P(x, y)

Locus of a Point

Learn what a locus is, see how it’s defined, then watch the equation of the circle get derived — one step at a time.

What is the Locus of a Point?

The locus of a point P that lies at an equal distance from a fixed point C is a circle.

The fixed point is the center of the circle, and the equal distance is its radius.

C(h, k) P(x, y)

Derivation of Equation of Locus

Step 1 of 4
Example 1 of 2

Solve It