MathLabs

Problem 4

Given a plane π\pi, a point PP in π\pi and a point QQ not in π\pi, find all points RR in π\pi such that the ratio QP+PRQR\dfrac{QP+PR}{QR} is a maximum.
Step 5 of 5: State all maximizing points
P≠X: ∠RQS=90∘;P=X: PR=PQP\ne X:\ \angle RQS=90^\circ;\qquad P=X:\ PR=PQ
Detailed analysis

If P≠XP\ne X, there is exactly one point RR on the ray PXPX satisfying the right-angle condition. If P=XP=X, write h=PQh=PQ; then the ratio is h+PRh2+PR2\frac{h+PR}{\sqrt{h^2+PR^2}}, whose maximum occurs exactly when PR=hPR=h. Thus every point of the circle in π\pi centered at PP with radius PQPQ is maximizing.