We can use the section formula to find the point which divides the line segment in a given ratio.
The point P which divides the line segment joining the two points A (x1, y1) and B (x2, y2) internally in the ratio l : m is
If P divides a line segment AB joining the two points A (x1, y1) and B (x2, y2) externally in the ratio l : m is
Example 1 :
Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line segments joining (-1, 7) and (4, -3) internally in the ratio 2 : 3.
Solution :
Here x1 = -1, y1 = 7, x2 = 4 , y2 = -3 l = 2 and m = 3.
= [2(4) + 3(-1)]/(2+3) , [2(-3) + 3(7)]/(2+3)
= (8 - 3)/5, (-6+21)/5
= (5/5, 15/5)
= (1, 3)
Example 2 :
Find the coordinates of the points of trisection of the line segment joining (4, -1) and (-2, -3).
Solution :
Let "C" and "D" be the points which divides the line segment into three equal parts.
length of AC = 1 unit
length of CD = 1 unit
length of DB = 1 unit
So C divides the line segment in the ratio 1 : 2
Here x1 = 4, y1 = -1, x2 = -2, y2 = -3, l = 1 and m = 2.
= [1(-2) + 2(4)]/(1+2) , [1(-3) + 2(-1)]/(1+2)
= (-2 + 8)/3, (-3-2)/3
= 6/3, -5/3
= (2,-5/3)
So, D divides the line segment in the ratio 2 : 1
Here x1 = 4, y1 = -1, x2 = -2 , y2 = -3 m = 2 and n = 1
= [2(-2) + 1(4)]/(2+1) , [2(-3) + 1(-1)]/(2+1)
= (-4 + 4)/3, (-6-1)/3
= (0/3, -7/3)
= (0,-7/3)
Example 3 :
To conduct sports day activity, in your rectangular shaped school ground ABCD, lines have been drawn which chalk powder at a distance of 1 m each 100 flower pots have been placed at a distance of 1 m from each other along AD, as shown in figure given below.
Niharika runs ¼ th the distance AD on the second line and posts a green flag. Preet runs 1/5th the distance AD on the eight line and posts a red flag.
What is between both the flags? If Rashmi has to post a blue flag exactly halfway between the line segment joining the two flags,where should she post her flag?
Solution :
It can be observed that Naharika posted a green flag at 1/4 th of the distance AD
That is,
(1/4) x 100 = 25 m
from the starting point of the 2nd line.
So, the coordinate of the point is (2, 25)
Preet post red flag at 1/5th of the distance AD.
(1/5) x 100 = 20m
from the starting point of the 8th line.
So, the coordinates of this point R are (8, 20). Distance between these flags.
= √(x2 - x1)2 + (y2 - y1)2
= √(8 - 2)2 + (20 - 25)2
= √62 + (-5)2
= √36 + 25
= √61 m
The point at which Rashmi should post her blue flag is the midpoint of the line joining these points.
x = (8 + 2)/2, y = (25 + 20)/2
= 10/2, 45/2
= (5, 22.5)
So, Rashmi should post her flag at 22.5 m on 5th line.
Example 4 :
The point which divides the line segment joining the points (7, –6) and (3, 4) in ratio 1 : 2 internally lies in the
(A) I quadrant (B) II quadrant
(C) III quadrant (D) IV quadrant
Solution :
= (mx2 + nx1)/(m + n), (my2 + ny1)/(m + n)
= [1(3) + 2(7)] / (1 + 2), [1(4) + 2(-6)] / (1 + 2)
= (3 + 14)/3, (4 - 12)/3
= (17/3, -8/3)
The required point is in the form of (x, -y), so the required point lies in fourth quadrant.
Example 5 :
Point P divides the line segment joining hte points A(2, 1) and B(5, -8) such that AP : PB = 1 : 3 if P lies on the line 2x - y + k = 0, then find the value of k.
Solution :
= (mx2 + nx1)/(m + n), (my2 + ny1)/(m + n)
AP : PB = 1 : 3
= [1(5) + 3(2)]/(1 + 3), [1(-8) + 3(1)]/(1 + 3)
= (5 + 6)/4, (-8 + 3)/4
= (11/4, -5/4)
The point lies on the line 2x - y + k = 0
2(11/4) - (-5/4) + k = 0
(22/4) + (5/4) + k = 0
(22 + 5 + 4k)/4 = 0
27 + 4k = 0
4k = -27
k = -27/4
Example 6 :
The fourth vertex D of a parallelogram ABCD whose three vertices are A (–2, 3), B (6, 7) and C (8, 3) is
(A) (0, 1) (B) (0, –1) (C) (–1, 0) (D) (1, 0)
Solution :
In parallelogram, the diaognals will bisect each other.
Let D be the required point (a, b). AC is the diagonal in which E is the point of intersection of the diagonals AC and BD.
Finding the point E :
= (1(8) + 1(-2))/(1 + 1), (1(3) + 1(3))/(1 + 1)
= (8 - 2)/2, (3 + 3)/2
= (6/2, 6/2)
= (3, 3) -------(1)
Finding the vertex D :
= (1(a) + 1(6))/(1 + 1), (1(b) + 1(7))/(1 + 1)
= (a + 6)/2, (b + 7)/2-----(2)
(1) = (2)
(a + 6)/2 = 3 a + 6 = 6 a = 6 - 6 a = 0 |
(b + 7)/2 = 3 b + 7 = 6 b = 6 - 7 b = -1 |
D(0, -1). So, option B is correct.
Kindly mail your feedback to v4formath@gmail.com
We always appreciate your feedback.
©All rights reserved. onlinemath4all.com
Jul 13, 25 09:51 AM
Jul 13, 25 09:32 AM
Jul 11, 25 08:34 AM