CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Chapter 1: Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane

At the end of the chapter, student should be able to:

1.1 Introduction
B (x2, y2)

A (x1, y1)

Coordinates are a means of describing a position relative to the origin.

The point with coordinates (3, 2) means

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

1.1.1 Distance between 2 points

A (x1, y1)

Distance of the point A from the origin

B (x2, y2)

A (x1, y1)

Distance of the point A from the origin

Distance AB = x2  x1 2   y 2  y1 2

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.3.1
Write down the equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line joining the points (2, -3)
and (-½, 3½).

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.3.2
The perpendicular bisector of the straight line joining the points (3, 2) and (5, 6) meets the
x-axis at A and the y-axis at B. Prove that the distance AB is equal to 6 5 .

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.3.3

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.3.4

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.3.5

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

1.4 Polygon
1.4.1 Area of triangle B (xb, yb)

1
Area of ∆ ABC = ( AC )( BD )
2

where AC  ( xc  x a ) 2  ( y c  y a ) 2

BD  ( x d  xb ) 2  ( y d  y b ) 2
A (xa, ya) D (xd, yd) C (xc, yc)

1.4.2 Area of quadrilateral

1 x1 x 2 x3 x1
Area of ∆ ABC =
2 y1 y 2 y 3 y1

1
 ( x1 y 2  x 2 y 3  x3 y1 )  ( x1 y 3  x3 y 2  x 2 y1 )
2

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

1.4.3 Properties of polygon

No Polygon Properties
1
Isosceles Triangle

2 Equilateral Triangle

3 Right-angled Triangle

4
Square

5
Rectangle

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

6
Rhombus

7
Parallelogram

8
Kite

9
Trapexium

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.4.1:
The straight line l1 passes through the points A and B with coordinate (0,2)
and (6,7) respectively.

(a) Find the equation of l1 :

The straight line l2 with equation x  y  8 cuts the y-axis at the point C. The lines

l1 and l2 intersect at the point D.

(b) Calculate the coordinate of the point D.
(c) Calculate the area of ∆ ACD .

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.4.2

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.4.3

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.4.4

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.4.5

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

1.5 Angle between lines

1.5.1 Relationship between gradient and tangent

B (xb, yb)

θ
A (xa, ya)

yb  y a
tan θ = m 
xb  x a

1.5.2 Angle between linear line and x-axis

y = mx + c

θ
x
Since tan θ = m
m = tan -1 θ

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.5.1
Given that the equation of the line l is x – 2y = -1, find the angle, in degrees correct to 1
decimal place, between l and the x-axis.

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

1.5.3 Acute angle between two linear lines

L1: y = m1 x + c

θ
L2: y = m2 x + k
x
Let α = angle between L1 and x-axis
β = angle between L2 and x-axis

L1: y = m1 x + c

α
β

L2: y = m2 x + k
x

Since θ = α – β and m1 = tan α, m2 = tan β

θ=α–β

θ = tan -1 m1 – tan -1 m2

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CIE A-Level Mathematics (9709) Pure Maths 1

Eg 1.5.2
The equation of the line l is x – 2y = -1 and the equation of the line m is 9x – 2y = 11.
Find the angle, in degrees correct to 1 decimal place, between l and m.

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