Find the equation of set of points P\mathrm{P} such that PA2+PB2=2k2\mathrm{PA}^{2}+\mathrm{PB}^{2}=2 k^{2}, where A\mathrm{A} and B\mathrm{B} are the points (3,4,5)(3{,}4{,}5) and (−1,3,−7)(-1{,}3,-7), respectively.

Answer: x2−2x+y2−7y+z2+2z+1092−k2=0x^{2}-2x + y^{2}-7y + z^{2}+2z + \frac{109}{2} - k^{2} = 0

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Define coordinates of points

We start by defining the coordinates of the unknown point PP as (x,y,z)(x, y, z) and the given points AA and BB with their respective coordinates.

Step 2: Calculate squared distances PA² and PB²

Using the distance formula, the square of the distance between two points (x1,y1,z1)(x_1, y_1, z_1) and (x2,y2,z2)(x_2, y_2, z_2) is (x2−x1)2+(y2−y1)2+(z2−z1)2(x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2 + (z_2-z_1)^2. We apply this formula to find PA2\mathrm{PA}^2 and PB2\mathrm{PB}^2.

Step 3: Substitute into the given equation

Now, we substitute the expressions for PA2\mathrm{PA}^2 and PB2\mathrm{PB}^2 into the given equation PA2+PB2=2k2\mathrm{PA}^{2}+\mathrm{PB}^{2}=2 k^{2}.

Step 4: Expand and simplify the equation

We expand all the squared terms and then combine like terms (x2x^2, xx, y2y^2, yy, z2z^2, zz, and constant terms) to simplify the equation.

Step 5: Divide by 2 and rearrange

To further simplify, we divide the entire equation by 2. Then, we move the k2k^2 term to the left side to express the equation in a standard form.

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