MCQ
A point moves in a plane so that its distances PA and PB from two fixed points A and B in the plane satisfy the relation PA − PB = k (k ≠ 0), then the locus of P is
  • A hyperbola.
  • B
    A branch of the hyperbola.
  • C
    A parabola.
  • D
    An ellipse.

Answer

Correct option: A.
A hyperbola.
  1. A hyperbola.
Solution:
Let P(x, y) be any point on the hyperbola $\frac{\text{x}^2}{\text{a}^2}-\frac{\text{y}^2}{\text{b}^2}=1.$
By definition, we have:
$\text{PA}=\text{e}\big(\text{x}-\frac{\text{a}}{\text{e}}\big)=\text{ex}-\text{a}$
$\text{and }\text{PB}=\text{e}\big(\text{x}+\frac{\text{a}}{\text{e}}\big)=\text{ex}+\text{a}$
$\therefore\text{PB}−\text{PA}=\text{(ex+a)}−\text{(ex}−\text{a})=\text{2a = k}$

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