Remesh’s Maths Coaching

CHAPTER 8
STRAIGHT LINES

CO-ORDINATES

1. Rectangular coordinate system

A system obtained by taking two mutually ⊥ r lines in a plane. The horizontal line is known as x -axis and the
vertical line is known as y -axis. The point of intersection of the two axes is known as origin, denoted by O and its
coordinates is (0,0).

The two mutually perpendicular lines divide a plane into four regions, each region is known as quadrant.
Quadrants are taken in the anti-clockwise direction from the positive x -axis.

2. Signs of co-ordinates in different quadrants

Quadrants
Co-ordinates I II III IV
x + − − +
y + + − −

3. Distance formula.

Distance between two points A ( x1 , y1 ) and B ( x2 , y2 ) is

AB = ( x2 − x1 )2 + ( y2 − y1 )2 ( or ) AB = ( x1 − x2 )2 + ( y1 − y2 )2

E.g.: a) Find the distance between two points 𝐴(2, 3) and 𝐵(5, − 1).
𝐴𝐵 = √(5 − 2)2 + (−1 − 3)2

= √32 + (−4)2 = √9 + 16 = √25 = 5𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

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b) 𝐴(𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 , 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)𝑎𝑛𝑑𝐵(𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 , 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)

𝐴𝐵 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2

= √(𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 − 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃)2 + (𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 − 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)2

= √[𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 (𝑏 − 𝑎)]2 + [𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 (𝑏 − 𝑎)]2

= √(𝑏 − 𝑎)2 [𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃] = √(𝑏 − 𝑎)2 × 1 = (𝑏 − 𝑎)

4. Distance from origin to a point: Distance from origin to a point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) is 𝑂𝑃 = √𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐

E.g.: Find the distance from origin to a point (3,4).

OP = 32 + 42 = 9 + 16 = 25 = 5 units

5. Using distance formula, we can prove that the given points are the vertices of a:

a) rectangle

AB = CD
AB = BC and AC = BD

b) Parallelogram

AB = DC
AD = BC
AC  BD

c) Square

AD=AB=BC=CD
AC = BD

d) Rhombus

AB=DC = AD = BC
AC  BD

e) Isosceles triangle

Any two sides are equal.

AB = AC (or) BC = BA (or) CB = CA

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f) Equilateral triangle
AB = BC = AC

g) Right angled triangle

Using ‘Pythagoras’ theorem, square of the largest side is equal to sum of the squares of other two sides.

i.e., AB2 = BC 2 + AC 2 (or ) BC 2 = AB2 + AC 2 (or ) AC 2 = AB2 + BC 2

h) Right angled isosceles triangle

(e) + (g)

i) Collinear points: If three points lie on a line,

then they are known as collinear points.
If three points A,B,C are collinear, then
𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐶 = 𝐴𝐶 (𝑜𝑟) 𝐵𝐶 + 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐴𝐵 (𝑜𝑟) 𝐴𝐶 + 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵𝐶.

6. Section formula

Coordinates of a point R which divides the line joining two points

A ( x1 y1 ) and B ( x2 , y2 ) in the ratio m : n

a) internally is
 mx + nx1 my 2 + ny1 
R= 2 , 
 m+n m+n 

b) externally is
 mx − nx1 my 2 − my1 
R= 2 , 
 m−n m−n 

7. Midpoint formula

If R (x,y) be the midpoint of AB then the ratios m and n are equal.

 mx + mx1 my2 + my1 

R =  2
m + m 
,
 m+m
 m ( x2 + x1 ) m ( y2 + y1 ) 
=  
 2m 2m 

x +x y +y 
=  1 2 , 1 2  is known as midpoint formula.
 2 2 

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Note: Using midpoint formula, we can prove the given points are the vertices of a rectangle, parallelogram, square
and rhombus by using the formula,

midpoint of diagonal AC = midpoint of diagonal BD

8. Area of a triangle.

If A, B and C be the vertices of a triangle ABC, then

1
Area of a ABC =  x1 ( y2 − y3 ) + x2 ( y3 − y1 ) + x3 ( y1 − y2 ) 
2
(or)
x1 y1
1 x2 y2
Area of triangle ABC=
2 x3 y3
x1 y1
1
= 2 [𝑥1 𝑦2 + 𝑥2 𝑦3 + 𝑥3 𝑦1 − 𝑥2 𝑦1 − 𝑥3 𝑦2 − 𝑥1 𝑦3 ]

E.g.: Find the area of the triangle with vertices 𝐴(2,1) 𝐵 (3,5) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶( 0, − 2)
1
ar(Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶) = [𝑥1 (𝑦2 − 𝑦3 ) + 𝑥2 (𝑦3 − 𝑦1 ) + 𝑥3 (𝑦1 − 𝑦2 )]
2
1
= [2(5 + 2) + 3(−2 − 1) + 0(1 − 5)]
2
1 1 1 5
= [2(7) + 3(−3)] = [14 − 9] = (5) = 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
2 2 2 2

Alternate Method:
2 1
13 5
Area ( ABC ) =
2 0 −2
2 1
1 1
=2 [10 + −6 + 0 − 3 − 0 − −4] = 2 [10 − 6 − 3 + 4]
1 5
= [14 − 9] = 𝑠𝑞 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
2 2

9. Collinearity of 3 points: If three points A, B, C are collinear, then ar(Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶) = 0

10. If A, B, C and D are the vertices of a quadrilateral ABCD, then

Area of quadrilateral ABCD, A = ar ( ADC ) + ar ( ABC )

(OR)

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x1 y1
x2 y2
1
A = x3 y3
2
x4 y4
x1 y1

E.g.: Find the area of the quadrilateral ABCD, having vertices

𝐴(2,1), 𝐵(5,2), 𝐶(3,6) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷(−2,3).
1
Area of ADC =  2 ( 6 − 3) + 3 ( 3 − 1) + −2 (1 − 6 ) 
2
1 1
=  2 ( 3) + 3 ( 2 ) − 2 ( −5 )  =  6 + 6 + 10
2 2
1
= ( 22 ) = 11 sq units
2
1
Area of ABC =  2 ( 2 − 6 ) + 5 ( 6 − 1) + 3 (1 − 2 ) 
2
1 1
=  2 ( −4 ) + 5 ( 5 ) + 3 ( −1)  =  −8 + 25 − 3
2 2
1
= (14 ) = 7 sq. units
2
 area of the quadrilateral ABCD = 11 + 7 = 18 sq.units

Alternate Method:
2 1
5 2
1 1
A= 3 6 =  4 + 30 + 9 + ( −2 ) − 5 − 6 − ( −12 ) − 6 
2 2
−2 3
2 1
1
=  4 + 30 + 9 − 2 − 5 − 6 + 12 − 6
2
1 1
=  4 + 30 + 9 − 2 − 5 = ( 36 ) = 18sq.units
2 2

11. Centroid of a triangle

If A ( x1 , y1 ) , B ( x2 , y2 ) and C ( x3 , y3 ) be the vertices of a

triangle, then centroid of the triangle, G

 x + x + x y + y + y3 
= 1 2 3 , 1 2 
 3 3 
Note: Median is the line segment drawn from any vertex to the midpoint of its opposite side of a triangle.
Centroid is the point of intersection of the medians.

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12. Incentre of a triangle having vertices A ( x1 , y1 ) , B ( x2 , y2 ) and C ( x3 , y3 ) and sides a,b and c is

 ax1 + bx2 + cx3 ay1 + by2 + cy3 

 , .
 a+b+c a+b+c 

13. SLOPE OF A LINE

➢ If the inclination of a line with the +ve direction of the x-axis is  ,

then slope of the line, m = tan 

1 00 m = tan 0 = 0 ( the line is || to x − axis or ⊥ r to y − axis )

2 300 1
m = tan 30 =
3
3 450 m = tan 45 = 1

4 600 m = tan 60 0 = 3
5 900 m = tan90 =  ( a line is ⊥ r to x − axis or || el to y − axis )

6 1200 m = tan 120 = tan (180 − 60 ) = − tan 60 = − 3

7 1500 1
m = tan150 = tan (180 − 30 ) = − tan 30 = −
3

➢ Slope of the line passing through two points A ( x1 , y1 ) and B ( x2 , y2 ) is

y −y y −y
m= 2 1 ( or ) m= 1 2
x2 − x1 x1 − x2

Case i: When  is acute  900 . ( )

BAN = BTX = 
AN = LM = OM − OL = x2 − x1
BN = BM − NM = BM − AL = y2 − y1

BN y −y
In BAN , tan  =  m = 2 1 ………. (1)
AN x2 − x1

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(
Case ii) when  is obtuse  900 . )
BAN = BTO = 180 − 
NA = ML = OL − OM = x1 − x2
BN = BM − NM = BM − AL = y2 − y1

BN
In BAN , tan (180 −  ) =
NA
y −y
− tan  = 2 1
x1 − x2
y2 − y1
− tan  =
− ( x2 − x1 )
y −y y −y
tan  = 2 1  m = 2 1 ............( 2 )
x2 − x1 x2 − x1

y −y
From (1) and (2), we have slope of a line, m = 2 1
x2 − x1

m2 − m1
➢ Angle between the lines having slopes m1 and m2 is tan  = .
1 + m1m2

➢ Acute angle between the lines having slopes m1 and m2 is

m2 − m1
tan  =
1 + m1m2

➢ If three points A, B and C are collinear or lie on a line, then

Slope of AB = slope of BC (or) Slope of AB = slope of AC (or)
Slope of AC = slope of BC
➢ If two lines are parallel, then slopes are equal. i.e., m1 = m2
➢ If two lines are perpendicular, then product of their slopes is equal to −1 .
i.e., m1m2 = −1 .

Equation of a straight line

➢ Equation of the x axis is y = 0

➢ Equation of the y axis is x = 0
➢ Equation of a straight line parallel to the x axis is y = b
➢ Equation of a straight line parallel to the axis is x = a

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➢ Equation of a straight line having slope ‘m’ and y intercept ‘c’ is y = mx + c

➢ Equation of a straight line having slope ‘m’ and passing through a point ( x1, y1) is y − y1 = m ( x − x1 )

➢ Equation of a straight line passing through two points ( x1, y1) and

x − x1 y − y1
( x2 , y2 ) is =
x2 − x1 y2 − y1

➢ Equation of a straight line making intercepts ‘a’ and ‘b’ on the

x y
coordinate axes is + = 1.
a b

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➢ Equation of a straight line whose perpendicular distance from the origin

is ‘p’ and the perpendicular makes an angle  with the positive direction
of the x axis is x cos + y sin  = p

➢ Equation of a straight line parallel to a given line Ax + By + C = 0 is

Ax + By + K = 0 , where ‘K’ is any constant.

➢ Equation of a straight line perpendicular to a given line

Ax + By + C = 0 is Bx − Ay + K = 0 , where ‘K’ is any
constant.

➢ General form of a straight line is Ax + By + C = 0 , where A, B and C are constants.

➢ Reduction into slope-intercept form:

General form of a straight line is Ax + By + C = 0

By = − Ax − C
− Ax − C
y=
B
 A  C
y = − x +− 
 B  B

Comparing with y = mx + c , we have,

A
i. slope, m = −
B
C
ii. y-intercept, c = −
B

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➢ Reduction into intercept form:

General form of a straight line is Ax + By + C = 0

Ax By
Ax + By = −C  + =1 ( dividing by − C )
−C −C
x y
+ =1
 C  C
−
 A  B −
   
x y
Comparing with + = 1 , we have,
a b
C
i. x-intercept, a = −
A
C
ii. y-intercept, b = −
B

➢ Reduction into normal form:

Let x cos + y sin  = p be the normal form of the equation of a straight line is Ax + By + C = 0 or

 A   B  C
Ax + By = −C , then   x + y= is the normal form of the straight line.
   
 A + B2
2
  A + B2
2

2
A +B 2

C
Note: The perpendicular distance from origin the line Ax + By + C = 0 is p = .
A2 + B 2

E.g.: Reduce the equation 3x + y − 8 = 0 into normal form. Also find p and  .

3 x + y = 8 .............. (1)

( 3)
2
A2 + B 2 = + 12 = 3 + 1 = 4 = 2

3 1 8 3 1
x+ y=  x+ y=4
2 2 2 2 2
Comparing with x cos + y sin  = p
x and y in I quadrant.
3
cos  =   = 30
2

 x cos30 + y sin 30 = 4 , is the normal form.

Here,  = 30 , p = 4 .

➢ Perpendicular distance from one point ( x1, y1 ) to a line Ax + By + C = 0 is

Ax1 + By1 + C
d= .
A2 + B 2

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➢ Distance between parallel lines Ax1 + By1 + C1 = 0 and

C2 − C1
Ax2 + By2 + C2 = 0 is d = .
A2 + B 2

➢ Point of intersection between the lines Ax1 + By1 + C1 = 0

and Ax2 + By2 + C2 = 0 .

Either solving the two lines (using the solution of simultaneous linear
equations in 2 unknowns) or using the formula
 b c −b c c a −c a 
P ( x, y ) =  1 2 2 1 , 1 2 2 1  .
 a1b2 − a2b1 a1b2 − a2b1 

➢ Concurrent lines: If three or more lines are intersecting at a point, then

the lines are known as concurrent lines.

➢ To prove that the given three lines are concurrent:

i. Find the point of intersection of any two lines,
ii. Substitute this point in the third line,
iii. If it satisfies, then the lines are concurrent, otherwise not concurrent.

➢ To find the foot of the perpendicular drawn from one point to a line.
Equation of AB is 3x − 4 y −16 = 0 .............(1)

A 3 3
Slope of AB = − =− =
B −4 4

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−1 4
 Slope of PM = =−  AB ⊥ PM 
slope of AB 3

Equation of PM: y − y1 = m ( x − x1 )

4
y −3= − ( x − −1)
3
3 y − 9 = −4 ( x + 1)

3y − 9 = −4x − 4  3 y − 9 + 4x + 4 = 0  4x + 3 y − 5 = 0 .............(2)

Solving (1) and (2), we have

(1)  3 + ( 2 )  4 
9 x − 12 y − 48 = 0
16 x + 12 y − 20 = 0
................................
25 x − 68 = 0

68
 25 x = 68  x =
25
in ( 2 )

68
4 + 3y − 5 = 0
25
272 125 − 272 −147
3y = 5 −  3y =  3y =
25 25 25
−49
y=
25
 the foot of the perpendicular from P ( −1,3) to the line 3x − 4 y − 16 = 0 is

 68 49 
M  ,−  .
 25 25 

➢ To find the image of the point to a line.

Equation of AB is 3x − 4 y − 16 = 0 .............(1)

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A 3 3
Slope of AB = − =− =
B −4 4
−1 4
 Slope of PM = =−  AB ⊥ PM 
slope of AB 3

Equation of PM: y − y1 = m ( x − x1 )

4
y −3= − ( x − −1)
3
3 y − 9 = −4 ( x + 1)

3y − 9 = −4x − 4  3 y − 9 + 4x + 4 = 0  4x + 3 y − 5 = 0 .............(2)

Solving (1) and (2), we have

(1)  3 + ( 2 )  4 
9 x − 12 y − 48 = 0
16 x + 12 y − 20 = 0
................................
25 x − 68 = 0
68
 25 x = 68  x =
25
68
in ( 2 )  4  + 3y − 5 = 0
25
272 125 − 272 −147
3y = 5 −  3y =  3y =
25 25 25
−49
y=
25

 68 49 
 the foot of the perpendicular from P ( −1,3) to the line 3x − 4 y − 16 = 0 is M  , −  .
 25 25 
Now M is the midpoint of PP , using midpoint formula,
x + −1 68 136 136 136 + 25 161
=  x −1 = x= +1 = =
2 25 25 25 25 25
x+3 49 98 98 −98 + 75 23
= −  x+3= −  x = − +3= =−
2 25 25 25 25 25
 161 23 
 the image is  ,−  .
 25 25 

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