Pair of Straight Lines 59

Chapter

CONTENTS

3.1 Equation of Pair of Straight lines

3.2 Angle between the Pair of Lines

3.3 Bisectors of the Angles between the Lines

3.4 Point of intersection of Lines represented by

ax2 + 2hxy + by2+ 2gx + 2fy + c = 0

3.5 Equation of the lines joining the origin to the points

of intersection of a given line and a given curve Gabriel Lame

3.6 Removal of first degree terms

The general equation of second degree
3.7 Removal of the term xy from ax2 + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
represents pair of straight line; if  = 0 and ab –
f(x, y) = ax2 + 2hxy + by2 without changing the h2  0
origin
Clairaut (1729 A.D.) was the first to gave the
3.8 Distance between the pair of parallel straight lines distance formulae although in clumsy form. He
also gave the intercept form of the linear
3.9 Some important results equation.
In 1818, Gabriel Lame a civil engineer gave mE
+ mE' = 0 as the curve passing through the point
Assignment (Basic and Advance Level)
of intersection of two loci E = 0 and E' = 0.
Answer Sheet of Assignment
 60 Pair of Straight Lines

3.1 Equation of Pair of Straight lines .

Let the equation of two lines be
a x  b y  c   0 .....(i) and a x  b y  c   0 .....(ii)
Hence (a x  b y  c )(a x  b y  c )  0 is called the joint equation of lines (i) and (ii) and
conversely, if joint equation of two lines be (a x  b y  c ) (a x  b y  c )  0 then their separate
equation will be a x  b y  c   0 and ax  by  c  0 .
(1) Equation of a pair of straight lines passing through origin : The equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0
represents a pair of straight line passing through the origin where a, h, b are constants.
Let the lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 be y  m 1 x  0 and y  m 2 x  0

 h  h 2  ab  h  h 2  ab 2h a
where, m 1  and m 2 = then, m 1  m 2   and m 1 m 2 
b b b b
Then, two straight lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 are ax  hy  y h 2  ab = 0 and
ax  hy  y h 2  ab  0 .

Note :  The lines are real and distinct if h 2  ab  0

 The lines are real and coincident if h 2  ab  0

 The lines are imaginary if h 2  ab  0
 If the pair of straight lines ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 and a' x 2  2h' xy  b' y 2  0 should
have one line common, then (ab'a' b) 2  4(ah'a' h)(hb'h' b) .
 The equation of the pair of straight lines passing through origin and
perpendicular to the pair of straight lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 is
given by bx 2  2hxy  ay 2  0
 If the slope of one of the lines represented by the equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 be
the square of the other, then a 2 b  ab 2  6 abh  8 h 3  0 .
 If the slope of one of the lines represented by the equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 be
 times that of the other, then 4 h 2  ab(1  )2 .
(2) General equation of a pair of straight lines : An equation of the form,
ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0
where a, b, c, f, g, h are constants, is said to be a general equation of second degree in x
and y.
 Pair of Straight Lines 61

The necessary and sufficient condition for ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 to represent a

a h g
pair of straight lines is that abc  2 fgh  af  bg  ch  0 or h b
2 2 2
f 0
g f c
(3) Separate equations from joint equation: The general equation of second degree be
ax  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 . To find the lines represented by this equation we proceed as
2

follows :
Step I : Factorize the homogeneous part ax 2  2hxy  by 2 into two linear factors. Let the
linear factors be a' x  b ' y and a" x  b " y .
Step II: Add constants c ' and c" in the factors obtained in step I to obtain a' x  b ' y  c' and
a" x  b " y  c" . Let the lines be a' x  b ' y  c'  0 and a" x  b " y  c"  0 .
Step III : Obtain the joint equation of the lines in step II and compare the coefficients of x,
y and constant terms to obtain equations in c' and c" .
Step IV : Solve the equations in c' and c" to obtain the values of c' and c".
Step V : Substitute the values of c' and c" in lines in step II to obtain the required lines.

Example: 1 If the sum of the slopes of the lines given by x 2  2cxy  7 y 2  0 is four times their product. Then c has
the value
[AIEEE 2004]
(a) – 2 (b) – 1 (c) 2 (d) 1
2h a
Solution: (c) We know that, m 1  m 2  and m 1 m 2  .
b b
2c  1 
Given, m1  m2  4 m1m2   4  c  2
7 7
Example: 2 If one of the lines represented by the equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 be y  mx , then

(a) bm 2  2hm  a  0 (b) bm 2  2hm  a  0 (c) am 2  2hm  b  0 (d) bm 2  2hm  a  0

Solution: (a) Substituting the value of y in the equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0
 ax 2  2hx (mx )  b(mx )2  0  a  2hm  bm 2  0

Example: 3 If the equation 12 x 2  10 xy  2y 2  11 x  5 y  K  0 represent two straight lines, then the value of K is [MP PET 20
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 0 (d) 3
Solution: (b) Condition for pair of lines, abc  2 fgh  af 2  bg 2  ch 2  0 , Here
a  12, h  5, b  2, g  11 / 2, f  5 / 2, c  K
2 2
 5 11 5  11 
Then, 12  2  K  2    12     2     K(5) 2  0 . On solving, we get K= 2.
2 2  2   2 

3.2 Angle between the Pair of Lines.

(1) The angle  between the pair of lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 is given by

2 h 2  ab
tan  
ab

(i) The lines are coincident if the angle between them is zero.
 62 Pair of Straight Lines

2 h 2  ab
 Lines are coincident i.e.,   0  tan   0   0  h 2  ab  0  h 2  ab
ab
Hence, the lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 are coincident, iff h 2  ab
(ii) The lines are perpendicular if the angle between them is  / 2 .
  ab
   cot   cot  cot   0   0  a  b  0  coeff. of x 2  coeff. of
2 2 2 h  ab
2

y 0
2

Thus, the lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 are perpendicular iff a  b  0 i.e., coeff. of x 2  coeff.
of y 2  0 .
(2) The angle between the lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is given by

2 h 2  ab 2 h 2  ab
tan      tan 1
ab ab
(i) The lines are parallel if the angle between them is zero. Thus, the lines are parallel iff
2 h 2  ab
  0  tan   0   0  h 2  ab .
ab

Hence, the lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 are parallel iff h 2  ab and af 2  bg 2 or

a h g
  .
h b f
(ii) The lines are perpendicular if the angle between them is  / 2 .
ab
Thus, the lines are perpendicular i.e.,    / 2  cot   0  0
2 h 2  ab
 a  b  0  coeff. of x 2  coeff. of y 2  0
Hence, the lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 are perpendicular iff
ab  0
i.e., coeff. of x 2  coeff. of y 2  0 .
(iii) The lines are coincident, if g 2  ac .

Example: 4 The angle between the lines x 2  xy  6 y 2  7 x  31 y  18  0 is [Karnataka CET 2003]

o o o o
(a) 45 (b) 60 (c) 90 (d) 30
2
 1 1
2 h 2  ab 2    1  (6) 2 6 
Solution: (b) Angle between the lines is   tan 1  1  2  = tan 1 4  tan 1 | 1 |  tan 1 (1)  ,
ab tan
1  (6 ) 1  (6 ) 4

45 o
Example: 5 If the angle between the pair of straight lines represented by the equation
1  1
x  3 xy  y  3 x  5 y  2  0 is tan
2 2
  , where  is a non- negative real number, then  is
3
(a) 2 (b) 0 (c) 3 (d) 1
 Pair of Straight Lines 63

1 1
Solution: (a) Given that   tan 1    tan  
3 3
2
3
2   
2 h 2  ab 1  2 
Now, since tan    =  (  1) 2  9(9  4 )  2  38   80  0
ab 3  1

 2  40   2  80  0  (  40 )  2(  40 )  0  (  2)(  40 )  0    2 or – 40, but  is a non-

negative real number. Hence   2 .
Example: 6 The angle between the pair of straight lines represented by 2 x 2  7 xy  3 y 2  0 is
[Kurukshetra CEE 2002]
(a) 60 o (b) 45 o (c) tan 1 (7 / 6) (d) 30 o
2
 7
2     (2)(3)
2 h 2  ab  2 2 5
Solution: (b) Angle between the lines is ,   tan 1  tan 1    tan 1  .   tan 1 (1) 
ab 23 5 2

  45 o
3.3 Bisectors of the Angles between the Lines.
(1) The joint equation of the bisectors of the angles between the lines represented by the
x 2  y 2 xy
equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 is  .....(i)
ab h
 hx 2  (a  b)xy  hy 2  0
Here, coefficient of x 2  coefficient of y 2  0 . Hence, the bisectors of the angles between
the lines are perpendicular to each other. The bisector lines will pass through origin also.

Note : If a  b , the bisectors are x 2  y 2  0 i.e., x  y  0, x  y  0

 If h  0 , the bisectors are xy  0 i.e., x  0, y  0 .

 If bisectors of the angles between lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 and
h' a'b '
a' x 2  2h' xy  b ' y 2  0 are same, then  .
h ab
 If the equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 has one line as the bisector of the angle
between the coordinate axes, then 4 h 2  (a  b)2 .
(2) The equation of the bisectors of the angles between the lines represented by
(x   )   (y   ) 2 (x   )(y   )
ax 2  2hxy  by 2 + 2 gx  2 fy  c  0 are given by  , where ,  is the
ab h
point of intersection of the lines represented by the given equation.

Example: 7 The equation of the bisectors of the angles between the lines represented by x 2  2 xy cot   y 2  0 is
(a) x 2  y 2  0 (b) x 2  y 2  xy (c) (x 2  y 2 ) cot   2 xy (d) None of these
x y
2 2
xy x y 2
xy 2
Solution: (a) Equation of bisectors is given by  or   x2  y2  0
ab h 0 cot 
 64 Pair of Straight Lines

Example: 8 If the bisectors of the lines x 2  2 pxy  y 2  0 be x 2  2qxy  y 2  0, then

[MP PET 1993; DCE 1999; Rajasthan PET 2003; AIEEE 2003]
(a) pq  1  0 (b) pq  1  0 (c) p  q  0 (d) p  q  0

x2  y2 1  (1)
Solution: (a) Bisectors of the angle between the lines x 2  2 pxy  y 2  0 is   px 2  2 xy  py 2  0
xy p
p 2
But it is represented by x 2  2qxy  y 2  0 . Therefore   pq  1  pq  1  0
1  2q
3.4 Point of Intersection of Lines represented by ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c = 0.
Let   ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0

 2ax  2hy  2 g  0 (Keeping y as constant)
x

and  2 hx  2by  2 f  0 (Keeping x as constant)
y
 
For point of intersection  0 and 0
x y
We obtain, ax  hy  g  0 and hx  by  f  0
x y 1  bg  fh af  gh 
On solving these equations, we get   i.e. (x , y )   , 2 
fh  bg gh  af ab  h 2  h  ab h  ab 
2

a h g
Also, since   h b f , from first two rows
g f c
a h g  ax  hy  g  0 and
h b f  hx  by  f  0 and then solve, we get the point of intersection.

Note :  The point of intersection of lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 is (0, 0).

Example: 9 The point of intersection of the lines represented by the equation 2 x 2  3 y 2  7 xy  8 x  14 y  8  0 is

(a) (0 , 2) (b) (1, 2) (c) (2,0) (d) (2, 1)

Solution: (c) Let   2 x 2  3 y 2  7 xy  8 x  14 y  8  0

 
 4 x  7 y  8  0 and  6 y  7 x  14  0
x y
On solving these equations, we get x  2, y  0

Trick : If the equation is ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0

 hf  bg hg  af 
The points of intersection are given by  , 2
. Hence point is (– 2, 0)
 ab  h ab  h 
2

Example: 10 If the pair of straight lines xy  x  y  1  0 and line ax  2 y  3  0 are concurrent, then a =

(a) – 1 (b) 0 (c) 3 (d) 1

Solution: (d) Given that equation of pair of straight lines xy  x  y  1  0
 Pair of Straight Lines 65

 (x  1)(y  1)  0  x 1  0 or y  1  0
The intersection point of x  1  0, y  1  0 is (1,1)

 Lines x  1  0, y  1  0 and ax  2 y  3  0 are concurrent.

 The intersecting points of first two lines satisfy the third line.
Hence, a  2  3  0  a  1

3.5 Equation of the Lines joining the Origin to the Points of Intersection of a given Line and a given Curve .
The equation of the lines which joins origin to the point of intersection of the line
lx  my  n  0 and curve ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 , can be obtained by making the curve
homogeneous with the help of line lx  my  n  0 , which is
2
 lx  my   lx  my 
ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2(gx  fy)   c  0
 n   n 

We have ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 ......(i)

and lx  my  n  0 .....(ii)
Suppose the line (ii) intersects the curve (i) at two points A and B. We wish to find the
combined equation of the straight lines OA and OB. Clearly OA and Y
OB pass through the origin, so their joint equation is a homogeneous A
lx+my+n=0
equation of second degree in x and y.
lx  my B
From equation (ii), lx  my  n  1 X' X
n O

......(iii)
Now, consider the equation
2 Y
 lx  my   lx  my   lx  my 
ax  2hxy  by  2 gx   2 fy   c   0 .....(i
2 2

 n   n   n 
v)
Clearly, this equation is a homogeneous equation of second degree. So, it represents a pair
of straight lines passing through the origin. Moreover, it is satisfied by the points A and B.
Hence (iv) represents a pair of straight lines OA and OB through the origin O and the
points A and B which are points of intersection of (i) and (ii).

Example: 11 The lines joining the origin to the point of intersection of the circle x 2  y 2  3 and the line x  y  2
are
(a) y  (3  2 2 )x  0 (b) x  (3  2 2 )y  0 (c) x  (3  2 2 )y  0 (d) y  (3  2 2 )x  0

Solution: (a,b,c,d) Make homogenous the equation of circle, we get x 2  6 xy  y 2  0

6 y  (36  4 )y 2 6y  4 2y
 x   3y  2 2y
2 2

Hence, the equation are x  (3  2 2 )y and x  (3  2 2 )y

Also after rationalizing these equations becomes y  (3  2 2 )x  0 and y  (3  2 2 )x  0 .

 66 Pair of Straight Lines

Example: 12 The pair of straight lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the line y  2 2 x  c and
the circle x 2  y 2  2 are at right angles, if
[MP PET 1996]

(a) c 2  4  0 (b) c 2  8  0 (c) c 2  9  0 (d) c 2  10  0

Solution: (c) Pair of straight lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the line y  2 2 x  c and the
circle x 2  y 2  2 are

 
2
 2 2x  y 
 x  y  (2)
2 2   0  x 2  y 2  2 8 x 2  y 2  4 2 xy  0  x 2  1  16   y 2  1  2   8 2 xy  0
  c  c2  c2   c2  c2
 
16 2
If these lines are perpendicular, 1  1  2  0
c2 c

2c 2  18
0  c 9  0.
2

2
c
3.6 Removal of First degree Terms.
Let point of intersection of lines represented by ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 ......(i)
is ( ,  ) .
 bg  fh af  gh 
Here ( ,  )   2 , 2 
 h  ab h  ab 
For removal of first degree terms, shift the origin to ( ,  ) i.e., replacing x by ( X   ) and y
be (Y   ) in (i).
Alternative Method : Direct equation after removal of first degree terms is
aX 2  2hXY  bY 2  (g  f  c)  0
bg  fh af  gh
Where   and   2
h  ab
2
h  ab
3.7 Removal of the Term xy from f (x, y) = ax2 + 2hxy +by2 without changing the Origin .
Clearly, h  0 . Rotating the axes through an angle  , we have,
x  X cos   Y sin  and y  X sin   Y cos 
 f (x , y)  ax 2  2hxy  by 2
After rotation, new equation is F(X , Y )  (a cos 2   2h cos  sin   b sin 2  )X 2
 2{(b  a)cos  sin   h(cos 2   sin 2  )XY
 (a sin 2   2h cos  sin   b cos 2  )Y 2
ab
Now coefficient of XY = 0. Then we get cot 2 
2h

Note :  Usually, we use the formula, tan 2 

2h
for finding the angle of rotation,
ab
ab
 . However, if a  b , we use cot 2  as in this case tan 2 is not defined.
2h
Example: 13 The new equation of curve 12 x 2  7 xy  12 y 2  17 x  31 y  7  0 after removing the first degree terms
(a) 12 X 2  7 XY  12Y 2  0 (b) 12 X 2  7 XY  12 Y 2  0
 Pair of Straight Lines 67

(c) 12 X 2  7 XY  12Y 2  0 (d) None of these

Solution: (c) Let   12 x  7 xy  12 y  17 x  31 y  7  0
2 2
.....(i)
 
  24 x  7 y  17  0 and  7 x  24 y  31  0
x y
Their point of intersection is (x , y )  (1,1)
Here   1,   1
Shift the origin to (1, –1) then replacing x  X  1 and y  Y  1 in (i), the required equation is
12(X  1)2  7(X  1)(Y  1)  12(Y  1)2  17 (X  1) 31(Y  1)  7  0 i.e., 12 X 2  7 XY  12Y 2  0
Alternative Method : Here   1 and   1 and g  17 / 2, f  31 / 2, c  7
17 31
 g  f  c   1   1  7  0
2 2
 Removed equation is aX 2  2hXY  bY 2  (g  f  c)  0
i.e., 12 X 2  7 XY  12 Y 2  0  0  12 X 2  7 XY  12Y 2  0 .
Example: 14 Mixed term xy is to be removed from the general equation ax 2  by 2  2hxy  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 , one should
rotate the axes through an angle  given by tan 2 =
ab 2h ab 2h
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2h ab 2h ab
Solution: (d) Let (x ' , y ' ) be the coordinates on new axes, then put x  x ' cos   y ' sin  , y  x ' sin   y ' cos  in the
equation, then the coefficient of xy in the transformed equation is 0.
2h
So, 2(b  a) sin . cos   2h cos 2  0  tan 2 
ab

3.8 Distance between the Pair of parallel Straight lines s

If ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 represent a pair of parallel straight lines, then the
g 2  ac f 2  bc
distance between them is given by 2 or 2
a(a  b ) b(a  b)
Example: 15 Distance between the pair of lines represented by the equation x 2  6 xy  9 y 2  3 x  9 y  4  0 [Kerala (Engg.) 20
15 1 5 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
10 2 2 10
Solution: (c) The distance between the pair of straight lines given by
9 25
g 2  ac 3  (4 )
5
ax  2hxy  by  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is 2
2 2
, Here a  1, b  9, c  4 , g   2  4  2 4 
a(a  b ) 2 1(1  9 ) 10 2
Example: 16 Distance between the lines represented by the equation x 2  2 3 xy  3 y 2  3 x  3 3 y  4  0 is [Roorkee 1989]
(a) 5/2 (b) 5/4 (c) 5 (d) 0
3
a h g 1 3 2
Solution: (a) First check for parallel lines i.e.,     
h b f 3 3 3 3
2
g 2  ac (3 / 2)2  1(4 )
which is true, hence lines are parallel.  Distance between them is 2 2
a(a  b ) 1(1  3)
5/2
3.9 Some Important Results
 68 Pair of Straight Lines

(1) The lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the curves
ax  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  0 and a' x 2  2h' xy  b ' y 2  2 g' x  0 will be
2
mutually perpendicular, if
g(a'b ' )  g ' (a  b) .
(2) If the equation hxy  gx  fy  c  0 represents a pair of straight lines, then fg  ch .
(3) The pair of lines (a 2  3b 2 )x 2  8 abxy  (b 2  3a 2 ) y 2  0 with the line ax  by  c  0 form an
equilateral triangle.
(4) The area of a triangle formed by the lines ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 and lx  my  n  0 is given by
n 2 h 2  ab
am 2  2 hlm  bl 2
(5) The lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of line y  mx  c and the circle
x 2  y 2  a 2 will be mutually perpendicular, if a 2 (m 2  1)  2c 2 .
(6) If the distance of two lines passing through origin from the point ( x 1 , y 1 ) is d, then the
equation of lines is (xy 1  yx 1 )2  d 2 (x 2  y 2 )
(7) The lines represented by the equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 will be
equidistant from the origin, if f 4  g 4  c(bf 2  ag 2 )
(8) The product of the perpendiculars drawn from ( x 1 , y 1 ) on the lines ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 is
given by
ax 12  2 hx 1 y 1  by 12
(a  b ) 2  4 h 2
(9) The product of the perpendiculars drawn from origin on the lines
ax  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 is
2

c
(a  b)2  4 h 2
(10) If the lines represented by the general equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 are
perpendicular, then the square of distance between the point of intersection and origin is
f 2  g2
h2  b 2
(11) The square of distance between the point of intersection of the lines represented by
c(a  b)  f 2  g 2
the equation ax 2  2hxy  by 2  2 gx  2 fy  c  0 and origin is
ab  h 2
Example: 17 The area of the triangle formed by the lines 4 x 2  9 xy  9 y 2  0 and x  2 is [Roorkee 2000]

10 20
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) (d)
3 3

Solution: (c) The area of triangle formed by the lines ax 2  2hxy  by 2  0 and lx  my  n  0 is given by

n 2 h 2  ab
am 2  2hlm  bl 2

9
Here a  4 , b  9, h   , l  1, m  0, n  2 , then area of triangle
2
 Pair of Straight Lines 69

2
9 9 81 36
(2)2   4 4 
=  2  2
= 4 2   30  10
 9  (1)2 9 9 3

Example: 18 The orthocentre of the triangle formed by the lines xy  0 and x  y  1 is [IIT 1995]

1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) (0, 0) (b)  ,  (c)  ,  (d)  , 
2 2 3 3 4 4

Solution: (a) Lines represented by xy  0 is x  0 , y  0 . Then the triangle formed is right angled triangle at O(0,
0), therefore O(0, 0) is its orthocentre. Y

x+y=1

x=0

X
O y=0

Example: 19 If the pair of straight lines given by Ax 2  2 Hxy  By 2  0, (H 2  AB ) forms an equilateral triangle with
line ax  by  c  0 then ( A  3 B)(3 A  B) is [EAMCET 2003]

(a) H 2 (b)  H (c) 2H 2 (d) 4 H 2

Solution: (d) We know that the pair of lines (a 2  3b 2 )x 2  8 abxy  (b 2  3a 2 )y 2  0 with the line ax  by  c  0 form an
equilateral triangle. Hence comparing with Ax 2  2 Hxy  By 2  0 then A  a 2  3b 2 , B  b 2  3a 2 ,
2H  8 ab

Now ( A  3 B)(3 A  B)  (8 a 2 )(8 b 2 )  (8 ab)2  (2 H )2  4 H 2 .

***