Practice30Create account

A and B are two fixed points. A point P moves in the plane so that angle APB is always a right angle. Which statement about the path of P is TRUE?

Competition practiceGeometry
  • AThe path is the perpendicular bisector of AB
  • BThe path is a circle of radius AB centred at the midpoint of AB
  • CThe path is the circle having AB as a diameter, with the points A and B themselves left out
  • DThe path is the pair of lines drawn perpendicular to AB at A and at B

Step-by-Step Solution

The angle in a semicircle is a right angle, so every point of the circle on AB as diameter (other than A and B) sees AB at 90°. Conversely, if angle APB = 90° then P is at distance AB/2 from the midpoint of AB, because the median to the hypotenuse of a right triangle is half the hypotenuse — so P lies on that circle. A and B are excluded since no angle is formed there. Note the radius is AB/2, not AB.
Answer: C) The path is the circle having AB as a diameter, with the points A and B themselves left out

Master this topic in 30 minutes a day.

Don't just memorise the answer — build a daily practice habit.

Practice 5 Similar Questions Free →

All Geometry practice questions

More Geometry practice

Which point on the y-axis is equidistant from the points (6, 5) and (−4, 3)?A trapezium is defined as a quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides.…In triangle ABC, the point D lies on AB and the point E lies on AC, with DE parallel to…In triangle ABC, AB = AC and the angle at A measures 40°. A point D is taken on side AC…A right-angled triangle has two equal legs and its hypotenuse measures 10 cm. What is…