & B centers
and A-1, B-1, A-2, B-2 etc as radius. p6
5. Mark various positions of p i.e. and join p8
them in smooth possible curve.
It will be locus of P
70 mm 30 mm
Q-11:
A Link OA, 80 mm long oscillates around O,
600 to right side and returns to it’s initial vertical
Position with uniform velocity.Mean while point
P initially on O starts sliding downwards and
reaches end A with uniform velocity.
Draw locus of point P p
O
p1
Solution Steps: 1 p2 p4
Point P- Reaches End A (Downwards) p3
1) Divide OA in EIGHT equal parts and from O to A after O 2
name 1, 2, 3, 4 up to 8. (i.e. up to point A).
2) Divide 600 angle into four parts (150 each) and mark each
point by A1, A2, A3, A4 and for return A5, A6, A7 andA8.
3
p5 A4
(Initial A point).
3) Take center O, distance in compass O-1 draw an arc upto 4
OA1. Name this point as P1.
1)    Similarly O center O-2 distance mark P2 on line O-A2. 5 p6
2)    This way locate P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 and P8 and join them. A3
6 A5
( It will be thw desired locus of P )

7 p7 A2
A6
A8 A1
p8
A7
A8
 Q-12:
A Link OA, 80 mm long oscillates around O,
600 to right side, 1200 to left and returns to it’s initial
vertical Position with uniform velocity.Mean while point
P initially on O starts sliding downwards, reaches end A
and returns to O again with uniform velocity.
Draw locus of point P Op
16

15
p1 p4
1 p2
Solution Steps: 14 p3
( P reaches A i.e. moving downwards. 2
& returns to O again i.e.moves upwards ) 13
1.Here distance traveled by point P is PA.plus A 3 p5
AP.Hence divide it into eight equal parts.( so
12
12 A4
total linear displacement gets divided in 16 4
parts) Name those as shown. 11
2.Link OA goes 600 to right, comes back to A 5 p6
A13 11 A3
original (Vertical) position, goes 600 to left A5
10
and returns to original vertical position. Hence 6
total angular displacement is 2400. A10 p7 A2
Divide this also in 16 parts. (150 each.) 9 7
A14 A6
Name as per previous problem.(A, A1 A2 etc)
A9 8 A1
3.Mark different positions of P as per the A15 A p8
procedure adopted in previous case. A7
A8
and complete the problem.
A16
G G Tejani, Rajkot