Complex Analysis: Theory and Applications · Problem 1.3.25

Complex Numbers — Howell & Matthews

Mathematics — Complex Analysis · ellipse-complex-plane

Problem

Let z1z_1 and z2z_2 be two distinct points in the complex plane, and let KK be a positive real constant that is greater than the distance between z1z_1 and z2z_2. (a) Show that the set of points {z:∣z−z1∣+∣z−z2∣=K}\{z : |z - z_1| + |z - z_2| = K\} is an ellipse with foci z1z_1 and z2z_2. (b) Find the equation of the ellipse with foci ±3i\pm 3i that goes through the point 8−3i8 - 3i. (c) Find the equation of the ellipse with foci ±2i\pm 2i that goes through the point 3+2i3 + 2i.

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