CHAPTER 3

STRAIGHT LINES – 1
TOPICS
1. Inclination, slope of a line when inclination is given, slope of a
line through two points.
2.Equation of a line in point slope form, two point form , Slope
intercept form, intercepts form.
3. Equation of a line in normal form
4. Equation of a line in symmetric form and parametric form.
5.Reduction of a line into various forms
6.Point of intersection of two lines
7.Family of straight lines .
8. Condition for concurrency of three straight lines.
9. Angle between two lines
10. Length of perpendicular from a point to line
11. Distance between two parallel lines
12. Foot of the perpendicular from a point to a straight Line
13.Image of a line w.r.t a line
14. Concurrent lines- properties related to a triangle.
 STRAIGHT LINES

INCLINATION OF A LINE

If a line L makes an angle θ with the positive direction of the x - axis, then θ is called the
inclination of the line L.
The range of θ is 0 ≤ θ ≤ π .
If θ = 00, then the line L is parallel to the x- axis.
If θ = 900, then the line L is perpendicular to the x - axis.
Two lines have same inclination if and only if they are parallel.

Slope of a line:

If θ is the inclination of a line L then tan θ is called the slope (or gradient) of the line L.
The slope of a line L is denoted by m. m = tan θ ( θ ≠ 900)

e.g., i) If the inclination of a line is 450, then its slope is 1.

ii) If the slope of a line is 3 , than its inclination is 600.

Note 1: The slope of x - axis is 0 . (∵ θ = 0)

Note 2: The slope of a horizontal line is 0 . (∵ θ = 0)
Note 3 : The slope of y - axis is not defined .
Note 4 : The slope of a vertical line is not defined.
Note 5 : if 1. θ = 00 m = 0 .
2. 00 < θ < 900 m > 0.
3. θ = 900 m is not defined.
4. 900 < θ < 1800 m < 0.
THEOREM
y2 − y1
The slope of the line passing through the points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) is , x1 ≠ x2 .
x2 − x1
(If x1 = x2, then the line is vertical and hence its slope is not defined.)

Note: Two non vertical lines are parallel iff their slopes are equal.
Note: Two non vertical lines are perpendicular iff the product of their slopes is –1.

EQUATIONS OF A LINE

Equation of horizontal line

The equation of the horizontal line passing through the point (x1, y1) is y = y1

Note 1: The equation of x - axis is y = 0.

Note 2: The equation of any line parallel to x -axis is y = k, k is an unknown constant.

Equation of vertical line

The equation of the vertical line passing through the point (x1, y1) is x = x1.

Note 1: The equation of y - axis is x = 0.

Note 2: The equation of any line parallel to y -axis is x = k, k is an unknown constant.

POINT -SLOPE FORM

The equation of the line passing through A(x1, y1) and having slope m is y – y1 = m(x – x1).
Note: The equation of the line passing through the origin and having slope m is y = mx.
TWO POINT FORM
The equation of the line passing through A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) is
(y – y1) (x2 – x1) = (x – x1) (y2 – y1).
Note: The equation of the line passing through (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) (x1 ≠ x2) is
y2 − y1 x − x1 y − y1
y − y1 = ( x − x1 ) (or) =
x2 − x1 x2 − x1 y2 − y1

INTERCEPTS:
If a line cuts x - axis at A(a, 0) and the y - axis at B(0, b) then a is called the x - intercept and b is
called the y - intercept of the line. y
B(0,b)

O A(a,0) x
SLOPE INTERCEPT FORM
The equation of the line having slope m and y - intercept c is y = mx + c.

Note: The equation of the line having slope m and x - intercept a is y = m (x – a).

INTERCEPT FORM
x y
The equation of the line having x - intercept a( ≠ 0) and y - intercept b( ≠ 0) is + =1 .
a b
Proof:
Since the x - intercept of the line is a, the line cuts the x - axis at (a, 0) and the y - intercept of
the line is b, the line cuts the y - axis at (0, b).

b−0
Equation of the line is y – 0 = (x – a)
0−a
ay = – bx + ab ⇒ bx + ay = ab
bx ay x y
⇒ + =1⇒ + =1
ab ab a b
 EXERCISE – 3(A)

1. Find the slope of the line x + y = 0 and x – y = 0.

Sol. Given line is x + y = 0 =>y = -x which is of the form y =mx.
Therefore slope m = -1
Equation of the line is x – y = 0 => y = x.
=> slope of the line is m =1.
2. Find the equation of the line containing the points (2, -3) and (0,-3).
(y − y )
Sol. Equation of the line is (y − y1) = 1 2 (x − x1)
(x1 − x 2 )

(y + 3) =
( −3 + 3 ) (x – 2)
( 2 – 0)
2(y + 3) = 0 ⇒ y + 3 = 0
3. Find the equation of the line containing the points (1, 2) and (1, -2).
Ans; x – 1 = 0
4. Find the angle which the straight line y = 3x − 4 makes with the Y-axis.
Sol. Equation of the line is y = 3x − 4
π
Slope m = 3 = tan
6
π
Angle made with x - axis =
6
π π π
∴Angle made with y - axis = − =
2 6 3
5. Write the equation of the reflection of the line x = 1 in the Y- axis.
Sol. Equation of PQ is x = 1
Reflection about y - axis is x = - 1 i.e., x + 1 = 0

6. Find the condition for the points (a, 0), (h, k) and (0,b)where ab ≠ 0 to be collinear.
Sol. A(a, 0), B(h, k), C(0, b) are collinear.
⇒ Slope of AB = Slope of AC
k − 0 −b
⇒ = ⇒ ak = − bh + ab
h−a a
h k
⇒ bh + ak = ab ⇒ + = 1
a b
7. Write the equation of the straight lines parallel to X- axis is
i) at a distance of 3 units above the x-axis and
ii) at a distance of 4 units below the x- axis.
Sol. i)

Equation of the line which is at distance 3 units above the x- axis is y = 3

ii)

Equation of the line which is at distance 3 units below the x- axis is y = -3

8. Write the equation of the straight line parallel to Y-axis and i) at a distance of 2 units
from the Y - axis to the right of it.ii) at a distance of 5 units from the Y - axis to the
left of it.
Sol. i)

Equation of the required line is x = 2 or x – 2 = 0

ii)
 Equation of the required line is x = −5 ⇒ x + 5 = 0
II.
1. Find the slope of the straight line passing through the following points.
i) (-3, 8) (10, 5) ii) (3, 4) (7. -6) iii) (8, 1), (-1, 7) iv) (-p, q) (q. –p) (pq ≠ 0)
y1 − y2 8−5 −3
Sol. i) Slope = = =
x1 − x 2 −3 − 10 13
4 + 3 10 −5
ii) Slope = = =
3 − 7 −4 2
1 − 7 −6 −2
iii) Slope = = =−
8 +1 9 3
q+p (p + q)
iv) Slope = = = −1
− p − q − (p + q)
2. Find the value of x, if the slope of the line passing through (2, 5) and (x, 3) is 2.
Sol. Slope of the line is 2.
y −y 5−3
But slope = 1 2 ⇒ = 2 ⇒ 2 = 2(2 – x) ⇒ x=2–1=1
x1 − x 2 2−x
3. Find the value of y if the line joining the points (3, y) and (2, 7) is parallel to the line
joining the points (-1, 4) and (0, 6).
Sol. Let A (3, y), B (2, 7), P (-1, 4) and Q (0, 6) be the given points.
y−7 4 − 6 −2
Slope of AB = = y − 7 AND slope of PQ = = =2
3− 2 −1 − 0 −1

lines AB and PQ are parallel ⇒ their slopes are equal ⇒ y − 7 = 2 ⇒y = 2 + 7 = 9

4. Find the slopes of the lines i) parallel to and ii) is perpendicular to the line passing
through (6, 3) and (-4, 5).
3 − 5 −2 1
Sol. Let A(6, 3) and B(-4, 5) ⇒ Slope of AB = = =−
6 + 4 10 5
1
i)Slope of the line parallel to line AB = slope of AB = -
5
−1
ii) slope of a line perpendicular to AB = =5
slope of AB
5. Find the equation of the straight line which makes the following angles with positive
X- axis and which passes through the points given below
π π
i) and (0, 0) ii) and (1, 2) iii) 135º and (3, -2) iv) 150º and (-2, -1)
4 3
π
Sol. i) inclination θ= and point is (0,0).
4
Slope of the line m= tan 45º = 1
Equation of the line is y − y1 = m(x − x1 )
 y – 0 = 1(x-0) i.e., y = x or x – y = 0
ii) ANS: 3x − y + (2 − 3) = 0
iii) inclination θ=135º and point (3,-2)
Slope m = tan 135º = -tan 45º = - 1
Equation of the line is y − y1 = m(x − x1 )
⇒ y + 2 = -1(x – 3) = -x + 3 i.e., x + y – 1 = 0
iv) ANS: x + 3y + (2 + 3) = 0

6. Find the equation of the straight line passing through the origin and making equal
angles with co- ordinates axes.
Sol. since require lines are passing through origin and making equal angles with the axes,
therefore angles are 450 and 1350.
i) θ =450 and point ( 0, 0 )
slope m = tan 450 = 1
⇒ equation of the line is y = mx => y = x
ii) θ =1350 and point ( 0, 0 ) ⇒ slope m = tan 1350 = -1
⇒ equation of the line is y = mx => y =- x

7. The angle made by a straight line with the positive X-axis in the positive direction and
the Y-intercept cut of by it are given below. Find the equation of the straight line.
2
i) 60º, 3 ii) 150º, 2 iii) 45º, -2 iv) tan −1   ,3
3
Sol. i) Slope m = tan60º = 3 and y intercept is c =3

Equation of the line is y = mx + c ⇒ y= 3x + 3

3x − y + 3 = 0
ii) ANS : x + 3y − 2 3 = 0
iii) ANS : x–y–2
2 2
iv) inclination θ = tan −1   ⇒ tan θ =
3 3
2
Slope m = tan θ = and y intercept c=3 Equation of the line is y = mx + c
3
2
⇒ y = x +3 ⇒ 3y = 2x + 9 ⇒ 2x − 3y + 9 = 0
3
8. Find the equation of the straight line passing through (-4, 5) and cutting off equal
non- zero intercepts on the co- 0rdinate axes?
Sol. Line is making equal intercepts, let the inter cepts be a,a

Equation of the line in the intercept from is

x y x y
+ =1 ⇒ + =1 ⇒ x + y = a
a b a a
This line is passing through p (-4, 5) ⇒ -4 + 5 = a ⇒ a = 1
Equation of the line is x + y = 1

9. Find the equation of the straight line passing through (-2, 4) and making non-zero
intercepts whose sum is zero. ?
Sol. Let the intercepts be a,b.
Given a+b = 0 ⇒ b = -a
Equation of the line in the intercept form is
x y x y
+ =1 ⇒ − =1 ⇒ x − y = a
a b a a
This line is passing through P(-2, 4)
∴−2 − 4 = a ⇒ a = −6
Equation of the required line is x – y = -6 ⇒ x–y+6=0
III.
1. Find the equation of the straight line passing through the point (3, -4) and making
X and Y- intercepts which are in the ratio 2 : 3. ?
Sol. Let the intercepts be a,b.
a 2 3a
Given = ⇒b=
b 3 2
Equation of the line in the intercept form is
x y x 2y
+ =1 ⇒ + = 1 ⇒ 3x + 2y = 3a
a b a 3a
This line passes through p(3, -4) ⇒ 9 – 8 = 3a ⇒ 3a = 1
Equation of the required line is 3x + 2y = 1 3x + 2y – 1 = 0
2. Find the equation of the straight line passing through the point (4, -3) and
perpendicular to the line passing through the points (1, 1) and (2, 3).
Sol. Let A(1, 1), B(2, 3)

1 − 3 −2
Slope of AB is m = = =2
1 − 2 −1

Since require line is perpendicular to AB,

1 1
⇒ Slope of required line = - = −
m 2
Require line is passing through p(4, -3)
⇒ Equation of the line is y − y1 = m (x − x1 )
1
⇒ y + 3 = − (x − 4) ⇒ 2y + 6 = − x + 4 ⇒ x + 2y + 2 = 0
2
3. Show that the following sets of points are collinear and find the equation of the line L
containing them.
i) (-5 1), (5, 5), (10, 7) ii) (1, -3), (-2, -6), (2, 6) iii) (a, b + c), (b, c + a), (c, a + b)
Sol. i) Given points A(-5, 1), B(5, 5), C(10, 7)
Equation of AB is
(y − y1 )(x1 − x 2 ) = (x − x1 )(y1 − y2 )
(y − 1)(−5 − 5) = (x + 5)(1 − 5)
⇒ -10 + 10 = -4x – 20
⇒ 4x – 10y + 30 = 0
or 2x – 5y + 15 = 0
substituting c (10, 7),
2x – 5y + 15 = 2. 10 - 5.7 + 15
= 20 – 35 + 15 = 0
Therefore C is a point on the line AB.
A, B, C are collinear and Equation of the line containing them is 2x – 5y + 15 = 0

ii) ANS: 3x – y = 0

iii) Given points A(a, b + c), B(b, c + a), C(c, a + b)

Equation of AB is (y –(b + c))(a – b)=(x – a)(b +c – c –a)
⇒ (y – b – c) (a – b) = - ( a – b) (x – a)
⇒ x + y – (a + b+ c) = 0
Substituting C(c, a + b) in above equation
 c + a + b – a – b – c = 0 ⇒ C lies on AB
Therefore, A, B, C are collinear.
Equation of the line containing them is x + y = a + b + c

4. A(10, 4), B(-4, 9) and C(-2, -1) are the vertices of a triangle ABC. Find the equations


of i) AB ii) the median through A iii) the altitude through B
IV) the perpendicular bisector of AB

Sol. i) vertices of the triangle are A(10, 4), B(-4, 9) ,C(-2, -1)
⇒ Equation of AB is (y – 4) (10 + 4) = (x – 10) (4 – 9)
⇒ 14y – 56 = -5x + 50 ⇒ 5x + 14y – 106 = 0

ii) let D be the mid-point of BC

 −4 − 2 9 − 1 
⇒D =  ,  = (-3, 4)
 2 2 

Equation of AD is (y – 4) (10 +3)=(x + 3)(4 – 4)

⇒ 13(y – 4) = 0 ⇒ y – 4=0 ⇒ y = 4
iii)

4 +1 5
Slope of AC is m = =
10 + 2 12
−1 −12
since BE is perpendicular to AC, Slope of BE = =
m 5
−12
⇒ Equation of the altitude BE is y – 9 = (x + 4)
5
⇒ 5y – 45 = –12x – 48 ⇒ 12x + 5y + 3 = 0

iv) let F be the mid-point of AB

 10 − 4 4 + 9   13 
⇒ F=  ,  =  3, 
 2 2   2
 4 − 9 −5
Slope of AB m = =
10 + 4 14
−1 14
⇒ Slope of the line perpendicular to AB = =
m 5
 13  14
Point is =  3,  and slope
 2 5
13 14
Equation of the perpendicular bisector AB is y − = (x − 3)
2 5
65
⇒ 5y − = 14x − 42
2
 65 
⇒ 14x − 5y −  − 42  = 0
 2 
19
⇒ 14x − 5y − =0
2
⇒ 28x − 10y − 19 = 0