The locus of a point $P(x, y)$ satisfying the equation $\sqrt{(x-2)^2+y^2}+\sqrt{(x+2)^2+y^2}=4$, is

The locus of a point $P(x, y)$ satisfying the equation $\sqrt{(x-2)^2+y^2}+\sqrt{(x+2)^2+y^2}=4$, is
  1. an ellipse
  2. a parabola
  3. a line segment
  4. a circle

Solution

Given, equation $ \sqrt{(x-2)^2+y^2}+\sqrt{(x+2)^2+y^2}=4 $ $\Rightarrow$ Sum of distance of a point $P(x, y)$ w.r.t. points $A(2,0)$ and $B(-2,0)=$ Distance between points $A(2,0)$ and $B((-2,0)$ $ \Rightarrow \quad A P+B P=A B $ $\therefore$ Locus of point $P(x, y)$ is a line segment. Hence, option (c) is correct

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2019 (20 Apr Shift 2)

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