4 Core: Coordinate geometry

Worked solutions
These are worked solutions to the colour-coded problem-solving questions from the exercises in
the Student’s Book. This excludes the drill questions.

Exercise 4A
34 a
𝑦 𝑦
Gradient 𝑚
𝑥 𝑥
0 7
5 1
7
4
b Perpendicular gradient 𝑚

𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
4
𝑦 3 𝑥 8
7
4 53
𝑦 𝑥
7 7
35 a Using the axis intercepts 0,12 and 9,0 to determine gradient:
𝑦 𝑦
Gradient 𝑚
𝑥 𝑥
0 12
9 0
4
3
b 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
4
𝑦 12 𝑥 0
3
4𝑥 3𝑦 36

36 a Line 𝑦 𝑥 has gradient

b When 𝑦 0, 𝑥

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37 a

Worked solutions
𝑦 𝑦
Gradient 𝑚
𝑥 𝑥
3 1
7 3
1
5
b 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
1
𝑦 1 𝑥 3
5
5𝑦 5 𝑥 3
𝑥 5𝑦 8

38 a Rearranging: 𝑙 : 𝑦 21 𝑥

Gradient 𝑚

b Substituting 𝑥 8, 𝑦 5:
7𝑥 2𝑦 56 10 46 42
𝑃 does not lie on the line.

c Gradient 𝑚

𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
2
𝑦 5 𝑥 8
7
2 51
𝑦 𝑥
7 7
39 Rise 8 800
Tread 12 000 (half the cone diameter)

Gradient 𝑚 0.733

40 a 𝑄: 8,11
b 𝑘 8
c 𝑄𝑅 is the vertical line 𝑥 8

d Area 𝑏ℎ 8 14 56

41 a 𝑦 𝑥 6

b Gradient 𝑚

𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
1
𝑦 2 𝑥 7
4
4𝑦 8 𝑥 7
𝑥 4𝑦 1
c From GDC, the lines intersect at 4.6, 0.9

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42 If the pivot point is the origin, then the end of the plank is at 𝑥, 𝑦 where 0.7 and

Worked solutions
𝑦 3.5
So 𝑥 5
.

Then the plank length is √5 3.5 6.10 m

43 a 𝑉 0.1 0.5𝑡
b When 𝑉 5, 0.5𝑡 4.9
𝑡 9.8
It would take 9.8 seconds to pop the balloon.
44 a Newtons per metre (N/m)
b 𝐹 0.3𝑥
If 𝑥 0.06 then 𝐹 0.018
Require 0.018 N
c A stiffer spring will require more force for the same stretch; 𝑘 will be greater.

d 𝑥
.
So when 𝐹 0.14 and 𝑘 0.3, the stretch is 0.467 m 46.7 cm
.

45 a 𝐶 5 0.01𝑚
b 𝐶 180 6.8
The cost is $6.80 per month
c New model: 𝐶 0.02𝑚
Intersection: 0.02𝑚 5 0.01𝑚
𝑚 500
The first contract will be better if Joanna expects to talk more than 500 minutes per
month (8 hours 20 minutes).
46 a For 𝑛 items sold in a single month, the monthly profits are
𝑃 10𝑛 2000
b 𝑃 1500 10𝑛 2000
𝑛 350
c
𝑃 10𝑛 1200 2𝑛
8𝑛 1200

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 d Intersection: 10𝑛 2000 8𝑛 1200

Worked solutions
2𝑛 800
𝑛 400
Beyond this point, the first model predicts greater profits (steeper slope/no marginal
costs).
For 𝑃 1500, which is lower than the intersection point of the two models, the
company will need to sell fewer items under the second model.

47 a Gradient of 𝐴𝐵 is 𝑚
—

Gradient of 𝐶𝐷 is 𝑚

So lines 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝐷 are parallel, since they have the same gradient
b However, 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐶𝐷 are different lengths, so the shape 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 is not a parallelogram.
48 Considering the path as the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle, the rise must be 400 m
and 0.3

So tread 1333 m
.

Then the length of the path is √400 1333 1390 m (3.s.f)

Exercise 4B
10 a , , , , 1.5, 0.5, 5.5

𝐴𝐵 7 4 0 1 2 9
√121 1 49
√171

11 𝐵: 𝑏 , 𝑏 , 𝑏 where 5, 1, 3 , ,

So 𝐵 is 6, 3, 8

12 , , 8, 2, 𝑐

9
𝑎 3, 𝑏 20, 𝑐 4.5
2
13 Midpoint 𝑀 has coordinates , , 2.5, 10,9.5

Distance 𝑂𝑀 2.5 10 9.5 √196.5

14 Distance travelled 𝑑 √14 3 6.7 √249.89

Average speed 4.52 m s

.

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 𝑘 1 2 5 30

Worked solutions
15

𝑘 √30 (selecting positive root for 𝑘)

√

16 𝑘 1 𝑘 1 3𝑘 √46
11𝑘 2 46
𝑘 4
𝑘 2

17 𝑎 2 1 5 2 4 1 7

√66
𝑎 2 2.97
√30
18 a , 4, 5

3𝑎 𝑏 6 8 1
2𝑎 𝑏 3 10 2
1 2 : 5𝑎 9 2 so 𝑎 2.2
2 :𝑏 13 2𝑎 8.6
b So 𝑃: 5.6, 4.4 and 𝑄: 13.6, 5.6
𝑦 𝑦
Gradient 𝑚
𝑥 𝑥
5.6 4.4
13.6 5.6
1.2
19.2
1
16
𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
1
𝑦 5 𝑥 4
16
19 a Rearranging: 𝑦 𝑥 5

Gradient 𝑚

b Perpendicular gradient 𝑚

𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
7
𝑦 2 𝑥 4
4
4𝑦 8 7𝑥 28
7𝑥 4𝑦 20
c 𝑙 : 4𝑥 7𝑦 35 1
𝑙 : 7𝑥 4𝑦 20 2
4 1 7 2 : 65𝑥 0 so 𝑥 0, 𝑦 5
𝑃: 0, 5

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 d Shortest distance will be perpendicular to 𝑙 and so equals 𝑁𝑃.

Worked solutions
𝑁𝑃 0 4 5 2
√65
8.06
20 a 1.8 m
b Midpoint of 𝐵𝐶 is 𝐺: 3, 1, 0

𝐺𝐸 3 0.2 1 1 0 1.8
√11.08
3.33 m
21 a Midpoint 𝑀: 3,7
b From 𝐴 to 𝑀: 2 units right and 3 units down
So from 𝑀 to 𝐵 will be the same translation, but rotated 90°: 2 units down and 3 units
left
𝐵: 6,5
Then 𝑀 is the midpoint of 𝐵𝐷, since it is the centre of the square
𝐷: 0,9

22 a Gradient 𝑚 1

So Gradient 𝑚 1
The centre of the rhombus is 𝑀, the midpoint of 𝐴𝐶
𝑀 has coordinates 4.5, 4.5
So line 𝐵𝐷 has equation 𝑦 4.5 𝑥 4.5
𝑦 9 𝑥 or 𝑦 𝑥 9

b 𝑚 so line 𝐴𝐵 has equation 𝑦 1 𝑥 1

4 1
𝑦 𝑥
3 3
𝐵 is the intersection of these lines. Substituting:
4 1
9 𝑥 𝑥
3 3
7 28
𝑥
3 3
𝑥 4 so 𝑦 5. 𝐵 has coordinates 4,5
Since 𝑀 is the midpoint of 𝐵𝐷, it follows that 𝐷 has coordinates 5,4

c 𝐴𝐵 4 1 5 1 5

23 a Diagonal of the cuboid has length √3 4 5 √50 7.07 m

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 b Considering the net of the room, the shortest distance for the spider would be the

Worked solutions
diagonal of the rectangle formed by any two sides of the cuboid.
The options are:

Diagonal of a 3 by 4 5 : √3 9 √90
Diagonal of a 4 by 3 5 : √4 8 √80
Diagonal of a 5 by 3 4 : √5 7 √74 8.60 m

Mixed Practice 4
1 a i 𝑀: , 2, 2

ii Gradient 𝑚

iii Perpendicular gradient is

b Line has equation 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥

2
𝑦 2 𝑥 2
3
Substituting 𝑥 0, 𝑦 𝑘: 𝑘 2 so 𝑘

2 a 𝑀: 2,3 ,

So 𝑠 6, 𝑡 2

b Gradient of 𝐴𝐵 is 𝑚

So the perpendicular gradient is 𝑚

Line has equation 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥

4
𝑦 3 𝑥 2
5
5𝑦 15 4𝑥 8
4𝑥 5𝑦 23
3 a When 𝑥 6, 𝑦 0, 2𝑦 3𝑥 0 18 18 11
Since 2𝑦 3𝑥 11 at point 𝐴, it follows that 𝐴 does not lie on 𝐿

b Rearranging: 𝑦 𝑥

Gradient of 𝐿 is

c Perpendicular gradient 𝑚

d Line has equation 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥

2
𝑦 0 𝑥 6
3
2
𝑦 𝑥 4
3
𝑐 4

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 Worked solutions
4 a 𝑚 1

b Perpendicular gradient 𝑚 1
Line has equation 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
𝑦 6 1 𝑥 3
𝑦 𝑥 3
c 𝑃 has coordinates 0,3 and 𝑄 has coordinates 3,0

Area 𝑂𝑃𝑄 3 3 4.5

5 a 𝑀: , 2.5, 1

𝑃𝑄 6 1 4 2
√85
9.22

c Gradient of 𝑃𝑄 is 𝑚

Perpendicular gradient 𝑚

Line has equation 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥

7
𝑦 1 𝑥 2.5
6
7 47
𝑦 𝑥
6 12
6 a 𝑀: , , 2.5, 1, 4

𝑃𝑄 6 1 4 2 3 5
√89
9.43
7 a When 𝑥 0, 𝑦 3 and when 𝑦 0, 𝑥 6 so 𝑃 has coordinates 0,3 and 𝑄 has
coordinates 6,0 .

b 𝑃𝑄 √3 6 √45 3√5
c Substituting 𝑦 𝑥 into the equation for 𝑙 : 3𝑥 6 so 𝑥 2, and the intersection is 2,2

8 a Rearranging the line equation: 𝑦 𝑥

Gradient 𝑚

b Gradient 𝑚

Equating with the answer to part a: 𝑘 2

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 c Line through 𝑁 1,2 with gradient 𝑚

Worked solutions
has equation
7
𝑦 2 𝑥 1
4
7 1
𝑦 𝑥
4 4
Equating with the answer to part a: 𝑑 1

9 a 𝑚

6 9 3
𝑚
1 4 5
So 𝐴𝐵 ∥ 𝐷𝐶
9 8
𝑚 1
4 3
6 5
𝑚 1
1 2
So 𝐴𝐷 ∥ 𝐵𝐶
The quadrilateral has two pairs of parallel sides, so is a parallelogram
b Since 𝑚 𝑚 1, the angle at 𝐴 is not a right-angle, so the shape is not a
rectangle.
10 If the three vertices are 𝐴 2,5 , 𝐵 1,3 and 𝐶 5,9
3 5 2
𝑚
1 2 3
9 5 4
𝑚
5 2 7
9 3 3
𝑚
5 1 2
Then 𝑚 𝑀 1 so 𝐴𝐵 ⊥ 𝐵𝐶 and therefore the triangle has a right angle at 𝐵.

11 4 𝑎 3𝑎 √416
16 10𝑎 416
𝑎 400
𝑎 20

12 a Midpoint 𝑀: , , 2,3, 5

𝑝 1, 𝑞 18
b 𝐴: 2,1,8 , 𝐵: 6,5, 18

𝐴𝐵 2 6 1 5 8 18
√756
27.5

13 𝑚 1.5

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14 Taking the equations simultaneously: 𝑥 3 2 𝑥

Worked solutions
7
𝑥 5
6
𝑥 so 𝑦
30 6
𝑃: ,
7 7
Distance 𝑂𝑃 √30 6 √26 4.37

15 a Gradient of 𝐴𝐵 𝑚

The perpendicular gradient is 𝑚 3 so line 𝑦 3𝑥 is perpendicular to 𝐴.

b Gradient of 𝐴𝐶 𝑚

The perpendicular gradient is 𝑚 2

Midpoint of 𝐴𝐶 𝑀 0,5
Line equation 𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
𝑦 5 2 𝑥 0
𝑙 has equation 𝑦 2𝑥 5
c Intersection of 𝑦 3𝑥 and 𝑦 2𝑥 5:
3𝑥 2𝑥 5
5𝑥 5
𝑥 1 so 𝑆 has coordinates 1,3

𝑆𝐴 1 4 3 3 5

𝑆𝐶 1 4 3 7 5

𝑆𝐵 1 5 3 0 5
So point 𝑆 is equidistant from the three points.
Tip: 𝑆 is called the “circumcentre” of the triangle, and lies at the common intersection of all
three side perpendicular bisectors. Because it is equidistant from all three vertices, a circle
drawn with centre at the circumcentre through one of the vertices will also pass through the
others as well, so that the triangle is inscribed exactly in a circle. You may like to investigate
properties of the other major triangle “centre points” called orthocentre, centroid and incentre,
and their relationships.

16 Gradient 0.2
2
𝑥 10 m
0.2
The closest distance the ramp can start is 10 m from the end of the ramp, horizontally.

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17 a

Worked solutions
b 𝑀: , , 2.5, 2.5, 2

𝐴𝐵 0 5 3 2 4 0
√42
6.48

18 a Gradient 𝑚

b 𝑀: , 1,5

c Perpendicular gradient 𝑚 2
Equation of 𝑙 :
𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥
𝑦 5 2 𝑥 1
2𝑥 𝑦 3
d Substituting 𝑥 1, 𝑦 1 into the equation of 𝑙 :
2𝑥 𝑦 2 1 3 so 𝑁 does lie on 𝑙
e Then the distance from 𝑁 to line 𝐴𝐵 is the distance 𝑀𝑁

𝑀𝑁 1 1 1 5 √4 16 √20 2√5 4.47

19 a When 𝑥 0, 𝑦 6 so 𝐴: 0, 6 is the 𝑦-axis intercept

When 𝑦 0, 𝑥 14 so 𝐵: 14,0 is the 𝑥-axis intercept

So triangle 𝐴𝑂𝐵 has area 6 14 42

𝐴𝐵 6 14
√232
15.2

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 c Since the area can be calculated using any base side, and 𝐴𝐵 √232, it follows that the

Worked solutions
distance from 𝐴𝐵 to the vertex 𝑂 is 2 5.51
√

20 When 𝑦 0 on 𝑙 then 𝑥 10 so 𝑃: 10, 0

When 𝑦 0 on 𝑙 then 𝑥 so 𝑄: ,0

Intersecting the lines: 𝑙 : 𝑥 10 2𝑦 and 𝑙 : 𝑥 𝑦

3 9
10 2𝑦 𝑦
2 2
7 11
𝑦
2 2
11
𝑦
7
So 𝑅 has 𝑦-coordinate which is the altitude of triangle 𝑃𝑄𝑅 , since the base lies along the
𝑥-axis.

Area 𝑃𝑄𝑅 4.32

21 a Midpoint 𝑀 of 𝐴𝐶, which is the midpoint of the square, is 𝑀: , 5, 2

Gradient of 𝐴𝐶 is 𝑚

So the perpendicular gradient 𝑚 𝑚 3

Then the equation of the other diagonal is 𝑦 2 3 𝑥 5
𝐵𝐷 has equation 𝑦 3𝑥 13
b From 𝑀 to 𝐴 is translation 3 right and 1 down, so from 𝑀 to 𝐵 will be a rotation 90° of
this: 3 up and 1 right, so 𝐵 is 6, 5 and then since 𝑀 is the midpoint of 𝐵𝐷, 𝐷 has
coordinates 4, 1

22 Midpoint of 𝐴𝐶 is 𝑀 , 3, 0

Midpoint of 𝐵𝐷is 𝑀 , 3, 0

So the two diagonals have a common midpoint.

Gradient of 𝐴𝐶 is 𝑚

Gradient of 𝐵𝐷 is 𝑚 3

𝑚 𝑚 1 so the two diagonals are perpendicular.

Since only a rhombus has bisecting diagonals which are perpendicular, it follows that 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷
is a rhombus.
Tip: There are several alternatives here – pick a set of defining properties of a rhombus and
show that they are true; an alternative would be to show that 𝐴𝐵 ∥ 𝐶𝐷 and 𝐴𝐷 ∥ 𝐵𝐶 (so that it is
shown to be a parallelogram) and then also show that 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐷.
As another option, ignore gradients altogether, and show that 𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶 𝐶𝐷 𝐴𝐷

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23 Gradient 0.15

Worked solutions
So the horizontal distance is Tread 133.3 m
. .

Then the distance travelled (the hypotenuse of the triangle with vertical distance 20 and
horizontal distance 133.3 is √20 133.3 135 m
24 If the vertical distance of each section is 6 m and the gradient is 0.75 then the horizontal
distance (when elevated) is 8 m.
.

The length of each section is therefore √6 8 10 m

Then by elevating the bridge section, the ends each move 2 m from the midpoint of the
bridge, for a total 4 m separation.

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