INTRODUCTION

This book is based on our experience over the past few

years. This material covers extensively the fundamental
principles and concepts involved, solved problems which
highlight the application of these concepts, exercises and
assignments for practice by the students.

In order to get maximum benefit from this material, ‘word of

Advice’ given overleaf has to be carefully followed.

The book besides IITJEE will also prove useful to students

for other Engineering examinations as well as their school
curriculum.

Wishing you all success.

 A WORD OF ADVICE

 Try to do the solved problems and exercises given, after

completion of related topics in the chapter. Attempt the
assignments.

 The purpose of the assignments is to give you a practice in

solving various levels and varieties of problems. Each problem
has some important concept which it highlights. When you do a
problem from an assignment, make sure that you have completed
the study material, have committed the formulae to your memory
and have solved the solved problems (most of them on your own
before seeing the solution). Do not open the study material to
refer to formulae/theoretical concepts while doing the
assignment problems unless it is absolutely essential to do so.

 Do full justice to the exercises and assignment problems. Even

if you do not get the answer to a problem, keep trying on your
own and only approach your friends or teachers after making lot
of attempts.

 Do not look at the answer and try to work backwards. This would
defeat the purpose of doing the problem. Remember the purpose
of doing an assignment problem is not simply to get the answer
(it is only evidence that you solved it correctly) but to develop
your ability to think. Try to introduce twists and turns in given
problem to create similar problems.
 ABOUT THE CHAPTER

This booklet covers the chapter Straight Line. A large number of

illustrations have been given to explain the concepts of various
forms of equation of straight lines. Special emphasis has been
given to the parametric form of equation of line and its
applications which you will find as an exclusive material. The
family of lines, equations of angle bisector and other relevant
concepts have also been covered with lucid illustrations.

Fairly large number of conceptual solved problems both subjective

as well as objective will provide you a good understanding of the
subject. To test your understanding, a good collection of problems
as assignments has been given.
 CONTENT

JEE Syllabus …1
Co-ordinate Geometry …1
Point …1
Locus …3
Solved Problems …4
Subjective …4
Objective …4
Exercise  1 …5
Straight Line …5
Solved Problems …10
Subjective …10
Objective …11
Exercise  2 …12
Family of Lines …17
Solved Problems …20
Subjective …20
Objective …22
Exercise  3 …26
Angle Bisectors …26
Pair of Straight Lines …27
Solved Problems …28
Subjective …28
Exercise  4 …30
Miscellaneous Solved Problems …31
Answers to Exercises …32
Formulae & Concepts at a Glance …33
Chapter Practice Problems …35
Subjective …35
Objective …35
Assignments …37
Section-I …37
Section-II …38
Section-III …43

Answers to CPP and Assignments …45

STRAIGHT LINES
Syllabus
Rectangular cartesian co-ordinates, Distance between two points.
Area of a triangle. Equation of a straight line in various forms, angle
between two lines, distance of a point from a line, lines through the
point of intersection of two given lines, concurrency of lines.

Coordinate Geometry

Introduction
Coordinate Geometry is the unification of algebra and geometry in which algebra is used in the study of
geometrical relations and geometrical figures are represented by means of equations. The most popular
coordinate system is the rectangular Cartesian system. Coordinates of a point are the real variables
associated in an order to describe its location in space. Here we consider the space to be two-
dimensional. Through a point O, referred to as the origin, we take two mutually perpendicular lines XOX
and YOY and call them x and y axes respectively. The position of a point is completely determined with
reference to these axes by means of an ordered pair of real numbers (x, y) called the coordinates of P
where |x| and |y| are the distances of the point P from the y-axis and the x-axis respectively. x is called
the x-coordinate or the abscissa of P and y is called the y-coordinate or the ordinate of P.

Point
y
B (x2, y2)
Distance between two points
Let A and B be two given points, whose coordinates are A (x1, y1)
given by A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) respectively. Then AB
=  x1  x 2  2   y1  y 2  2 . O x

Section formula
Coordinates of the point P dividing the join of two points A(x 1, y1) and B(x2, y2) internally in the given
AP 1   x  1x 2  2 y1  1y2 
ratio 1 : 2 i.e,  are P  2 1 , .
BP 2   2  1 2  1 
Coordinates of the point P dividing the join of two points A(x 1, y1) and B(x2, y2) externally in the ratio of 1
AP 1   x  1x2  2 y1  1y 2 
: 2 i.e.,  are P  2 1 , .
BP 2   2  1 2  1 

Special Points in a Triangle

Centroid
The centroid of a triangle is the point of concurrency of the medians. The centroid G of the triangle ABC,
divides the median AD, in the ratio of 2 : 1.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 2
Illustration 1: Find the centroid of the triangle the A (x1, y1)
coordinates of whose vertices are given by
A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) respectively. E
F
G

B C (x , y )
(x2, y2) D 3 3

AG 2
Solution: 
GD 1
 x  x3 y2  y3 
Since D is the midpoint of BC, coordinates of D are  2 , 
 2 2 
Using the section formula, the coordinates of G are
  x2  x3   y 2  y3  
 2   1.x1 2    1.y1 
  2   2  
 , 
 21 2+1 
 x  x 2  x 3 y1  y 2  y 3 
 Coordinates of G are  1 , .
 3 3 

Incentre
The incentre ‘I’ of a triangle is the point of concurrency of the bisectors of the angles of the triangle.

Illustration 2: Find the incentre of the triangle the coordinates of A (x1, y1)

whose vertices are given by A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2),

C(x3, y3). F E
I

B C (x , y )
(x2, y2) D 3 3

BD AB
Solution: By geometry, we know that  (since AD bisects A).
DC AC
If the lengths of the sides AB, BC and AC are c, a and b respectively, then
BD AB c
=  .
DC AC b
 bx  cx 3 by 2  cy 3 
Coordinates of D are  2 , 
 bc b+c 
 ac 
 
ID BD  b  c  a
IB bisects B. Hence   
IA BA c cb
Let the coordinates of I be  x, y  .
ax1  bx 2  cx 3 ay  by 2  cy 3
Then x  , y 1 .
abc abc

Circum-centre
This is the point of concurrency of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of the triangle. This is also the
centre of the circle, passing through the vertices of the given triangle.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 3

Orthocentre
This is the point of concurrency of the altitudes of the triangle.
Excentre
Excentre of a triangle is the point of concurrency of bisectors of
two exterior and third interior angle. Hence there are three (x1, y1)
excentres I1, I2 and I3 opposite to the three vertices of a triangle. A
 I3
If A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) are the vertices of a triangle  I2
ABC, c b
co-ordinates of centre of ex-circle opposite to vertex A are given a
as (x2, y2)B C(x3, y3)
 ax1  bx 2  cx 3 ay1  by 2  cy 3 
I1(x, y) =  , .
 a  b  c a  b  c 
Similarly co-ordinates of I2(x, y) and I3(x, y) are  I1
 ax  bx 2  cx 3 ay1  by 2  cy 3 
I2(x, y) =  1 , ,
 abc a bc 
 ax  bx 2  cx 3 ay1  by 2  cy 3 
I3(x, y) =  1 , .
 abc abc 

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.

Equation of Locus
The equation to the locus is the relation which exists between the coordinates of all the point on the path,
and which holds for no other points except those lying on the path.
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) to P.
(ii) Express the given conditions as equations in terms of the known quantities and unknown
parameters.
(iii) Eliminate the parameters, so that the eliminant contains only h, k and known quantities.
(iv) Replace h by x, and k by y, in the eliminant. The resulting equation is the equation of the locus
of P.

Illustration 3: The ends of a rod of length  move on two mutually perpendicular lines. Find the locus
of the point on the rod, which divides it in the ratio 2 : 1.

Solution: Suppose the two perpendicular lines are x = 0 and y = 0 and let the end of the rod lie at
the points (0, a) and (b, 0).
The point P has coordinates given by
b  2.0 2.a  1.0
h= ,k=
2 1 2 1
3k
a= , b = 3h.
2

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 4

Also 2 = a2 + b2 y
2
 
3k
 2      3h  .
2
(0, a) A
 2  1:2
P
Thus the required locus is
2 y2  2 O B (b, 0) x
x +  , which represents an ellipse.
4 9
Similarly, take the ratio AP : BP as 2 : 1 and proceed.
x 2 l2
We get the result as y 2  
4 9

SOLVED PROBLEMS
SUBJECTIVE

Problem 1: A variable line through the point (6/5, 6/5) cuts the co-ordinate axes at the points A and
B. If the point P divides AB internally in the ratio 2 : 1, show that the locus of P is
5xy = 2(2x + y).

x y
Solution: Let the equation of the variable line be   1 . This B(0, b)
a b
meets the co-ordinate axes at A (a, 0) and B (0, b). Let P
P(h, k)
(h, k) be the point which divides AB in the ratio 2:1. Then
 a 2b 
the co-ordinates of P are  , 
3 3 
a 2b 3k O
h= and k   a = 3h and b = . A(a, 0)
3 3 2
Here, a and b are the variables.
6 6
Since the line passes through  , ,
5 5
6 6
  1. …. (1)
5a 5b
6 12 2 4
Putting the value of a and b in (1), we get  1   1
15h 15k 5h 5k
 2k + 4h = 5hk  5hk = 2(2h + k).
Hence the locus of (h, k) is 5xy = 2(2x+ y).

OBJECTIVE

Problem 1: Let 2x–3y =0 be a given line and P (sin, 0) and Q (0, cos) be the two points. Then P
and Q lie on the same side of the given line, if  lies in the
(A) 1st quadrant (B) 2nd quadrant
(C) 3rd quadrant (D) none of these

Solution: P and Q lie on the same side if sin and cos have opposite signs, which is true for  in
the 2nd and 4th quadrant.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 5

EXERCISE  1
1. If G is the centroid and I the in-centre of the triangle, with vertices A(– 36, 7), B(20, 7) and
C (0, – 8), then, find the value of GI.
2 2 2 2
2. In any triangle ABC, prove that AB + AC = 2(AD + BD ), where D is the midpoint of BC
(Apollonius theorem).
3. A(1, 1) and B(2, – 3) are two points and D is a point on AB produced such that AD = 3AB. Find
the co-ordinates of D.

4. If the point P(x, y) be equidistant from the points A(a + b, b – a) and B(a – b, a + b), then prove
that bx = ay.

5. The point A divides the join of P(–5, 1) and Q(3, 5) in the ratio k : 1. Find the two values of k for
which the area of triangle ABC, where B is (1, 5) and C is (7, –2), is equal to 2 units.

6. If the coordinates of a variable point P be (a cos , b sin ) where  is a variable quantity, find
the locus of P.

7. Find the locus of a point P such that the sum of its distances from (0, 2) and (0, –2) is 6

8 For the variable triangle ABC with fixed vertex C(1, 2) and A, B having coordinates (cost, sint),
(sint, -cost) respectively, find the locus of its centroid.

9. The incentre of the triangle with vertices (1, 3 ), (0, 0) and (2, 0) is.
 3 2 1 
(A)  1,  (B)  , 
 2  3 3
2 3  1 
(C)  ,  (D)  1, 
3 2   3

10. The incentre of the triangle formed by the lines y = |x| and y = 1 is
(A) (0, 2  2 ) (B) (2  2 , 0)
(C) (2 + 2 , 0) (D) (0, 2 + 2 )

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).

Slope
If  is the angle at which a straight line is inclined to the positive direction of the x-axis, then m = tan, (0
  < 180°) is the slope of the line.
Standard equations of the Straight Line
Slope Intercept From: y = mx + c, where y

m = slope of the line

c = y intercept y = mx + c
(0, c)

where m = tan x

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 6

Intercept Form: x/a + y/b = 1 y

x intercept = a (o, b) x y
 1
y intercept = b a b
x
(a, o)

Slope point form

(a) One point on the straight line
(b) The gradient of the straight line i.e., the slope m of the line
Equation: y  y1 = m(x - x1), where (x1, y1) is a point on the straight line.

Two point form

y 2  y1
Equation: y  y1   x  x1 
x 2  x1
y 2  y1
where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are the two given points. Here m  .
x 2  x1
Note:
To fix the definite position of a straight line, two conditions must be given.

Parametric form
To find the equation of a straight line which passes through a given point A(h, k) and makes a given
angle , with the positive direction of the x-axis. P(x, y) is any point on the line LAL.
L
AP = r so that x – h = r cos
y P (x, y)
y – k = r sin r
x h y k A 
   r is the parametric form of the equations of  k)
(h,
cos  sin 
the straight line LAL. L
x
The coordinates of P are (h + r cos, k + r sin).
Normal form
Suppose a non-vertical line is known to us with following data:
(i) Length of the perpendicular (normal) from origin to the line.
(ii) Angle which normal makes with the positive direction of x-axis.

Let L be the line, whose perpendicular distance from origin O be OA = p and the angle between the
positive x-axis and OA be XOA = . The possible positions of line L in the Cartesian plane are shown in
the figure. Now, our purpose is to find slope of L and a point on it. Draw perpendicular AM on the x-axis
in each case.
Y Y
L
L

A
A
p p


X X X
O M X M O

Y Y

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 7
Y Y
L L

M M
X X X
X O O

p p

A A

Y Y

In each case, we have OM = p cos and MA = p sin, so that the coordinates of the point A are (p cos,
p sin).
Further, line L is perpendicular to OA.
1 1 cos 
Therefore the slope of line L =   .
slope of OA tan  sin 
cos 
Thus the line L has slope  and point (p cos, p sin) on it. Therefore by point-slope form, the
sin 
equation of the line L is
cos 
y – p sin =  (x – p cos) or x cos + y sin = p(sin2 + cos2)
sin 
or x cos + y sin = p.
Hence, the equation of the line having normal distance p from the origin and angle  which the normal
makes with the positive direction of x-axis is given by
x cos + y sin = p …(1).

Illustration 1: Find the equation of the line whose perpendicular distance from the origin is 4 units and
the angle which the normal makes with positive direction of x-axis is 15.

Solution: Here, we are given p = 4 and  = 15.

3 1 3 1
Now cos15 = and sin15 =
2 2 2 2
By the normal form, the equation of the line is
3 1 3 1
x cos15 + y sin15 = 4 or x+ y=4
2 2 2 2
or  3  1 x   3  1 y  8 2 .
This is the required equation.

Illustration 2: Given a line 2x – 3y + 5 = 0. Write various forms of the line.

2x 5 5
Solution: Slope Intercept Form: y   , c=
3 3 3
 coefficient of x  2
and m =    = .
 coefficient of y  3
x y 5 5
Intercept Form:   1, a   ;b   .
 5 5 2 3
   
 2 3
3 2 2x 3y 5 5
Normal Form: sin   , cos       p= .
13 13 13 13 13 13

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 8

Illustration 3: Find the equation to the straight line which passes through the point (-5, 4) and is such
that the portion of it between the axes is divided by the given point in the ratio 1: 2.

Solution: Let the required straight line be (x/a) + (y/b) = 1.

 2a  1.0 2.0+1.b 
Using the given conditions, P  ,  is the point which divides (a, 0) and
 21 2+1 
(0, b) internally in the ratio 1:2.
But P is (– 5, 4)
Hence -5 = 2a/3, 4 = b/3  a = -15/2, b = 12.
x y
Hence the required equation is   1.
  15 / 2  12

Illustration 4: Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (1, 2) and makes an
angle  with the positive direction of the x-axis where cos  = – 1/3.

Solution: Here cos  = – 1/3 (a negative number) so that /2 <  < 
 tan  = – 8 = slope of line.
We know that the equation of the straight line passing through the point (x 1, y1) having
slope m is y – y1 = m(x –x1).
Therefore the equation of the required line is y –2 = – 8 (x –1)
 8x+y– 8 – 2 = 0.

Illustration 5: Find the equation of the line joining the points (–1, 3) and (4, –2).

Solution: Equation of the line passing through the points (x 1, y1) and (x2, y2) is
y  y2
y – y1 = 1 (x – x1)
x1  x 2
Hence equation of the required line will be
32
y–3=  x  1  x + y – 2 = 0.
1  4

Illustration 6: Represent the straight-line y = x + 2 in the parametric form.


Solution: Slope of the given line is = 1 = tan .
4
Equation of the straight line can be written as y - 2 = x
y2 x
or  r.
1 1
2 2
 r r 
Any point on the line is  , 2 .
 2 2
The point (x, y) is at a distance r from the point (0, 2).

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 9

Illustration 7: A line joining two points A(2, 0) and B(3, 1) is rotated about A in the anticlockwise
direction through an angle of 15°. Find the equation of the line in the new position. If B
goes to C, what will be the coordinates of C, in the new position?

Solution: Slope of AB(m) = 1  m = tan = 1   = 45°

so that slope of AC = tan(45° + 15°) y
= tan(60°) (because angle between AB and AC = 15°). C

Also AB = AC = 2 and A is (2, 0).
Hence equation of the line AC is 
15° B(3, 1)
x2 y0
0

cos 60 sin 600 A(2, 0) x

x2 y  1 3  1 3
or  r = 2  C is  2  2  , 0 2  i.e. C is  2  , .
1/ 2 3/2  2 2  2 2 
 

Illustration 8: Find the locus of the point of intersection of the lines xcos + ysin = a and
xsin – ycos = b, where  is a variable.

Solution: Let P(h, k) be the point of intersection of the given lines.

Then hcos + ksin = a. …. (1)
hsin – kcos = b. …. (2)
Here  is a variable. So we have to eliminate .
Squaring and adding (1) and (2),
we get, (hcos + ksin)2 + (hsin – kcos)2 = a2 + b2
 h2 + k2 = a2 + b2.
Hence locus of (h, k) is x2 + y2 = a2 + b2.

Angle between two straight lines

m1  m2
If  is the angle between two lines, then tan =
1  m1m2
where m1 and m2 are the slopes of the two lines.
(i). If the two lines are perpendicular to each other then y = m1x + c1
m1m2 = –1.
Any line perpendicular to ax + by + c = 0 is of the form 180-
bx – ay + k = 0. 
(ii). If the two lines are parallel or are coincident, then
m 1 = m 2. y = m2x + c2
Any line parallel to ax + by + c = 0 is of the form ax + by + k = 0.

Illustration 9: Find the equation to the straight line which bisects, and is perpendicular to the straight
line joining the points A(a, b) and B(a, b).

b  b
Solution: Equation of AB is y – b =  x  a
a  a
i.e. y(a – a) – x(b – b) = ab – ab.
Equation to the line perpendicular to AB is of the form
(b – b)y + (a – a)x + k = 0. .… (1)
Since the midpoint of AB lies on (1),

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
10

b  b   a  a 
 b   b     a  a   k  0.
 2   2 
Hence the required equation of the straight line is
2(b – b)y + 2(a – a)x = (b2 – b2 + a2 – a2).

SOLVED PROBLEMS
SUBJECTIVE

Problem 1: Find the values of non-negative real numbers h1, h2, h3, k1, k2, k3 such that the algebraic
sum of the perpendiculars drawn from points (2, k1), (3, k2), (7, k3), (h1, 4), (h2, 5), (h3, –
3) on a variable line passing through (2, 1) is zero.

Solution: Let the equation of the variable line be ax + by + c = 0. It is given that

6 6
axi  byi  c
i1 a2  b2
0    ax
i1
i 
 by j  c  0

6 6 6 6 6
  ax   by  c
i1
i
i1
i
i1
=0  ax   by
i1
i
i1
i  6c = 0


 a 
 x   b   y   c
i i
= 0.
 6   6 

Hence the fixed point must be 

 xi
,
yi 
 .  
 6 6 
But the fixed point is (2, 1) so that
2  3  7  h1  h2  h3
 2  h1 + h2 + h3 = 0
6
 h1 = 0, h2 = 0, h3 = 0 (as h1, h2, h3 are non-negative).
k  k2  k3  4  5  3
Similarly 1  1  k1 = k2 = k3 = 0.
6
Alternative Solution:
Let the variable line be y - 1 = m(x - 2 ) or mx –y +1 –2m = 0.
Since the algebraic sum of the perpendicular from the given points is zero
m(2  3  7  h1  h2  h3 -12 )  (6-k1 -k 2 -k 3 -4-5  3)
i.e.  0 for all m.
1  m2
 m (h1+ h2 + h3 ) – (k1 +k2 +k3) = 0 for all m
 h1 + h2 + h3 = 0 and k1 + k2 + k3 = 0
 h1 = 0 = h2 = h3 , and k1 =0 = k2 = k3 .

Problem 2: Consider the triangle OAB, where ‘O’ is the origin. If B  (3, 4) and orthocentre of the
triangle is P  (1, 4), find the coordinates of A.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 11

Solution: Since ‘P’ is the orthocentre m OB.mAP =  1, mOP.mAB =  1 A(h, k)

and mOA.mBP =  1. B(3, 4)
4 4k 4 4k k 44
 .  1 , .  1, .  1  P(1, 4)
3 1 h 1 3 h h 3 1
 16  4k = 3h  3,16  4k = h – 3 , h = 0
 h = 0, k = 19/4.
Hence the point A is (0, 19/4). O(0, 0)

Problem 3: Find the locus of the circum-centre of a triangle whose two sides are along the co-
ordinate axes and third side passes through the point of intersection of the lines
ax + by + c = 0 and lx + my + n = 0.

Solution: Let the equation of the third line be

(ax + by + c) + (lx + my + n) = 0 where  is a parameter.
( n  c)
It meets the x-axis at A where y = 0 and x = .
l  a
( n  c)
Also it meets the y-axis at B, where x = 0 and y =  .
m  b
The triangle OAB is a right angled triangle. Its circumcentre is the mid-point of the
hypotenuse. Let it be(, )
n  c n  c 2a  c 2 b  c
 2 =  and 2     
l  a m  b 2l  n 2m  n
c  2ax c  2by
Hence the locus of (,) is 
n  2 lx n  2my
 2xy (ma – bl) + x (an – lc)+ y(mc – bn) = 0.

OBJECTIVE

Problem 1: Let ABC be a triangle with equations of the sides AB, BC and CA respectively x – 2 = 0,
y – 5 = 0 and 5x + 2y – 10 = 0. Then the orthocentre of the triangle lies on the line
(A) x – y = 0 (B) 3x – y = 1
(C) x – 2y = 1 (D) none of these

Solution: The given triangle is a right angled triangle. Hence the orthocentre is the vertex
containing the right angle.
 orthocentre is (2, 5) which lies on the lines 3x-y = 1.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

Problem 2: The straight line y = x–2 rotates about a point where it cuts the x-axis and becomes
perpendicular to the straight line ax + by + c = 0. Then its equation is
(A) ax + by + 2a = 0 (B) ax – by – 2a = 0
(C) bx + ay – 2b = 0 (D) ay – bx + 2b = 0

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 12

Solution: Slope of the line in the new position is b/a, since it is perpendicular to the line ax + by + c
= 0 and it cuts the x-axis. Hence the required line passes through (2, 0) and its slope is
b/a. The required equation is y – 0 = b/a (x-2)
Or, ay = bx – 2b or, ay – bx + 2b = 0.
Hence (D) is the correct answer.

Problem 3: Two particles start from the point (2, -1), one moving 2 units along the line x + y = 1 and
the other 5 units along the line x – 2y = 4. If the particles move towards increasing y,
then their new positions are
(A) (2 2, 2 –1), (2 + 25, 5  1) (B) (2 5, 5 + 1), (2 + 2, 2 + 1)
(C) (2 + 2, 2 + 1), (25 + 2, 5 + 1) (D) none of these
Solution: P(2,  1) goes 2 units along x + y = 1 upto A and 5 units along
x  2y = 4 upto B.
Slope of PA =  1 = tan135°.
Slope of PB = 1/2 = tan
1 2
 sin = , cos   .
5 5
The coordinates of B
i.e. (x1 + rcos, y1 + rsin) are (25 + 2, 5 – 1).
The coordinates of A i.e. (x1 + rcos135°, y1 + rsin135°) are (2  2, 2  1).
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

Problem 4: Let P = ( 1, 0), Q = (0, 0) and R = (3, 3 3 ) be three points. Then the equation of the
bisector of the angle PQR is
(A) 3x  y  0 (B) y  3x  0
(C) 3y  x  0 (D) 3y  x  0

Y
Solution: tan = 3   = 600
R(3, 33)
 PQR = 1200
 bisector will have slope tan 1200
 equation of bisector is 

3 x + y = 0. P(1, 0) Q X
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

EXERCISE  2

1. Show that the equation of the line passing through (acos3, asin3) and perpendicular to the line
xsec + ycosec = a is xcos – ysin = acos2.

2. If the image of the point (2, 1) with respect to a line mirror be (5, 2), find the equation of the
mirror.

3. Find the equation of the straight line, which passes through the point (3, 2) and whose slope is
3/4. Find the co-ordinates of the points on the line that are 5 units away from the point (3, 2).

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 13

4. Find the equation of the line which cuts off an intercept 4 from the x-axis and an intercept 4 3
from y-axis.

5. Find the equation of the line which passes through the point (3, 4) and the sum of its intercepts
on the axes is 14.

6. Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining the points (1, 1) and
(2, 3).

7. Find the distance of the point (1, 2) from the straight line with slope 5 and passing through the
point of intersection of x + 2y = 5 and x – 3y = 7.

8. A straight line makes an intercept on the y - axis twice as long as that on the x-axis and is at a
unit distance from the origin. Determine its equation.

9. The straight line passing through the point of intersection of the straight lines x – 3y + 1= 0 and
2x + 5y – 9 = 0 and having infinite slope has the equation
(A) x = 2 (B) 3x + y – 1 = 0
(C) y = 1 (D) None of these

10. A ray of light coming from the point (1, 2) is reflected at a point A on the x-axis and then passes
through the point (5, 3). The coordinates of point A are
 13   5 
(A)  , 0  (B)  , 10 
 5   13 
(C) (– 7, 0) (D) none of these

To find the equation to the straight lines which pass through a given point (x1, y1) and make
equal angles with the given straight line y = m1x + c.

If m is the slope of the required line and  is the angle which this line makes with the given line, then
m m
tan =  1 .
1  m1m
(i). The above expression for tan, gives two values of (x1, y1)
m, say m A and mB.
(ii). The required equations of the lines through the point 
(x1, y1) and making equal angles  with the given line 
are y  y1 = mA(x  x1), y  y1 = mB(x  x1).

Illustration 1: Find the equations to the sides of an isosceles right-angled triangle, the equation of
whose hypotenuse is 3x + 4y = 4 and the opposite vertex is the point (2, 2).

Solution: The problem can be restated as :

Find the equations to the straight lines passing through the given point (2, 2) and making
equal angles of 45° with the given straight line 3x + 4y - 4 = 0.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 14
(2,2)
Slope of the line 3x + 4y – 4 = 0 is
m1 = -3/4
3
m+
m  m1 4
 tan 45° =  , i.e., 1= 
1  m1m 3 45°
1 m 45°
4
3x + 4y = 4
so that mA = 1/7, and mB =  7.
Hence the required equations of the two lines are
y  2 = m A (x  2) and y  2 = m B(x  2)
 7y  x  12 = 0 and 7x + y = 16.

Length of the Perpendicular from a Point on a Line

The distance of a point from a line is the length of the Y

L: Ax + By + C = 0
P(x1, y1)
perpendicular drawn from the point to the line. Let L: Ax + By R(0, –C/B)
+ C = 0 be a line, whose distance from the point P(x 1, y1) is
d. Draw a perpendicular PM from the point P to the line L. If d
the line meets the x and y-axes at the points Q and R M
respectively, then coordinates of the points are Q   , 0 
C
Q(–C/A, 0)
 A 
O X
and R  0,   . Thus the area of the triangle PQR is given
C
 B
by
1 2area  PQR 
area(PQR) = PM  QR, which gives PM = …(1)
2 QR
1
also, area(PQR) = x1  0      
C C C 
   y1   0  y1  0 
2  B   A  B 
1 C C C2
= x1  y1 
2 B A AB
C
or 2area (PQR) = |Ax1 + By1 + C| and
AB
2 2
 C C  C
QR = 0      0  A 2  B2
 A B  AB
Substituting the values of area (PQR) and QR in (1), we get
Ax1  By1  C
PM =
A 2  B2
Ax1  By1  C
or d = .
A 2  B2
Thus the perpendicular distance (d) of a line Ax + By + C = 0 from a point (x 1, y1) is given by
Ax1  By1  C
d= .
A 2  B2

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 15

Distance between two parallel lines

We know that slopes of two parallel lines are equal. Therefore, Y
y = mx + c1
two parallel lines can be taken in the form y = mx + c2
y = mx + c1 …(1)
and y = mx + c2 …(2)
 c 
Line (1) will intersect x-axis at the point A  1 , 0  as shown in
 m 
figure. d
Distance between two lines is equal to the length of the X
A(–c1/m, 0) O
perpendicular from point A to line (2). Therefore, distance
between the lines (1) and (2) is
c
 m   1    c 2 
 m  c1  c 2
or d = .
1 m 2
1  m2
Thus the distance d between two parallel lines y = mx + c1 and y = mx + c2 is given by
c c
d= 1 2 .
1  m2
If lines are given in general form i.e. Ax + By + C1 = 0 and Ax + By + C2 = 0, then above formula will
C1  C2
take the form d =
A 2  B2

Illustration 2: Find the distance of the point (3, – 5) from the line 3x – 4y – 26 = 0.

Solution: Given line is 3x – 4y – 26 = 0 …(1)

Comparing (1) with general equation of line Ax + By + C = 0, we get
A = 3, B = – 4 and C = – 26.
Given point is (x1, y1) = (3, – 5). The distance of the given point from given line is
Ax1  By1  C 3  3   4   5   26 3
d= =  .
2
A B 2
32   4 2 5

Illustration 3: Find the distance between the parallel lines 3x – 4y + 7 = 0 and 3x – 4y + 5 = 0.

Solution: Here A = 3, B = – 4, C1 = 7 and C2 = 5.

75 2
Therefore, the required distance is d =  .
3 2   4  2 5

Position of two points with respect to a given line

Let the line be ax + by + c = 0 and P(x 1, y1), Q (x 2, y2) be two points.
Case 1: If P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) are on the opposite sides of the line ax + by + c = 0, then the
point R on the line ax + by + c = 0 divides the line PQ internally in the ratio m 1 : m2,
m
where 1 must be positive.
m2

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 16

Co-ordinates of R are ax+by+c=0

 m1x 2  m2 x1 m1y 2  m2 y1  P(x1, y1)
 , .
 m 1  m2 m1  m2  m1
Point R lies on the line ax + by + c = 0
R m2
m1 ax  by1  c
  1 0
m2 ax2  by2  c
Q(x2, y2)
so that ax1 + by1 + c and ax2 + by2 + c
should have opposite signs.
m1
Case 2: If ax1 + by1 + c and ax2 + by2 + c have the same signs then = –ve, so that the point
m2
R on the line ax + by + c = 0 will divide the line PQ externally in the ratio m 1 : m2 and
the points P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) are on the same side of the line ax + by + c = 0.

Illustration 4: Find the range of  in the interval (0, ) such that the points (3, 5) and (sin, cos) lie on
the same side of the line x + y - 1 = 0.

Solution: 3 + 5  1 = 7 > 0  sin + cos - 1 > 0

 sin(/4 + ) > 1/2  /4 < /4 +  < 3/4  0 <  < /2.
Illustration 5: Find , if (, 2) lies inside the triangle having sides along the lines
2x + 3y = 1, x + 2y  3 = 0, 6y = 5x – 1.
Solution: Let A, B, C be vertices of the triangle. A
A  (-7, 5), B  (5/4, 7/8),
C  (1/3, 1/9). x + 2y = 3 2x + 3y = 1
Sign of A w.r.t. BC is -ve. 2
If P lies in-side the ABC, then sign of P will be P(,  )
the same as sign of A w.r.t the line BC
 5 - 62 - 1 < 0. … (1) B C
Similarly 2 + 32 - 1 > 0. … (2) 5x - 6y = 1
And,  + 22 - 3 < 0. … (3)
Solving, (1), (2) and (3) for  and then taking intersection,
we get   (1/2, 1)  (-3/2, 1).

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 1
 =  base  height   BC  AD , where AD is the altitude dropped from A (x1, y1) on BC
2 2
BC =  x 3  x 2 2   y 3  y 2 2 [Using distance formula]
Equation of BC, using two point form
y  y2 y  y2 A(x1, y1)
 3
x  x2 x3  x2
 (y3  y2)x  (x3  x2)y  x2y3 + y2x3 = 0
 y3  y2  x1   x3  x 2  y1  x2 y3  y 2 x3
AD =
 x 3  x 2 2   y 3  y 2 2
B(x2, y2) D C(x3, y3)
1
=  x1  y 2  y 3   x 2  y 3  y1   x 3  y1  y 2  
2

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 17

Also given by,

x1 y1 1
1
= x2 y2 1
2
x3 y3 1
It follows that the three points (x 1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) will be collinear if
x1 y1 1
x2 y 2 1 = 0.
x3 y3 1

Illustration 6: Prove that the area of the triangle with vertices at (p – 4, p + 5), (p + 3, p – 2) and (p, p)
remains constant as p varies.

Solution: The area of the triangle is

p4 p5 1 4 5 0
1 1
p3 p2 1  3 2 0 (R1 R1 – R3, R2  R2 –R3)
2 2
p p 1 p p 1
1 7
= (8  15)  sq units , which remains constant for all values of p.
2 2
Illustration 7: The coordinates of the vertices A, B, C of a triangle are (6, 3), (-3, 5) and (4, -2)
respectively and P is any point (x, y). Show that the ratio of the areas of the triangles
PBC and ABC is |x + y – 2| : 7.

Solution: Equation of the line BC is x + y - 2 = 0. Let PG P(x, y)

A(6, 3)
and AD be perpendiculars from P and A on BC.
Ratio of areas of triangles PBC and ABC is
1
.BC.PG
2 PG (-3,5) B C (4,-2)
 . But PG is the length of the G D
1 AD
.BC.AD
2
perpendicular from P(x, y) on x + y - 2 = 0 and AD is the length of the perpendicular
from A(6, 3) on x + y - 2 = 0.
 Ratio of the areas of PBC and ABC
x y2 632 xy2
= = .
2 2 7

Family of Lines

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.

Illustration 8: A variable line through the point of intersection of the lines x/a+ y/b = 1 and x/b + y/a = 1
meets the coordinate axes in A and B. Show that the locus of the midpoint of AB is the
curve 2xy(a + b) = ab(x + y).

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 18

Solution: Let (h, k) be the mid point of the variable B

line AB.  
ab 1 +  
 0, 
The equation of the variable line AB is  a + b  P (h, k)
(bx + ay  ab) + (ax + by  ab) = 0.
 ab 1    
Coordinates of A are  ,0 . A
 b  a 
  O  ab1    
 ab 1+    ,0
Coordinate of B are  0,
 .  b  a 
 a+b 
 ab 1    ab 1+  
Mid point of AB is 
 2  b  a  2  a+b  
,
 
ab 1    ab 1    1 b  a 1 a  b
h= ; k=   ; 
2 b  a  2  a  b  2h ab 1    2k ab 1   
1 1 ab
  
2h 2k ab
 (h + k)ab = 2hk (a + b).
Hence the locus of the mid-point of AB is (x + y) ab = 2xy (a + b).

Illustration 9: The straight lines 3x + 4y = 5 and 4x - 3y = 15 intersect at the point A. On these lines
points B and C are chosen so that AB = AC. Find the possible equations of the line BC
passing through (1, 2).

Solution: The two given straight lines are at right angles.

Since AB = AC, the triangle is an isosceles right angled triangle.
The required equation is of the form y - 2 = m(x - 1) …. (1)
3 4 3 4
m m m m
with tan 45   4  3 1= 4 and 1   3  m = –7, 1/7.
3m 4m 3m 4m
1 1 1 1
4 3 4 3
Substitute the value of m in (1). We get the required equations.

Illustration 10: Find the equation of the straight line passing through ( 2,  7) and having intercept of
length 3 units between the straight lines 4x + 3y = 12 and 4x + 3y = 3.
(-2,-7)
Solution: Distance AC between the two given parallel A
lines
c1  c 2 12  3 9 3 9/5
= = = . B 
2
a b 2 16  9 5 12/5 C

Let AB be the intercept of length 3 units.

12 9 3
 BC = . If  is the angle between BC and AB, then tan =  .
5 12 4
Slope of the parallel lines = 4/3 = m2.
4
m1 
m1  m2 3 3
If m1 is the slope of the required line, then tan =   
1  m1m2 4 4
1 m1
3

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 19

4 3  4  4 3 4 
i.e. m1 +   1  m1  and m1     1  m1  .
3 4  3  3 4 3 
The slopes are (i) m 1 = –7/24 (ii) m 1 = (the line is parallel to the y - axis).
The required equations of the lines are 7x + 24y + 182 = 0 and x + 2 = 0.
Alternative solution:
Equation of the line, through P (2, 7) and making angle  with the x-axis, is
x2 y7
 = r.
cos  sin 
If this line intersects the given lines at A and B, with AB = 3, the points A and B are
A (2 +r1 cos ,  7 + r1 sin ) and B (2 + (r1 +3) cos ,  7 + (r1+3)sin ).
Since A and B lie on the lines 4x + 3y = 3 and 4x + 3y = 12, we have
4r1 cos  + 3r1 sin  = 32 and
4r1 cos  + 3r1 sin  + 12 cos  + 9 sin  = 41, so that
12 cos  + 9 sin  = 9 or 4 cos  + 3 sin  = 3.
 7
Solving this equation we find that  = and tan  =  .
2 24
Hence the required lines are x + 2 = 0
7
and y + 7 =  (x + 2) i.e. 7x + 24y + 182 = 0.
24

Concurrency of Straight Lines

The condition for 3 lines a1x + b1y + c1 =0, a2x + b2y + c2 =0, a3x + b3y + c3 = 0 to be concurrent is
a1 b1 c1
(i) a2 b2 c2  0 .
a3 b3 c3

(ii) There exist 3 constants l, m, n (not all zero at the same time) such that lL1 + 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.

Illustration 11: Find the point of concurrency of the altitudes drawn from the vertices (at1t2, a(t1 +t2)),
(at2t3, a(t2 +t3)) and (at3t1, a(t3 + t1)) respectively of a triangle ABC.

A
Solution: Slope of AD = -t3.
Equation of AD is y - a(t1 + t2) = -t3(x - at1t2). ... (1)
Equation of CF is y - a(t3 + t1) = -t2(x - at3t1). ... (2) F E
Subtracting (1) from (2), we get
x =  a  y = a(t1 + t2 + t3 + t1t2t3).
Hence the point of concurrency of the altitudes is C
B D
( a, a(t1 + t2 + t3 + t1t2t3)).

Illustration 12: The equations of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides AB and AC of a triangle ABC
are respectively x  y + 5 = 0 and x + 2y = 0. If the co-ordinates of A are (1, 2), find the
equation of BC.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
20
Solution: From the figure, A(1, -2)

 x  1 y1  2 
E  1 , , E F
 2 2 
 x  1 y2  2  O
F  2 , .
 2 2  B(x1, y1) C(x2, y2)
Since E and F lie on OE and OF respectively,
x1 - y1 + 13 = 0 . . . .(1)
and x2 + 2y2 - 3 = 0. . . . . (2)
Also, slope of AB = -1 and slope of AC is 2, so that
x1 + y1 + 1 = 0. …. (3)
And 2x2 - y2 - 4 = 0. ….(4)
Solving these equations, we get the co-ordinates of B and C as0
B  (-7, 6) and C  (11/5, 2/5)  Equation of BC is 14x + 23y - 40 = 0.

Illustration 13: Two fixed points A and B are taken on the co-ordinate axes such that OA = a and
OB = b. Two variable points A and B are taken on the same axes such that OA + OB =
OA + OB. Find the locus of the point of intersection of AB and AB.

Solution: Let A  (a, 0), B  (0,b), A  (a, 0), B  (0, b).

x y
Equation of AB is  =1 ….(1)
a b
x y
and equation of AB is  = 1. ….(2)
a b
1 1   1 1
Substracting (1) from (2), we get, x    + y    = 0
a a    b b 
x a  a y b  b 
 + =0 [Using a - a = b - b]
aa  bb 
x y
  =0
a  b  b   a  bb 
a a  b  y
 b = . ….(3)
ay  bx
ay
From (2) bx + ay = ab  b = . ….(4)
ax
Equating (3) and (4) we get x + y = a + b which is the required locus.

SOLVED PROBLEMS
SUBJECTIVE

Problem 1: Let ABC be a given isosceles triangle with AB = AC. Sides AB and AC are extended
upto E and F respectively, such that BE. CF = AB2. Prove that the line EF always passes
through a fixed point.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 21

Solution: Let ABC be the triangle having vertices (0, b), (–a, 0) Y
A (0, b)
and (a, 0).
2 BE AB
BE.CF = AB  
AB CF 1 
BE AC 
   . B C
AB CF 1 O X
 (–a, 0) (a,0)
Hence the co-ordinates of E and F are ( a( + 1), 
  1  b  E
b) and a  1   ,  . F
    
b
 b 
Equation of line EF is y + b =   x  a    1 
a    1 
a    1 

b


1  2
 b    1
or y +  b =  x  a    1  or y +  b =  x  a    1 
a    1 a    1 
 1   

or a ( +1 ) y + ab (  +1 ) = b (  -1)x + ab ( 2 –1)
or ( bx + ay + ab ) -  ( bx - ay –ab) = 0
which is the equation of a family of lines passing through the point of intersection of the
lines bx+ay+ab = 0 and bx- ay- ab =0
the point of intesection being (0, -b).
Hence the line EF passes through a fixed point.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
22

OBJECTIVE

Problem 1: The algebraic sum of the perpendicular distances from the points (2,0), (0, 2) and (1, 1)
to a variable straight line is zero. The line passes through a fixed point whose co-
ordinates are
(A) (1, 2) (B) (2, 1)
(C) (1, 1) (D) (2, 2)

Solution: Let the line by lx + my + 1 = 0. . . . (1)

According to the given condition
2 l  1  2m  1  l  m  1
0
l2  m2
 l + m + 1 = 0  l(1) + m(1) + 1 = 0.
Comparing it with (1), we find that line (1) is passing through (1, 1).
Hence (C) is the correct answer.
Alternate:
The three given points are collinear and (1, 1) is the mid-point of (2, 0) and (0, 2). Hence
all the lines with given property will pass through (1, 1).

x y
Problem 2: Through the point P(, ), where  > 0, the straight line   1 is drawn so as to
a b
form with coordinate axes a triangle of area s. If ab > 0, then least value of s is
(A) 2 (B)1/2 
(C)  (D) none of these

Solution: Given P (, )

x y
Given line is   1 . . . . . . (1)
a b
If line (1) cuts x and y axes at A and B respectively, then A (a, 0) and B  (0, b).
Also the area of OAB = s
i.e. (1/2)ab = s  ab = 2s.
Since line (1) passes through P(, ),
   a 2
 1    1  a  – 2as + 2s = 0.
a b a 2s
Since a is real, 4s2 – 8s  0  s  2 .
Hence the least value of s = 2.
Alternative solution:
 
Since (, ) lies on the given line,  1
a b
 ab = a + b  2 ab  2s = ab  4  least value of s = 2.
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

Problem 3: The quadratic equation whose roots are the a and b intercepts of the line passing
through (1, 1) and making a triangle of area A with the coordinate axes, is
2 2
(A) x + Ax +2A = 0 (B) x – 2Ax + 2A = 0
(C) x2 – Ax + 2A = 0 (D) none of these

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 23

Solution: Equation of the line, having intercepts a and b on the x and the y axes respectively,
is x/a + y/b = 1. . . . . . (1)
It passes through (1, 1)  1/a + 1/b = 1.
Since the area of the triangle formed by the lines and the axes is A,
ab = 2A. . . . . .(2)
From (1) & (2) we get a + b = 2A.
Here a, b are the roots of x 2 – (a+b)x + ab = 0
or x2 – 2Ax + 2A = 0.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

Problem 4: The area of a triangle is 5. Two of its vertices are (2, 1) and (3, -2), and the third vertex
lies on y = x + 3. The co-ordinates of the third vertex are
 3 3   3 3 
(A)  ,  (B)  ,
 2 2  2 2 
 5 11   1 11 
(C)  ,  (D)  ,
2 2   4 4 

Solution: As the third vertex lies on the line y = x+3, its co-ordinates are of the form (x, x+3). The
area of triangle is
x x3 1
1 1
2 1 1  |4x  4| = |2x  2|
2 2
3 2 1
According to given condition
 2x  2 = ± 5  x =  3/2, 7/2
 3 3   7 13 
Hence the coordinates of third vertex can be  , , , .
 2 2   2 2 
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

Problem 5: Two lines are given by (x – 2y)2 + k (x – 2y) = 0. The value of k, so that the distance
between them is 3 is
(A) k = 0 (B) k = 35
(C) k =  5 (D) k = 5 3

Solution: The lines x – 2y = 0 and x – 2y + k = 0 are parallel. The distance between these two
k
lines =  3  k = ± 35.
1  (2)2
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

Problem 6: The line L has intercepts a and b on the co-ordinate axes. Keeping the origin fixed, the
co-ordinate axes are rotated through a fixed angle. The line L has now intercepts p and q
on the rotated axes. Then
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(A) 2  2  2  2 (B) 2  2  2  2
a p q b a b p q
1 1 1 1
(C) 2
 2
 2
 (D) none of these
a b p q2

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
24

Solution: The equation of the line L is x/a + y/b = 1. . . . . . (1)

After the rotation of the axes, the line L has intercepts p and q on the new axes.
In this system equation of the line is x/p + y/q = 1.
Since the origin and the line, both are fixed, the distance between them remains the
same.

1 1 1 1 1 1
   2
 2
 2
 .
1 1 1 1 a b p q2
 
a2 b2 p2 q2
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

Problem 7: If the lines x = a + m, y = -2 and y = mx are concurrent, the least value of |a| is
(A) 2 (B) 2 2
(C) 2 3 (D) 3 2

Solution: Since the lines are concurrent -2 = m(a + m)

 m2 + am + 2 = 0.
Since m is real, a2  8, |a| 22.
Hence the least value of |a| is 22.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

Problem 8: Drawn from the origin are two mutually perpendicular lines forming an isosceles triangle
together with the straight line 2x + y = a. Then the area of this triangle is
(A) 5a2 (B) a2 / 5
(C) 5a2 (D) a2 / 5

Solution: Let the two perpendicular lines through the

origin intersect 2x+y = a at A and B so that B
the triangle OAB is isosceles.
OM = length of perpendicular from M
a
O to AB; OM = .
5 2x+y = a
2a O A
Also AM = MB = OM  AB = .
5
1 a2
Area of  OAB = AB. OM = .
2 5
Hence (D) is the correct Answer.

Problem 9: The straight lines of the family x(a + b) + y (a – b) = 2a (a and b being parameters) are
concurrent at
(A) (1,  1) (B) ( 1, 1)
(C) ( 1,  1) (D) (1, 1)

Solution: The given equation can be written as

a(x + y –2) + b(x–y) = 0

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 25

or (x + y – 2) + b/a (x  y) = 0.
This is a family of lines concurrent at x  y = 0 and x + y – 2 = 0.
On solving these two equations we get (1, 1).
Hence (D) is the correct answer.

Problem 10: The area of the rhombus enclosed by the lines ax ± by ± c = 0 is

ab 2c 2
(A) (B)
2c 2 ab
c2 2 2c 2
(C) (D)
2ab ab

Solution: The four sides of the rhombus are

ax + by + c = 0, ax + by –c = 0, ax –by + c = 0, ax – by – c = 0 .
On solving these equations, we get the vertices as A (c/a, 0), B (0, c/b), C( c/a, 0) and
D(0,  c/b).
The length of the diagonal AC is 2c/a and that of the diagonal BD is 2c/b.
1  2c   2c  2c 2
Therefore the area of the rhombus is      .
2 a   b  ab
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

Problem 11: The image of the point (3, 8) in the line x + 3y = 7 is

(A) (3,  8) (B) ( 1,  4)
(C) ( 1, 4) (D) (2, 6)

Solution: Let P the image of P in the line x + 3y = 7. Then x + P(3, 8)

3y = 7 will be perpendicular bisector of PP. M
Equation of PP is y – 8 = 3(x-3) x+3y = 7
 3x –y – 1 = 0. P
On solving 3x-y-1 = 0 and x + 3y = 7,we get the
coordinates of M as (1, 2). Since M is mid point of
PP’, coordinates of P are (-1, -4).
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

Problem 12: The equation of the diagonal, through the origin, of the quadrilateral formed by the lines
x = 0, y = 0, x + y = 1 and 6x + y = 3 is given by
(A) 3x + 2y = 0 (B) 2x  3y = 0
(C) 3x  2y = 0 (D) 2x + 3y = 0

Solution: (0, 0) is the one end of the diagonal. The intersection of the other two lines, x + y = 1 and
6x + y = 3 is (2/5, 3/5) which is the other end of the diagonal. The equation of the line
that passes through these two points is 3x-2y = 0.
Hence (C) is the correct answer.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 26

EXERCISE  3
1. Find the value of k so that the straight line 2x + 3y + 4 + k(6x – y + 12) = 0 is perpendicular to
the line 7x + 5y – 4 = 0.

2. Find the co-ordinates of the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point (2, 3) to the line
y = 3x + 4.

3. Find the distance between the two lines x + y = 2 and 2x + 2y = 6.

4. Find the equation of the straight line upon which the length of the perpendicular from the origin is
5
2 and the slope of this perpendicular is .
12

5. If the straight line through the point P(3, 4) make an angle of /6 with the x - axis, and meets the
line 12x + 5y + 10 = 0 at Q, find the length of PQ.

6. If p, p are the lengths of the perpendiculars from the origin to the straight lines, whose equations
are x sec + y cosec = a, and x cos - y sin = a cos2, then show that 4p2 + p2 = a2.

7. The area enclosed by |x| + |y| = 1 is

(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) 4

8. If the sum of the distances of a point from two perpendicular lines in a plane is 1, then its
locus is
(A) square (B) a circle
(C) straight line (D) two intersecting lines

9. If the intercept made on the line y = mx by the lines x = 2 and x = 5 is less then 5, then the
range of m is
(A) (−4/3 ,4/3) (B) (  , −4/3)  (4/3 ,  )
(C) [−4/3, 4/3) (D) none of these

10. The image of the point (1, 3) in the line x + y –6 = 0 is

(A) (3, 5) (B) (5, 3)
(C) (1, –3) (D) (–1, 3)

Angle Bisectors
To find the equations of the bisectors of the angle between the lines
a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0.
A bisector is the locus of a point, which moves such that the perpendiculars drawn from it to the two
given lines, are equal.
The equations of the bisectors are
a1x  b1y  c1 a x  b2 y  c 2 C
 2 .
2 2 2 2
a1  b1 a2  b2
180 -  N
AP is the bisector of an acute angle if,
 
Tan  PAN  tan   is such that tan  1 . A
2
  2 
P(x, y)
AP is an obtuse angle bisector if,
M
 
Tan  PAN  tan   is such that tan  1 . B
 2 2

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 27

Notes:
 When both c1 and c2 are of the same sign, evaluate a1a2 + b1b2. If negative, then acute angle
a1 x  b1 y  c1 a2 x  b2 y  c 2
bisector is =
a12  b12 a22  b22
 When both c1 and c2 are of the same sign, the equation of the bisector of the angle which
a1 x  b1 y  c1 a2 x  b2 y  c 2
contains the origin is = .
a12  b12 a22  b22
a1 x  b1 y  c1 a2 x  b2 y  c 2
 Bisectors of the angle containing the point (, ) is = if
a12  b12 a22  b22
a1 + b1 + c1 and a2 + b2 + c2 have the same sign.
a1 x  b1 y  c1 a2 x  b2 y  c 2
 Bisectors of the angle containing the point (, ) is =  if
a12  b12 a22  b22
a1 + b1 + c1 and a2 + b2 + c2 have the opposite sign.

Illustration 1: 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 (1, 2).
Solution: Equations of bisectors of the angles between the given lines are
4x  3y  6 5x  12y  9
  9x – 7y – 41 = 0 and 7x + 9y – 3 = 0 .
42  32 52  122
If  is the angle between the line 4x + 3y – 6 = 0 and the bisector 9x – 7y – 41 = 0, then
4 9
 
3 7 11
tan  =   1.
 4  9 3
1  
 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.
For the point (1, 2)
4x + 3y – 6 = 4  1 + 32 – 6 > 0,
5x + 12y + 9 = 122 + 9 > 0.
Hence equation of the bisector of the angle containing the point (1, 2) is
4x  3y  6 5x  12y  9
  9x – 7y – 41 = 0.
5 13

Pair of Straight Lines

The general equation of second degree ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 represents a pair of straight
a h g
lines if h b f 0
g f c

 abc + 2fgh - af 2 - bg2 - ch2 = 0 and h2  ab.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 28
2 2
The homogeneous second degree equation ax + 2hxy + by = 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 = m 1x and y = m 2x, then
2h a
y2 - (m1 + m2)xy + m 1m2x2 = 0 and y2 + xy + x 2 = 0 are identical. If  is the angle between the two
b b

m1  m2 
2
 4m1m2
2 h2  ab
lines, then tan    = .
1  m1m2 ab
The lines are perpendicular if a + b = 0 and coincident if h2 = ab.

Joint Equation of Pair of Lines Joining the Origin and the Points of Intersection of a Line
and a Curve
If the line lx + my + n = 0, (n  0) i.e. the line not passing through origin) A
cuts the curve ax 2 + 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 B
2 2  x  my   x  my 
ax + 2hxy + by + (2gx + 2fy)    c  0
 n   n 
O
is the equation of the lines OA and OB.

Illustration 2: 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  hx  ky 
x 2  y 2  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 x 2 + coefficient of y2 = 0 i.e
(h2 + k2) (h2 + k2 – c2) = 0  h2 + k2 = c2 (since h2 + k2  0).

SOLVED PROBLEMS
SUBJECTIVE
2 2
Problem 1: A variable line L passing though the point B (2, 5) intersects the lines 2x –5xy+2y =0 at
P and Q. Find the locus of the point R on L such that distances BP, BR and BQ are in
H.P.

Solution: Let BP = r1, BQ = r2, BR = r

 the coordinates of P, Q and R can be taken as
(2 + r1 cos, 5 + r1 sin), (2 + r2 cos, 5 + r2 sin) and
(2 + r cos, 5 + r sin) respectively.
2 2
Now the lines 2x – 5xy + 2y = 0 are
y – 2x = 0 .... (1)

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 29

and 2y – x = 0 .... (2)

1 B(2, 5)
Now if P lies on (1), = 2 cos - sin 
r1
1 cos   2 sin 
Q lies on (2),  P
r2 8
2 1 1 Q
Given r1, r, r2 are in H.P.   
r r1 r2 R
 17 r cos - 10 r sin = 16
 17(2 + r cos) = 10 (5 + r sin)
If R be (h, k) 17 h = 10 k  Locus of (h, k) will be
17x = 10y.

Problem 2: Find the condition on a and b, such that the portion of the line ax + by – 1 = 0,
intercepted between the lines ax + y +1 = 0 and x + by = 0 subtends a right angle at the
origin.

Solution: Given lines are ax + y + 1 = 0, . . . (1)

x+ by = 0, . . . (2)
ax+ by = 1. . . . (3)
Joint equation of (1) and (2) is (ax + y + 1) ( x+ by ) = 0
 ax2 + by2 + (ab + 1) xy + x + by = 0. … (4)
Making (4) homogeneous with the help of (3) we have
ax2 + by2 + (ab+ 1) xy + x(ax + by) + by (ax +by) = 0.
Since the angle between these two lines is 90,
coefficient of x 2 + coeff. of y2 = 0
 2a + b + b2 = 0 is the required condition.

Problem 3: Let ABC be an isosceles triangle with AB = AC. If the sides AB and AC are parallel to the
lines x  y + 3 = 0 and 7x + y  1 = 0 respectively and the coordinates of vertex B is (3,
5), then find the locus of the vertex C.

Solution: Let the coordinates of C be (, ) and the equation of the side AC be 7x + y + c = 0.
xy2  7x  y  c 
Hence equation of the angle bisectors of A of ABC be   .
2  5 2 
Hence the slopes of the angle bisectors of A of ABC be 3 or  1/3.
Since ABC is isosceles, the side BC is perpendicular to the either of the angle bisectors
of A.
Hence the possible values of the slopes side BC is  1/3 or 3.
  5 1 5
So, we have  or 3.
 3 3  3
Hence the possible locus of vertex C is
x + 3y = 18 or 3x  y = 4.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 30

EXERCISE  4
1. Find the equation of a straight line passing through the point (4, 5) and equally inclined to the
lines 3x = 4y + 7 and 5y = 12x + 6.

2. Find the equation of the bisector of the obtuse angle between the lines x – 2y + 4 = 0 and
4x – 3y + 2 = 0.

3. Find the equations of the lines which pass through the point of intersection of the lines
4x – 3y – 1 = 0 and 2x – 5y + 3 = 0 and are equally inclined to the axes.

4. Show that all the chords of the curve 3x 2 – y2 – 2x+ 4y = 0, which subtend a right angle at the
origin pass through a fixed point. Find that point.

5. Find the centroid, the in-centre, the circum-centre and the orthocentre of the triangle whose sides
have the equations 3x – 4y = 0, 12y +5x = 0 and y – 15 = 0.

6. Find the equation of the bisector of the acute angle between the lines, 5x + 12y = 0 and 3x = 4y.
Also find the equation of a line perpendicular to it and passing through the origin.

7. Prove that the angle between the lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the
2 2
straight line y = 3x + 2 with the curve x2 + 2xy + 3y2 + 4x + 8y – 11 = 0 is tan1 .
3

8. The equation of the line bisecting the obtuse angle between y – x = 2 and 3 y + x = 5 is
yx2 3y  x  5 yx2 3y  x  5
(A)  (B) 
2 2 2 2
y  x  2 3y  x  5
(C)  (D) none of these
2 2

9. If the angle between the two straight lines represented by 2x 2 + 5xy + 3y2 + 7y  98 = 0 is tan–1m
then m equals to
(A) 1/5 (B) 1
(C) 7/5 (D) 7

2
10. The lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of 2x + 3xy – 4x + 1 = 0 and 3x + y = 1
given by
2 2 2 2
(A) x – y – 5xy = 0 (B) x – y + 5xy = 0
2 2 2 2
(C) x + y – 5xy = 0 (D) x + y + 5xy = 0

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 31

MISCELLANEOUS SOLVED PROBLEMS

SUBJECTIVE

Problem 1: A line intersects the straight lines 5x – y - 4 = 0 and 3x-4y-4 =0 at A and B respectively.
If a point P (1, 5) on the line AB is such that AP:PB = 2:1 (internally), find the point A.

Solution: Any point A on the first line is (t, 5t – 4). Any point B
 3r  4  5x  y  4 = 0 3x  4y  4 = 0
on the second line is  r, .
 4 
3r  4
 5t  4
2r  t 2
Hence 1 = and 5 = (1, 5)
3 3
A B
 2r + t = 3 and 3r + 10 t = 42. P
75
On solving, we get t = .
17
 75 307 
Hence A is  , .
 17 17 

Problem 2: Show that the straight lines (A2  3B2)x2 + 8AB xy + (B2  3A2)y2 = 0 form with the line
Ax + By + C = 0 an equilateral triangle of area C2 
3 A 2  B2 . 
Solution: Let y = mx ... (1)
be a line through the origin making an angle of 60° with the line
Ax + By + C = 0. ...(2)
m   A / B
Then we have tan 60° =  .
1  m  A / B
y
From (1) we have m = .
x
Substituting this value of m in the above result
i.e 3 (B - Am)2 = (mB + A)2, we have
(A2 - 3B2) x2 + 8ABxy + (B2 - 3A2)y2 = 0. ...(3)
These are the straight lines through the origin making angles of 60° with (2) i.e. forming
an equilateral triangle with (2).
Now OL = length of perpendicular to Ax + By + C = 0 from (0, 0)
2 2
= C/(A + B )
 area of the triangle = C2/3(A2 + B2).

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
32

ANSWERS TO EXERCISES
Exercise  1
205
1. 3. (4, –11)
3
31 x2 y2
5. k or k=7 6.  1
9 a2 b2
7. 9x2 + 5y2 = 45 8. 3(x2 + y2) – 2x – 4y + 1 = 0
9. D 10. A

Exercise  2

2. 3x + y = 12 3. 4y –3x + 1= 0,(7, 5)&(–1, –1)

4. 3x  y  4 3  0

5. x + y = 7, 4x + 3y = 24 6. 2x + 4y – 11 = 0
132
7. 8. 2x + y =  5
650
9. A 10. A

Exercise  3

29  1 37 
1. − 2.  , 
37  10 10 
1
3. 4. 12x + 5y – 26 = 0 or 12x + 5y + 26 = 0
2
132
5. 7. B
12 3  5
8. A 9. A
10. A

Exercise  4

1. 9x − 7y = 1 or 7x + 9y = 73 2. (4 − 5 )x − (3 − 2 5 )y + (2 − 4 5 ) =
0
3. y = x, x + y = 2 4. (1, –2)
 16   63 
5.   , 10  , (–1, 8),  8,  , (0, –33)
 3   2 
6. x = 8y; 8x + y = 0 8. A
9. A 10. A

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 33

FORMULAE AND CONCEPTS AT A GLANCE

1. Different form of a Straight line

(i) The equation of the straight line passing through the point P(x 1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) is
x y 1
y  y1
y  y1  2  x  x 1 or, x 1 y1 1 = 0.
x 2  x1
x2 y 2 1
(ii) The equation of the straight line passing through the point P(x 1, y1) and having slope m (inclined
at m angle , with m = tan, to the positive direction of the x-axis) is
y  y1 = m(x  x1).
(iii) The equation of the straight line with m and intercept c on the y-axis is y = mx + c.
(iv) The equation of the straight line making intercepts a and b on the x-axis and the y-axis
x y
respectively is   1 .
a b
(v) The equation of the straight line, for which the length of the perpendicular from the origin is p
and the perpendicular makes an angle  with the positive x-axis, is x cos+y sin = p.
(vi) The equation of the line passing through the point P(x1, y1) and making an angle  with the
x  x1 y  y1
positive x-axis is  r, (parametric form)
cos  sin 
where r is the distance of any point (x 1  r cos, y1  r sin) on the line from P(x 1, y1).

2. Position of a point w.r.t. a line

A point A(x1, y1) lies on the line ax + by + c = 0 if ax 1 + by1 + c = 0.

The points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) lie on the same side of the line ax + by + c = 0 if ax 1 + by1 + c and ax 2
+ by2 + c have the same sign.
The points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) lies on the opposite sides of the line ax + by + c = 0 if ax 1 + by1 + c and
ax2 + by2 + c are of opposite signs.

3. Angle between two lines

(i) Let  be the acute angle, between two straight lines y = m 1x + c1 and y = m 2x + c2. Then
m  m2
tan = 1 .
1  m1m2
The lines are parallel if tan = 0  m1 = m2.

(ii) The lines are perpendicular if  = 90  m1m2 =  1.

Any line parallel to the line ax + by + c = 0 has the equation ax + by = k where k is an arbitrary
constant to be obtained from the given geometrical constraints.

(iii) Any line perpendicular to the line ax + by + c = 0 as the equation bx  ay = , where  is an

arbitrary constant to be obtained from the given geometrical constraints.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 34

4. Intersection and family of lines

(i) The point of intersection of two lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 is obtained by
solving these equations for x and y.

(ii) The equation of any line passing through the intersection of these lines is
a1x + b1y + c1 + (a2x + b2y + c2) = 0 where  is an arbitrary constant

(iii) The three lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0, a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 and a3x + b3y + c3 = 0 are concurrent if
a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c 2  0
a3 b3 c 3
or the point intersection of any two of these lines lies on the third line.

5. Distance of a point from a line

ax1  by1  c
The perpendicular distance of the point P(x 1, y1) from the line ax + by + c = 0 is .
a2  b2

6. Bisector of the angle between two lines

The equations of the bisectors of the angle between the lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0, a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 are
a1x  b1y  c1 a x  b2 y  c 2
 2 .
a12  b12 a22  b22

7. Pair of Straight lines

(i) The second degree equation ax2 + by2 + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 represents a pair of lines if h2
 ab and abc + 2gfh  af 2  bg2  ch2 = 0 .
h2  ab
The angle  between these lines is given by tan =  so that the lines are parallel or
ab
coincident if h2 = ab and perpendicular to each other if a + b = 0.

(ii) The homogeneous equation ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 represent a pair of lines passing through the
origin.

(iii) The equation of the pair of lines joining the origin and the points of intersection of a curve and a
line is obtained by making the equation of the curve homogeneous with the help of the equation
of the line.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 35

CHAPTER PRACTICE PROBLEMS

SUBJECTIVE

1. A ray of light coming from the point (1, 2) is reflected at a point A on the x-axis then passes
through the point (5, 3). Find the coordinates of the point A.

2. Consider a family of straight lines (x + y) + (2x  y + 1) = 0. Find the equation of the straight
line belonging to this family that is farthest from (1, 3).

3. Each side of a square is of length 6 units and the centre of the square is (– 1, 2), One of its
diagonals is parallel to x + y = 0. Find the co-ordinates of the vertices of the square.

4. If the lines joining origin and point of intersection of curves ax2  2hxy  by 2  2gx  0 and
a1x 2  2h1xy  b1 y 2  2g1 x  0 are mutually perpendicular, then prove that
g  a1  b1   g1  a  b 

5. A rod of fixed length 2 units moves so that its ends are on the positive x-axis and that part of the
line x + y = 0 which lies in the second quadrant. Find the locus of the midpoint of rod.

OBJECTIVE

6. The image of the point ( 8, 12) in the line 4x + 7y + 13 = 0 is

(A) (16, 2) (B) ( 16,  2)
(C) ( 16, 2) (D) (16,  2)

7. Equation ax2 + 2bxy + by2 = 0 represents a pair of lines. Combined equation of lines that can be
obtained by reflecting these lines about the x  axis is
(A) b x2  2 b x y + a y2 = 0 (B) a x2 + 2 b x y + b y2 = 0
2 2
(C) b x + 2 b x y + a y = 0 (D) a x2  2 b x y + b y2 = 0

8. The angle between the pair of lines whose equation is 4x2 + 10xy + my2 + 5x + 10y = 0 is
3 4
(A) tan1   (B) tan1  
8
  3
3 25  4m
(C) tan1   (D) tan1
4 m4

9. If the lines ax + by + c = 0, bx + cy + a = 0 and cx + ay + b = 0 be concurrent, then:

(A) a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = 0 (B) a3 + b3 + c3 – abc = 0
3 3 3
(C) a + b + c + 3abc = 0 (D) none of these

10. The distance of the point (3, 5) from the line 2x + 3y –14 = 0 measured parallel to the line
x – 2y = 1 is
7 7
(A) (B)
5 13
(C) 5 (D) 13

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
36
11 The product of the length of the perpendiculars drawn from the point (1, 1) to the pair of lines
x 2  xy  6y2  0
2 2 2
(A) (B)
5 5
2 2 2
(C) (D)
5 3

12. If the area of triangle formed by the points (2a, b) (a + b, 2b + a) and (2b, 2a) be , then the area
of the triangle whose vertices are (a + b, a – b), (3b – a, b + 3a) and (3a – b, 3b – a) will be
3
(A)  (B) 3
2
(C) 4 (D) none of these


13. The line 3x – 4y + 7 = 0 is rotated through an angle in the clockwise direction about the point
4
(– 1, 1). The equation of the line in its new position is
(A) 7y  x  6  0 (B) 7y  x  6  0
(C) 7y  x  6  0 (D) 7y  x  6  0

14 If the point (a, a) fall between the lines |x + y| = 2, then

(A) |a| = 2 (B) |a| = 1
1
(C) |a| < 1 (D) | a |
2
15. One of the bisector of the angle between the lines
a(x  1)2  2h(x  1)(y  2)  b(y  2)2  0 is x + 2y = 5. The other bisector is
(A) y = 2x (B) y + 2x = 0
(C) 2x + y = 4 (D) x – 2y + 3 = 0

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 37

ASSIGNMENTS
SECTION - I
1. Find the ratio in which the point (2, y) divides the line segment joining (4, 3) and (6, 3) and hence
find the value of y.

2. Find the locus of the middle point of the portion of the line x cos + y sin = p which is
intercepted between the axes, given that ‘p’ remains constant.

3. The sides AB, BC, CD, DA of a quadrilateral have the equations x + 2y = 3, x = 1, x – 3y = 4,

5x + y + 12 = 0 respectively. Find the angle between the diagonals AC & BD.

4. Two consecutive sides of a parallelogram are 4x + 5y = 0 and 7x + 2y = 0. If the equation of one

of the diagonals is 11x + 7y = 9, find the equation of the other diagonal.

5. Two vertices of a triangle are (4, –3) & (–2, 5). If the orthocentre of the triangle is at (1, 2), find
the coordinates of the third vertex.

6. Find  if (, 2) is an interior point of ABC formed by x + y = 4, 3x – 7y = 8, 4x – y = 31.

7. A variable straight line passes through the points of intersection of the lines x + 2y = 1 and
2x – y = 1 and meets the co-ordinates axes in A and B. Prove that the locus of the midpoint of
AB is 10xy = x + 3y.

8. A right angled triangle ABC having a right angle at C, CA = b and CB = a, move such that the
angular points A and B slide along x-axis and y-axis respectively. Find the locus of C

9. Find the equation of straight lines passing through ( 2,  7) and having an intercept of length 3
units between the straight lines 4x + 3y = 12, 4x + 3y = 3.

10. Let ABC be a triangle having orthocentre and circumcentre at (9, 5) and (0, 0) respectively. If the
equation of side BC is 2x  y = 10, then find the possible coordinates of vertex A.

x y x y
11.  =1&  =
A variable line, drawn through the point of intersection of the straight lines
a b b a
1, meets the coordinate axes in A & B. Show that the locus of the mid point of AB is the curve
2xy(a + b) = ab(x + y).

12. A line intersects x-axis at A(7, 0) and y-axis at B(0, – 5). A variable line PQ which is
perpendicular to AB intersects x-axis at P and y-axis at Q. If AQ and BP intersect at R, then find
the locus of R.

13. Find the condition that the diagonals of the parallelogram formed by the lines
ax + by + c = 0; ax + by + c = 0; ax + by + c = 0 & ax + by + c = 0 are at right angles. Also
find the equation to the diagonals of the parallelogram.

14 Two equal sides of an isosceles triangle are given by the equations 7x – y + 3 = 0 and x + y – 3
= 0 & its third side passes through the point (1, –10). Determine the equation of the third side.

15. A variable line L passing through the point B (2, 5) intersects the lines 2x 2  5xy + 2y2 = 0 at P
and Q. Find the locus of the point R on L such that distances BP, BR and BQ are in harmonic
progression.

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 38

SECTIONII
MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT)
1. The locus of a point P which divides the line joining (1, 0) and (2 cos, 2 sin) internally in the
ratio 1 : 2 for all , is a
(A) straight line (B) circle
(C) pair of straight line (D) parabola

2. The line (p + 2q)x + (p  3q)y = p  q, for different values of p and q, passes through the fixed
point
3 5  2 2
(A)  ,  (B)  , 
 2 2  5 5
3 3  2 3
(C)  ,  (D)  , 
5 5 5 5

3. If a, c, b are in G.P then the line ax + by + c= 0

(A) has a fixed direction (B) always passes through a fixed point
(C) forms a triangle with axes whose area is constant
(D) none of these

4. If x1, x2, x3 as well as y1, y2, y3 are in G.P with same common ratio ( 1) then the points (x 1, y1),
(x2, y2) and (x3, y3).
(A) lie on a straight line (B) lie on an ellipse
(C) lie on a circle (D) are the vertices of a triangle
5. If a ray travelling along the line x = 1 gets reflected from the line x + y = 1, then the equation the
line along which the reflected ray travels is
(A) y = 0 (B) x –y = 1
(C) x = 0 (D) none of these
6. If ‘a’ and ‘b’ are real numbers between 0 and 1 such that the points (a, 1), (1, b) and (0, 0) from
an equilateral triangle then the values of ‘a’ and ‘b’ respectively
(A) 2 − 3 , 2 − 3 (B) −2 + 3 , −2 + 3
(C) 2  3 , 2  3 (D) none of these
7. The foot of the perpendicular on the line 3x + y =  drawn from the origin is C if the line cuts the
x–axis and y–axis at A and B respectively then BC : CA is
(A) 1: 3 (B) 3 : 1
(C) 1: 9 (D) 9 : 1
2 2
8. A straight line is drawn through the centre of the circle x + y – 2ax = 0, parallel to the straight
line x + 2y = 0 and intersecting the circle at A and B. Then the area of AOB is
a2 a3
(A) (B)
5 5
a2 a3
(C) (D)
3 3
9. The equation of straight line which passes through the point (1, 2) and makes an angle
 1
cos– 1    with the x– axis is
 3
(A) 2 2 x + y – 2  
2 1 = 0 (B) 2x + 2y– 2=0

(C) x + 2 2 y – 2 2  
2 1 = 0 (D) none of these

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 39

10. Locus of the point of intersection of lines

x cos+ y sin  = a and x sin  – y cos  =a (  R ) is
(A) x2 + y2 =a2 (B) x2 + y2 = 2a2
2 2 2
(C) x + y + 2x + 2y = a (D) none of these

11. A ray of light travelling along the line x + y = 1 is inclined on the x-axis and after
refraction it enters the other side of the x-axis by turning 15 away from the x-axis. The
equation of the line along which the refraction ray travels is
(A) 3 y  x + 1 = 0 (B) 3 y + x +1 = 0
(C) 3 y + x  1 = 0 (D) none of these .

12. Two vertices of a triangle are (5, -1) and (-2, 3). If the orthocentre of the triangle is the origin,
then the third vertex is
(A) (-4, 7) (B) (-4, -7)
(C) (4, -7) (D) (4, 7)

MULTI CHOICE MULTI CORRECT

1. If 16a2 +25b2 – c2 = 40ab, then the family of lines ax + by +c = 0 is concurrent at the point(s)
(A) (4, -5) (B) (-4, -5)
(C) (- 4, 5) (D) none of these

2. Let 2x- 3y = 0 be a given line and P (sin, 0) and Q(0, cos) be two points. Then P and Q lies on
the same side of the given line if  lies in the
(A) I st quadrant (B) II nd quadrant
(C) IIIrd quadrant (D) IV th quadrant

3. If the sum of the slopes of the lines given by 4x 2  2 |k|xy – 7y2 = 0 is equal to the product of the
slopes then k =
(A) – 4 (B) 4
(C) – 2 (D) 2

NUMERICAL BASED TYPE

1. A family of lines is given by (1 + 2)x + (1  )y +  = 0,  being a parameter. The line belonging
to this family at the maximum distance from the point (1, 4) is ax + by + c = 0, then the value of
ba
is
c
2. A point moves in the x-y plane such that the sum of its distances from two mutually
perpendicular lines is always equal to 2 units. The area enclosed by the locus of the point is
(in sq. units)

3. The lines x2 + 4xy + y2 = 0 and x  y = 4 are the sides of an equilateral triangle whose area is
A
equal to , then A is equal to
3

4. Let A(0, 1), B(1, 1), C(1, – 1), D(–1, 0) be four points. If P be any other point, then PA + PB + PC
+ PD  d, when [d] =

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. If the point (–2, 0), (–1, 1/ 3 ) and (cos, sin) are collinear, then the number of values of
 [0, 2] is

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 40
2. The area of the quadrilateral formed by y = 1 – x, y = 2 – x and the coordinate axes is

3. Consider the points A(0, 1), B(2, 0) and P be a point on the line x + y + 1 = 0 such that maximum
value of |PA – PB| is

4. The medians AA and BB of triangle ABC intersect at right angle. If BC = 3, AC = 4, then AB is

LINKED COMPREHENSION TYPE

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

A triangle ABC is given where vertex A is (1, 1) and the orthocenter is (2, 4). Also sides AB and BC are
members of the family of lines ax + by + c = 0 where a, b, c are in A.P.
Based on above written, solve the following questions.
1. The vertex B is
(A) (2, 1) (B) (1, 2)
(C) (1, 2) (D) none of these
2. The coordinate of the circumcentre is
 17 1 
(A) (6, 1) (B)  , 
 2 4
 17 1
(C)   ,  (D) none of these
 2 2

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Let ABCD be a parallelogram the equation of whose diagonals are AC : x + 2y = 3; BD : 2x + y = 3. If
length of diagonal AC = 4 units and area of ABCD = 8 sq. units.

3. The length of other diagonal BD is

10 20
(A) (B)
3 3
(C) 2 (D) 5

4. The length of side AB is equal to

2 58 2 58
(A) (B)
3 9
3 58 4 58
(C) (D)
9 9

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

 4
In a plane rectangular coordinate system, there are three points A  0,  , B(–1, 0) and C(1, 0). The
 3
distance from point P to line BC is geometric mean of the distances from this point to lines AB and AC

5. Locus of point P is
(A) 2x2 + 2y2 + 3y – 2 = 0 (B) 8x2 – 17y2 + 12y – 8 = 0
(C) both A and B (D) only A or B

6. If line L passes through the incentre (D) of ABC, and has exactly 3 common points with locus of
point P number of values of slope of line L is
(A) 1 (B) 3

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 41

(C) 5 (D) 7

MATCH LIST TYPE

This section contains 1 multiple choice question. This question has matching lists. The codes for the
lists have choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) out of which ONLY ONE is correct.

1. Match the following:

List  I List  II
P. If 2a + b + 2c = 0(a, b, c  R), then the family of lines 1. (2, 1)
ax + by + c = 0 is concurrent at
Q. If the lines x +3y +2 =0, 3x 2y 5 = 0 and ax + by 3 = 0 are 1 3
concurrent, then the ordered pair (a, b) can be 2.  2, 2
 
1 3. (2, 1)
R. The coordinates of a point which is at a distance of units
2
from (1, 1) in the direction of the line x + y  3 = 0 is
S. The family of lines (3 + )x + (1 + 5)y  7(1 + ) = 0  1
(  R) is concurrent at 4.  1, 2 
 
Codes :
P Q R S
(A) 3 2 1 4
(B) 4 3 1 2
(C) 3 3 2 1
(D) 4 1 2 3

MATCH FOLLOWING TYPE

Each question contains statements given in two columns which have to be matched. Statements (A, B,
C, D) in column I have to be matched with statements (p, q, r, s, t) in column II.

1. A square having sides parallel to the coordinate axes is inscribed in the region
{(x, y): x, y > 0, y  – x3 + 3x}. If area of the square is written as A1/3 + B1/3 sq. units where A,
B  Z and A > B, then match the following:
Column – I Column – II
(A) A B (p) 6
(B) slope of line having x-intercept as A and y-intercept as B (q) 1/2
A B (r) 1/3
(C)
A B
1/3 1/3
(D) Circumradius of OPQ where O is origin, P(A , 0) and Q(0, B ) is (s) 16
(t) 18

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 42

MATCHING TYPE
Answer questions 1, 2 and 3 by appropriately matching the information given in the three columns of the
following table.

Let A(4, 2) and B(2, 4) be two given points and L be the straight line 3x + 2y + 10 = 0
 Column 1 indicates diff. points on line
 Column 2 indicates diff. quantity required
 Column 3 indicates values of diff. points for the required quantity.

Column  I Column  II Column  III

(I) Point P on L (i) (AP + PB) minimum (P) (2, 2)
(II) Point Q on L (ii) |AQ  QB| minimum (Q) (22, 28)
(III) Point R on L (iii) |AR  RB| maximum  14 4 
(R)  ,  
 5 5
(IV) Point S on L (iv) BAS = 90°  6 4
(S)  , 
 5 5

1. Which of the following options is the only CORRECT combination ?

(A) (I) (i) (R) (B) (III) (iii) (S)
(C) (IV) (iv) (R) (D) (II) (ii) (S)

2. Which of the following options is the only CORRECT combination ?

(A) (II) (ii) (Q) (B) (II) (ii) (P)
(C) (III) (iii) (R) (D) (IV) (iv) (P)

3. Which of the following options is the only INCORRECT combination ?

(A) (III) (iii) (Q) (B) (III) (iii) (S)
(C) (IV) (iv) (S) (D) (II) (ii) (P)

MATCH LIST TYPE

FOUR options are given representing matching of elements from LIST‐I and LIST‐II. ONLY ONE of
these four options corresponds to a correct matching.
1. Match the following :

LIST–I LIST–II
P. In the triangle ABC, equation of the perpendicular 1. 7y + 5x = 0
bisectors of the sides AB & AC are x + y = 0 & y – x =
0 respectively. If A  (5, 7) then equation of side BC is
Q. The straight line of the family (x + y) +  (2x – y + 1) = 2. y=1
0 that is farthest from (1, 3) is
R. In triangle ABC, A(1, 1), B(4, 2), C(5, 5). Equation of 3. 15y – 6x = 7
the internal angle bisector of A is
S. The diagonals AC and BD of a rhombus intersect at 4. 2y + x = 17
(5, 6). If A = (3, 2) then equation of diagonal BD is
5. 7y – 5x = 0
6. 2y  x = 17
The correct option is :
(A) P  5; Q  3; R  2; S  4 (B) P  3; Q  6; R  4; S  2
(C) P  6; Q  4; R  2; S  1 (D) P  3; Q  5; R  4; S  1

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 43

ASSERTION-REASONING TYPE
This question contains STATEMENT-1 (Assertion) and STATEMENT-2 (Reason).
Option (A) if both the statements are TRUE and STATEMENT-2 is the correct explanation of
STATEMENT-1
Option (B) if both the statements are TRUE but STATEMENT-2 is NOT the correct explanation of
STATEMENT- 1
Option (C) if STATEMENT-1 is TRUE and STATEMENT-2 is FALSE.
Option (D) if STATEMENT-1 is FALSE and STATEMENT-2 is TRUE.
 2 1
1. STATEMENT-1: The lines (a + b)x + (a – 2b)y = a are concurrent at the point  , 
3 3
because
 2 1
STATEMENT-2: The lines x + y – 1 = 0 and x – 2y = 0 intersect at the point  ,  .
3 3

SECTION - III
MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT
1. The three lines 4x - 7y + 10 = 0, x + y = 5 and 7x + 4y = 15 form the sides of a triangle. Then the
point (1, 2) is its
(A) centroid (B) incentre
(C) orthocentre (D) none of these

2. If a, c, b are in A.P the family of line ax + by + c = 0 passes through the point.

 1 1
(A)  ,  (B) (1, – 2)
 2 2
 1 1
(C) (1, 2) (D)  ,
 2 2 

3. The image of the point (3, –8) in the line x+ y = 0 is

(A) (–8, 3) (B) (–3, 8)
(C) (8, – 3) (D) (3, 8)

4. A straight line through A(2, 1) is such that its intercept between the axis is bisected at A. its
equation is.
(A) 2x + y – 4= 0 (B) x + 2y – 4 = 0
(C) x + 2y – 4 = 0 (D) x + 2y – 2 = 0

5. In what ratio does the point (3, –2) divide the line segment joining the points (1, 4) and
(–3, 16)?
(A) 1 : 3 (externally) (B) 3 : 1 (externally)
(C) 1 : 3 (internally) (D) 3 : 1 (internally)
2 2
6. The value of k, so that the equation –2x + xy + y –5x + y + k = 0 may represent a pair of
straight line is
(A) –2 (B) 2
(C) 0 (D) none of these

7. The equation of the line joining the points (– 1, 3) and (4, – 2) is

(A) x + y – 1 = 0 (B) x + y +1 =0
(C) x + y +2 = 0 (D) x + y – 2 =0

8. The equation of the line through (3, 4) and parallel to the line y =3x +5 is
(A) 3x – y – 5 =0 (B) 3x + y – 5 = 0
(C) 3x + y + 5 = 0 (D) 3x – y + 5 = 0

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 44
9. The co-ordinates of foot of the perpendicular form the point (2, 4) on the line x + y = 1 are
 1 3  1 3
(A)  ,  (B)   , 
 2 2   2 2
 4 1 3 1
(C)  ,  (D)  ,  
 3 2   4 2 

10. The equations of three sides of a triangle are x = 5, y – 2 = 0 and x + y = 9. The coordinates of
the circumcentre of the triangle are
(A) (6, 3) (B) (6,  3)
(C) ( 6, 3) (D) none of these

NUMERICAL BASED TYPE

1. For what value of x will the points (x, –1), (2, 1) and (4, 5) lie on a line?

2. A regular hexagon is made of 6 points i.e. 12 coordinates. Minimum number of coordinates

needed to uniquely locate the hexagon is

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. The distance between the lines 4x + 3y = 11 and 8x + 6y = 15 is

2. If m1, m2 be the roots of the equation x 2 + ( 3 + 2)x + 3 – 1 = 0 and the area of the triangle
formed by the lines y = m 1x, y = m 2x and y = 2 is 33 + , then  =

3. P lies on the line 8y – 15x = 0 and Q lies on the line 10y – 3x = 0 and the mid-point of PQ is
(8, 6). The distance PQ is

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
 45

ANSWERS TO CHAPTER PRACTICE PROBLEMS

 13 
1.  , 0 2. 15y  6x  7 = 0
 5 
2 2
3. A  (– 4, 5), B  (2, 5), C  (2, – 1), D  (– 4, – 1) 5. x + 5y + 4xy  1 = 0
6. B 7. D 8. C 9. A
10. C 11. B 12. C 13. A
14. C 15. A

ANSWERS TO ASSIGNMENTS
SECTION - I

1 1 4
1. 3 2. 2
 2

x y p2

3. 90° 4. y=x
 22 33 
5. (33, 26) 6.   ,
 3 4 
8. bx  ay = 0 9. 7x + 24y + 182 = 0, x + 2 = 0
10. (1, 9) 12. x2 + y2 – 7x + 5y = 0
13. a2 + b2 = a2 + b2 ; (a + a)x + (b + b)y + (c + c) = 0; (a – a)x + (b – b)y = 0
14. x – 3y – 31 = 0 or 3x + y + 7 = 0 15. 17x  10y = 0

SECTIONII
MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT
1. B 2. D 3. C 4. A
5. A 6. A 7. D 8. A
9. A 10. B 11. D 12. B

MULTI CHOICE MULTI CORRECT

1. A, C 2. B, D 3. C, D

NUMERICAL BASED TYPE

1. 3 2. 4 3. 8 4. 4

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. 1.00 2. 1.50 3. 2.2360 4. 2.2360

LINKED COMPREHENSION TYPE

1. B 2. C 3. B 4. A
5. C 6. D

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES
46

MATCH LIST TYPE

1. D

MATCH FOLLOWING TYPE

1. (A)  (t) (B)  (q) (C)  (r) (D)  (p)

MATCHING TYPE
1. A 2. B 3. B

MATCH LIST TYPE

1. A
ASSERTION-REASONING TYPE
1. A

SECTION – III
MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT

1. C 2. D 3. C 4. C
5. A 6. D 7. D 8. A
9. B 10. A

NUMERICAL BASED TYPE

1. 1 2. 6

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. 0.70 2. 3.3166 3. 8.5714

IITJEE-2223-MATHEMATICS-STRAIGHT LINES