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166 Handbook of Mathematics

16
Straight Line
A straight line is the locus of all those points which are collinear with
two given points.
General equation of a line is ax + by + c = 0
Note
● We can have one and only one line through a fixed point in a given direction.

● We can have infinitely many lines through a given point.

Slope (Gradient) of a Line

The trigonometrical tangent of the angle that a line makes with the
positive direction of the X-axis in anti-clockwise sense is called the
slope or gradient of the line.
So, slope of a line, m = tan θ
where, θ is the angle made by the line with positive direction of X-axis.

Important Results on Slope of Line

(i) Slope of a line parallel to X-axis, m = 0.
(ii) Slope of a line parallel to Y-axis, m = ∞.
(iii) Slope of a line equally inclined with axes is 1 or −1as it makes an angle of
45° or 135°, with X-axis.
(iv) Slope of a line passing through ( x1 , y1) and ( x2 , y2 ) is given by
y −y
m = tanθ = 2 1 .
x2 − x1

Angle between Two Lines

The angle θ between two lines having slopes m1 and m2, is
 m − m1 
tanθ = 2 .
1 + m1m2 
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Straight Line 167

(i) Two lines are parallel, iff m1 = m2.
(ii) Two lines are perpendicular to each other, iff m1m2 = − 1.

Equation of a Straight Line

General equation of a straight line is Ax + By + C = 0.
(i) The equation of a line parallel to X-axis at a distance b from it, is
given by
y=b
(ii) The equation of a line parallel to Y-axis at a distance a from it, is
given by
x=a
(iii) Equation of X-axis is
y=0
(iv) Equation of Y-axis is
x=0

Different Forms of the Equation of a Straight Line

(i) Slope Intercept Form The equation of a line with slope m and
making an intercept c on Y-axis, is
y = mx + c
If the line passes through the origin, then its equation will be
y = mx
(ii) One Point Slope Form The equation of a line which passes
through the point ( x1 , y1 ) and has the slope m is given by
( y − y1 ) = m ( x − x1 )
(iii) Two Points Form The equation of a line passing through the
points ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) is given by
 y − y1 
( y − y1 ) =  2  ( x − x1 )
 x2 − x1 
This equation can also be determined by the determinant
method, that is
x y 1
x1 y1 1 = 0
x2 y2 1
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168 Handbook of Mathematics

(iv) Intercept Form The equation of a line which cuts off intercept
a and b respectively on the X and Y-axes is given by
x y
+ =1
a b
The general equation Ax + By + C = 0 can be converted into the
intercept form, as
x y
+ =1
− (C / A) − (C / B)
(v) Normal Form The equation of a straight line upon which the
length of the perpendicular from the origin is p and angle made
by this perpendicular to the X-axis is α, is given by
x cos α + y sin α = p
Y

B
C
p
α
X′ X
O A

Y′

(vi) Distance (Parametric) Form The equation of a straight line

passing through ( x1 , y1 ) and making an angle θ with the positive
direction of X-axis, is
x − x1 y − y1
= =r
cos θ sin θ
where, r is the distance between two points P ( x , y ) and Q( x1 , y1 ).
y)
Y (x,
P
) y–y1
, y1
( x 1
Q
x–x1 R
y1

X′ θ X
A x1 M L

Y′
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Straight Line 169

Thus, the coordinates of any point on the line at a distance r from
the given point ( x1 , y1 ) are ( x1 + r cos θ , y1 + r sin θ ). If P is on the
right side of ( x1 , y1 ), then r is positive and if P is on the left side of
( x1 , y1 ), then r is negative.

Position of Point(s) Relative to a Given Line

Let the equation of the given line be ax + by + c = 0 and let the
coordinates of the two given points be P ( x1 , y1 ) and Q( x2 , y2 ).
(i) The two points are on the same side of the straight line
ax + by + c = 0, if ax1 + by1 + c and ax2 + by2 + c have the same
sign.
(ii) The two points are on the opposite side of the straight line
ax + by + c = 0, if ax1 + by1 + c and ax2 + by2 + c have opposite
sign.
(iii) A point ( x1 , y1 ) will lie on the side of the origin relative to a line
ax + by + c = 0, if ax1 + by1 + c and c have the same sign.
(iv) A point ( x1 , y1 ) will lie on the opposite side of the origin relative to
a line ax + by + c = 0, if ax1 + by1 + c and c have the opposite sign.

Condition of Concurrency
Condition of concurrency for three given lines a1x + b1 y + c1 = 0,
a2x + b2 y + c2 = 0 and a3 x + b3 y + c3 = 0 is
a3 ( b1c2 − b2c1 ) + b3 ( c1a2 − a1c2 ) + c3 ( a1b2 − a2b1 ) = 0
a1 b1 c1
or a2 b2 c2 = 0
a3 b3 c3

Distance of a Point from a Line

The distance of a point from a line is the length of perpendicular
drawn from the point to the line. Let L : Ax + By + C = 0 be a line,
whose perpendicular distance from the point P ( x1 , y1 ) is d. Then,
| Ax1 + By1 + C|
d=
A2 + B2
Note The distance of origin from the line Ax + By + C = 0 is
|C|
d =
A2 + B 2
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170 Handbook of Mathematics

Distance between Two parallel Lines

The distance between two parallel lines
y = m x + c1 …(i)
y = m x + c2 …(ii)
|c1 − c|
is given by d= 2

1 + m2

Point of Intersection of Two Lines

Let equation of lines be a1x + b1 y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2 y + c2 = 0, then
 b c − b2c1 c1a2 − c2a1 
their point of intersection is  1 2 , .
 a1b2 − a2b1 a1b2 − a2b1 

Line Parallel and Perpendicular to a Given Line

(i) The equation of a line parallel to a given line ax + by + c = 0 is
ax + by + λ = 0, where λ is a constant.
(ii) The equation of a line perpendicular to a given line
ax + by + c = 0 is bx − ay + λ = 0, where λ is a constant.

Image of a Point with Respect to a Line

Let the image of a point ( x1 , y1 ) with respect to ax + by + c = 0 be
( x2 , y2 ), then
x2 − x1 y2 − y1 −2 ( ax1 + by1 + c)
= =
a b a 2 + b2
(i) The image of the point P ( x1 , y1 ) with respect to X-axis is
Q( x1 , − y1 ).
(ii) The image of the point P ( x1 , y1 ) with respect to Y-axis is Q( − x1 , y1 ).
(iii) The image of the point P ( x1 , y1 ) with respect to mirror y = x is
Q( y1 , x1 ).
(iv) The image of the point P ( x1 , y1 ) with respect to the line mirror
y = x tanθ is
x = x1 cos 2 θ + y1 sin 2 θ
y = x1 sin 2 θ − y1 cos 2 θ
(v) The image of the point P ( x1 , y1 ) with respect to the origin is the
point ( − x1 , − y1 ).
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Straight Line 171

Equation of the Bisectors

The equation of the bisectors of the angle between the lines
a1x + b1 y + c1 = 0
and a2x + b2 y + c2 = 0
a1x + b1 y + c1 a x + b2 y + c2
are given by =± 2 .
a1 + b1
2 2
a22 + b22
To find acute and obtuse angle bisectors, first make constant terms
in the equations of given straight lines a1x + b1 y + c1 = 0 and
a2x + b2 y + c2 = 0 positive, if it is required, then find a1a2 + b1b2.
(i) If a1a2 + b1b2 > 0, then we take positive sign for obtuse and
negative sign for acute.
(ii) If a1a2 + b1b2 < 0, then we take negative sign for obtuse and
positive sign for acute.

Pair of Lines
General equation of second degree
ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx + 2 fy + c = 0.
It will represent a pair of straight line iff
abc + 2 fgh − af 2 − bg2 − ch 2 = 0
a h g
or h b f =0
g f c

Homogeneous Equation of Second Degree

An equation in two variables x and y (whose RHS is zero) is said to be
a homogeneous equation of the second degree, if the sum of the indices
of x and y in each term is equal to 2. The general form of homogeneous
equation of the second degree in x and y is ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0.
Note Any homogeneous equation of second degree in x and y represents two
straight lines through the origin.

Important Properties
(i) Let ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0 be an equation of pair of straight lines.
Then,
− h + h 2 − ab
(a) Slope of first line, m1 =
b
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172 Handbook of Mathematics

− h − h 2 − ab
and slope of the second line, m2 =
b
2h Coefficient of xy
∴ m1 + m2 = − =−
b Coefficient of y 2
a Coefficient of x 2
and m1m2 = =
b Coefficient of y 2
Here, m1 and m2 are
(1) real and distinct, if h 2 > ab. (2) coincident, if h 2 = ab.
(3) imaginary, if h 2 < ab.
(b) Angle between the pair of lines is given by
2 h 2 − ab
tan θ =
|a + b|
(1) If lines are coincident, then h 2 = ab.
(2) If lines are perpendicular, then a + b = 0.
Note The angle between the lines represented by
ax 2 + 2 hxy + by 2 + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0
= angle between the lines represented by ax 2 + 2 hxy + by 2 = 0
(c) The joint equation of bisector of the angles between the lines
represented by the equation ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0 is
x 2 − y 2 xy
= ⇒ hx 2 − ( a − b) xy − hy 2 = 0.
a−b h
(d) The equation of the pair of lines through the origin and
perpendicular to the pair of lines given by ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0
is bx 2 − 2hxy + ay 2 = 0.
(ii) If the equation of a pair of straight lines is ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx
+ 2 fy + c = 0, then the point of intersection is given by
 hf − bg gh − af 
 , .
 ab − h 2 ab − h 2 
(iii) The general equation ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx + 2 fy + c = 0 will
a h g
represent two parallel lines, if g2 − ac > 0 and = = and the
h b f
g2 − ac f 2 − bc
distance between them is 2 or 2 .
a ( a + b) b ( a + b)
(iv) The equation of the bisectors of the angles between the lines
represented by ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx + 2 fy + c = 0 are given by
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Straight Line 173

( x − x1 )2 − ( y − y1 )2 ( x − x1 ) ( y − y1 )
= ,
a−b h
where, ( x1 , y1 ) is the point of intersection of the lines represented
by the given equation.
(v) Equation of the straight lines joining the origin to the points of
intersection of a second degree curve ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx +
2 fy + c = 0 and a straight line lx + my + n = 0 is
2
 lx + my   lx + my   lx + my 
ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2gx   + 2 fy   + c   = 0.
 −n   −n   −n 

Important Points to be Remembered

(i) A triangle is an isosceles, if any two of its median are equal.
(ii) In an equilateral triangle, orthocentre, centroid, circumcentre, incentre
coincide.
(iii) The circumcentre of a right angled triangle is the mid-point of the
hypotenuse.
(iv) Orthocentre, centroid, circumcentre of a triangle are collinear. Centroid
divides the line joining orthocentre and circumcentre in the ratio 2 : 1.
(v) If D , E and F are the mid-point of the sides BC , CA and AB of ∆ABC, then the
centroid of ∆ ABC = centroid of ∆DEF.
(vi) Orthocentre of the right angled ∆ABC, right angled at A is A.
(vii) The distance of a point ( x1 , y1) from the ax + by + c = 0 is
ax + by + c 
d = 1 1
.
 a2
+ b2 
(viii) Distance between two parallel lines ax + by + c1 = 0 and ax + by + c2 = 0 is
given by
 c −c 
d = 2 1 .
 a +b 
2 2

(ix) The area of the triangle formed by the lines y = m1x + c1 , y = m2 x + c2 and
y = m3 x + c3 is
1 ( c − c )2 
∆ = Σ 1 2 .
2 m1 − m2 

Cont...
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174 Handbook of Mathematics

(x) Three given points A, B , C are collinear i.e. lie on the same straight line, if any
of the three points (say B) lie on the straight line joining the other two
points.
⇒ AB + BC = AC
(xi) Area of the triangle formed by the line ax + by + c = 0 with the coordinate
c2
axes is ∆ = .
2| ab |
(xii) The foot of the perpendicular(h , k ) from ( x1 , y1) to the line ax + by + c = 0 is
h − x1 k − y1 ( ax + by + c)
given by = = − 1 2 12 .
a b a +b

2c2 
(xiii) Area of rhombus formed by ax ± by ± c = 0 is .
 ab 
(xiv) Area of the parallelogram formed by the lines
a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 , a2 x + b2 y + c2 = 0 , a1x + b1y + d1 = 0
and a2 x + b2 y + d2 = 0 is
( d1 − c1) ( d2 − c2 ) 
 .
 a1b2 − a2b1 
(xv) (a) Foot of the perpendicular from ( a , b) on x − y = 0 is
 a + b a + b
 , .
 2 2 
(b) Foot of the perpendicular from ( a , b) on x + y = 0 is
 a − b a − b
 , .
 2 2 
(xvi) The image of the line a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 about the line ax + by + c = 0 is
2( aa1 + bb1) ( ax + by + c) = ( a2 + b2 ) ( a1x + b1y + c1).
(xvii) Given two vertices ( x1 , y1) and ( x2 , y2 ) of an equilateral ∆ABC, then its third
vertex is given by.
 x1 + x2 ± 3 ( y1 − y2 ) y1 + y2 m 3 ( x1 − x2 ) 
 , 
 2 2 
(xviii) The equation of the straight line which passes through a given point ( x1 , y1)
and makes an angle α with the given straight line y = mx + c are
m ± tanα
( y − y1) = ( x − x1)
1 m m tanα

Cont...
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Straight Line 175

Y
P(x1, y1)
y = mx + c
α
M α N

L θ1 θ2
X' θ X
O R S

Y'
(xix) The equation of the family of lines passing through the intersection of the
lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2 x + b2 y + c2 = 0 is
( a1x + b1y + c1) + λ ( a2 x + b2 y + c2 ) = 0
where, λ is any real number.
(xx) Line ax + by + c = 0 divides the line joining the points ( x1 , y1) and ( x2 , y2 ) in
 ax + by1 + c 
the ratio λ : 1, then λ = −  1 .
 ax2 + by2 + c 
If λ is positive it divides internally and if λ is negative, then it divides
externally.
(xxi) Area of a polygon of n-sides with vertices A1( x1 , y1), A 2 ( x2 , y2 ) ,... , An ( x n , y n )
1 x y x y x yn 
=  1 1 + 2 2 + ... + n
2  x2 y2 x3 y3 x1 y1 

(xxii) Equation of the pair of lines through (α , β) and perpendicular to the pair of
lines ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0 is b ( x − α )2 − 2h ( x − α )( y − β) + a ( y − β)2 = 0.