STRAIGHT LINES

Single Type
1. If a variable line drawn through the point of
intersection of straight lines x  y  1 and x  y  1 meets the
coordinate axes in A and B, then the locus of the mid-
point of AB is
(A) (x  y)  xy(  ) (B) (x  y)  2xy(  )
(C) (  )(x  y)  2xy (D) None of these
Ans: (B)
The equation of a line passing through the intersection of
straight lines x  y  1 and x  y  1 is
x y  x y 
   1      1  0
     
 1  1 
or x    y     1 0
   

This meets the axes at

   
  1    1 
A  ,0  and B  0, .
1   1  
     
   

Let (h, k) be the mid point of AB,

then h  21 . 1  1 ,k  21 . 1  1
 
   

Eliminating  from these two, we get

2hk(  )  (h  k).

 The locus of (h,k) is 2xy(  )  (x  y).

1
2. If straight lines ax  by  p  0 and x cos   y sin   p  0 include
an angle  / 4 between them and meet the straight line
x sin   y cos   0 in the same point, then the value of a  b 2 2

is equal to
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) 4
Ans: (B)
It is given that the lines ax  by  p  0 and x cos   y sin   p are

inclined at an angle .
4
a cos 
 
 b sin 
Therefore tan 
acos 
4 1
b sin 
 acos   b sin   a sin   bcos  ...................................(i)

It is given that the lines ax  by  p  0, x cos   y sin   p  0 and

x sin   y cos   0 are concurrent.
a b p
 cos  sin  p  0
sin   cos  0

  ap cos   bp sin   p  0   acos   b sin   1

 acos   b sin   1....................................(ii)

From (i) and (ii), a sin   bcos   1

From (ii) and (iii), (acos   b sin )  (a sin   bcos )
2 2
2

 a2  b2  2.

2
3. 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 the point A are
(A) 13 / 5, 0  (B)  5 / 13, 0 
(C)  – 7, 0  (D) None of these
Ans: (A)
Let the coordinates of A be (a, 0). Then the slope of the
30
reflected ray is  tan , (say).
5a

The slope of the incident ray =  2  0  tan(  )

1 a
3 2
Since tan   tan(   )  0   0
5  a 1 a
13
 13  5a  0  a
5
 13 
Thus the coordinates of A are  5 ,0  .
 

4. If the algebraic sum of the perpendicular distances from

the points (3, 1), (1, 2) and (1, 3) to a variable line is
x2  1 x 1 x2
zero, and 2x  3 3x  2 x  4  mx4  nx3  px2  qx  r be an identity
x4 4x  3 2x  5

in x then the variable line always passes through the

point:
(A) (m, r) (B)  r, m
(C) (r, m) (D) (2r, m)
Ans: (C)
Let ax  by  c  0 be the variable line.
3
 3a  b  c a  2b  c a  3b  c
Given:   0
a b
2 2
a b
2 2
a2  b2

a + 2b + c = 0 i.e. it passes through the point(1,2)

Also in the given identity, we get r = 1,and m=2

5. Given, a  1 and a  1 with ABCD and r. Let the slope of

the line AB equals 2r. Point BD lies on the line ABD
such that the slope of CBD equals C 1 where C. If the
2 5r
area of the C1 can be expressed as 5
, then the largest
2 10 r
possible value of 5
is
85 r 4r
(A) 5
(B) 5

(C) ABC 1   (D) cos 

Ans: (D)
Let the coordinates of C be 1, c 
c  m 1x
Here, m 2  c1  xy  m 2  1 x
(Let y  mx )
 m 2  m 2x  c  m 1x 
 c  m1  m 2 x  m 2  ......... i

0 0 1
Now, area of 1 1
 ABC  x m 1x 1  cx  m 1x
2 2
 
1 c 1


1
2     
m 1  m 2 x  m 2 x  m 1x    m 1  m 2 x 2  m 2 x  m 1x 

1
2   

1
2
m1  m 2 x  x 2  

x  x 2 in  0,1 


2
 f x  1 x  x 2
1 1
 max f  x   when x 
8 2

4
6. Let PQR be a right angled isosceles triangle right
angled at P(2, 1). If the equation of the line QR is 2x +
y = 3, then the equation representing the pair of lines
PQ and PR is
(A) 3x2  3y2  8xy  20x  10y  25  0
(B) 3x2  3y2  8xy  20x  10y  25  0
(C) 3x2  3y2  8xy  10x  15y  20  0
(D) 3x2  3y2  8xy  10x  15y  20  0
Ans: (B)
Let m be the slope of PQ and PR

m2 m2 1
So tan 45o  
1 – 2m
 1 
1 – 2m
 m  3, 
3

So Joint equation of PQ and PR is

(3x  y  5)(x  3y  5)  0

(3x  y  5)(x  3y  5)  0

 3x2  3y2  8xy  20x  10y  25  0

7. If the lines joining origin to the points of intersection of

the line fx  gy   and the curve x  hxy  y  gx  fy  0 be
2 2

mutually perpendicular, then

(A)   h (B)   g
(C)   fg (D)  may have any value
5
Ans: (D)
x2  hxy  y2  gx  fy  0
xf  gy
1


Making (2) homogeneous with the help of (1),

gx(fx  gy) fy(fx  gy)
x 2  hxy  y 2    0.
 

 x2  hxy  y2  gfx2  g2 xy  f 2 xy  fgy2  0

 (  gf)x2  (  gf)y2  xy(h  f 2  g2 )  0

Lines are  if a  b  0 or (  gf )  (  gf )  0, which is true for

every value of . .

8. Equation of a straight line passing through the point of

intersection of x - y + 1 = 0 and
3x + y - 5 = 0 and perpendicular to one of them is
(A) x + y + 3 = 0 (B) x + y - 3 = 0
(C) x - 3y - 5 = 0 (D) x + 3y + 5 = 0
Ans: (B)
Given lines are 3x + y - 5 = 0 ... (i)
and x - y + 1 = 0 ... (ii)
Slope line (i) is = -3 and slope of line (ii) is = 1
equation of any line through the point of intersection of the
given lines is (3x + y - 5) + k (x - y + 1) = 0
Since this line is perpendicular to one of the given lines,
 3k  k1 = - 1 or 1/3  k = -1 or - 5
Therefore, the required straight line is
x + y - 3 = 0 or x - 3y + 5 = 0
6
9. If a, b, c are all distinct, then the equations (b  c) x + (c
 a)y + a  b = 0 and (b3  c3) x + (c3  a3)y + a3  b3 = 0
represent the same line if
(A) a + b + c  0 (B) a + b + c = 0
(C) a + b = 0 or b + c = 0 (D) none of these
Ans: (B)
The given equation represents the same line if
b3  c 3 c 3  a 3 a 3  b 3
bc

c a

ab
 (say)
i.e., if b2 + c2 + bc = c2 + a2 + ca = a2 + b2 + ab = 
i.e., if b2  a2 + bc  ca = 0
and c2  b2 + ca  ab = 0
i.e., if (b  a) (b + a + c) and (c  b) (c + b + a) = 0
i.e., a + b + c = 0

10. Angles made with x-axis by the two lines through the
point (1, 2) and cutting the line x + y = 4 at a distance
1
6 from the point (1, 2) are
3
   3
(A) 6
and 3
(B) 8
and 8
 5
(C) 12
and 12
(D) none of these

Ans: (C)
x 1 y  2
Any line through (1, 2) can be written as 
cos  sin 
r

where  is the angle which the line makes with +ve

direction of x-axis. Any point on this line is

7
 1
(r cos + 1, r sin + 2) when |r | = 3
6, this point lies on the
line x + y = 4
1
i.e., rcos + 1 + rsin + 2 = 4, |r| 
3
6

r(cos + sin) = 1, |r | 
1
3
6  r2(1 + 2sin cos) =
1, r2 = 6
9

1 + sin2 = 1 9

r2 6
 sin2 
1
2

2 = 
6
or 5
6
 = 
12
or 5
12

Multiple Correct Type

11. The equation of two equal sides of an isosceles triangle
are 7x – y+3 = 0 and x + y – 3 = 0 and the third side
passes through the point (1, 10). The equation of the
third side is
(A) x – 3y – 31 = 0 (B) 3x + y – 7 = 0
(C) 3x + y + 7 = 0 (D) 3x – y + 7
Ans: (A, C)
Any line through (1, 10) is given by y + 10 = m(x – 1).
Since it makes equal angle say ‘’ with the given lines
7x – y + 3 = 0 and x + y – 3 = 0, therefore
m7 m  (1) 1
tan     m  or  3
1  7m 1  m(1) 3

8
12. In a triangle the lengths of the two larger sides are 10
and 9, respectively. If the angles are in A.P. then the
length of the third side can be
(A) 5  6 (B) 3 3
(C) 5 (D) 5  6
Ans: (A, D)
Since the angles of triangle are in A.P.
Let A  x  d, B  x, C  x  d
They by sum property of triangle we have A  B  C  180
 x  d  x  x  d  180  3x  180  x  60
a 2  c2  b2
Using cosine formula cos B 
2ac
100  c2  81
We get cos 60 
2 10  c
1 19  c 2 10  100  76
   c 2  10c  19  0  c   c  5 6
2 2 10c 2

Given that a = 10, b = 9 are the longer sides

 c  5  6 (Both the values are less than 9 and 10),

 c  5  6 or 5  6 both are possible.

13. A line passes through the point of intersection of the

lines x  y  1  0 and 2x  y  3  0 and is perpendicular to one
of them. Its equation is
(A) x  2y  1  0 (B) 2x  2y  7  0
(C) 3x  3y  7  0 (D) 3x  6y  8  0
Ans: (C, D)
x  y  1  0 ; 2x  y  3  0

9
 x y 1 2 5
   x   , y 
2 5 3 3 3

reqd. lines can be

5  2 5 1  2
y  1 x   or y    x  
3  3 3 2  3

= 3y – 5 = 3x + 2 or 6y – 10 = -3x – 2
= 3x – 3y + 7 = 0 or 3x + 6y – 8 = 0

14. A (1,3) and C (7,5) are two opposite vertices of a

square. The equation of a side through A is
(A) 2x  y  5  0 (B) x  2y  7  0
(C) 2x  y  1  0 (D) y = x
Ans: (B, C)
Slope of AC = 13 = tan 
Slope of AB  tan    45  1/ 2
Equation of AB = x + 2y – 7 = 0 and
Slope of AD = tan    45  2
Equation of AD = 2x – y + 1 = 0.

15. Line L is perpendicular to the line 5x  y  1. The area of

triangle formed by the line and coordinate axes is 5. Its
equation is
(A) x  5y  2 (B) x  5y  5 2
(C) x  5y  5 2 (D) x  5y   2
Ans: (B, C)
AB  to L is x + 5y = k

10
 1
OAB  5  ab  5
2
k
or k.  10
5

 k 2  50, 50 (rejected)  k  5 2

16. All points lying inside the  formed by the points (1, 3),
(5, 0) and (1, 2) satisfy
(A) 3x  2y  0 (B) 2x  y  13  0
(C) 2x  3y  12  0 (D) 2x  y  0
Ans: (A, C)
As, 3x  2y  0 (1). Where (1, 3)(5,0) and (1, 2) satisfy (1)
Again, 2x + y – 13  0
is not satisfied by (1, 3),  (b) is false.
2x – 3y – 12  0
is satisfied for all points,  (c) is true.
2x + y  0
is not satisfied by (5, 0),  (d) is false.
Thus (a), (c) are correct answers.

17. The points    1,1 ,  2  1,3 and  2  2,2  are collinear if

(A)   1 (B)   2
(C)   1/ 2 (D)   1/ 2
Ans: (B, D)
A    1,1 , B  2  1,3 and C(2  2, 2)
Slope of AB = Slope of AC
11
 3 1 2  1
    2,  1
2   1    1 2  2    1 2

18. A point P on the line 2x – 2y + 1 = 0 is rotated about

origin in anti-clock wise direction through an angle tan–
1
(3/4) then the locus of P is a straight line such that
(A) its slope is 7
(B) intersects y axis at the point (0, 5/2)
(C) its slope is –1/7
(D) intersects y axis at the point (0, –5/2)
Ans: (A,B)
locus of P is
4x 3y 3x 4y
2 2 1 0
5 5

14x – 2y + 5 = 0
Hence slope is 7 & 4-intercept is (5/2)

19. For all values of , the lines represented by the equation

(2 cos  + 3 sin ) x + (3 cos   5 sin ) y – (5 cos   2
sin ) = 0
(A) pass through a fixed point
(B) pass through the point (1, 1)
(C) pass through a fixed point whose reflection in the line
x  y  2 is ( 2 1, 2 1)

(D) pass through the origin

Ans: (A, B, C)
The given equation can be written as
12
 (2x + 3y – 5) cos  + (3x – 5y + 2) sin  = 0
or (2x + 3y – 5) + tan  (3x – 5y + 2) = 0
This passes through the point of intersection of the lines 2x
+ 3y – 5 = 0 and 3x – 5y + 2 = 0 for all values of . The
coordinates of the point P of intersection are (1, 1). Let
Q(h, k) be the reflection of P(1, 1) in the line
x  y  2 …..(i)

Then PQ is perpendicular to (i) and the mid-point of PQ

lies on (i).
 k  1  1  k  h and h  1  k  1  2  h  k  2  1
h 1 2 2

20. The two sets of pair of lines given by ax2 – 2xy + by2 = 0
and bx2 – 2xy + ay2 = 0 be such that each pair bisects
the angle between the other pair then
(A) a – b = 2 (B) a + b = 0
(C) a + b = 2 (D) a – b = 2
Ans: (A, B, D)
Any pair should represent the bisectors of other.
 ax2 – 2xy + by2 = 0 is same as
x 2  y 2 xy
 or x2 + (b – a) xy – y2 = 0
ba 1
a 2 b
Comparing   
1 b  a 1

 a = , b = , 2 = (b – a)
 2 = 1,   = 1, 1
 a – b = 2 or a – b = 2.
13
Numeric Type
21. The number of integer values of m, for which the x-co-
ordinate of the point of intersection of the lines 3x+4y=9
and y = mx + 1 is also an integer, is
Ans: (1)
Eliminating y, the x coordinate of point of intersection is
given by
5 5 5 5 5
x  or or or
3  4m 1 1 5 -5
because x is also an integer
 3  4m  1, 1,5 or -5

or 4m  2, 4, 2, 8
1 1
 m   , 1, , 2 in all four values but integral values of m are
2 2
only two i.e. –1 and –2.

22. The equations of sides of a triangle ABC are AB: x + y –

1 = 0, BC: 7x – y – 15 = 0, AC: x–y–1 = 0 the equation of
angular bisector of internal angle B of the triangle is 3x
+ y – k = 0. The positive integer k must be.
Ans: (5)
x  y 1 7x  y  15

2 50

 x + 3y + 5 = 0, 3x + y – 5 = 0
If k is a numerical quantity, then the first equation can not
become 3x + y – k

14
 For any k therefore the other solution represents required
bisector
k=5

23. In a ABC, A  (, 2 + 3), B  (1, 2), C  (2, 3). If the

area of ABC be  such that [] = 2, where [.] denotes
the greatest integer function, then the number of all
possible integral values of  is
Ans: (4)
1   2  3 1 2 2 3 
    
2 1 2 2 3  2  3 

= 1
|2 – (2 + 3) + 3 – 4 + 4 + 6 – 3| = 1
|2|
2 2

but [] = 2  1 
 2 |   2 |  2

|2|
2 3
2

 4  | + 2| < 6
 4   + 2 < 6 and –6 <  + 2  – 4
 2   < 4 and –8 <   –6
 I
  = 2, 3, –7, –6

24. If the straight lines ax  by  c  0 and x cos   y sin   c, enclose

an angle  / 4 between them and meet the straight line
x sin   y cos   0 in the same point then write the value of

a 2  b2
15
Ans: (2)
a b c
3 lines are concurrent  cos  sin  c  0
sin   cos  0

 a cos   b sin   1
a cos   b sin 
cos( / 4)   a 2  b2  2
a b
2 2
cos   sin 
2 2

25. In ABC, C = 90º. The angle between altitude and

median drawn from vertex C is cos 40 then b is equal to 1

41 a
4
the numerical quantity k should be
k

Ans:
B(0, a)
D
b a
M , 
 2 2
90º A(b, 0)
C
(5)
Take CA as x-axis and CB as y-axis M the mid-point of
b a
AB   , 
2 2

a a
Slope CB  slope AB  
b b

 Slope of altitude CD 
b
a
40 9
Now, cos 1  tan 1  k 5
41 40

16
26. If the point (3,4) lies on the locus of the point of
intersection of the lines x cos   y sin   a and
x sin   y cos   b   is a variable  , the point (a,b) lies on the line

3x  4y  0 then find the value of a  b .

Ans: (7)
x 2  y2  a 2  b2 is the locus of point of intersection of given two
lines.
Since, (3,4) lies on the locus we get a  b 2 2
 25

Also, (a,b) lies on 3x  4y  0, we get b  3a

4

27. In a triangle ABC a = 6, b = 3 & cos (A – B) = 4/5. Find

area of .
Ans: (9)
4 A B 1 a b c 1
cos (A B) tan cot
5 2 3 a b 2 3
1
c ab = 9 sq units
2 2

28. In a triangle ABC, AB is parallel to y – axis, BC is

parallel to x – axis, centroid is at (2, 1). If median
through C is x – y = 1, then the slope of median through
A is ……..
Ans: (4)
Let B ( a, b) , C (c, b) , A (a, d)
ac 
Then D, (mid point of BC) is  ,b
 2 

17
  bd 
E, (mid-point of AB) is  a, 
 2 
bd
b
Given slope of CE = 1  2  1  b  d   2
ca ca

Slope of AD = bd
2
b  d   4
ac ca
a
2

29. Given the family of lines, a (2x + y + 4) + b (x – 2y – 3) =

0. Among the lines of the family, the number of lines situated
at a distance of 10 from the point M (2, – 3) is.
Ans: (1)
The point of intersection of the two lines are (–1, –2)

Distance PM = 10
Hence the required line is one which passes through (–1, –
2) and is | to
P.M.  1

30. If the straight line drawn through the point P  3, 2  and


making an angle with x-axis meets the line 3x  4y  8  0 at Q
6
then the length PQ is
Ans: (6)
x 3 y2
  r  PQ where Q lies on given line 3x  4y  8  0
  
cos   sin  
6 6
 3  r
or 3  3  r   4  2    8  0
 2   2

18
 r
3  0  r  6  PQ
2

19