1.

COORDINATE GEOMETRY

The co-ordination of algebra and geometry is called co-ordinate geometry. Historically, co-ordinates
were introduced to help geometry. And so well did they do this job, that the very identity of
geometry was changed. The word ‘geometry’ today generally means coordinate geometry.
In co-ordinate geometry all the properties of geometrical figures are studied with the help of algebraic
equations. Students should note that the object of coordinate geometry is to use some known facts
about a curve in order to obtain its equation and then deduce other properties of the curve from the
equation so obtained. For this purpose we require a co-ordinate system. There are various types
of co-ordinate systems present in two dimension e.g. rectangular, oblique, polar, triangular system
etc. Here we will only discuss rectangular co-ordinate system in detail.

2. CARTESIAN CO-ORDINATES
Let XOX and YOY be two fixed straight lines at right angles. XOX is called axis of x and YOY
is called axis of y and O is named as origin.
From any point ‘P’ a line is drawn parallel to OY. The directed line OM = x and MP = y. Here OM
is abscissa and MP is ordinate of the point ‘P’. The abscissa OM and the ordinate MP together
written as (x, y) are called co-ordinates of point ‘P’. Here (x y) is an ordered pair of real numbers
x and y, which determine the position of point ‘P’.
Since XOX  YOY, this system of representation is called rectangular (or orthogonal)
co-ordinate system.
When the axes of co-ordinates XOX and YOY are not at right angles, they are said to be oblique
axes.

2.1 Remarks :
2.1.1 Y
nd st
II quadrant I quadrant

x X
O
rd th
III quadrant IV quadrant

y
2.1.2 Lattice Point (w.r.t. co-ordinate geometry) : A point whose abscissa and ordinate both are integers.

2.1.3 DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS : y Q(x2, y2)

The distance between two points P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2 ) is given by P
(x1,y1)
y2
PQ = x1  x 2 2  y1  y 2 2 y1

x1
x
O
x2
Illustration 1:
If M is the mid-point of the side BC of the triangle ABC, prove that AB2 + AC2 = 2AM2 + 2BM2.
Solution :
This is a well-known theorem in pure geometry ; we prove it by analytical methods. In fig. choose

BC to define the positive direction of the x-axis and M to be the origin. Let the abscissa of C be
a ; then, since M is the mid-point of BC, the abscissa of B is – a; thus C is (a, 0) and B is (– a, o).
Let the coordinates of A be (x, y). Then
AB2 = [x – (– a)]2 + [y – o]2 = (x + a)2 + y2 ......(i)
and AC2 = (x – a)2 + y2. ......(ii)
Add (i) and (ii) and simplify, then
AB2 + AC2 = 2x2 + 2a2 + 2y2. .....(iii)
AM2 = x2 + y2 and BM2 = a2, so that
AM2 + BM2 = x2 + a2 + y2. .....(iv)
The formulae (iii) and (iv) given the desired result, namely,
AB2 + AC2 = 2AM2 + 2BM2.

Drill Exercise - 1

1. Find the distance between the pair of points, (a sin , –b cos ) and (–a cos , b sin ).

2. Prove that the points (2a, 4a) (2a, 6a) and (2a + 3 a, 5a) are the vertices of an equilateral
triangle.

3. Which point on y-axis is equidistant from (2, 3) and (–4, 1) ?

4. Prove that (–2, 3), (8, 3) and (6, 7) are the vertices of a right angled triangle.

5. If the segments joining the points A(a, b) and B(c, d) subtends an angle  at the origin, prove that
ac  bd
cos = .
(a 2  b 2 )(c 2  d 2 )
2.2 SECTION FORMULA

2.2.1 If P(x, y) divides the line joining A(x1, y1 ) & B(x2 , y2 ) in the ratio m : n, then
mx 2  nx1
(i) Internal division: x =
mn
my 2  ny1
y=
mn
mx 2  nx1
(ii) External division: x =
mn
my 2  ny1
y=
mn

2.2.2 The coordinates of the mid-point of the line-segment joining (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are
 x1  x 2 y 1  y 2 
 , .
 2 2 
Remarks:
If the ratio, in which a given line segment is divided, is to be determined, then sometimes, for
convenience (instead of taking the ratio m : n), we take the ratio  : 1 and apply the formula for
internal division. If the value of  turns out to be positive, it is an internal division otherwise it is an
external division.

Illustration 2:
If P divides OA internally in the ratio 1 : 2 and Q divides OA externally in the ratio 1 : 2 then
prove that OA is the harmonic mean of OP and OQ
Solution :

1 1   2
=  .OA ,
OP 1

1 1   2
=  .OA
OQ 1

1 1 2
+ = i.e. OP, OA and OQ are in H. P. (Harmonic Progression)
OP OQ OA
Remarks:
Points P and Q are said to be harmonic conjugate of each other w.r.t. OA. Incentre and Excentre
of a triangle are harmonic conjugate of each other w.r.t. to the angle bisector on which they lie.

Drill Exercise - 2

1. Find the ratio in which the line segment joining (2, –3) and (5, 6) is divided by (i) x-axis (ii) y-axis.

2. If three vertices of a parallelogram are (a + b, a – b), (2a + b, 2a–b), (a – b, a + b), then find the
fourth vertex.
3. Find the coordinates of points on the line joining the points P(3, –4) and Q(–2, 5) that is twice as
far from P as from Q.
4. Determine the ratio in which the line 3x + y – 9 = 0 divides the segment joining the points
(1, 3) and (2, 7).
5. If the coordinates of mid-points of the sides of a triangle are (1, 2) (0, –1) and (2, –1). Find the
coordinates of its vertices.

2.3 CENTRES CONNECTED WITH A TRIANGLE :

(w.r.t. ABC, where A  (x1, y1), B  (x2, y2), C  (x3, y3), BC = a, CA = b & AB = c).
2.3.1 Centroid : The point of concurrency of the medians of a triangle is called the centroid of the
triangle. The centroid of a triangle divides each median in the ratio 2 : 1. The coordinates of
centroid are given by

 x1  x 2  x 3 y1  y 2  y 3 
G  , .
 3 3 

2.3.2 Orthocentre : The point of concurrency of the altitudes of a triangle is called the orthocentre of
the triangle. The co-ordinates of the orthocentre are given by
 x 1 tanA  x 2 tanB  x 3 tanC y1 tanA  y 2 tanB  y 3 tanC 
H  , .
 tanA  tanB  tanC tanA  tanB  tanC 
The triangle formed by joining the feet of altitudes in a  is called the orthic triangle. Here DEF
is the orthic triangle of ABC.

2.3.3 Incentre : The point of concurrency of the internal bisectors of the angles of a triangle is called the
incentre of the triangle. The coordinates of the incentre are given by
 ax 1  bx 2  cx 3 ay1  by 2  cy 3 
I  , .
 abc abc 
2.3.4 Excentre : Co-ordinate of excentre opposit e to A is given by
  ax1  bx 2  cx 3  ay1  by 2  cy 3 
I1   ,  and similarly for excentres (I2 & I3) opposite to
 abc abc 

 ax1  bx 2  cx 3 ay1  by 2  cy 3 
B and C are given by I2   , 
 abc a bc 
A
c
b
B L
C

I1

BL c AI bc
 , also 1  
LC b I1L a
 ax1  bx 2  cx 3 ay1  by 2  cy 3 
I3   , 
 abc a bc 

2.3.5 Circumcentre : The point of concurrency of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle
is called circumcentre of the triangle. The coordinates of the circumcentre are given by
 x1sin2A  x 2 sin2B  x 3sin2C y1sin2A  y 2 sin2B  y 3sin2C 
O  , .
 sin2A  sin2B  sin2C sin2A  sin2B  sin2C 
 Students are advised to derive the result in all above cases namely centroid, orthocentre,
incentre, excentre, circumcentre. Rather than the end result, process is more important.
For this very purpose, self explained diagrams have been given.

Remarks :
1. Circumcentre O, Centroid G and Orthocentre H of a ABC are collinear. G Divides OH in the
ratio 1 : 2, i.e. OG : GH = 1 : 2
2. In an isosceles triangle centroid, orthocenter, incentre and circumcentre lie on the same line and in
an equilateral triangle all these four points coincide.

Drill Exercise - 3

1. Find the orthocentre of the triangle formed by the lines xy = 0 and x + y = 1.

 4
2. In a triangle ABC with vertices A(1, 2), B(2, 3) and C(3, 1) and A = cos–1   ,
5
 1 
B = C = cos–1   then find the circumcentre of the triangle ABC.
 10 

3. If G be the centroid and I be the incentre of the triangle with vertices A(–36, 7), B(20, 7) and
25
C(0, –8) and GI =  then find the value of .
3 205
4. If the co-ordinates of the mid points of the sides of a triangle are (1, 1), (2, –3) and (3, 4) then find
the excentre opposite to the vertex A.

5. The vertices of a triangle are A(x1, x1 tan1), B(x2, x2 tan 2) and C(x3, x3 tan 3). If the circumcentre
of ABC coincides with the origin and H ( x, y) is the orthocentre, show that

y  sin 1  sin  2  sin 3 

= .
x  cos 1  cos 2  cos 3 

2.4 AREA OF A TRIANGLE :

Let (x1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) respectively be the coordinates of the vertices A, B, C of a triangle
ABC. Then the area of triangle ABC, is
1
[x (y – y )+ x2 (y3 – y1) + x3 (y1 – y2)] .......(1)
2 1 2 3

x1 y1 1
1 x2 y2 1
= .......(2)
2 x y3 1
3

While using formula (1) or (2), order of the points (x1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) has not been taken
 into account. If we plot the points A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3), then the area of the triangle as
obtained by using formula (1) or (2) will be positive or negative as the point A, B, C are in anti-
clockwise or clockwise directions,

So, while finding the area of triangle ABC, we take modulus.

Remarks :
In case of polygon with vertices (x1, y1), (x2, y2), ....... (xn, yn) in order, then area of polygon is
1
given by |(x1y2 – y1x2) + (x2y3 – y2x3) + .....+ (xn – 1yn – yn – 1xn) ) + (xny1 – ynx1)|
2

Drill Exercise - 4

1. The vertices of ABC are (–2, 1), (5, 4) and (2, –3) respectively. Find the area of the triangle and
the length of the altitude through A.

1 1
2. Prove that the points (a, 0), (0, b) and (1, 1) are collinear if + = 1.
a b

3. The four vertices of a quadrilateral are (1, 2), (–5, 6), (7, –4) and (k, –2) taken in order. If the area
of the quadrilateral is zero, find the value of k.

4. If the coordinates of the two points A and B are (3, 4) and (5, –2) respectively. Find the coordinates
of any point P if PA = PB and Area of PAB = 10.

5. The coordinates of A, B, C are (6, 3), (–3, 5) and (4, –2) respectively and P is any point (x, y).
xy2
Show that the ratio of the areas of triangles PBC and ABC is .
7

3. LOCUS
When a point moves in a plane under certain geometrical conditions, the point traces out a path.
This path of the moving point is called its locus.

3.1 Equation of locus

The equation to a locus is the relation which exists between the coordinates of any point on the
path, and which holds for no other point except those lying on the path. In other words equation to
a curve (or locus) is merely the equation connecting the x and the y coordinates of every point on
the curve.
Procedure for finding the equation of the locus of a point :
 (i) If we are finding the equation of the locus of a point P, assign coordinates (h, k) or (x1, y1)
to P.

(ii) Express the given conditions in terms of the known quantities to facilitate calculations. We
sometimes include some unknown quantities known as parameters.

(iii) Eliminate the parameter. So that the eliminant contains only h, k and known quantities. If h
and k coordinates of the moving point are obtained in terms of a third variable ‘t’ called the
parameter, eliminate ‘t’ to obtain the relation in h and k and simplify this relation.

(iv) Replace h by x, and k by y, in the eliminant. The resulting equation would be the equation
of the locus of P.

Illustration 3:
Find the locus of a variable point which is at a distance of 2 units from the y-axis.

Solution :
If points on the locus are on the positive side of the y-axis, the abscissa of any point P (x, y) on the
locus is given, according to the condition, by x = 2, whatever the value of y may be; thus, (2, 1),
(2, – 10) and (2, 100) are points on the locus.
Similarly, if points on the locus are on the negative side of the y-axis, the abscissa of any point on
this part of the locus is given by x = – 2, whatever the value of the ordinate may be.
The complete equation of the locus is then x = ± 2.

Illustration 4:
Find the locus of a variable point whose distance from A (4, 0) is equal to its distance from B (0, 2).

Solution :
Let the coordinates of P be (x, y).
AP2 = (x – 4)2 + (y – 0)2 = x2 + y2 – 8x + 16
and BP2 = (x – 0)2 + (y – 2)2 = x2 + y2 – 4y + 4.
Since AP2 = BP2
 x2 + y2 – 8x + 16 = x2 + y2 – 4y + 4
from which 8x – 4y – 12 = 0 or, 2x – y – 3 = 0

Illustration 5:
Q is a variable point whose locus is 2x + 3y + 4 = 0; corresponding to a particular position of
Q, P is the point of section of OQ , O being the origin, such that OP : PQ = 3 : 1.
Find the locus of P ?
Solution :
Let Q be the point (X, Y) and P the point (x, y) ; the coordinates of Q satisfy the equation
 2x + 3y + 4 = 0, so that 2X + 3Y + 4 = 0.
Apply the section-formulae for OQ, O being (0, 0) ; then
0  3X 0  3Y
x= ,y=
1 3 1 3

4 4
from which X = x, Y = y .
3 3
8
Substitute these values, then the locus of P is x + 4y + 4 = 0
3
 2x + 3y + 3 = 0.

Illustration 6:
Find the locus of a variable point whose distance from (1, 0) is half its distance from the line x = 4.
Solution :
Let S be the given point, RT the line x = 4 and P (x, y) any point on the locus PQ is perpendicular
to RT.
The given condition is equivalent to : PQ2 = 4PS2. Now PQ2 = (4 – x)2 and PS2 = (x – 1)2 + y2 ;
hence (4 – x)2 = 4[(x – 1)2 + y]2 or, on simplification, 3x2 + 4y2 = 12 .

Drill Exercise - 5

1. Find the locus of a point equidistant from the point (2, 4) and the y-axis.

2. Find the locus of a point, so that the join of (–5, 1) and (3, 2) subtends a right angle at the moving
point.

3. If O is the origin and Q is a variable point on y2 = x. Find the locus of the mid-point of OQ.

4. Find the locus of the point of intersection of the lines x cos + y sin = a and x sin – y cos = b,
where is a variable.

5. AB is a variable line sliding between the coordinate axes in such a way that A lies on x-axis and B
lies on y-axis. If P is a variable point on AB such that PA = b, PB = a, AB = a + b, find the equation
of the locus of P.
4. STRAIGHT LINE
Any equation of first degree of the form ax + by + c = 0, where a, b, c are constants always
represents a straight line (at least one out of a and b is non zero)

4.1 Slope
If a straight line makes an angle ‘’in anticlockwise direction with the positive direction of x-axis,
0º   < 180º, 90º, then the slope of the line, denoted by ‘m’ is tan. i.e. m = tan.
 If A(x1, y1 ) and B(x2, y2 ), x1  x2 are any two points, then slope of the line passing through

y 2  y1
A and B is given by m = x  x .
2 1

Remark :
(i) If   900 , m does not exist and line is parallel to y - axis.
(ii) If  = 0°, m = 0 and the line is parallel to x-axis.
(iii) Let m1 and m2 be slopes of two given lines.
(a) If lines are parallel, m1 = m2 and vice versa.
(b) if lines are perpendicular, m1.m2 = -1 and vice versa.

Drill Exercise - 6

1. (a) Determine ‘x’ so that the line passing through (3, 4) and (x, 5) makes 135º angle with the
positive direction of x-axis.

(b) If the line passing through the points (2, –5), (–5, –5) then prove that line will be parallel to
x-axis and if the line passing through the points (6, 3), (6, –3) then prove that line will be
perpendicular to the x-axis.

2. If is the angle of inclination of the line joining the points (7, –2) and (3, 1), then find the value of
sin  and cos .

3. Using the method of slope, show that the following points are collinear
(i) A(4, 8), B(5, 12), C(9, 28) (ii) A(16, –18), B (3, –6), C(–10, 6)

4. Without using pythagoras theorem, show that A(4, 4), B(3, 5) and C(–1, –1) are the vertices of a
right angled triangle.

5. A quadrilateral has the vertices at the points (–4, 2), (2, 6), (8, 5) and (9, –7). Show that the
mid-points of the sides of this quadrilateral are the vertices of a parallelogram.

4.2 POSITION OF A GIVEN POINT RELATIVE TO A GIVEN LINE :

The fig. Shows a point P(x1, y1) lying above a given line. If an ordinate is dropped from P to meet the
line L at N, then the x coordinate of N will be x1.
Putting x = x1 in the equation ax + by + c = 0 gives
(ax1  c)
y coordinate of N = –
b
If P(x1, y1) lies above the line, then we have
(ax1  c) (ax1  c)
y1 > – i.e. y1 + >0
b b
 (ax1  by1  c)
i.e. >0
b
L ( x 1 , y1 )
i.e. > 0 .......(1)
b
Hence, if P(x1, y1) satisfies equation (1), it would mean that P lies above the line ax + by + c = 0, and if
L ( x 1 , y1 )
< 0, it would mean that P lies below the line ax + by + c = 0.
b
Remark :
If (ax1 + by1 + c) and (ax2 + by2 + c) have same signs, it implies that (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) both lie on
the same side of the line ax + by + c = 0. If the quantities ax1 + by1 + c and ax2 + by2 + c have
opposite signs, then they lie on the opposite sides of the line.

Drill Exercise - 7

1. Are the points (3, –4) and (2, 6) on the same or opposite sides of the line 3x – 4y = 8 ?
2. Which one of the points (1, 1), (–1, 2) and (2, 3) lies on the side of the line 4x + 3y – 5 = 0 on
which the origin lies.
3. If the points (4, 7) and (cos , sin ), where 0 <  < , lie on the same side of the line x + y – 1 = 0,
then prove that  lies in the first quadrant.
4. Find the values of so that the point (0, ) lies on or inside the triangle having the sides
3x + y + 2 = 0, 2x – 3y +5 = 0 and x + 4y – 14 = 0.
5. Find the values of ‘’ so that the points P() lies inside or on the triangle formed by the lines
x – 5y + 6 = 0, x – 3y + 2 = 0 and x – 2y – 3 = 0.

4.3 INTERCEPT OF A STRAIGHT LINE ON THE AXIS :

If a line AB cuts the x-axis and y-axis at A and B
respectively and O be the origin then OA and OB
with proper sign are called the intercepts of the
line AB on x and y axes respectively.

4.4 STANDARD EQUATIONS OF STRAIGHT LINES :

4.4.1 Slope-intercept form :
y = mx + c,
where m = slope of the line = tan
c = y intercept
4.4.2 Intercept form : y
x/a + y/b = 1 x y
(0, b)  1
a b
x intercept = a, length of x intercept = |a|
x
y intercept = b, length of y intercept = |b| (0, 0) (a, 0)
4.4.3 Normal form :
x cos + y sin = p, where , is the angle which the perpendicular to the line makes with the axis
of x and p is the length of the perpendicular from the origin to the line. 0   < 2 and p is always
positive.

(0,0)

X
p+
ve
L

Y
4.4.4 Slope point form :
Equation : y – y1 = m(x – x1), where
(a) One point on the straight line is (x1, y1) and
(b) The direction of the straight line i.e., the slope of the line = m

4.4.5 Two point form :

y 2  y1
Equation : y – y1 = x  x (x – x1), where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are the two given points. Here
2 1
y 2  y1
m= x x .
2 1

Illustration 7:
Reduce the line 2x – 3y + 5 = 0, in slope- intercept, intercept and normal forms.
Solution :
Slop-intercept from :

2x 5 5
y=– + , tan  = m = 2/3, c =
3 3 3
Intercept form :
x y 5 5
+ 5 = 1, a = – , b=
 5 2 3
   
 2 3

2x 3y 5
Normal form : – + =
13 13 13
3 2 5
sin = , cos = ,p=
13 13 13

Drill Exercise - 8
1. The length of the perpendicular from the origin to a line is 7 and the line makes an angle of 150º
with the positive direction of y-axis. Find the equation of the line.
2. Find the equation of the perpendicular to the line segment joining (4, 3) and (–1, 1) if it cuts off an
intercept –3 from y-axis.

3. Find the equations of the medians of the triangle ABC whose vertices are A(2, 5), B(–4, 9) and
C(–2, –1).

4. Find the equation of a line which passes through the point (22, –6) and is such that the intercept on
x-axis exceeds the intercept on y-axis by 5.

5. Reduce the equation 3x  y  2  0 to

(i) slope intercept form and find slope and y-intercept
(ii) intercept form and find intercept on the axes
(iii) the normal form and find p and  (angle).

4.5 PARAMETRIC EQUATIONS OF A STRAIGHT LINE : In figure given below let BAP be a
straight line through a given point A (x1, y1), the angle of slope being . The positive direction of the
line is in the sense BAP. (Direction of increasing ordinate is called the positive direction of the line).
For the points P (x,y) and Q (X, Y) Shown in the figure AP is regarded as a positive vector and AQ
as a negative vector, as indicated by the arrows.
From the general definitions of cos and sin we have
x  x1 y  y1
cos = , sin =
AP AP
or x – x1 = AP cos, y – y1 = AP sin.
x  x1 y  y1
  r
cos  sin 

Drill Exercise - 9

1. A straight line is drawn through the point P(2, 3) and is inclined at an angle of 30º with the x-axis.
Find the coordinates of two points on it at a distance 4 from P on either side of P.

2. Find the distance of the point (2, 3) from the line 2x – 3y + 9 = 0 measured along a line x – y + 1 = 0.

3. Find the equation of the line which passes through P(1, –7) and meets the axes at A and B respectively
so that 4AP – 3BP = 0, where O is the origin.

4. Prove that the co-ordinate of the third vertex of an equilateral triangle whose two vertices are at (3,
1 3 7  5 3  1 3 7  5 3 
4) and (–2, 3) are  2 , 2
 or 
  2 , 2
.

   
5. Find the equation of the line passing through the point (2, 3) and making intercept of length
3 unit between the lines y + 2x = 2 and y + 2x = 5.
Illustration 8:
Find the distance between A(2, 3), on the line of gradient 3/4 and the point of intersection, P, of this
line with 5x + 7y + 40 = 0.
Solution :
Since m = 3/4, then cos = 4/5 and sin = 3/5. Any point on the line through A has, the coordinates
(2 + 4r/5, 3 + 3r/5). If this point is also the point of intersection, P, then these coordinates satisfy
the equation of the given line : hence
4 3
5(2 + r) + 7 (3 + r) + 40 = 0
5 5
21 355
or r (4 + ) + 71 = 0 or r=– .
5 41
The distance between A and P is thus 355/41 units, the vector AP being in the negative direction
of the line.
Drill Exercise - 10

1. Show that if any line through the variable point A(k + 1, 2k), meets the lines 7x + y – 16 = 0,
5x – y – 8 = 0, x – 5y + 8 = 0 at B, C, D respectively AC, AB and AD are in harmonic progression.
(The three lines lie on the same side point A)

2. A straight line through the point (–2, –3) cuts the line x + 3y = 9 and x + y + 1 = 0 at B and C
respectively. Find the equation of the line if AB.AC = 20.

3. A line which makes an acute angle  with the positive direction of x-axis is drawn through the point
P(3, 4) to cut the curve y2 = 4x at Q and R. Show that the lenghts of the segments PQ and PR are
numerical values of the roots of the equation r2 sin2  + 4r(2 sin – cos) + 4 = 0.

4. A straight line through A(–15, –10) meets the lines x – y – 1 = 0, x + 2y = 5 and x + 3y = 7

12 40 52
respectively at A, B and C. If + = , prove that the line passed through the origin.
AB AC AD

5. The base AB of a triangle ABC passes through the point (1, 5) which divides in it the ratio 2 : 1.
If the equations of the sides AC and BC are 5x – y – 4 = 0 and 3x – 4y – 4 = 0 respectively, then
find the coordinates of the vertex A.

4.6 COLLINEARITY OF THREE GIVEN POINTS :

Three given points A, B, C are collinear if any one of the following conditions is satisfied.
(i) Area of triangle ABC is zero.
(ii) Slope of AB = slope of BC = slope of AC.
(iii) AC = AB + BC.
(iv) Find the equation of line passing through 2 given points, if the third point satisfies the given
equation of the line, then three points are collinear.
4.7 LENGTH OF THE PERPENDICULAR FROM A POINT ON A LINE :

ax1  by1  c
The length of the perpendicular from P(x1, y1) on ax + by + c = 0 is .
a 2  b2

c
The length of the perpendicular from origin on ax + by + c = 0 is .
a 2  b2

4.8 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO PARALLEL LINES :

| c1  c 2 |
The distance between two parallel lines ax + by + c1 = 0 and ax + by + c2 = 0 is .
a 2  b2
Drill Exercise - 11

1. Find the distance between the line 12 x – 5y + 9 = 0 and the point (2, 1).

x y
2. If p is the length of the perpendicular from the origin to the line + = 1, then prove that
a b
1 1 1
2 = 2 + 2.
p a b
3. If p and p be the perpendicular from the origin upon the straight lines x sec  + y cosec  = a and
x cos – y sin  = a cos 2. Prove that 4p2 + p2 = a2.

4. Prove that the line 5x – 2y – 1 = 0 is mid-parallel to the lines 5x – 2y – 9 = 0 and 5x – 2y + 7 = 0.

x y x y x y
5. Prove that the parallelogram formed by the lines + = 1, + = 1, + = 2 and
a b b a a b
x y
+ = 2 is a rhombus.
b a

4.9 REFLECTION OF A POINT ABOUT A LINE :

The image of a point (x1, y1) about the line ax + by + c = 0 is
x  x1 y  y1 ax  by  c
= = – 2 1 2 12
a b a b
and the foot of perpendicular from a point (x1, y1) on the line ax + by + c = 0 is
x  x1 y  y1 ax  by  c
= = – 1 2 12 .
a b a b

Illustration 9:
Find the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point (2, 3) to the line 3x – 4y + 5 = 0. Also, find the
image of (2, 3) in the given line.
Solution :
3
Let AB  3x – 4y + 5 = 0, P  (2, 3) and PM  AB. Slope of AB =
4

4
 slope of PM = = tan(say)
3

4 3
 sin = , cos =
5 5

3  2  4  3  5 6  12  5 1
Now, r = p = = =
9  16 5 5

Which is the foot of the perpendicular.

 1 1   53 71 
 M =  2  5 cos ,3  5 sin   =  , 
   25 25 

Let Q be the image of P

 2 2   56 67 
 Q =  2  cos ,3  sin   =  , 
 5 5   25 25 

Drill Exercise - 12

1. Find the perpendicular distance of the point (1, 0) from the line 3x + 2y – 1 = 0, Also find the
co-ordinate of the foot of perpendicular.
2. Find the image of the point (4, –13) in the line 5x + y + 6 = 0.
3. The point P() undergoes a reflection in the x-axis followed by a reflection in the y-axis. Show
that their combined effect is the same as the single reflection of P() in the origin when > 0.
4. The image of the point A (1, 2) by the line mirror y = x is the point B and the image of B by the line
mirror y = 0 is the point (). Find  and .
5. The point P (4, 1) undergoes the following three transformations successively
(i) reflection about the line y = x.
(ii) translation through a distance 2 units along the positive direction of x-axis.
(iii) rotation through an angle /4 about the origin in the anticlockwise direction.
Then find the coordinates of the final position.

5. FAMILY OF LINES :

(Equation of any straight line through the point of intersection of two given straight lines).
 The equation of any straight line passing through the intersection of the two lines
ax + by + c = 0, Ax + By + C = 0
has the general form ax + by + c + (Ax + By + C) = 0

In which  can have any real value ; here,  is parameter which can be evaluated specifically if
some further condition is imposed.

Hence the general equation of the family of lines through the point of intersection of two given lines
is L + L = 0 where L = 0 and L = 0 are the two given lines, and  is a parameter.

Conversely, any line of the form L1 + L2 = 0 passes through a fixed point which is the point of
intersection of the lines L1 = 0 and L2 = 0. In other words if a linear expression L contains an
unknown coefficient, then the line L = 0 can not be a fixed line. Rather it represents a family of
straight lines.

Remarks :
1. If L1 = 0 and L2 = 0 are parallel lines, they will meet at infinity.
2. The family of lines perpendicular to a given line ax + by + c = 0 is given by
bx - ay + k = 0, where k is a parameter.
3. The family of lines parallel to a given line ax + by + c = 0 is given by ax + by + k = 0, where
k is a parameter.

Illustration 10:

Find the straight line passing through the point of intersection of 2x + 3y + 5 = 0, 5x – 2y – 16 = 0 and
through the point (– 1, 3).

Solution :

The equation of any line through the point of intersection of the given lines is

2x + 3y + 5 + (5x – 2y – 16) = 0 ........(i)

But the required line passes through (– 1, 3), hence – 2 + 9 + 5 + (– 5 – 6 – 16) = 0.

4
whence  = . Insert this value of  in (i) and the required line is 9(2x + 3y + 5) + 4 (5x – 2y – 16) = 0
9

or, on simplification, 2x + y – 1 = 0.

Drill Exercise - 13
1. Find the equation of the straight line that passes through the point (3, 4) and perpendicular to the
line 3x + 2y + 5 = 0.
2. Find the equation of a straight line parallel to 2x + 3y + 11 = 0 and which is such that the sum of its
intercepts on the axes is 15.
3. Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (2, –3) and the point of
intersection of the lines x + y + 4 = 0 and 3x – y – 8 = 0.
4. Show that the straight lines gives by (2 + k) x + (1 + k) y = 5 + 7 k for different value of k pass
through a fixed point. Also, find that point.
5. Find the equation of the line passing through the point of intersection of 2x – 7y + 11 = 0 and
x + 3y – 8 = 0 and is parallel to (i) x-axis (ii) y-axis.

6. CONCURRENCY OF STRAIGHT LINES :

The condition for three lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0, a2x + b2y + c2 = 0, a3x + b3y + c3 = 0 to be
concurrent is -

a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c2
(i) = 0.
a3 b3 c3

(ii) There exist three constants  , m, n (not all zero the same time) such that
 L1 + mL2 + nL3 = 0, where L1 = 0, L2 = 0 and L3 = 0 are the three given straight lines.
(iii) The three lines are concurrent if any one of the lines passes through the point of intersection
of the other two lines.
Drill Exercise - 14
1. Prove that the lines 3x + y – 14 = 0, x – 2y = 0 and 3x – 8y + 4 = 0 are concurrent.
2. Find the value of , if the lines 3x – 4y – 13 = 0, 8x – 11 y – 33 = 0 and 2x – 3y +  = 0 are
concurrent.
3. If the lines a1x + b1y + 1 = 0, a2x + b2y + 1 = 0 and a3x + b3y + 1 = 0 are concurrent, show that
the points (a1, b1), (a2, b2) and (a3, b3) are collinear.
4. (i) If the three lines ax + a2y + 1 = 0, b + b2y + 1 = 0 and cx + c2y + 1 = 0 are concurrent, show that
at least two of three constants a, b, c are equal.
(ii) If a, b, c are in A. P., prove that the straight lines ax + 2y + 1 = 0, bx + 3y + 1 = 0 and cx + 4y +1 = 0
are concurrent.
5. Show that the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle are concurrent.

7. THE ANGLE BETWEEN TWO STRAIGHT LINES :

In fig. given below, GAH and LAM are two straight lines meeting the
Y K M
H
A
 
1 2
X
O G L

x-axis at G and L and intersecting at A. The angles of slope are 1 and 2; the corresponding
gradients are given by
 Let, m1 = tan 1 , m2 = tan2 .......(1)
 = 2 –  ........(2)
Thus, is the angle through which GA has to be rotated about G in the counter-clockwise direction
to be parallel to, and in the same sense as, LA.
tan  2  tan 1
From (2), tan = tan(2 – 1). = 1  tan  tan  ,
2 1

m 2  m1
or, by means of (1), tan = 1  m m .........(3)
1 2

This is the formula required ; from it we can calculate from the given-or deducible-values of the
gradients of the two given lines.
In numerical examples the value of the right-hand side of (3) may be positive or negative ; if the
value is positive, the angle is acute ; if the value is negative, the angle  is obtuse..
It is a convention to tell acute angle for the angle between the two lines. For this purpose
m 2  m1
tan = 1  m m , where  is the acute angle.
1 2

Remarks :
1. If the lines are parallel then 2 = 1 and, by (2),  = 0 that tan = 0; thus, from (3), m2 = m1,
which is otherwise obvious from (1).
1  m1m 2
2. If the lines are parallel then  = 90º so that cot = 0 ; from (3), cot = m  m and it
2 1

follows that, since m1 and m2 are unequal, then 1 + m1m2 = 0 or m1m2 = – 1, which is the
condition that the two lines should be perpendicular.

Illustration 11:
Find the acute angle between the lines 2x + y + 11 = 0, x – 6y + 7 = 0.
Solution :
The gradients are – 2 and 1/6 ; the angle of slope of the first line is in the second quadrant while
that of the second line is in the first quadrant ; accordingly, we write :
 2 1/ 6 13
m2 = –2, m1 = 1/6, tan = = ,
1  (2)(1 / 6) 4
And hence  is an obtuse angle, If  is the acute angle between the lines then  = 180º – , from
which tan = tan(180º – ). But tan(180º – ) = – tan  . Hence tan = –tan and, by (i),
13
tan  =   = tan–1(13/4)
4

Illustration 12:
Find the equations of the two lines, each passing through (5, 6) and each making an acute angle of
45º with the line 2x – y + 1 = 0.
Solution :
For the given line, m = 2 corresponding to an angle of slope, , which is greatest than 45º (since
tan45º = 1) and less then 90º. Clearly, there will be two lines satisfying the stated requirements :
one line (i) will have an angle of slope greater than  with M denoting the corresponding gradient so
 that M > m; the other line (ii) will have an angle of slope less than  with M denoting the corresponding
gradient so that m > M.
Mm M2
(i) Since  = 45º, tan 45º  = = ; hence 1 + 2M = M – 2, from which
1  Mn 1  2M
M = – 3. The line is then y – 6 = – 3(x – 5) or 3x + y – 21 = 0.
m  M 2  M
(ii) Similarly, tan45º  1 = = from which M = 1/3.
1  mM  1  2M
1
The line is y – 6 = (x – 5) or x – 3y + 13 = 0.
3
Drill Exercise - 15

1. Find the angles between the pairs of straight lines

(i) x – y 3 – 5 = 0 and 3 x + y – 7 = 0 (ii) y = (2 – 3 ) x + 5 and y = (2 + 3)x–7
2. Find the tangent of the angle between the lines which have intercepts 3, 4 and 1, 8 on the axes
respectively.
3. Prove that the straight lines (a + b) x + (a – b) y = 2ab, (a – b) x + (a + b) y = 2 ab and x + y =
a
0 form an isosceles triangle whose vertical angle is 2 tan–1   .
b
4. Find the equations of the straight lines passing through (3, -2) and inclined at 600 to the line
3x  y  1 .

5. If is the angle which the straight line joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) subtends at the origin,
x 2 y1  x1y 2 x1x 2  y1y 2
prove that tan = x x  y y and cos =
1 2 1 2 x12  y12 x 22  y 22

8. BISECTORS OF THE ANGLES BETWEEN TWO GIVEN LINES :

Angle bisector is the locus of a point which moves in such a way so that its distance from two
intersecting lines remains same.
The equations of the two bisectors of the angles between the lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and
a 1 x  b 1 y  c1 a 2 x  b2 y  c2
a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 are 2 2 =±
a b
1 1 a 22  b 22
 If the two given lines are not perpendicular i.e. a1 a2 + b1b2  0 and not parallel i.e. a1 b2  a2b1
then one of these equations is the equation of the bisector of the acute angle between two given
lines and the other that of the obtuse angle between two given lines.

Remarks:
Whether both given lines are perpendicular or not but the angular bisectors of these lines will
always be mutually perpendicular.

8.1 The bisectors of the acute and the obtuse angles

Take one of the lines and let its slope be m1 and take one of the bisectors and let its slope be m2.
m1  m 2
If  be the acute angle between them, then find tan  = 1  m m
1 2

If tan  > 1 then the bisector taken is the bisector of the obtuse angle and the other one will be the
bisector of the acute angle.
If 0 < tan  < 1 then the bisector taken is the bisector of the acute angle and the other one will be
the bisector of the obtuse angles.

If two lines are a1 x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0, then C

N
a 1x  b1 y  c1 a 2x  b2 y  c2
 A 
a12  b12 a 22  b 22 P(x, y)
M
B
will represent the equation of the bisector of the acute or obtuse angle between the lines according
as a1a2 + b1b2 is negative or positive.

Drill Exercise - 16

1. Find the equation of the bisector of the angles between the straight lines 3x - 4y + 7 = 0 and
12x - 5y - 8 = 0.

2. Find the equation of the obtuse angle bisector of lines 12x - 5y + 7 = 0 and 3y - 4x - 1 = 0.

3. Find the bisector of the acute angle between the lines 3x + 4y - 11 = 0 and 12 x - 5y - 2 = 0.

4. Find the equation of two straight lines which pass through the point (4, 5) and make equal angles
with two straight lines given by the equations 3x - 4y - 7 = 0 and 12 x - 5y + 6 = 0.

5. Obtain the equations of the lines passing through the intersection of lines 4x - 3y - 1 = 0 and
2x - 5y + 3 = 0 and equally inclined to the axes.
8.2 The equation of the bisector of the angle which contains a given point :
The equation of the bisector of the angle between the two lines containing the point () is
 a 1 x  b 1 y  c1 a 2 x  b2 y  c2 a 1 x  b 1 y  c1 a 2 x  b2 y  c2
2 2
= or =–
a b
1 1 a 22  b 22 a12  b12 a 22  b 22
according as a1+ b1 + c1 and a2+ b2 + c2 are of the same signs or of opposite signs.
For example the equation of the bisector of the angle containing the origin is given by
a 1 x  b 1 y  c1 a 2 x  b2 y  c2
=+ for same sign of c1 and c2 (for opposite sign take –ve sign in
a12  b12 a 22  b 22
place of +ve sign)

Remarks:
(i) If c 1c 2 (a 1a 2 + b1b2) < 0, then the origin will lie in the acute angle and if
c1c2 (a1a2 + b1b2) > 0, then origin will lie in the obtuse angle.
(ii) Equation of straight lines passing through P(x1, y1) and equally inclined with the lines
a1x + b1y + c1= 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 are those which are parallel to the bisectors
between these two lines and passing through the point P.

Illustration 13:
For the straight lines 4x + 3y – 6 = 0 and 5x + 12y + 9 = 0, find the equation of the -
(i) Bisector of the obtuse angle between them,
(ii) Bisector of the acute angle between them,
(iii) Bisector of the angle which contains origin and
(iv) Bisector of the angle which contains (1, 2).
Solution:
Equations of bisectors of the angles between the given lines are
4x  3y  6 5x  12 y  9
4x  3y  6 5x  12 y  9
2 2 =± 2 2 =± 
4 3 5  12 5 13
 52x + 39y – 78 = ± (25x + 60y + 45)
 27x – 21y – 123 = 0, 77x + 99y – 33 = 0
 9x – 7y – 41 = 0 , 7x + 9y – 3 = 0. Let the angle between the line 4x + 3y – 6 = 0 and the

4 9
 
3 7 11
bisector 9x – 7y – 41 = 0 be ‘’, then tan = 49 = >1
1   3
 3 7
Hence
(i) The bisector of the obtuse angle is 9x – 7y – 41 = 0
(ii) The bisector of the acute angle is 7x – 9y – 3 = 0
(iii) The bisector of the angle containing the origin
 4 x  3y  6 5x  12 y  9
2 = 2  7x + 9y – 3 = 0
( 4)  ( 3) 52  122
(iv) For the point (1, 2), 4x + 3y – 6 = 4 × 1 + 3 × 2 – 6 > 0
5x + 12y + 9 = 12× 2 + 9 > 0
 4x  3y  6 5x  12 y  9
Hence equation of the bisector of the angle containing the point (1, 2) is =
5 13
 9x – 7y – 41 = 0

8.3 The equation of reflected ray :

Let L1  a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 be the incident ray in the line mirror L2  a2x + b2y + c2 = 0.
Let L3 be the reflected ray from the line L2. Clearly L2 will be one of the bisectors of the angles
between L1 and L3. Since L3 passes through A, so
L3  L1 + L2 = 0
Let (h, k) be a point on L2. Then,

| a 1h  b1k  c1 | | a 1h  b1k  c1   (a 2 h  b 2 k  c 2 ) |
2 2
= .
a b
1 1 (a 1   a 2 ) 2  ( b1  b 2 ) 2
Since (h, k) lies on L2, a2h + b2k + c2 = 0

 a12 + a22 2 + 2a1a2 + b12 + b222 + 2b1b2 = a12 + b12

 2(a1a 2  b1b 2 )
  = 0 or  = a 22  b 22
But  = 0 given L3 = L1.
 2(a 1a 2  b1b 2 )
Hence L3  L1 – a 22  b 22 L2 = 0.

Remarks :
Some times the reflected ray L3 is also called the mirror image of L1 in L2.

Drill Exercise - 17

1. For the straight lines 4x + 3y – 6 = 0 and 5x + 12 y + 9 = 0 find the equation of the bisector of the
angle which contains the origin.
2. Find the coordinates of the incentre of the triangle whose sides are x + 1 = 0, 3x – 4y – 5 = 0,
5x + 12y – 27 = 0.
3. The sides of a triangle are x – y + 3 = 0, 7x – y + 3 = 0 and x + y + 1 = 0. Find the equations of
the external bisectors of the angles at B and C. Also find the coordinates of the centre of the circle
escribed to side BC.
4. A ray of light is sent along the line x - 2y - 3 = 0, upon reaching line 3 x - 2 y - 5 = 0, the ray is
reflected from it. Find the equation of the line containing the reflected ray.
5. Let a1x  b1 y  c1  0 and a2 x + b2 x + c2 = 0 be two lines with c1 and c2  0 then prove
that c1c2 (a1 a2 + b1b2 ) < 0 is necessary and sufficient for origin to lie in acute angle.
9. TRANSFORMATION OF AXIS
9.1 Changes of Axes (Shifting of Origin without Rotation of Axes) :
Let P (x, y) with respect to axes OX and OY.
Let O () with respect to axes OX and OY and let P (x, y) with respect to axes OX and
OY where OX and OX are parallel and OY and OY are parallel.

then x = x + , y = y + 
or x = x – , y = y – 
Thus if origin is shifted to point () without rotation of axes, then new equation of curve can be
obtained by putting x + in place of x and y +  in place of y.

Illustration 14 :
Shift the origin to a suitable point so that the equation y2 + 4y + 8x – 2 = 0 will not contain term in
y and the constant.
Solution :
Let the origin be shifted to the point (h, k) and let P (x, y) be any point on the curve and (x1, y1) be
the coordinates of P with respect to new axes then
x = x1 + h and y = y1 + k
Hence, new equation will be
(y1 + k)2 + 4(y1 + k) + 8 (x1 + h) – 2 = 0
y12 + (2k + 4) y1 + 8x1 + (k2 + 4k + 8h – 2) = 0
Thus new equation of the curve will be
y2 + (2k + 4) y + 8x + (k2 + 4k + 8h – 2) = 0
Since this equation is required to be free from the term containing y and the constant, we have
2k + 4 = 0 and k2 + 4k + 8h – 2 = 0
3
 k = –2 and h =
4

3 
Hence, the point to which the origin be shifted is  ,  2 
4 
 Drill Exercise - 18

1. What will be the new coordinates of the point A (1, 2) if origin is shifted to the point at (–2, 3).
2. At what point the origin be shifted, if the coordinates of a point (4, 5) become (–3, 9) ?
3. If the axes are shifted to the point (1, –2) without rotation, what do the following equations become?
(i) 2x2 + y2 – 4x + 4y = 0 (ii) y2 – 4x + 4y + 8 = 0
4. Shift the origin to a suitable point so that the equation y2 + 4y + 8x – 2 = 0 will not contain term in
y and the constant term.
5. Verify that the area of the triangle with vertices (2, 3), (5, 7) and (–3, –1) remains invariant under
the translation of the axes when the origin is shifted to the point (–1, 3)
9.2 Rotation of the axes (To change the direction of the axes of co-ordinates, without changing
the origin, both systems of co-ordinates being rectangular) :
Let OX, OY be given rectangular axes with respect to which the coordinates of a point P are
(x, y). Suppose that OU, OV are the two perpendicular lines obtained by rotating OX, OY
respectively through an angle  in the counter-clockwise sense. We take OU, OV as a new pair of
coordinate axes, with respect to which the coordinates of P are (x, y), then
x  x cos   y sin 
y  x sin   y cos 

 x  cos   sin   x 
or,  y  =  sin  cos    y  (in matrix form)
     

Illustration 15 :
If (x, y) and (X, Y) be the co-ordinate of the same point referred to two sets of rectangular axes
with the same origin and if ux + vy, where u and v are independent of x and y, becomes VX + UY,
show that u2 + v2 = U2 + V2.
Solution :
Let the axes rotate an angle , and if (x, y) be the point with respect to old axes and (X, Y) be the
coordinates with respect to new axes then
we get
x  X cos   Y sin 

 y  X sin   Y cos 
then
ux + vy = u(X cos  – Y sin ) + v(X sin  + Y cos )
= (u cos  + v sin ) X + (–u sin  + v cos ) Y
but given new cure VX + UY
then VX + UV = (u cos  + v sin ) X + (–u sin  + v cos ) Y
On comparing the coefficients of X & Y, we get
u cos  + v sin  = V . . . (1)
and –u sin  + v cos  = U . . . (2)
squaring and adding (1) and (2), we get u2 + v2 = U2 + V2
 Drill Exercise - 19
1. What will be the new coordinates of point A (1, 3) if coordinate axes is rotated by 45º in
anticlockwise direction.
2. What was the old coordinates of point A (2, 5) if coordinate axes is rotated by 30º in clockwise
direction.
3. If the axes be turned through an angle tan–1 2, what does the equation 4xy – 3x2 = a2 become ?
4. If (x, y) and (X, Y) be the coordinates of the same point referred to two sets of rectangular axes
with the same origin and if ax + by become pX + qY, where a, b are independent of x, y, prove that
a2 + b2 = p2 + q2.
5. If the axes are shifted to the point (–2, –3) and then they are rotated through an angle of 45º in
anticlockwise sense, what does the equation 2x2 + 4xy – 5y2 + 20x – 22y – 24 = 0 become ?

10. PAIR OF STRAIGHT LINES

The general equation of degree ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 represents a pair of straight
a h g
h b f 0
lines if  abc + 2fgh – af 2 – bg2 – ch2 = 0 and h2  ab.
g f c

The homogeneous second degree equation ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 represents a pair of straight lines
through the origin.
If lines through the origin whose joint equation is ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0, are y = m1x and y = m2x, then
2h a
y2 – (m1 + m2)xy + m1m2x2 = 0 and y2 + xy + x2 = 0 are identical. If  is the angle between the
b b

m1  m 2 2  4m1m 2 2 h 2  ab
two lines, then tan  = ± 
1  m1m 2 ab

The lines are perpendicular if a + b = 0 and coincident if h2 = ab.

Note :
(i) (a) h 2  ab  lines are real & distinct.
(b) h 2  ab  lines are coincident
(c) h 2  ab  lines are imaginary with real point of intersection i.e. (0, 0).
(ii) If y = m1x & y = m2x be the two equations represented by ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0, then ;
2h a
m1  m 2   & m1m 2  .
b b
(iii) The equation to the straight lines bisecting the angle between the straight lines
x 2  y 2 xy
ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 is  .
ab h
(iv) A homogeneous equation of degree n represents n straight lines (in general) passing through
origin.
 Drill Exercise –20

1. For what value of does the equation 6x2 – 42xy + 60y2 – 11x + 10y +  = 0 represent two
straight lines ?
2. Prove that the angle between the straight lines given by,
(x cos  – y sin )2 = (x2 + y2) sin2  is 2.
3. Show that the difference of the tangents of the angles which the lines,
x2 (sec2 – sin2) – 2xy tan + y2 sin2  = 0 make with x-axis is 2.
4. Find the equation of the lines bisecting the angles between the pair of lines 3x2 + xy – 2y2 = 0.
5. If the pairs of straight lines x2 – 2pxy – y2 = 0 and x2 – 2qxy – y2 = 0 be such that each pair bisects
the angle between the other pair, prove that pq = –1.

11. JOINT EQUATION OF PAIR OF LINES JOINING THE ORIGIN AND THE POINTS
OF INTERSECTION OF A LINE AND A CURVE

If the lines  x + my + n = 0, ((n  0) i.e. the line not passing through origin) cuts the curve
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 at two points A and B, then the joint equation of straight lines
passing through A and B and the origin is given by homogenizing the equation of the curve by the
equation of the line i.e.
2
x  my   x  my 
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + (2gx + 2fy)    c   0 is the equation of the lines
 n   n 
OA and OB

Drill Exercise –21

1. Find the equation of the lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the line x + y = 1 with
the curve 4x2 + 4y2 + 4x - 2y - 5 = 0, and show that they are at right angles.
2. Find the condition that the pair of straight lines joining the origin to the intersection of the line,
y = mx + c and the curve x2 + y2 = a2 may be at right angles.
3. Find the equations of the lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the curve
2x2 + 3xy - 4x + 1 = 0 and the line 3x + y = 1.
4. Show that the lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the line fx  gy   and the
curve x2 + hxy - y2 + gx + fy + c = 0 are at right angles for all   R if c = 0.
5. The line x  my  n  0 cuts the parabola y2 = 4ax at P and Q. Find the condition for OP  OQ
where O is the origin.
Illustration 16:
Prove that the straight lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the straight line
hx + ky = 2hk and the curve (x – k)2 + (y – h)2 = c2 are at right angles if h2 + k2 = c2.
Solution:
Making the equation of the curve homogeneous with the help of that of the line, we get
2
 hx  ky  2 2 2  hx  ky 
x + y – 2(kx + hy) 
2 2   ( h  k  c )  0
 2hk   2hk 
or 4h2k2x2 + 4h2k2y2 – 4hk2x (hx + ky)– 4h2ky(hx + ky)+(h2 + k2 – c2)(h2x2 + k2y2 + 2hxy) = 0
This is the equation of the pair of lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the given line
and the curve. They will be at right angles if coefficient of x2 + coefficient of y2 = 0 i.e.

(h2 + k2) (h2 + k2 – c2) = 0

 h2 + k2 = c2 (since h2 + k2  0)

Drill Exercise –22

1. Show that the straight line joining origin to the points of intersection of the curve
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx = 0 and a x 2  2hxy  by 2  2gx  0 will be at right angles if
g( a   b)  g(a  b) .
2. Prove that the angle between the lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the line

2 2 
y = 3x + 2 with the curve x2 + 2xy + 3y2 + 4x + 8y = 11 is tan 1  .

 3 

3. The circle x2 + y2 = a2 cuts off an intercept on the straight line x  my  1 , which subtends an

angle of
4        
at the origin. Show that 4 a 2  2  m 2  1  a 2  2  m 2  2 2 .
4. A pair of straight lines drawn through the origin form an isosceles triangle right angled at the origin
with the line 2x + 3y = 6. Find the equation of the pair of straight lines and the area of the triangle.

5. If the lines ax2 + 2h xy + by2 = 0 form two adjacent sides of a parallelogram and the line n  my  1
is one diagonal, prove that the equation of the other diagonal is, y(b  hm)  x(am  h) .
 ANSWER - KEY
Drill Exercise –1
 
1. 2(a 2  b 2 ) cos   4  3. (0, –1)
 

Drill Exercise –2
1. (i) 1 : 2 externally (ii) 2 : 5 externally 2. (–b, b)

3. (–7, 14) 4. 3 : 4 internally 5. (1, –4), (3, 2), (–1, 2)

Drill Exercise –3
 11  1
1. (0, 0) 2.  , 2 3.
6  25

  20 2  2 13 8 13  6 17 
4.  , 
  5 2  13  17  5 2  13  17 
 

Drill Exercise –4
40
1. area = 20 sq. unit, length of altitude = 3. k=3
58
4. (7, 2) or (1, 0)

Drill Exercise –5
2
1. y – 8y – 4x + 20 = 0 2. x2 + y2 + 2x – 3y – 13 = 0

x 2 y2
3. 2
2y = x 2 2
4. x + y = a + b 2 2
5.  1
a 2 b2
Drill Exercise –6
3 4
1. (a) x=2 2. sin = ± , cos = ±
5 5

Drill Exercise –7

5 7
1. opposite sides 2. (–1, 2) 4.   , 5. [2, 3]
3 2 
 Drill exercise –8
1. 3 x + y = 14 2. 5x + 2y + 6 = 0
3. x – 5y + 23 = 0, 7x + 4y – 8 = 0, 8x – y + 15 = 0 4. 6x + 11y – 66 = 0 x + 2y – 10 = 0
5. (i) y = – 3 x – 2, slope = – 3 y intercept = –2

x y 2
(ii) + = 1 , x intercept = , y intercept = –2
2 / 3 2 3

7 7
(iii) x cos + y sin =1 p =1, = 210º
6 6
Drill exercise –9
1. (2 ± 2 3 , 3 ± 2) 2. 4 2
3. 28x – 3y = 49 5. x – 2 = 0, 3x + 4y = 18

Drill exercise –10

 75 307 
2. x - y = 1, 3x - y + 3 = 0 5.  , 
 17 17 
Drill exercise –11
28
1.
13
Drill exercise –12
2 7 4
1. ,  ,  2. (–1, –14)
13  13 13 
 1 7 
4. 2, –1 5. (i) reflection of P is (1, 4) (iii)  , 
 2 2 
Drill exercise –13
1. 2x – 3y + 6 = 0 2. 2x + 3y – 18 = 0 3. 2x – y – 7 = 0
4. (–2, 9) 5. 13y = 27, 13x = 23

Drill exercise –14

2. = –7
Drill Exercise –15

4
1. (i) 90º (ii) 60º 2.  4. x + 2 = 0, 3 x– y = 2 + 3 3
7
Drill Exercise –16
1. 21 x + 27 y - 131 = 0, 99 x - 77 y + 51 = 0 2. 4x + 7y + 11 = 0
3. 11x + 3y - 17 = 0 4. 9x - 7y - 1 = 0, 7x + 9y - 73 = 0
5. x + y - 2 = 0 and x - y = 0

Drill Exercise –17

1 2 
1. 7x + 9y – 3 = 0 2.  , 
3 3 
3. x + 2y – 6 = 0, 2x – y + 3= 0, (2, 1) 4. 29x – 2y – 5 = 0

Drill Exercise –18

1 (3, –1) 2. (7, –4)

3 
3. (i) 2x2 + y2 = 6 (ii) y2 = 4x 4.  ,  2
4 

Drill Exercise –19

 5 5 3 
1. 2 2, 2  2.  3 ,

 2 2
 1

3. x2 – 4Y2 = a2 5. x2 – 14xy – 7y2 –12 = 0

Drill Exercise –20

1. = –10 4. x2 – 10xy – y2 = 0

Drill Exercise –21

1. 3x2 - 3y2 - 8xy = 0 2. 2c2 = a2(1 + m2)

3. x2 - y2 - 5xy = 0 5. 4a  n  0
Drill Exercise –22
4. 5y2 + 24xy – 5x2 = 0, 2.77 sq. units.