Problem 307
Find the set of points equidistant from the line…
Find the set of points equidistant from the line $\tfrac{x-1}0=\tfrac y0=\tfrac z1$ and the plane $x=0$. What is it?
Explanation of Method
Points equidistant from a line and a plane parallel to it form a parabolic cylinder.
Step 1: Distances
The line is $x=1,\ y=0$, parallel to $Oz$. Then
\[ d_1=\sqrt{(x-1)^2+y^2},\qquad d_2=|x| . \]
Step 2: Equation
\[ (x-1)^2+y^2=x^2\iff y^2=2x-1 . \]
\[y^2=2\left(x-\tfrac12\right)\]
The equation does not contain $z$, so the set is a parabolic cylinder with generators parallel to $Oz$. Each horizontal section is a parabola with focus at the trace $(1,0)$ of the line and directrix $x=0$. The vertex is at $x=\tfrac12$ and $p=1$.
$F(1,0)$
$M$
$\tfrac12$
$y^2=2x-1$
Result
\[\boxed{\,y^2=2\left(x-\tfrac12\right)\,}\]