Mathematics

Session

Cartesian Coordinate Geometry

And
Straight Lines

Session Objectives

Session Objectives
1. Equations of bisectors of angles between
two lines
2. Acute/obtuse angle bisectors
3. Position of origin w.r.t bisecors
4. Equation of family of lines through
intersection of two lines
5. Pair of lines - locus definition
6. Pair of lines represented by second
degree equation
7. Angle between two lines, represented as a
second degree equation

Equation of Bisector
Y
N
A

P(h,k)
M
X O

Consider two lines a1x+b1y+c1 = 0 and a2x+b2y+c2 = 0

We are required to find the equations of the bisectors of the
angle between them.
The required equations are the equations to the locus of a
point P(h, k)
equidistant from the given lines.

Equation of Bisector
Y
N
A

P(h,k)
M
X O

PM = PN

a1h b1k c1
a12

b12

a12

b12

a1h b1k c1

a2h b2k c2
a22 b22
a2h b2k c2

The required equations are

a22 b22
a1x b1y c1

a12

b12

a2x b2y c2
a22 b22

Acute/obtuse Angle Bisectors

Algorithm to determine equations of
bisectors of acute angle and obtuse
angle between a pair of lines.
Step I : Rewrite the equations of the lines in general form
a1x+b1y+c1 = 0 and a2x+b2y+c2 = 0 such that c1 and
c2 are positive.
Step II : Determine sign of expression a1a2+b1b2
Step III : Write the equations of the bisectors
a1x b1y c1
a x b2y c2 a1x b1y c1
a x b2y c2
;
2
2
a12 b12
a22 b22
a12 b12
a22 b22

Acute/obtuse Angle Bisectors

Step IV : Case (i) a1a2+b1b2 > 0

Obtuse angle
bisector
Acute angle
bisector

a1x b1y c1
a12 b12

a2x b2y c2

a1x b1y c1

a22 b22

a12 b12

a2x b2y c2
a22 b22

Acute/obtuse Angle Bisectors

Step IV : Case (i) a1a2+b1b2 < 0

Acute angle
bisector
Obtuse angle
bisector

a1x b1y c1
a12 b12

a2x b2y c2

a1x b1y c1

a22 b22

a12 b12

a2x b2y c2
a22 b22

Illustrative Example
Find the equation of the obtuse
angle bisector of lines 12x-5y+7 = 0
and 3y-4x-1 = 0.
Solution :
Rewrite the equations to make
the constant terms positive,
12x-5y+7 = 0 and
4x-3y+1 = 0
Calculate a1a2+b1b2
12*4+(-5)*(-3) = 63

Solution Cont.
a1a2+b1b2 > 0, therefore the
obtuse angle bisector is
12x 5y 7
2

122 5

4x 3y 1
2

42 3

Simplifying,
12x 5y 7
4x 3y 1

13
5

60x 25y 35 52x 39y 13

8x 14y 22 0
4x 7y 11 0

Which is the required equation of

the obtuse angle bisector.

Origin w.r.t. Angle Bisectors

Algorithm to determine whether
origin lies in the obtuse angle or
the acute angle between a pair of
lines
Step I : Rewrite the equations of the lines in general form
a1x+b1y+c1 = 0 and a2x+b2y+c2 = 0 such that c1 and c2 are
positive.
Step II : Determine sign of expression a1a2+b1b2

Origin w.r.t. Angle Bisectors

Step III : Case (i) a1a2+b1b2 > 0

Origin lies in obtuse angle

between the lines

Origin w.r.t. Angle Bisectors

Step III : Case (i) a1a2+b1b2 < 0

Origin lies in acute angle

between the lines

Illustrative Example
For the straight lines 4x+3y-6 = 0 and
5x+12y+9 = 0 find the equation of the
bisector of the angle which contains the
origin.

Solution :
Rewrite the equations to make
the constant terms positive,
-4x-3y+6 = 0 and
5x+12y+9 = 0
Calculate a1a2+b1b2

(-4)*5+(-3)*(12) = -56
a1a2+b1b2 < 0, therefore origin lies in the acute angle.

Illustrative Example
Acute angle bisector is given by :

4x 3y 6

42 32

5x 12y 9
52 122

4x 3y 6 5x 12y 9

5
13

52x 39y 78 25x 60y 45

77x 99y 33 0
7x 9y 3 0

The origin lies in the acute angle and the equation of

the acute angle bisector is 7x+9y-3 = 0.

Family of Lines Through

Intersection of a Pair of Lines
Equation of the family of lines
passing through the intersection of
the lines a1x+b1y+c1 = 0 and
a2x+b2y+c2 = 0 is given by

a1x b1y c1 a2x b2y c2 0

where is a parameter
can be calculated
using some given
condition

Illustrative Example
Find the equation of the straight line
which passes through the point
(2, -3) and the point of intersection
of x+y+4 = 0 and 3x-y-8 = 0.

Solution :
Required equation can be written as
x+y+4+(3x-y-8) = 0 where is a
parameter.
This passes through (2, -3).
2-3+4+ (3*2+3-8) = 0.
= -3
the required equation is x+y+4-3(3x-y-8) = 0
or 8x+4y+28 = 0 or 2x-y-7 = 0

Pair of Lines - Locus Definition

A pair of straight lines is the locus of
a point whose coordinates satisfy a
second degree equation
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0 such
that it can be factorized into two
linear equations.

Pair of Lines
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0 in
general represents all the conics in
the x-y plane.

a h g
h b f is called the discrimin ant
g f c

Pair of Lines
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
= 0, h2-ab 0

A pair of lines

Pair of Lines
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
0, h2-ab > 0

A hyperbola

Pair of Lines
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
0, h2-ab = 0

A parabola

Pair of Lines
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
0, h2-ab < 0

An ellipse

Pair of Lines
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
0, h = 0, a = b

A circle

Individual Lines
To find the equation of individual
lines in the pair of lines
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0,
Method I :
Step I : Rewrite the equation as a quadratic
in x (or y).
Step II : Solve for x (or y).
Method II :

Will be discussed later.

Illustrative Example
Find the separate equations of
the lines represented by
2x2-xy-y2+9x-3y+10 = 0.

Solution
Rewriting the given equation,
2x2-(y-9)x-(y2+3y-10) = 0
x

y 9 y 92 4.2 y2 3y 10
4

4x y 9 9y2 6y 1
4x y 9 3y 1
4x 4y 8 or 4x 2y 10
x y 2 0 and 2x y 5 0

Which are the required equations.

Point of Intersection
Point of intersection of the pair of
lines represented by
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0 is
bg hf af gh
, 2
2

ab
h

ab

No need to memories this

formula. To find the required
point, find the equations of the
individual lines and solve
simultaneously

Homogeneous Equation
An equation, with R.H.S. 0, in which
the sum of the powers of x and y in
every term is the same, say n, is
called a homogeneous equation of
nth degree in x and y.

Pair of Lines Through Origin

A pair of straight lines passing through
the origin is represented by a
homogeneous equation of second degree

ax2+2hxy+by2 = 0
ax2+2hxy+by2 = 0 can be rewritten as b(y-m1x)(y-m2x)
= 0, where m1 and m2 are the slopes of the two lines.
bm1m2x2-b(m1+m2)xy+by2 = 0

m1m2

a
2h
; m1 m2
b
b

The above relations can be used to find the

equations and the slopes of the individual lines.

Illustrative Example
Find the separate equations of the lines
represented by 4x2+24xy+11y2 = 0.
Solution :
m1m2

4
24
; m1 m2
11
11

m1 m2

m1 m2 4m1m2

m1 m2

576 176

121 121

20
m1 m2
11

m1 2, m2

2
11

the required equations are y 2x 0 and 11y 2x 0

Pair of Lines Through Origin

If a pair of straight lines is
represented by
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0,
then

ax2+2hxy+by2 = 0
represents a pair of lines parallel to
them and passing through the
origin.

Individual Lines
To find the equation of individual
lines in the pair of lines

ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0,
Method II :
Step I : Find slopes of the individual lines m1 and m2
using ax2+2hxy+by2 = 0
Step II : compare coefficients in the identity
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c b(y-m1x-c1)(y-m2x-c2) to
find c1 and c2.

Illustrative Example
Find the separate equations of
the lines represented by
2x2+5xy+3y2+6x+7y+4 = 0.
Solution :
m1m2

2
5
; m1 m2
3
3
2

m1 m2 4m1m2

m1 m2

m1 m2
m1 m2

1
3

m1 1, m2

25 24

9
9
2
3

Solution Cont.
Consider the identity
2x2 5xy 3y2 6x 7y 4
y x c1 3y 2x 3c2

2x2 5xy 3y2 6x 7y 4

2x2 5xy 3y2 2c1 3c2 x 3c1 3c2 y 3c1c2

2c1 3c2 6; 3c1 3c2 7; 3c1c2 4

c1 1; c2

4
3

The required equations are x y 1 0 and 2x 3y 4 0

Pair of Lines With Given

Condition
Y

X O

To find the joint equation of a pair of lines joining the

origin to the points of intersection of the curve
ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
and the line lx+my+n = 0.

Pair of Lines With Given Condition

Y

X O

Step I : Rewrite lx+my+n = 0 such that R.H.S. = 1

lx my
1
n
Step II : Make the equation of the curve homogeneous
2

lx my
lx my
ax2 2hxy by2 2 gx fy

c
0

n
n

Pair of Lines With Given Condition

Y

X O

The required equation is the equation arrived at in Step II.

2

lx my
lx my
ax2 2hxy by2 2 gx fy

c
0

n
n

Illustrative Example
Find the equation of the lines joining
the origin to the points of intersection
of the straight line y = 3x+2 and the
curver x2+2xy+3y2+4x+8y-11 = 0.
Solution :
Equation of straight line can be rewritten as
3x y
1
2
Using this to make the equation of the curve
homogeneous,
2

3x y
3x y
2
2
x 2xy 3y 4 x 2y
11
0

2
2

Solution

3x y
3x y
x2 2xy 3y2 4 x 2y

11
0

2
2

x2 2xy 3y2 2 3x2 5xy 2y2

On simplifying,
7x2 2xy y2 0

Which is the required equation.

11
9x2 6xy y2 0
4

Angle Between a Pair of Lines

If ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
represents a pair of lines,
Acute angle between the lines is
given by :
2 h2 ab
tan
ab

Independent of g, f, c

Angle Between a Pair of Lines

If ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
represents a pair of lines,
Acute angle between the lines is
given by :
2 h2 ab
tan
ab

Lines are parallel or

coincident if h2 = ab

Angle Between a Pair of Lines

If ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0
represents a pair of lines,
Acute angle between the lines is
given by :
2 h2 ab
tan
ab

Lines are perpendicular

if a+b = 0

Illustrative Example
Find the angle between the pair
of lines represented by
2x2+5xy+3y2+6x+7y+4 = 0.

Solution :
Acute angle between the pair of lines is
2 h2 ab
given by tan
ab
2

5
2 6
1
2
tan

23
5
1
1
Acute angle tan1 ; Obtuse angle tan1
5
5

Angle Bisectors of a Pair of

Lines
If ax2+2hxy+by2 = 0 represents a
pair of lines,
Equation of angle bisectors is given
by :

x2 y2
xy

ab
h

Perpendiculars to a Pair of Lines

If ax2+2hxy+by2 = 0 represents a
pair of lines,
Equation of perpendiculars to the
pair of lines is given by :
bx2 2hxy ay2 0

Illustrative Example
Find the equation of the bisectors
of the lines represented by
135x2-136xy+33y2 = 0.
Solution :
Equation of bisectors are given by :

x2 y2
xy

ab
h
x2 y2
xy

135 33 68

2x2 3xy 2y2 0

Which is the required equation.

Class Exercise

Class Exercise - 1
The bisectors of the angle
between the lines y = 3x+3 and
3y = x+33 meet the X-axis at
P and Q. Find length PQ.

Solution :
The equations can be rewritten as
3x y 3 0 and x 3y 3 3

Angle bisectors are given by

3x y 3
x 3y 3 3

2
2

Solution Cont.

3 1 y 3 3 1 0
and 3 1 x 3 1 y 3 3 1 0
or

3 1 x

or x y 3 0 and x y 3 0

These lines meet the X-axis at

P(3,0) and Q(-3,0).

Clearly length PQ = 6.

Class Exercise - 2
Prove that the bisectors of the angles
formed by any two intersecting lines are
perpendicular to each other.
Solution :
A. Consider two intersecting lines

Consider the angle

bisectors
+++ =
+ = /2
Q.E.D.

Class Exercise - 3
Show that the reflection of the lines
px+qy+r = 0 in the line x+y+1 = 0 is the
line qx+py+(p+q-r) = 0, where p -q
Solution :

Angle bisectors of the lines px+qy+r = 0 and

qx+py+(p+q-r) = 0 are
px qy r
p2 q2

qx py (p q r)
q2 p2

or p q x q p y 2r p q 0
and p q x p q y p q 0

Second equation can be written as x+y+1 = 0

(as p+q 0)

Q.E.D.

Class Exercise - 4
A rhombus has two of its sides parallel to
the lines y = 2x+3 and y = 7x+2. If the
diagonals cut at (1,2) and one vertex is on
the Y-axis, find the possible values of the
ordinate of that vertex.
Solution :
Concept : Diagonals of a rhombus bisect the angle.
Let the sides intersecting at the Y-axis be 2x-y+1 = 0
and 7x-y+2 = 0.
These lines will meet the Y-axis at (0,1) and (0,2).
1 = 2 = (say)
Thus the sides are 2x-y+ = 0 and 7x-y+ = 0.

Solution Cont.
Angle bisectors will be
2x y
5

7x y
5 2

or 2 10x 10y 10 7x y

These will pass through (1,2)

10 5

5
1 10
9

Class Exercise - 5
Find the bisector of the angle between the
lines 2x+y-6 = 0 and 2x-4y+7 = 0 which
contains the point (1,2).
Solution :

Consider a1x+b1y+c1 = 0 and

a2x+b2y+c2 = 0 (c1, c2 0),
If a1h+b1k+c1 and a2h+b2k+c2 have the same sign,
point (h,k) will lie in the angle bisector
a1x b1y c1
2
1

2
1

a b

a2x b2y c2
a22 b22

Solution Cont.
Given lines can be rewritten as
-2x-y+6 = 0 and 2x-4y+7 = 0.
Now -2(1)-(2)+6 > 0 and
2(1)-4(2)+7 > 0
Angle bisector containing (1,2) is
2x y 6
5

2x 4y 7
2 5

or, 6x 2y 5 0

Class Exercise - 6
Find the equation of the straight line
drawn through the point of intersection
of the lines x+y = 4 and 2x-3y = 1 and
perpendicular to the line cutting off
intercepts 5 and 6 on the positive axes.
Solution :
Family of lines through the intersection of
the given lines is (x+y-4)+(2x-3y-1) = 0

Line cutting intercepts of 5 and 6 on the

positive axes is
x y
1 or 6x 5y 30 0
5 6

Solution Cont.
Slope of line perpendicular to this
line will be -5/6.

1 2 5
11

1 3 6
3

Thus required equation is

3(x+y-4)+11(2x-3y-1) = 0

Or, 25x-30y-23 = 0

Class Exercise - 7
Find the separate equations of the
pair of lines represented by
12x2+5xy-28y2+19x+61y-21 = 0.
Solution :

Rewrite the equation as a quadratic in x, we

get 12x2+(5y+19)x-(28y2-61y+21) = 0
x

5y 19 25y2 190y 361 1344y2 2928y 1008

24

24x 5y 19 1369y2 2738y 1369

24x 5y 19 37 y 1
24x 32y 56 0 or 24x 42y 18 0
3x 4y 7 0 or 4x 7y 3 0

Class Exercise - 8
Show that the lines joining the origin to the
points common to x2+hxy-y2+gx+fy = 0
and fx-gy = are at right angles whatever
be the value of .
Solution :
Given line can be rewritten as

fx gy
1

Using this to make the equation of the curve

homogeneous, we get
fx gy
x2 hxy y2 gx fy
0

Solution Cont.

Or fg x2 h f 2 g2 xy fg y2 0

Sum of coefficients of x2 and y2

= (+fg)-(+fg)
=0
Thus the required lines are perpendicular to each other,
whatever be the value of .

Q.E.D.

Class Exercise - 9
Find the angle between the pair of
lines : (x2+y2)sin2 = (xcos-ysin)2.
Solution :

Given equation can be rewritten as

(cos2-sin2)x2-2sincosxy+sin2-sin2)y2 = 0

Class Exercise - 10
Prove that the lines
a2x2+2h(a+b)xy+b2y2 = 0 are
equally inclined to the lines
ax2+2hxy+by2 = 0.

Thank you