Basic coordinate Geometry

October 7, 2009
Still have to add lot of diagrams rest is perfectly done!
This sheets contains notes on basic coordinate geometry which starts with
introduction to coordinate geometry and gets you into points, straightlines,
collinearity, A point-line properties, two line properties, linear combination.
Flow of lectures :
Lecture I : We start with introduction of coordinate geometry, how its
related to algebra or a nice use of algebra for geometry. We study all properties,
structures with respect to when we have a single point, two points (collinear,
non-collinear), three points, we study equation of a line, and its different forms,
Transformations - shift of origin & rotation of coordinates axes
Lecture II : We study structure a line and a point, begin with origin side
of a line, short distance of a point from a line, Foot of perpendicular, image of
a point in a line, And how that is helpful for getting the reflection of a line in
another line.
Lecture III : Study two lines, angle bisector - angle bisector containing
origin, angle bisector of an acute angle, locus
Lecture IV : Linear combination & problem solving to complete the topic.
Lecture V : Problem solving

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Contents
1 Motivation

2 A point
2.1 Polar representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
4

3 Two points
3.1 Distance formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Section formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2.1 External section formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
4
5
5

4 Three points
4.1 Three points are Non-collinear
4.1.1 Area of triangle . . . . .
4.1.2 Points of a Triangle . .
4.2 Three points are Collinear . . .

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5
5
6
6
7

5 Equation of a line
5.1 Forms of a line equation . . . . . .
5.1.1 Slope point form . . . . . .
5.1.2 Two point form . . . . . . .
5.1.3 Double intercept form . . .
5.1.4 Slope intercept form . . . .
5.1.5 Parametric form . . . . . .
5.1.6 Normal form . . . . . . . .
5.1.7 General form . . . . . . . .
5.1.8 Special case of line equation

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8
8
8
9
9
9
9
10
10
10

6 Transformations
6.1 Shift of origin . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2 Rotation of axes about origin . .
6.2.1 Using Matrix approach .
6.2.2 Using Complex Numbers

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11
11
11
11
11

7 Point & A line

7.1 Origin side of a line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Distance of a point from a line . . . . . . . . .
7.3 Foot of the perpendicular from a point to a line
7.4 Image of a point in a line . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4.1 Reflection of a line in another line . . .

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12
12
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12
13

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8 Locus

13

9 Two lines
9.1 Lines are parallel . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.1.1 Slopes of parallel lines . . . . .
9.1.2 Distance between parallel lines
9.2 Lines are intersecting . . . . . . . . . .
9.2.1 Angle between the lines . . . .
9.3 Angle bisector equation . . . . . . . .
2

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14
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14
15

LIST OF FIGURES

9.3.1
9.3.2
9.3.3

LIST OF FIGURES

Angle bisector containing the origin . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acute or obtuse angle contains origin . . . . . . . . . . .
Bisector of the Acute/obtuse angle . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 Linear combination of lines

15
16
17
18

List of Figures
1

Demonstrates the region containing the origin and angle bisector equation
lying in that region. The green region contains the origin and red region
doesnt contain the origin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Origin lies in Acute or Obtuse Angle, How we decide ? . . . . . . . . . .

16
17

TWO POINTS

Motivation

Coordinate Geometry or Cartesian coordinate geometry or Rectangular coordinate geometry was a major step forward in the direction of geting algebra and
geometry together. But can be said as a set back for beauty of Pure geometry.
Though this was a setback for pure geometry( which is not everybodys cup of
tea), turned out to be boon for anybody who wanted geometry problems to be
approachable.
What amazing thought of relating geometrical point to an algebraic point.
A point is denoted using a coordinate pair denoted as a tuple (x, y) where xis
called the x-coordinate and yis called the y-coordinate. x-coordinate is the
distance of the point (x, y) from the y-axis and y-coordinate is the distance of
the point from y-axis.
To move to a point (x, y) we need to start from origin (intersection of the
x-axis and y-axis which are perpendicular to each other) and move x distance
along x-axis and y distance parallel to y-axis.

A point

A point in cartesian coordinate geometry is denoted as (x, y). So inorder to

denote a point uniquely, algebraically we need the x coordinate called the
abscissa and y coordinate called the ordinate.

2.1

Polar representation

A point coodinate geometry can also be represented using a polar form.

i.e. (x, y) (r, ) where r is the distance of the point from origin and is
the angle made by the point with positive x axis.
How to convert from coordinate to polar.
p
y
Use : r = x2 + y 2 and tan = (this is similar to finding argument of a
x
complex number x + iy )
Problem 1. Given the points A(8, 1200 ) and B(8, 1200 ) in polar form calculate the coodinates of the midpoint of the segment joining A and B.

Two points

Given two points in cartesian coordinate system. We study what all structures
and operation we can work out. There are 2 new quantities we define on these
points. Namely distance formula and section formula.

3.1

Distance formula

Given two points, A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) the distance1 AB between the points
is given as
p
AB = (x1 x2 )2 + (y1 y2 )2
1 Note

: Distance is an invariant formula. Later we see even if we change shift the origin
or rotate the axes about the origin, the coordinates of those points will change but distance
between the points remain invariant.

THREE POINTS

3.2

3.2

Section formula

Section formula

Given two points A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ), if a point C(

x, y) divides2 the line
joining A, B in the ratio m : n. And C is given by (this can be very easily
derived using Basic proportionality theorem)


mx2 + nx1 my2 + ny1
C = (
x, y) =
,
m+n
m+n
This is the internal section formula.
A special case is Mid point formula, given as


x1 + x2 y1 + y2
M=
,
2
2
3.2.1

External section formula

If a point C divides line joining A and B externally in the ratio m : n then the
coordinates of point C is given as


mx2 nx1 my2 ny1
,
C=
mn
mn
This can be derived by seeing that if C externally divides AB means B divides
AC internally.
Fact 2. If we are given three points A, B, C and we need to find the ratio in
AC

which C divides the segment joining A & B. Better we assume

= rather
CB
1
AC
m
than
=
(as this introduces two unknowns m,n in place of single
CB
n
Problem 3. The straight line joining the points A(a, b) and B(c, d) is divided
into n equal parts. Show that the coordinate of rth point of subdivision from A
is


r(c a)
r(d b)
a+
,b +
n
n

Three points

Given three points A, B, C they will be collinear or non-collinear.

4.1

Three points are Non-collinear

If three points are non-collinear then they represent the vertices of a triangle.
Hence we first see the area of a triangle formed.
2 We define sum/difference & scalar multiplication for coordinates (actually this is using
vectors)

1. (x1 , y1 ) (x2 , y2 ) = (x1 x2 , y1 y2 )

2. c(x1 , y1 ) = (cx1 , cy1 )

4.1

Three points are Non-collinear

4.1.1

THREE POINTS

Area of triangle

Given three points A, B & C then area of this triangle is given as



 x1 y1 1 


1
x2 y2 1 
A(ABC) =

2
x3 y3 1 

 
 

1  x1 y1   x2 y2   x3 y3 
=
+
+
2  x2 y2   x3 y3   x1 y1 
Second formula is called the polygon formula3
Problem 4. FInd the area of the quadrilateral whose vertices are (3, 2), (7, 6), (5, 4)
and (5, 4)
4.1.2

Points of a Triangle


m1 x1 + m2 x2 + m3 x3 m1 y1 + m2 y2 + m3 y3
We will use a general form as
,
m1 + m2 + m3
m1 + m2 + m3
to denote these points4
1. Centroid (G) : Use (m1 , m2 , m3 ) (1, 1, 1)
2. Circumcenter (O) : Use (m1 , m2 , m3 ) = (sin 2A, sin 2B, sin 2C)
3. Orthocenter (H) : Use (m1 , m2 , m3 ) = (tan A, tan B, tan C)
3 Given

a n-sided regular polygon A1 , A2 , . . . , An the area is given as



 


 xn yn 
1  x1 y1   x2 y2 


+
+

+
A(poly) =
 x1 y1 
2  x2 y2   x3 y3 
Note the points are chosen in anticlockwise or clockwise as they appear in the coordinate
system. i.e. A quadrilateral, should be fed into the formula in the order of the vertices
A, B, C, D
4 Figure representing the various important points in a triangle.

THREE POINTS

4.2

Three points are Collinear

4. Incenter (I) : Use (m1 , m2 , m3 ) = (a, b, c)

5. Excenter (I1 ) : (excenter opposite to A ) Use (m1 , m2 , m3 ) = (a, b, c).
Similarly for I2 , I3
Fact 5. Circumcenter(O), Centroid(G) and Orthocenter(H) are always collinear
in a triangle. And the centroid divides the line joining Orthocenter and Circumcenter in the ratio 2 : 1
Problem 6. Find the circumcentre and circumradius of the triangle whose
vertices are (6, 6), (5, 1), (1, 5)
Problem 7. The vertices of a triangle are A(x1 , x1 tan 1 ), B(x2 , x2 tan 2 ),
C(x3 , x3 tan 3 ). If the circumcentre
x, y)
Pof ABC coincides with origin and H(
y
sin i
is the orthocenter show that = P
x

cos i
Problem 8. In a ABC, A = (6, 3),
 B = (3, 5), C = (4, 2) P any point
x + y 2
P BC

(x, y) show that
= 

ABC
7
Problem 9. Find the orthocenter of the triangle formed by the lines x = 0, y =
0, x + y = 1

4.2

Three points are Collinear

If three points are collinear then they hold some properties, we rather use the
converse of these properties. If these properties are true then the corresponding
three points are collinear.
Points A, B & C are collinear if
1. A(ABC) = 0
2. l(AB), l(BC), l(CA) are such that sum of any two is equal to the third
3. Slope of any two points of A, B, C taken at a time are equal (this we
investigate in some sections)
1 1
1
Problem 10. Show that the points (0, 0), (h, 0), (0, k) are collinear if + =
h k
3
 3
 3
 3

a2 3
b2 1
c2 1
b
c
a
Problem 11. If the points
,
,
,
,
,
a1 a1
b1 b1
c1 c1
are collinear for three distinct values of a, b, c then show that
X
X
abc
ab + 3
a=0
Solution : This problem can be easily solved using (though lot of calculations)
using the A(ABC) = 0 if the vertices are collinear. Though we need some
properties of solving determinants which we still are not aware of. So we use a
different approach of involving theory of equations for this problem.
These points lie on a line Ax + By + C = 0 i.e. a, b & c are roots of the
equation
 2

 3 
x
x 3
A
+B
+C = 0
x1
x1
Ax3 + B(x2 3) + C(x 1)
7

EQUATION OF A LINE

So
a+b+c =
ab + bc + ca =
abc =

B
A
C
A
C + 3B
A

Now consider the LHS of the term to prove

abc

ab + 3

=
=

C + 3B
C
B
+3
A
A
A
0

Fact 12. Point lies on the line or that point coordinates satisfy the
equation of the line means what?
A line is geometrically represented as a collection of points that are collinear.
And algebraically its represented by a linear equation ax + by + c = 0. Now
in geometry, a point (x0 , y0 ) lying on this line means it satifies the algebraic
equation of that line i.e. ax0 + by0 + c = 0
Definition. Slope of a line
A slope of a line is that quantity that signifies the direction of the line. It is
the defined as change in y for a change in x where (x, y) satisfies the equation
of the line. Given two points (x1 , y1 ) & (x2 , y2 ) lies on a line then slope of that
lines is given as
y2 y1
m=
x2 x1

Equation of a line

A line means a straight line.

Equation of a straight line is of the form ax + by + c = 0 a, b not both equal
to zero.

5.1

Forms of a line equation

For determining the equation of a line is any of the forms mentioned below we
need to given information about the line.
5.1.1

Slope point form

Here slope (m) and a point (x1 , y1 ) is known. Hence the equation of the line is
given as
m

y y1

y y1
x x1
m(x x1 )
8

EQUATION OF A LINE

5.1.2

5.1

Forms of a line equation

Two point form

Here two points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) lying on the line are known. Then the
equation of the line is
y1 y2
y y1
=
x x1
x1 x2
Definition. x-intercept
x-intercept is the x-coordinate of the point where a line intercepts (cuts) the
x-axis.
Definition. y-intercept
y-intercept is the y-coordinate of the point where a line intercepts (cuts )
the y-axis
Example 13. What are the x & y intercepts in the adjoining figure?
Definition. x-intercept is 2 and y-intercept is -2
5.1.3

Double intercept form

Given both the x-intercepts and y-intercepts a, b for a line then the equation of
this line is given as
x y
+ =1
a
b
this can be produced using the two point form as we have (a, 0) and (0, b) lying
on required line.
5.1.4

Slope intercept form

when we say slope intercept form we mean slope - y-intercept form. Slope -xintercept form doesnt come very simple hence we always prefer the first. The
slope-intercept form is given as
y = mx + c
where m is the slope and c is the y-intercept.
Definition. Angle of inclination of a line
The angle made by a line with positive x axis is defined as angle of
inclination. And note [0, ) why??
5.1.5

Parametric form

Given is the angle made by the line with positive x axis and a point on the
line (x1 , y1 ) then equation of the line is given as
x x1
y y1
=
=r
cos
sin
where r is the distance between the points (x, y) and (x1 , y1 )
9

5.1

Forms of a line equation

5.1.6

EQUATION OF A LINE

Normal form

Given perpendicular distance of a line from origin and angle made by the
perpendicular with positive x-axis. Then the equation of the line is given as
x cos + y sin = p

5.1.7

General form

General form of a line is

ax + by + c =

where
c
a
c
2. y intercept =
b
a
3. slope =
b

1. x intercept =

5.1.8

Special case of line equation

1. Line parallel to y axis is x =

2. Line parallel to x axis is y =
3. Line passing through origin is y = mx where m < and undefined for
line parallel to y-axis
4. x-axis is y = 0
5. y-axis is x = 0
10

TRANSFORMATIONS

Transformations

There are two transformations that can be applied to origin. Shift of origin &
rotation of axes about origin.

6.1

Shift of origin

Shift of origin is like moving the coordinate system and that ways the origin to
a new point (h, k) keeping the axes parallel. Let any point in the old coordinate
system be (x, y) and that points coordinate be (X, Y ).
The origin is shifted from (0, 0) in old coordinate system to (h, k) in the old
coordinate system. Now since (h, k) will become the origin in the new system
we need to subtract (h, k) from (h, k) to make it become (0, 0). Hence we see
that (h, k) (0, 0) So we subtract (h, k) from each point. Therefore

6.2

(X, Y )

(x, y) (h, k)

(x, y)

(X + h, Y + k)

Rotation of axes about origin

On rotation of the axes about the origin by some angle theta the coordinates
change. But the amazing thing is that the distance of any point from origin
does not change. There are two methods to find the coordinates of any point
(x, y)
6.2.1

Using Matrix approach


 
X
cos
=
Y
sin

sin
cos



x
y

Coordinates of the point P in the old coordinate system is (x, y) and in

the new coordinate system is (X, Y ), is the angle through which the axes are
rotated.
Example 14. Find the new coordinates of a point (1, 1) on rotating the axes

by .
2


X
Y

0
1

1
1

=
=

6.2.2

1
0




1
1

Using Complex Numbers

Any point whose coordinates on rotation of the axes by an angle is required

write (x, y) as x + iy and to get the new coordinates (X, Y ) X + iY write
X + iY

(x + iy)ei

(x + iy)(cos + i sin )

(x cos y sin , x sin + y cos )

11

POINT & A LINE

Point & A line

Given a point (x1 , y1 ) outside the line ax+by +c = 0 then what are the different
structures we can study using them.

7.1

Origin side of a line

A line divides the plane into three parts, one- set of points that lie on the line,
others which lie on either side of the line. Now each of these will represent some
algebraic condition signifying its difference from the others.
1. ax + by + c = 0 represents all points that lie on the line
2. ax + by + c < 0 and represents one of the half planes created by the line
3. ax + by + c > 0 and represents the other half plane created by the line
For example a line has origin side positive if the line x + y = 1 is written
as x y + 1 = 0 and origin side is negative if the same line is written as
x + y 1 = 0. So the origin is positive side or negative side of the line depends
on the way we write the equation. So lets follow the convention of keeping the
line equation such that constant term is chosen to be positve i.e. the given line
equation as x y + 1 = 0
Now we know that if we keep the constant term positve then the origin
side is always going to be positive. So using this sense we can talk about a
point whether it lies on the origin side or non-origin side of a given line. This
understanding is further required for our understanding of the subject.
Problem 15. Find whether (5, 4) lies onn the origin side or non-origin side of
x+y =5

7.2

Distance of a point from a line

Distance of the point P (x1 , y1 ) from the line ax + by + c = 0 is

PM =

7.3

|ax1 + by1 + c|

a2 + b2

Foot of the perpendicular from a point to a line

Foot of the perpendicular M from a point P (x1 , y1 ) is given by



y y1
ax1 + by1 + c
x x1
=
=
a
b
a2 + b2

7.4

Image of a point in a line

Image of a point P (x1 , y1 ) in the line ax + by + c = 0 is given by



x x1
y y1
ax1 + by1 + c
=
= 2
a
b
a2 + b2
12

LOCUS

7.4.1

Reflection of a line in another line

Given a line ax + by + c = 0 and we want to find the reflection of another line

a1 x + b1 y + c1 = 0 in it.
1. STEP 1 : Solve both the equations to find the intersection point of both
these lines.
2. STEP 2 : Take a point (out of observation) in the equation a1 x+b1 y+c1 =
0 and find its reflection in line ax + by + c = 0 (using the image of point
formula). Now we have two points that are lying on the reflection line.
Use two point form and find the equation of the required reflection line.
Problem 16. A ray of light is sent along the line x 2y + 5 = 0. Upon reaching
the line 3x 2y + 7 = 0, the ray is reflected from it. Find the equation of the
line containing the reflected ray.

Locus

What is locus? locus is any point (x, y) which moves under some constraint to
map a curve or region. Its like a ink ball that start rolling freely under some
constraint resulting of it mapping the location of all possible points making the
curve, satisying its algebraic equation.
Lets study some cases for a inkdip point (x, y)
The locus point is free to move anywhere what is the locus of this point
the whole 2D plane
The locus point is free to move anywhere under the constraint that its
distance from the center is always less or equal to some r
then the locus is a circle of radius r
The locus point is free to move anywhere under the constraint that its
distance from the center is always equal to r
then the locus point lies on the circumference of circle of radius r


1
1
where
Problem 17. If the coordinates of a variable point P be t + , t
t
t
t is a variable quantity, then find the locus of P
Problem 18. Find the equation of the locus of point P such that AP +P B = 10
where A (3, 0) and B (3, 0)
Problem 19. A variable line is at constant distance 0 p0 from the origin and
meets the coordinate axes in A and B. Show that the locus of the centroid of
OAB is x2 + y 2 = 9p2
Problem 20. Two ends of A and B of a straight line segment of constant length
c slides upon the rectangular axes OX, OY respectively. If the rectangle OAPB
is completed then show that the locus of the foot of the perpendicular drawn
from P to AB is x2/3 + y 2/3 = c2/3
13

TWO LINES

Problem 21. FIdn the equation of the striaght line whose intercepts on X
axis and Y axis are respectively twice and thrice of those by the line 3x+4y =
12
Problem 22. A line through A(5, 4) meets the lines x+3y = 2, 2x+y+4 =
0 and x y = 5 at the points B, C and D repectively, if

2 
2 
2
15
10
6
+
=
AB
AC
AD
FInd the equation of the line.
Problem 23. A straight line L through the origin meets line x + y = 1 and
x + y = 3 at P and Q respectively. Through P and Q two straight lines L1 and
L2 are drawn, parallel to 2x y = 5 and 3x + y = 5 respectively. Lines L1 and
L2 intersect at R. Show that the locus of R as L varies is a straight line
Problem 24. 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 intersects at R then find the locus of R.
Problem 25. A variable line x cos + y sin = 2 cuts the X and Y axes at A
and B respectively. Find the locus of the vertex P of the rectangle OAPB, O is
the origin.

Two lines

Given two lines ax + by + c = 01a1 x + b1 y + c1 = 0 , a2 x + b2 y + c2 = 0, we

discuss what further structures we can build from these

9.1
9.1.1

Lines are parallel

Slopes of parallel lines

Two lines if they are parallel

9.1.2

a1
b1
c1
=
=
a2
b2
c2

Distance between parallel lines

Distance between two parallel lines is

|c c2 |
1
a2 + b2

9.2
9.2.1

Lines are intersecting

Angle between the lines

If two lines are intersecting then the acute angle between them is given by
cos = p

|a1 a2 + b1 b2 |
p
a21 + b21 a22 + b22

Special case
14

TWO LINES

9.3

Angle bisector equation

If the lines are perpendicular a1 a2 + b1 b2 = 0

p
p
They are parallel |a1 a2 + b1 b2 | = a21 + b21 a22 + b22
Equation of the line that is perpendicular to the given line ax + by + c = 0
is bx ay + d = 0 where d can be evaluated with another given condition.
Problem 26. What is the equation of the family of lines that are parallel, and
perpendicular to the line 2x + 3y = 6
Problem 27. FInd the acute angle between the lines 2x y + 3 = 0 and
x 3y + 2 = 0

9.3

Angle bisector equation

Equation of the angle bisector is

|a1 x + b1 y + c1 |
p
a21 + b21
a1 x + b1 y + c1
p
a21 + b21

|a2 x + b2 y + c2 |
p
a22 + b22
a2 x + b2 y + c2
= p 2
a2 + b22
=

One of these would be acute angle bisector and the other is obtuse angled
bisector
9.3.1

Angle bisector containing the origin

In both the line equations once we make the constant term positive i.e. c1 , c2 > 0
we can identify easily that the region between both the lines containing the origin
will be positive.
Let us understand the following conclusions in steps
1. The lines intersecting divides the region in 4 parts,
(a) Region 1 is the origin containing region hence for any (h, k) lying on
the angle bisector the equation is a1 h + b1 k + c1 > 0 and a2 h + b2 k +
c2 > 0
(b) Region 2 is the just vertically opposite region to region 1 and here if
(h, k) lies on the angle bisector contained in this region (that is same
as the one in region 1) we have a1 h+b1 k +c1 < 0 and a2 h+b2 k +c2 <
0.
(c) Region 3 if has a angle bisector then (h, k) lying on it will obey
a1 h + b1 k + c1 > 0 (as (h, k) is on origin side ) and a2 h + b2 k + c2 < 0
(other side of origin)
(d) Region 4 has a angle bisector then (h, k) lying on it will obey a1 h +
b1 k+c1 < 0 (as (h, k) is on other side of origin ) and a2 h+b2 k+c2 > 0
(same side of origin)
15

9.3

Angle bisector equation

TWO LINES

Figure 1: Demonstrates the region containing the origin and angle bisector equation lying
in that region. The green region contains the origin and red region doesnt contain the origin

Hence the equation of the angle bisector containing the origin is

|a1 x + b1 y + c1 |
p
a21 + b21
a1 x + b1 y + c1
p 2
a1 + b21

=
=

|a2 x + b2 y + c2 |
p
a22 + b22
a2 x + b2 y + c2
p
a22 + b22

As in the region 1 and region 2, we have either a1 x + b1 y + c1 & a2 x + b2 y + c2

are both positive or both negative
Similarly the angle bisector equation not containing the origin is
a1 x + b1 y + c1
a2 x + b2 y + c2
p
= p 2
2
2
a1 + b1
a2 + b22
(as the regions 3 and 4 are negative for atleast one a1 x+b1 y +c1 or a2 x+b2 y +c2
9.3.2

Acute or obtuse angle contains origin

Our task in this section is to identify whether the acute or the obtuse angle
contains the origin. For this we will need the normal form of the equation.
Given the normal form
x cos + y sin = p
where is the angle made by the normal to the plane with positive x axis
and p is the distance of the line from origin (length of the normal )
Given line equations (assuming c1 , c2 > 0) a1 x+b1 y+c1 = 0 can be converted
a1
b1
c1
to the normal form as p 2
x+ p 2
y = p 2
So we see that
2
2
a1 + b1
a1 + b1
a1 + b21
a1
compariing this with the normal form we have cos 1 = p 2
and sin 1 =
a1 + b21
b
p 1
where 1 is the angle made by the normal to the line with +ive x-axis.
a21 + b21
a2
Similarly for the other line a2 x + b2 y + c2 = 0 we have cos 2 = p 2
a2 + b22
b2
& sin 2 = p 2
a2 + b22
And we see that the angle between the normal |1 2 | is equal to
the angle .
16

TWO LINES

9.3

Angle bisector equation

Figure 2: Origin lies in Acute or Obtuse Angle, How we decide ?

We see from the figure, If 1 2 is acute then the origin lies in the obtuse
angle5 and viceversa.
i.e. If cos(1 2 ) < 0 then |1 2 | is obtuse angle and if cos(1 2 ) > 0
then |1 2 | is acute. So we make use of this fact.
cos(1 2 )

=
=

So

cos 1 cos 2 + sin 1 sin 2

a a +b b
p 1 2 p1 2
2
a1 + b21 a22 + b22

(
positive then origin lies in Obtuse Angle
a1 a2 + b1 b2 =
negative then origin lies in Acute Angle

9.3.3

Bisector of the Acute/obtuse angle

We can use both the previous sections to find the equation of the acute/obtuse
angle bisector.
To find the equation of the acute or obtuse angle bisector we just need to
find where the origin lies. When we find where the origin lies (acute/obtuse
angle) we choose the angle bisetor taking + sign in the equation of the angle
bisector.
So like let us discuss some cases. Suppose we want to find the equation of
the angle bisector of the acute angle between two lines. If the a1 a2 + b1 b2 < 0
we see that origin lies in the acute angle and hence the equation of the acute
angle (since it contains the origin) will be
a1 x + b1 y + c1
a2 x + b2 y + c2
p
= p 2
2
2
a1 + b1
a2 + b22
and taking a negative sign for the obtuse angle bisector.
Problem 28. Find the equation of the bisector containing the origin, and
bisector of the acute angle between the lines 3x4y +7 = 0 and 12x+5y 2 = 0
Problem 29. FInd the equation of the line which bisects the obtuse angle
between the lines x 2y + 4 = 0 and 4x 3y + 2 = 0 , does this bisector contain
the origin.
5 cos

is positive in the first quadrant and negative in the second quadrant. Hence if
cos > 0 then lies in the first quadrant (or fouth quadrant) and if cos < 0 then lies in
the second ( or third ) quadrant.

17

10

10

LINEAR COMBINATION OF LINES

Linear combination of lines

Given two lines P : a1 x + b1 y + c1 = 0 and Q : a2 x + b2 y + c2 = 0, we are

interested in finding out what is the linear combination of these two lines.
A linear combination can be represented as
P + Q =
(a1 x + b1 y + c1 ) + (a2 x + b2 y + c2 )

0
0

1. If the lines P = 0 and Q = 0 are intersecting then P + Q = 0 represents

a family of lines passing through the intersection of P = 0 and Q = 0
2. If the lines P = 0 and Q = 0 are parallel then P + Q = 0 represents
family of lines that are parallel to these two.
Problem 30. Prove that all lines represented by the equation
(2 cos + 3 sin )x + (3 cos 5 sin )y (5 cos 2 sin ) = 0
pass through a fixed point for all values
of . Find the coordinates of this point
and its reflection in the line x + y = 2

18