Complex locus of a circle

Yue Kwok Choy

(1) It is easy to show that |z – z1| = a , where z1 , a form a circle with centre P1(z1) and
radius a , using an Argand Diagram.

(2) By putting z = x + yi and z1 = x1 + y1i , we can transform the equation to well known Cartesian
form : (x – x1)2 + (y – y1)2 = a2 . The equation, in fact, is a circle with centre (x1, y1) and radius
a in the rectangular plane.

(3) Squaring the equation of circle in (1), we get

|z – z1|2 = a2  z  z1 z  z1   a 2  z  z1 z  z1   a 2  zz  z1 z  z1z  z1 z1  a 2

We get another form of circle: z z  z1 z  z1 z  c  0 , a , c .

a 2  z1  c  0
2
Here in order not to get an imaginary or degenerate circle .

(4) Putting z = x + yi, z1 = x1 + y1i in (3) gives back the Cartesian form of the circle.

(5) Putting z = r(cos  + i sin ) , z1 = (cos  + i sin ) , ( ,  are constants) in (3) :

z z  z1 z  z1z  c  0  r 2  rcos    i sin     rcos     i sin      c  0

we get the polar form of a circle :

r 2  r cos     c  0 , with centre = (, ) and radius = 2  c .

P(z)
z  z1
(6) arg  , 0<< gives an arc and not a circle.
z  z2
Arg(z-z1)
As in the figure, the locus gives an arc of the circle standing
P1(z1)
on the chord with end points z1 and z2 such that
P1PP2 =  is subtended by the chord at points on the arc, Arg(z-z2)
using the s in the same segment theorem.
P2(z2)

(7) Putting z = x + yi , z1 = x1 + y1i , z2 = x2 + y2i in (6), we have :

arg
x  x1   y  y1 i    argx  x 1   y  y1 i  argx  x 2   y  y 2 i  
x  x 2   y  y 2 i

1
  y  y1  1  y  y 2 
**  1  y  y1  1  y  y 2 

 tan 1    tan    tan tan    tan     tan 
 x  x1  x  x2    x  x1   x  x 2 

y  y1 y  y 2

x  x1 x  x 2
  tan 
y  y1 y  y 2
1
x  x1 x  x 2
 x  x 2 y  y1   x  x 1 y  y 2   tan  x  x 1 x  x 2   y  y1 y  y 2 

(8) The last equation in (7) is a homogenous equation of degree 2 , also

(a) coeff. of x2 –term = coeff. of y2 term and
(b) there is no xy-term,
It therefore gives a complete circle and not an arc.
**
The "problematic" step in (7) marked by "  " changes the arc into a circle .

(9) The locus of P in (7) represents :

(a) when  = 0 , the whole line P1P2 with the line segment P1P2 removed.
(b) when  =  , the line segment P1P2 .
(c) when 0 <  < , an arc of a circle, terminating at P1 and P2 (and excluding these points)
(d) when  = /2 , a semicircle and the supplementary semicircle is given by  = 3/2 .

z  z1
(10) arg   or + , 0<< gives a complete circle with P1 and P2 removed.
z  z2
You may investigate the following loci :
z  z1
(a) arg   or  –  , 0 <  <  .
z  z2
z  z1
(b) arg   , 0<<.
z  z2

z  z1
(11) k where z1 , z2  , k > 0 , k  1 gives a circle (excluding points P1(z1), P2(z2) )
z  z2
Note : When k = 1, the locus is the perpendicular bisector of the line joining P1(z1) and P2(z2) .

Proof :

z  z1  k 2 z  z 2
2 2
  
 z  z1 z  z1   k 2 z  z 2 z  z 2   z  z1  z  z1  k 2 z  z 2  z  z 2 

 z z  z1z  z1 z  z1  k 2 z z  z 2 z  z 2 z  z 2
2 2

     
 1  k 2 z z  z1  k 2 z 2 z  z1  k 2 z 2 z  z1  k 2 z 2  0
2 2

2
  z  k 2 z 2   z1  k 2 z 2  z1  k 2 z 2
2 2

 z z   1  z
    
 z  0
 1 k   1 k  1 k2
2 2

z1  k 2 z 2
2 2
 z1  k 2 z 2   z1  k 2 z 2 
 z z   z   z  0
 1 k   1 k  1 k2
2 2

z1  k 2 z 2
Comparing this with that given in (3), we get a circle with centre and radius a, where
1  k2
2
z1  k 2 z 2
2 2
z  k 2z2 z1  z 2
a  1
2
 ak on simplification (exercise)
1 k2 1 k2 1 k2

z  z1
(12)  k  z  z1  k z  z 2 and if we take P(z) a variable point and P1(z1) and P2(z2) ,
z  z2

we have P1P = k P2P . This then reduces to a well-known geometry problem :

The Circle of Apollonius: Given two fixed points P1 and P2, the locus of point P such that the ratio
of P1P to P2P is constant , k, is a circle.

The Circle of Apollonius is not discussed here. Interested readers may consult web-sites such as:
http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt725/Apollonius/Cir.html

If we know that the locus is a circle, then finding the centre and radius is easier.
As in the diagram, C is the centre and AB is the diameter of the circle.

Then A and B divide P1P2 internally and externally : P(z)

P1 A : AP2 = k : 1
P1 B : BP2 = –k : 1 |z-z1| B

|z-z2| C
 By section formula:
P2(z2)
z1  kz 2 A
A represents
1 k P1(z1)
z1  kz 2
B represents
1 k
1  z1  kz 2 z1  kz 2  z1  k 2 z 2
 The centre of the circle represents   
2  1 k 1 k  1 k2

z1  kz 2 z1  k 2 z 2 z z
and the radius = CA    k 1 22 .
1 k 1 k 2
1 k