Points A,B and C are given in the coordinate plane. There exists a point Q and a constant k such that for any point P , PA2+PB2+PC2=3PQ2+k.
If A=(4,−4) ,B=(3,5)and $C=(−1,2)$, then find the constant K.
This is hard but please give me an answer ASAP thanks!!
By the distance formula,
PA2=(x−4)2+(y+4)2, PB2=(x−3)2+(y−5)2, PC2=(x+1)2+(y−2)2.
Hence, the given equation becomes (x−4)2+(y+4)2+(x−3)2+(y−5)2+(x+1)2+(y−2)2=3((x−Q)2+(y−Q)2)+k ⇒3x2+3y2−14x−14y+12=3x2−6Qx+3Q2+3y2−6Qy+3Q2+k ⇒−14x−14y=−6Qx−6Qy+k−12 ⇒7x+7y=3Q(x+y)+k−127.
Since this equation holds for all points P, the coefficients of x and y must be zero.
Hence, Q=−7/3 and k−12=0, so k = 12.