Multivariable Calculus, 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 0-53849-787-4
ISBN 13: 978-0-53849-787-9

Chapter 12 - Vectors and the Geometry of Space - 12.6 Exercises - Page 857: 46

Answer

$y^2+z^2=4x^2$; a circular cone.

Work Step by Step

Let us consider a point $P(x,y,z)$ and suppose $D_1$ is the distance from a point $P$ to the x-axis; that is, a distance form P to (x,0,0) Therefore, $D_1=\sqrt {(x-x)^2+(y-0)^2 +(z-0)^2 }=\sqrt {y^2+z^2}$ Suppose $D_2$ is the distance from a point $P$ to the yz-palne; that is, a distance form P to (0,y, z) Therefore, $D_1=\sqrt {(x-0)^2+(y-y)^2 +(z-z)^2 }=\sqrt {x^2}=|x|$ But $D_1=2 D_2$ so, $\sqrt {y^2+z^2}=2 |x|$ or, $y^2+z^2=4x^2$ When we set $x=k$, the traces parallel to the yz-plane that are circles with radius $2k$. This means that $y^2+z^2=4k^2$ which is an equation of a circular cone.
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