TWGHs Wong Fut Nam College

S.5 Mathematics
Ch.8 Locus
Name : ________________ Class : 5E ( ) Date : ______________________

When an object moves in a manner satisfying certain specific condition(s),

its path is called the locus of the object.

(1) A moving point and a fixed point

(2) A moving point and two fixed points

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.1

 (3) A moving point and a line

(4) A moving point and a line segment

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.2

 (5) A moving point and two parallel lines

(6) A moving point and two intersecting lines

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.3

 (7) A moving point and a fixed point and a fixed line

Exercise
1. A point P moves at a constant distance of 4 units from the line y  1. Sketch the locus of P.

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.4

2. The figure shows a point A(3, 0). P is a moving point on the coordinate plane such that it is
always 3 units from A. Sketch and describe the locus of P.

Locus of P : _______________________________________________________________

3. The figure shows two intersecting lines L1 and L2 . P is a moving point such that it is always
equidistant from L1 and L2 . Sketch the locus of P.

4. A moving point P is always 5 units from the point (3, 0). Describe the locus of P.

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.5

5. In the figure, the distance between points A and B is 4 cm. A moving point P maintains a fixed
distance of 2 cm from the mid-point of A and B. Sketch and describe the locus of P.

Locus of P : _______________________________________________________________

6. The figure shows a circle with centre O and radius 6 cm. Point A moves along the
circumference. Sketch and describe the locus of the mid-point of OA.

Locus of the mid-point of OA : _________________________________________________

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.6

7. In the figure, ABCD is a square of side 10 cm. A moving point P maintains a fixed distance of
10 cm from A.
(a) Which of the points A, B, C and D does the locus of P pass through?
(b) Sketch and describe the locus of P.

Locus of P : _______________________________________________________________

8. The figure shows a square EFGH. A moving point P lies inside the square and it is equidistant
from the line segments EF and HG.
(a) Sketch the locus of P.
(b) Describe the locus of P.

E F

H G

Locus of P : _______________________________________________________________

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.7

Public Exam Questions
9. [HKDSE 2012 Q.24] If P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that
the distance between P and the point (20 , 12) is equal to 5, then the locus of P is a

A. circle.
B. square.
C. parabola.
D. triangle.

10. [HKDSE 2014 Q.24] The equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are 2x + 3y = 5 and
4x + 6y = 7 respectively. If P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that the
perpendicular distance from P to L1 is equal to the perpendicular distance from P to L2, then the
locus of P is a

A. circle.
B. square.
C. parabola.
D. straight line.

11. [HKDSE 2015 Q.24] The coordinates of the points A and B are (2 , 0) and (1 , 5)
respectively. If P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that P is equidistant
from A and B, then the locus of P is

A. the perpendicular bisector of AB.

B. the circle with AB as a diameter.
C. the straight line which passes through A and B.
D. the angle bisector of ∠AOB, where O is the origin.

12. [HKDSE 2019 Q.26] The equation of the straight line L is 5x – 7y – 14 = 0. If P is a

moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that the perpendicular distance from P to
L is equal to 3, then the locus of P is

A. a sector.
B. a square.
C. a parabola.
D. a pair of straight lines.

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.8

13. [HKDSE 2020 Q.25] Let A be the point of intersection of the straight lines 9x + 4y – 7 = 0
and 9x – 4y + 7 = 0. If P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that the
distance between P and A is 8, then the locus of P is a

A. circle.
B. triangle.
C. quadrilateral.
D. regular hexagon.

14. [HKDSE 2023 Q.26] The equations of the straight lines  and L are 9x + 12y – 37 = 0 and
12x + 16y + 85 = 0 respectively.  cuts the x-axis at the point A while L cuts the y-axis at the
point B. Let P be a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that the perpendicular
distance from P to  is equal to the perpendicular distance from P to L. Denote the locus of P
by . Which of the following are true?

I.  is parallel to L.
II.  is perpendicular to AB.
III.  passes through the mid-point of AB.
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I , II and III

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.9

Describing Locus with an Algebraic Equation
Example 1
Suppose a moving point P maintains a fixed distance of 2 from A(4 , 5) . Find the equation of
the locus of P .

Example 2
In the figure, M(4 , 0) and N(0 , 2) are two points in a rectangular coordinate plane. A moving point
P(x , y) maintains an equal distance from M and N, i.e. PM = PN. Find the equation of the locus of P.

y
P(x , y)

N(0 , 2)
x
M(4 , 0) O

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.10

Example 3
In the figure, a moving point P(x , y) maintains an equal distance from M(0 , 1) and the x-axis.
Find the equation of the locus of P.
y

x
O
M(0 , 1)

P(x , y)

15. Suppose a moving point P maintains a fixed distance of 3 from B( 2 , 4) . Find the equation
of the locus of P .

16. Suppose a moving point P maintains an equal distance from A(6 , 1) and B( 2 , 4) . Find the
equation of the locus of P .

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.11

17. Suppose a moving point P maintains an equal distance from A(2 , 4) and the x-axis. Find
the equation of the locus of P .

18. A(2 , 4) and B(10 , 4) are two points in a rectangular coordinate plane. A point P moves
such that PA  PB . Find the equation of the locus of P .

19. In the figure, a moving point P(x , y) maintains an equal distance from N(0 , 8) and the line y = 3.
Find the equation of the locus of P.
y

N(0 , 8) P(x , y)

y=3
x
O

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.12

 20. A(3 , 9) is a point in a rectangular coordinate plane. A moving point P(x , y) maintains a
fixed distance from A. The fixed distance is equal to the distance between A and the y-axis.
(a) Find the equation of the locus of P.
(b) A moving point Q(x , y) maintains a fixed distance from A. The fixed distance is larger
than the distance between P and A by 2. Find the equation of the locus of Q.

21. L: 3x + 2y  6 = 0 is a straight line in a rectangular coordinate plane. P is a moving point such that
it maintains a fixed distance from L and P lies above L. Denote the locus of P by .
(a) Describe the geometric relationship between L and .
(b) If  passes through (2 , 1), find the equation of .

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.13

22. In the figure, L: y = 10 is a straight line in a rectangular coordinate plane. y
(a) A moving point P(x , y) maintains an equal distance from L L: y = 10
and the x-axis. Find the equation of the locus of P.
(b) A moving point Q(x , y) maintains an equal distance from B(2 , 0) B(2 , 0)
x
and L. Find the equation of the locus of Q. O

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.14

Public Exam Questions
23. [HKDSE 2013 Q.24] The coordinates of the points A and B are (2 , 5) and (4 , –1)
respectively. Let P be a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that AP = BP.
Find the equation of the locus of P.

A. x – 3y + 3 = 0
B. x – 3y – 7 = 0
C. x – 3y + 13 = 0
D. 3x + y – 11 = 0

24. [HKDSE 2017 Q.27] It is given that A and B are two distinct points lying on the circle
x2 + y2 – 6x – 4y – 87 = 0. Let P be a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such
that AP = BP. The equation of the locus of P is x + 2y + k = 0, where k is a constant. Find k.

A. –8
B. –7
C. 7
D. 8

25. [HKDSE 2018 Q.25] The equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are 3x – y + 7 = 0 and
12x – 4y – 11 = 0 respectively. Let P be a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane
such that the perpendicular distance from P to L1 is equal to the perpendicular distance from P
to L2. Find the equation of the locus of P.

A. 8x – 24y – 17 = 0
B. 8x – 24y + 17 = 0
C. 24x – 8y – 17 = 0
D. 24x – 8y + 17 = 0

26. [HKDSE 2021 Q.25] The coordinates of the points M and N are (5 , 7) and (6 , 8)
respectively. Let P be a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that PM = MN.
Find the equation of the locus of P.

A. x–y+2=0
B. x + y – 13 = 0
C. x2 + y2 – 10x – 14y + 72 = 0
D. x2 + y2 – 12x – 16y + 98 = 0

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.15

27. [HKDSE 2022 Q.26] The straight line 12x – 5y = 60 cuts the x-axis and the y-axis at the
points A and B respectively. Let P be a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such
that AP = BP. Find the equation of the locus of P.

A. 10x + 24y + 119 = 0

B. 15x + 36y + 179 = 0
C. x2 + y2 – 5x + 12y = 0
D. x2 + y2 + 12x – 133 = 0

Example 4
Two parallel lines L1 and L2 intersect the y-axis at A(0 , –4) and B(0 , 2) respectively. L1 passes
through C(3 , 2). P is a moving point in a rectangular coordinate plane such that it maintains an
equal distance from L1 and L2 . Denote the locus of P by Γ .
(a) Describe the geometric relationship between the locus of Γ and L1 .
(b) Find the coordinates of the mid-point of AB .
(c) Find the equation of Γ .

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.16

Revision
28. L1 : 3x  y  11  0 and L2 : x  3 y  3  0 are two perpendicular lines in a rectangular
coordinate plane. L1 intersects L2 and the y-axis at A and B respectively. P is a moving
point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that PA  PB .
(a) Describe the geometric relationship between the locus of P and L2 .
(b) Find the equation of the locus of P .

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.17

29. L : y   x  4 and  : y  x  4 intersects the y-axis at A. L and  intersects the x-axis at B
and C respectively.
(a) Find the coordinates of A.
(b) P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that the area of PBC is equal
to that of ABC .
(i) Find the equations of the locus of P.
(ii) Q is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that it maintains a fixed
distance of 5 from the x-axis. Which of the areas of QBC and PBC is larger?
Explain your answer.

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.18

Public Exam Questions
30. [HKDSE 2012 Q.14] The y-intercepts of two parallel lines L and  are –1 and –3
respectively and the x-intercept of L is 3. P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate
plane such that the perpendicular distance from P to L is equal to the perpendicular distance
from P to  . Denote the locus of P by .
(a) (i) Describe the geometric relationship between  and L.
(ii) Find the equation of .
(5 marks)
(b) The equation of the circle C is (x – 6)2 + y2 = 4. Denote the centre of C by Q.
(i) Does  pass through Q? Explain your answer.
(ii) If L cuts C at A and B while  cuts C at H and K, find the ratio of the area of
ΔAQH to the area of ΔBQK.
(4 marks)

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.19

31. [HKDSE 2014 Q.12] The circle C passes through the point A(6 , 11) and the centre of C is
the point G(0 , 3).
(a) Find the equation of C. (2 marks)
(b) P is a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that AP = GP. Denote the
locus of P by .
(i) Find the equation of .
(ii) Describe the geometric relationship between  and the line segment AG.
(iii) If  cuts C at Q and R, find the perimeter of the quadrilateral AQGR.
(5 marks)

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.20

32. [HKDSE 2020 Q.14] The coordinates of the points A and B are (–10 , 0) and (30 , 0)
respectively. The circle C passes through A and B. Denote the centre of C by G. It is given that
the y-coordinate of G is –15.
(a) Find the equation of C. (3 marks)
(b) The straight line L passes through B and G. Another straight line  is parallel to L. Let P
be a moving point in the rectangular coordinate plane such that the perpendicular distance
from P to L is equal to the perpendicular distance from P to  . Denote the locus of P by .
It is given that  passes through A.
(i) Describe the geometric relationship between  and L.
(ii) Find the equation of .
(iii) Suppose that  cuts C at another point H. Someone claims that GAH < 70. Do you
agree? Explain your answer.
(6 marks)

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.21

Answer:
1. 6.

The locus is a circle with centre O and

radius 3 cm.
2.
7. (a) AB = AD = 10 cm
The locus of P passes through B and D.

(b)

Locus of P : A circle with centre A and

radius 3 units.

3.

The locus is a circle with centre A and

radius 10 cm.

8. (a) E F
4. The locus is a circle with centre (3, 0) and
locus of P
radius 5 units.

5.
H G

(b) The locus is a line segment joining the

mid-points of EH and FG.

The locus is a circle with AB as the diameter.

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.22

9. A
10. D
11. A
12. D
13. A
14. B
15. (x – 2)2 + (y – 4)2 = 9 or x 2  y 2  4 x  8 y  11  0
16. 8 x  6 y  17  0
17. x 2  4 x  8 y  20  0
18. x 2  y 2  12 x  8 y  36  0
19. x 2  10 y  55  0
20. (a) (x + 3)2 + (y + 9)2 = 9 or x2 + y2 + 6x + 18y + 81 = 0
(b) (x + 3)2 + (y + 9)2 = 25 or x2 + y2 + 6x + 18y + 65 = 0
21. (a)  is parallel to L.
(b) 3x + 2y – 8 = 0
22. (a) y=5
(b) x2 + 4x + 20y – 96 = 0
23. A
24. B
25. D
26. C
27. A
28. (a) P is parallel to L2 .
(b) x  3 y  18  0
29. (a) (0 , 4)
(b) y = 4 and y = –4
(c) Area of △QBC is larger.
30. (a)(i)  is parallel to L.
(a)(ii) x – 3y – 6 = 0
(b)(i)  passes through Q
(b)(ii) 1:1
31. (a) x2 + (y – 3)2 = 100 or x2 + y2 – 6y – 91 = 0
(b)(i) 3x + 4y – 37 = 0
(b)(ii)  is the perpendicular bisector of the line segment AG.
(b)(iii) 40
32. (a) (x – 10)2 + (y + 15)2 = 625 or x2 + y2 – 20x + 30y – 300 = 0
(b)(i)  is parallel to L.
(b)(ii) 3x – 4y + 30 = 0
(b)(iii) The claim is disagreed.

S.5 Mathematics, Ch.8 Locus, LCC P.23