Let any point on the locus be P (x,y) so that your locus is all of these points.
Let your points (0,-1) be A and (0,9) be B
So the condition for your locus is PA + PB = 5
PA = rt[ (x - 0)² + (y- (-1))²] (distance formula)
= rt[x² + (y+1)²]
PB = rt[ (x - 0)² + (y - 9)²]
Sub these into PA + PB = 5
rt[x² + (y + 1)²] + rt[ (x - 0)² + (y - 9)²] = 5
You want to get rid of the roots, so you have to get rid of the square roots
rt[x² + (y + 1)²] = 5 - rt[ (x - 0)² + (y - 9)²]
x² + (y + 1)² = 25 - 2rt[ x² + (y - 9)²] + x² + (y - 9)²
0 + y² + 2y + 1 = 25 - 2rt[ x² + (y - 9)²] + y² - 18y + 81
20y + 1 - 25 - 81 = -2rt[ x² + (y - 9)²]
20y - 105 = -2rt[ x² + (y - 9)²]
(20y - 105)² = 4( x² + (y - 9)²)
400y² - 4200y + 11025 = 4x² + 4y² - 72y + 324
396y² - 4128y + 10701 = 4x²
Hmm I think I got something wrong above, cause this answer looks disgusting
Hope this helps