First slide
Definition of a circle
Question

The locus of the centre of the circle passing through the 

origin O and the points of intersection A and B of any line through 

(a, b)  and the coordinate axes is ax+by=λ,where λ

Moderate
Solution

Let the coordinates of A and B be (p, 0) and ( 0, q)

respectively.  Then, equation of AB is 

xp+yq=1

Since it passes through (a, b)

 ap+bq=1

The triangle OAB is a right-angled triangle. So, it is a diameter

 of the circle passing through OA and B. So, coordinates of the 

centre of the circle are (p/2, q/2)

Let (h, k) be the centre of the circle. Then

h=p/2, k=q/2p=2h, q=2k

Substituting values of pq in (i), we get: 

a2h+b2k=1

Hence, the locus of (h, k) is a2x+b2y=1 or ax+by=2 

 

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