66 Straight Line

Chapter

15
Straight Line
Definition a
(5) Slope of the line ax by c 0, b 0 is .
The straight line is a curve such that every point on
b
the line segment joining any two points on it lies on it. (6) Slope of two parallel lines are equal.
The simplest locus of a point in a plane is a straight line. (7) If m1 and m2 be the slopes of two
A line is determined uniquely by any one of the perpendicular lines, then m1.m2 1 .
following:
(1) Two different points (because we know the (8) m can be defined as tan for 0 and
axiom that one and only one straight line passes
through two given points). .
(2) A point and a given direction. 2

Slope (Gradient) of a line Equations of straight line in different forms

The trigonometrical tangent of the angle that a line (1) Slope form : Equation of a line through the
makes with the positive direction of the x-axis in origin and having slope m is y = mx.
anticlockwise sense is called the slope or gradient of the (2) One point form or Point slope form :
line. The slope of a line is generally denoted by m. Thus,
Equation of a line through the point (x1, y1) and
m = tan .
Y
having slope m is y y1 m(x x1) .
Y
(3) Slope intercept form : Equation of a line
B (non-vertical) with slope m and cutting off an intercept c
B on the y-axis is y mx c .
Y

X X X X B
A O O A
Y Y
c
(1) Slope of line parallel to x axis is X'

X
o A O
m tan0 0 .
(2) Slope of line parallel to y axis is
o
Y'
m tan90 .
(3) Slope of the line equally inclined with the axes is The equation of a line with slope m and the x-
1 or 1. intercept d is y m(x d) .
(4) Slope of the line through the points A(x1, y1) (4) Intercept form : If a straight line cuts x-axis at
A and the y-axis at B then OA and OB are known as the
y2 y1 intercepts of the line on x-
and B(x2, y2) is taken in the same order. Y
x 2 x1 axis and y-axis respectively.
Then, equation of a B
straight line cutting off
b
A
X' X
O a

Y'
 67 Straight Line
intercepts a and b on xaxis and yaxis respectively is The value of in both cases is obtained with the
x y help of additional information given in the problem.
1.
a b (3) If the equation of line be a sin b cos c ,
then line
If given line is parallel to X axis, then X-intercept is
undefined. (i) Parallel to it, a sin b cos d
(ii) Perpendicular to it,
If given line is parallel to Y axis, then Y-intercept is
undefined.
a sin b cos d .
(5) Two point form: Equation of the line through 2 2
the points A (x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) is, General equation of a straight line and its
y2 y1 transformation in standard forms
(y y1) (x x1) .
x2 x1 General form of equation of a line is ax by c 0 ,
In the determinant form it is givesY as its
L
a c
x y 1 B (1) Slope intercept form: y x , slope
(x2, b b
x1 y1 1 =0 y2) a c
x2 y2 1 m and intercept on y-axis is, C .
b b
is the equation of line. O X
A x y
(x1,y1 (2) Intercept form : 1, x
) c/a c/b
(6) Normal or perpendicular form : The equation c c
of the straight line upon which the length of the intercept is = and y intercept is = .
perpendicular from the origin is p and this perpendicular a b
makes an angle with x-axis
Y is x cos y sin p . (3) Normal form : To change the general form of a
line into normal form, first take c to right hand side and
make it positive, then divide the whole equation by
B
a2 b2 like
p P
ax by c
X'
O A
X ,
2 2 2 2
a b a b a b2
2

Y'
(7) Symmetrical or parametric or distance a b
where cos , sin ,
form of the line : Equation of a line passing through 2
a b 2
a b2
2
(x1, y1) and making an angle with the positive
c
x x1 y y1 p
direction of x-axis is r , where r is a b2
2

cosY sin
the distance between the point y) and A(x1, y1) Point of intersection of two lines
(x1,yP r (x,
P(x,
Point of intersection of two lines a1x b1y c1 =0
1
. ) A
y)
and a2x b2y c2 0 is given by

X' X
O b c b2c1 c1a2 c2a1
(x, y) 1 2 ,

Y' a1b2 a2b1 a1b2 a2b1
b1 b2 c1 c2

The co-ordinates of any point on this line may be
c1 c2 a a2
taken as (x1 r cos , y1 r sin ) , known as , 1
parametric co-ordinates. r is called the parameter. a1 a2 a1 a2
b1 b2 b1 b2
Equation of parallel and perpendicular lines to a
given line
General equation of lines through the intersection
(1) Equation of a line which is parallel to of two given lines
ax by c 0 is ax by 0 .
(2) Equation of a line which is perpendicular to If equation of two lines P a1x b1y c1 0 and
ax by c 0 is bx ay 0 . Q a2x b2y c2 0 , then the equation of the lines
 Straight Line 68
passing through the point of intersection of these lines the bisector of the angle containing the origin, we
is P Q0 or a1 x b1y c1 proceed as follows:

(a2 x b2 y c2 ) 0 . Value of is obtained with the Step I : See whether the constant terms c1 and
help of the additional information given in the problem. c2 in the equations of two lines positive or not. If not,
then multiply both the sides of the equation by 1 to
Angle between two non-parallel lines make the constant term positive.
If be the angle between the lines y m1 x c1 Step II : Now obtain the bisector corresponding to
a1x b1y c1 a2x b2y c2
and y m2x c2 and intersecting at A. Then, the positive sign i.e., .
a12 b12 a22 b22
m1 m2
tan1 . If is angle between two lines,
1 m1m2 This is the required bisector of the angle containing
the origin.
then is also the angle between them.
The bisector of the angle containing the origin
(1) Angle between two straight lines when means the bisector of the angle between the lines which
their equations are given : The angle between the contains the origin within it.
lines a1x b1y c1 0 and a2x b2y c2 0 is (1) To find the acute and obtuse angle
a2b1 a1b2 bisectors : Let be the angle between one of the
given by, tan . lines and one of the bisectors given by (i). Find tan . If
a1a2 b1b2
| tan | 1 , then this bisector is the bisector of acute
(2) Conditions for two lines to be coincident, angle and the other one is the bisector of the obtuse
parallel, perpendicular and intersecting : Two lines angle.
a1x b1y c1 0 and a2x b2y c2 0 are,
If | tan | > 1, then this bisector is the bisector of
a1 b1 c1 obtuse angle and other one is the bisector of the acute
(a) Coincident, if angle.
a2 b2 c2
(2) Method to find acute angle bisector and
a1 b1 c1 obtuse angle bisector
(b) Parallel, if (i) Make the constant term positive, if not.
a2 b2 c2
(ii) Now determine the sign of the expression
a1 b1 a1a2 b1b2 .
(c) Intersecting, if
a2 b2 (iii) If a1a2 b1b2 0 , then the bisector
(d) Perpendicular, if a1a2 b1b2 0 corresponding to + sign gives the obtuse angle
bisector and the bisector corresponding to sign is
Equation of straight line through a given point the bisector of acute angle between the lines.
L1
making a given angle with a given line (iv) If a1a2 b1b2 0 ,
The equation of the straight lines which pass then the bisector
corresponding to + and Acute
through a given point (x1, y1) and make a given bisector
sign given the acute and
angle
with given straight line y mx c are, obtuse angle bisectors
m tan respectively.
y y1 (x x1) . L2
1 m tan Bisectors are perpendicular
to each other. Obtuse
bisector
Equations of the bisectors of the angles between
If a1a2 b1b2 0 , then the origin lies in obtuse
two straight lines
angle and if a1a2 b1b2 0 , then the origin lies in
The equation of the bisectors of the angles between
acute angle.
the lines a1x b1y c1 0 and a2x b2y c2 0 are
Length of perpendicular
given by,
(1) Distance of a point from a line : The length p
a1x b1y c1 a2x b2y c2
of the perpendicular from the point (x1, y1) to the
a12 b12 a22 b22 | ax1 by1 c|
.....(i) line ax by c 0 is given by p .
Algorithm to find the bisector of the angle
a2 b2
containing the origin : Let the equations of the two
lines a1 x b1y c1 0 and a2x b2y c2 0 . To find
 69 Straight Line
Length of perpendicular from origin to the line (ii) If the opposite sign is found by putting in
c equation of line x x1 , y y1 and x 0 , y 0
ax by c 0 is .
a b2
2
then the point (x1, y1) is situated opposite side to
Length of perpendicular from the point origin.
(x1, y1) to the line x cos y sin p is
Position of two points with respect to a line
| x1 cos y1 sin p| .
Two points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2, y2) are on the
(2) Distance between two parallel lines : Let
same side or on the opposite side of the straight line
the two parallel lines be ax by c1 0 and
ax by c 0 according as the values of ax1 by1 c
ax by c2 0 .
and ax2 by2 c are of the same sign or opposite sign.
First Method: The distance between the lines is
| c1 c2 | Concurrent lines
d .
ax + by + c1 =
2 2
(a b ) 0 Three or more lines are said to be concurrent lines if
they meet at a point.
d First method : Find the point of intersection of any
two lines by solving them simultaneously. If the point
satisfies the third equation also, then the given lines are
ax + by + c2 =
concurrent.
0 Second method : The three lines
Second Method: The distance between the lines is a1x b1y c1 0 , a2x b2y c2 0 and
a3x b3y c3 0 are concurrent if,
d , ax + by + c1 =
2 2
(a b ) 0 a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c2 0 .
ax + by + c2 = a3 b3 c3
0 O (0, 0) Third method : The condition for the lines P 0 ,
where (i) | c1 c2 | , if they be on the same side Q 0 and R 0 to be concurrent is that three
constants a, b, c (not all zero at the same time) can be
of origin.
obtained such that aP bQ cR 0 .
(ii) | c1 | | c2 | , if the origin O lies between
them. Reflection on the surface
Third method : Find the coordinates of any point

Normal
Here, IP = Incident Ray I N R
on one of the given line, preferably putting x 0 or PN = Normal to the surface
y 0 . Then the perpendicular ax + by + c1 = PR = Reflected Ray
distance of this point from the 0
other line is the required distance .O (0, 0)
between the lines. Then, IPN NPR
Tangent
Distance between two P
ax + by + c2 =
parallel lines ax by c1 0 , Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection Surfac
0 e
c Image of a point in different cases
c1 2
kax kby c2 0 is k . (1) The image of a point with respect to the
2 2
a b line mirror The image of A(x1, y1) with respect to
Distance between two non parallel lines is always zero. A (x , y )
the line mirror ax by c 0 be B (h, k)
1
is1 given
ax+by+c = by,
Position of a point with respect to a line h x1 k y1 2(ax1 by1 c) 0

Let the given line be ax by c 0 and observing a b a2 b2
point is (x1, y1) , then
(i) If the same sign is found by putting in equation of B(h,k
)
line x x1, y y1 and x 0 , y 0 then the point
(2) The image of a point with respect to x-
(x1, y1) is situated on the same side of origin. axis : Let P (x, y) be any point and P (x, y) its
image after reflection in the x-axis, then x =x
 Straight Line 70
y = y, ( O is the mid point of P and
Y
P ) (6) The image of a point with respect to the
line y = x tan : Let P (x, y) be any point
P(x, and P (x, y) be its image after reflection in the line
y)
y x tan , then

X
x x cos2 y sin2
O O
y x sin2 y cos2 , ( O is the mid point

(3) The image of a point with respect to y-

P(x, y) of P and P )
axis : Let P (x, y) be any point and P (x, y) its Y
P(x,
image after reflection in the y-axis, then x x y)
O
y y , ( O is the mid point of P y=x tan P(x,
Y
and P ) X
O y) X

P (x,y) P(x,
y) Y
O

X X
O

(4) The image of a point with respect to the If three points A, B, C are collinear, then
origin : Let P (x, y) be any point and P (x, y) be
Slope of AB = Slope of BC = Slope of AC.
its image after reflection through the origin, then
x x Equation of x-axis y = 0.
y y ,( O is the mid Equation a line parallel to x-axis (or perpendicular
point of P, P ). to y-axis) at a distance b from it y b .
Y
Equation of y-axis x = 0
P(x, y)
Equation of a line parallel to y-axis (or
perpendicular to x-axis) at a distance a from it
x a.
X N
X
O M

Area of the triangle formed by the lines

P(x, y) y m1x c1 , y m2 x c2 , y m3 x c3 is
Y 2
1 (c c2 )
(5) The image of a point with respect to the 1 .
2 m1 m2
line y = x : Let P (x, y) be any point and
P (x, y) be its image after reflection in the line Area of the triangle made by the line
y x , then x y c 2
ax by c 0 with the co-ordinate axes is .
2| ab|
y x , ( O is the mid point
of P and P ). Area of the rhombus formed by the lines
2
Y 2c
P(x, y) ax by c 0 is .
ab
y=x O
P(x, y) Area of the parallelogram formed by the lines
45
X
O X a1 x b1y c1 0 ; a2 x b2y c2 0 ,
a1 x b1y d1 and a2 x b2y d2 0 is

Y
 71 Straight Line
4. The line (3x y 5) (2x 3y 4) 0 will be
(d1 c1)(d2 c2 )
. parallel to y-axis, if =
a1b2 a2b1
1 1
(a) (b)
(h,k) from 3 3
The foot of the perpendicular
(x1, y1) to the line ax by c 0 is given by 3 3
(c) (d)
2 2
h x1 k y1 (ax1 by1 c)
. Hence, the 5. If the transversal y = mr x; r = 1, 2, 3 cut off equal
a b a2 b2 intercepts on the transversal x y 1, then
coordinates of the foot of perpendicular is 1 m , 1 m , 1 m are in
1 2 3
b x1 aby1 ac a y1 abx1 bc
2 2
(a) A. P. (b) G. P.
, .
a2 b2 a2 b2 (c) H. P. (d) None of these
6. The gradient of the line joining the points on the
curve y x 2 2x whose abscissa are 1 and 3, is
p1 p2
Area of parallelogram A , where p1 [MP PET 1997]
sin (a) 6 (b) 5
and p2 are the distances between parallel sides and (c) 4 (d) 3
is the angle between two adjacent sides. 7. The parallelism condition for two straight lines one
of which is specified by the equation
The equation of a line whose mid-point is ax by c 0 the other being represented
x y parametrically by x t , y t is
(x1, y1) in between the axes is 2. given by [AMU 2000]
x1 y1
(a) b 0 , c 0
The equation of a straight line which makes a (b) a b 0 , 0
triangle with the axes of centroid (x1, y1) is (c) a b 0
x y (d) a b 0
1.
3x1 3y1 8. The equation of the straight line which passes
through the point (1, 2) and cuts off equal
intercepts from axes, is
[MNR 1978]
(a) x y 1 (b) x y 1
(c) x y 1 0 (d) x y 2 0

Slope of line, Equation of line in different forms

1. Slope of a line which cuts intercepts of equal

lengths on the axes is [MP PET 1986]
(a) 1 (b) 0
(c) 2 3 (d)
2. If the coordinates of the points A and B be (3, 3)
and (7, 6), then the length of the portion of the
line AB intercepted between the axes is
5 10
(a) (b)
4 4
13
(c) (d) None of these
3
3. If the line 2x 3y 5 and y mx c be parallel,
then
(a) m = 2/3, c = 5
(b) m = 2/3, c = 5
(c) m = 2/3, c = any real number
(d) None of these