Co-ordinate Geometry

1) Find the distance between two points.

a) (4, 7) and (-3,2) b) (0,6) and (8,0)
Solution:
a) (4, 7) and (-3, 2)
Let A(x1,y1)  (4,7) and B(x2,y2)  (-3,2)
Distance between the points A(4,7) and B(-3,2) is given by
AB =  x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2

= (3)  42  2  72

=  72   52
= 49  25
= 74

Distance between the points A(4,7) and B(-3,2) is 74 units.

b) (0,6) and (8,0)
P(x1,y1)  (0,6) Q(x2,y2)  (8,0)
Distance between the points P(0,6) and Q(8,0) is given by
PQ =  x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2

=  (8  0    0  6 
2 2

= 8   6 
2 2

= 64  36
= 100
= 10
Distance between the points A(0,6) and Q(8,0) is 10 units.

2) Determine if the points (3,-1), (0,5) and (-2,-8) are collinear.

Solution:
Consider, D(x1,y1)= (3,-1), E(x2,y2)= (0,5) & F(x3,y3)=(-2,-8).
Distance between the points D (3,-1) and E (0,5) is given by
 Co-ordinate Geometry

DE =  x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2

=  (0  3   5  (1) 
2 2

=  3   6 
2 2

= 9  36
DE = 45
Distance between the points E(0,5) and F(-2,-8) is given by
EF =  x 3  x 2    y3  y2 
2 2

=  (2)  0    (8)  5
2 2

=  2    13
2 2

= 4  169

EF = 173
Distance between the points D(3,-1) and F(-2,-8) is given by
 x3  x1    y3  y1 
2 2

DF =
 (2)  3   (8)  (1) 
2 2

=
 5   7 
2 2

=
= 25  49

DF = 74

DE+EF= 45  74  173 =DF

Hence D, E and F are not collinear.

3) Check whether (5,4) (6,9) and (11,10) form the vertices of an isosceles triangle.
Solution:
Consider, A(x1,y1)= (5,4), B(x2,y2)= (6,9) C(x3,y3)=(11,10)
Distance between the points A(5,4) and B(6,9) is
 Co-ordinate Geometry

 x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2
AB =

 6  5   9  4 
2 2
=

1   5
2 2
=
= 1  25
AB = 26
Distance between the points B (6,9) and C (11,10) is
BC =  x 3  x 2    y3  y2 
2 2

11  6  10  9 
2 2

=
 5  1
2 2
=
= 25  1
= 26
Therefore, AB=BC
Hence A (5,4), B (6,9) and C (11,10) form the vertices of an isoscelestriangle.

4) What type of quadrilaterals to the points (-2,-1) (2,0) (-2,1) and (-3,0) form.
Solution:
Let P(x1,y1)= (-2, -1), Q(x2,y2)= (2,0), R(x3,y3) = (-2,1) &S(x4,y4) = (-3,0).
Distance between the points P(-2,-1) and Q(2,0) is
PQ =  x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2

=  2  (2)    0  (1) 
2 2

 4   1
2 2
=
= 16  1
PQ = 17
Distance between the points Q(2,0) and R(-2,1) is
QR =  x 3  x 2    y3  y2 
2 2
 Co-ordinate Geometry

 (2)  2   1  0 
2 2
=

 4   1
2 2
=
= 16  1
QR = 17
Distance between the points R (-2,1) and S (-3,0) is
RS =  x 4  x 3    y4  y3 
2 2

 (3)  (2)    0  1
2 2
=

 1   1
2 2
=
= 11
RS = 2
Distance between the points S(-3,0) and P(-2,-1) is
 x 4  x1    y4  y1 
2 2
SP =

 (2)  (3)    (1)  0 

2 2
=

1   1
2 2
=
= 11
SP = 2

Therefore PQ=QR and RS=SP

Thus Opposites sides of the quadrilateral PQRS are equal.
Therefore by definition,
PQRS is a parallelogram
5) Show that the points (1,7) (4,2) (-1,-1) and (-4,4) form the vertices of a square.
Solution:
Consider, A(x1,y1)  (1,7), B(x2,y2)  (4,2), C(x3,y3)  (-1, -1)& D(x4,y4)  (-4,4)
Distance between the points A(1,7) and B(4,2) is
 x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2
AB =

 4  1   2  7 
2 2
=
 Co-ordinate Geometry

 3   5
2 2
=
= 9  25
AB = 34 units.................... (1)
Distance between the points B(4,2) and C(-1,-1) is
 x 3  x 2    y3  y 2 
2 2
BC =

 (1)  4   (1)  2 
2 2
=

 5   3
2 2
=
= 25  9
BC = 34 units................. (2)
Distance between the points C(-1,-1) and D(-4,4) is
 x 4  x 3    y 4  y3 
2 2
CD =

 (4)  (1)    4  (1) 

2 2
=

 3   5
2 2
=
= 9  25
CD = 34 units........................... (3)
Distance between the points D (-4,4) and A (1,7) is
 x1  x 4    y1  y4 
2 2
DA =

1  (4)    7  4 
2 2
=

 5    3
2 2
=
= 25  9
DA = 34 units.......................(4)
Distance between the points A(1,7) and C(-1, -1) is
 x3  x1    y3  y1 
2 2
AC =

 (1)  1   (1)  7 
2 2
=
 Co-ordinate Geometry

 2   8
2 2
=
= 4  64
AC = 68 units....................... (5)
Distance between the points B(4,2) and D(-4,4) is
BD =  x 4  x 2    y4  y2 
2 2

=  (4)  4    4  2 
2 2

 8   2 
2 2
=
= 64  4
BD = 68 units..................(6)

From (1), (2), (3) and (4) we get,

AB=BC=CD=DA
Thus all the consecutive sides of the quadrilateral ABCD are equal.

From (5) and (6) we get,

AC=BD
Thus both the diagonals are equal.
Therefore by definition,
ABCD is a square.

6) Find the relation between x and y such that the point (x,y) is equidistant from
the points (2,-5) and (-3,-7).
Solution:
Consider, P(x1, y1)  (2, -5), Q(x2, y2)  (-3, -7) & R(x3, y3)  (x, y)
Given that,
PR=QR
 Co-ordinate Geometry

PR =  x 3  x1    y3  y1 
2 2

PR =  x  2    y  (5) 
2 2
.........................(1)

QR =  x 3  x 2    y3  y2 
2 2

QR =  x  (3)    y  (7)  ................... (2)

2 2

Substituting values from (1) and (2) we get,

 x  (3)    y  (7)  =  x  2   y  (5) 
2 2 2 2

Squaring both sides we get,

 x  (3)    y  (7)  =  x  2   y  (5) 
2 2 2 2

x2+6x+9+y2+14y+49 = x2 -4x+4+y2+10y+25
6x+14y+58 = -4x+10y+29
10x+4y = -29

7) Find the co-ordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining
(4,-11) and (8,-6) in the ration 4:5.
Solution:
Consider(x1,y1)  (4,-11), Q(x2,y2)  (8,-6)&m1:m2=4:5
Using Section Formula we get,
m1 x 2  m2 x1 m y  m2 y1
X  and Y  1 2
m1  m2 m1  m2
Substituting the values we get,
4(8)  5(4) 4(6)  5(11)
x= ,y=
45 45
32  20 52 (24)  (55)  79
x= = ;y= =
9 9 9 9
 Co-ordinate Geometry

52 79 
Therefore the co-ordinates of the point are (x,y)   , 
 11 11 

8) In what ratio does the point (1,4) divide the line segment joining thepoints
(2,3) and (-3,8).
Solution:
Consider, A(x1,y1)  (2,3), B(x2,y2)  (-3,8)& C(x,y)  (1,4).
Let C divide AB internally in the ratio m1:m2.
Using Section formula we get,
m1 x 2  m2 x1 m y  m2 y1
X  and Y  1 2
m1  m2 m1  m2

Substituting the values we get,

m1 (3)  m 2 (2) m (8)  m 2 (3)

1= , 4= 1
m1  m 2 m1  m 2
m1 (3)  m 2 (2)
Consider 1 =
m1  m 2
 m1  m2   m1 (3)  m2 (2)
m2-2m2= -3m1-m1
-m2 = -4m1
m1:m2 = 1:4

9) If (3,5), (1,2), (4,y) and (x,6) are the vertices of a parallelogram, find x and y.
Solution:
Consider, A(x1,y1)  (3,5) B(x2,y2)  (1,2) C(x3,y3)  (4,y) D(x4,y4)  (x,6)
x1  x 3 y1  y3   3  4 5  y   7 5  y 
Midpoint of the diagonal AC =  =  = , 
2   2
, ,
 2 2  2 2 
x x y y 1 x 2  6  1 x 8 
Midpoint of the diagonal BD =  2 4 , 2 4  =  , =  , 
 2 2   2 2   2 2
 Co-ordinate Geometry

Since ABCD is a parallelogram, Diagonals bisect each other.

Coordinates of the midpoints of the diagonal AC=Coordinates of the midpoints of the diagonal BD

7 5 y 1 x 8 
 ,  =  , 
2 2   2 2

7 1 x 5 y 8
 and 
2 2 2 2
7 = 1 + x and 5 + y= 8
x = 6 and y = 3

10) Find the ratio in which the y-axis divides the line segment joining the points
(2,4) and (-4,-7).Also find the co-ordinates of the point.
Solution:
A(x1,y1)  (2,4) B(x2,y2)  (-4,-7)
Let C divide AB internally in the ratio k:1
i.e. m1 = k and m2 = 1
Using Section formula we get,
m1x 2  m 2 x1 m y  m 2 y1
x= ,y= 1 2
m1  m 2 m1  m 2
Substituting the values we get.
k(4)  1(2) k(7)  1(4)
x= y= .....(1)
k 1 k 1
Since the point lies on the y-axis, we know that abscissa will be 0.
k(4)  1(2)
0=
k 1
0 = -4k+2
-2 = -4k
 k = ½ = 0.5
Y-axis divides the line segment joining the two points in the ratio 1: 2:1 i.e 1:2
 Co-ordinate Geometry

To find the co-ordinates of the point we have to substitute the value of k

in (1)
0.5(4)  1(2) 0.5(7)  1(4) 1
x= = 0, y = =
1.5 1.5 3

The coordinates of the points are (0, 1/3).

11) Find the co-ordinates of a point P, where PQ is the diameter of a circle whose centre is (-3,1)
and Q is (5,2).
Solution: Let the centre be O(x,y)=(-3,1)
Consider, P(x1,y1)  (x,y) & Q(x2,y2)  (5,2)
Since O is the centre and PQ is diameter of the circle,
By Definition we can say that ,
O is the mid-point of PQ.
By applying Mid-point formula we get,
x 5 y2
-3 = 1=
2 2
-6=x+5 2= y+2
x=-11 y=0
Coordinates of point ‘P’ are (-11,0).

12) Find the co-ordinates of the points which divide the Line segment joining
(11,3) and (-7,9) into four equal parts.
Solution:

A (11,3) P Q R B (-7,9)

A(x1,y1)  (11,3) B(x2,y2)  (-7,9)

Let P,Q and R be the points which divide AB into four equal parts.
Thus, P will be the mid-point of AQ,
Q will be the mid-point of AB and R will be the mid-point of QB.

Q is the mid-point of AB
 Co-ordinate Geometry

By mid-point formula,
 x1  x 2 y1  y 2   11  (7) 3  9 
Coordinates of Q   , = , 
 2 2   2 2 
Q  (2,6)

P is the mid-point of AQ
Applying mid-point formula we get
11  2 3  6 
Co-ordinates of P   , 
 2 2 
P  (6.5,4.5)

R is the mid-point of QB
Applying mid-point formula we get,
2  (7) 6  9 
Co-ordinates of R   , 
 2 2 
R  (-2.5, 7.5)
The coordinates of the points which divides AB in to four equal parts are P  (6.5,4.5),
Q  (2, 6) and R  (-2.5, 7.5).

13) Find the area of the triangle whose vertices are (-3,-7) (6,1) and (-2,4).
Solution:
Consider, A(x1,y1)  (-3,-7) B(x2,y2)  (6,1) C(x3,y3)  (-2,4)
1
Area of ΔABC =  x1  y2  y3   x 2  y3  y1   x 3  y1  y 2 
2
Substituting the values, we get
1
Area of ΔABC = (3) 1  4   6  4  (7)   (2)  (7)  1
2
1
= (3)  3  6 11  (2)  8
2
1
= 9  66  16
2
1
= 91
2
 Co-ordinate Geometry

Area of ΔABC = 45.5 sq. units

14) Find the value of k if the points P(k,-3), Q(2,3) and R (4,0) are collinear.
Solution:
Consider, P(x1,y1)  (k,-3) Q(x2,y2)  (2,3) R(x3,y3)  (4,0)
1
Area of ΔPQR =  x1  y2  y3   x 2  y3  y1   x 3  y1  y 2 
2
Since the three points are collinear the area of the triangle must be 0.
1
 x1  y2  y3   x 2  y3  y1   x 3  y1  y 2  =0
2
Substituting the values we get,
1
 k  3  0   2  0  (3)   4  (3)  3 = 0
2
1
3k  2  3  4  6  =0
2
1
3k  6  24 =0
2
1
3k  18 =0
2
3k-18=0
18
k= K=6
3

15) If (0, 4), (2, -3), (7, 1) and (-1,-5) are the vertices of a quadrilateral.
Find the area of the quadrilateral.
Solution:
Consider, A(x1,y1)  (0,4) B(x2,y2)  (2,-3) C(x3,y3)  (7,1) D(x4,y4)  (-1,-5)
Quad ABCD is made up of two triangles ABD and BCD.
 Area of ABCD = Area of ΔABD + Area of ΔBCD…(1)
1
Area of ΔABD =  x1  y2  y4   x 2  y4  y1   x 4  y1  y 2 
2
Substituting the values we get,
 Co-ordinate Geometry

1
Area of ΔABD = 0  (3)  (5)   2  (5)  4   (1)  4  (3) 
2
1
= 0  2  9    7 
2
1
=  18   7 
2
1
=  25
2
Area of ΔABD = 12.5 sq. units ……….(2)

1
Area of ΔBCD =  x 2  y3  y4   x 3  y4  y2   x 4  y3  y2 
2
Substituting the values we get,
1
Area of ΔBCD =  2 1  (5)   7  (5)  (3)   (1) 1  (3) 
2
1
=  2  6   7  2   4
2
1
= 12  14  4
2
1
=  6
2
Area of ΔBCD = 3 sq units ……..(3)

From (1), (2) and (3) we get,

Area of ABCD = 12.5 + 3=15.5 sq units.
Area of quad ABCD = 15.5 sq units

16) Find the area of the triangle formed by joining the mid-points of the sides
of the triangle whose vertices are (-1,5),(9,-3) and (-9,-7).
Solution:
A  (-1,5) B  (9,-3) C  (-9,-7)
1  9 5  3 
Mid-point of AB =  ,  = (4,1)
 2 2 
9  (9) 3  (7) 
Mid-point of BC =  ,  =(0,-5)
 2 2 
 Co-ordinate Geometry

(1)  (9) 5  (7) 

Mid-point of AC =  ,  = (-5,-1)
 2 2 
Let,
D(x1,y1)  (4,1) E(x2,y2)  (0,-5) F(x3,y3)  (-5,-1)
1
Area of ΔDEF =  x1  y2  y3   x 2  y3  y1   x 3  y1  y 2 
2
Substituting the values we get,
1
Area of ΔDEF =  4  (5)  (1)   0  (1)  1  (5) 1  (5) 
2
1
= 4  4   0  2   (5)  6 
2
1
=  16  30
2
1
=  46
2
= -23
Area of ΔDEF = 23 units
17) Verify that a median of a triangle divides it into two triangles of equal areas.
Verify this for ΔABC whose vertices are A(-4,-4), B(5,9) and C(-7,3).
Solution:
Consider, A(x1,y1)  (-4,-4) B(x2,y2)  (5, 9) C(x3,y3)  (-7, 3)
5  (7) 9  3 
Mid-point of BC =  ,  = (-1,6)= D (say) A(-4,-4)
 2 2 
Now we have two triangles, ΔABD and ΔACD
1
Area of ΔABD = (4)  9  6   5  6  (4)   (1)  (4)  9 
2

B(5,9) D(-1,6) C(-7,3)

 Co-ordinate Geometry

1
Area of ΔABD = (4)  3  5 10    13
2
1
=  12  50  13
2
1
= 51
2
Area of ΔABD = 25.5 sq. units……(1)
1
Area of ΔACD = (4)  3  6   (7)  6  (4)   (1)  4  3
2
1
= (4)  3  (7) 10   1 7 
2
1
=  51
2
Area of ΔACD = 25.5 sq. units……….(2)
 Area of ΔACD = Area of ΔABD

18) Show that the points (1,1), (13,1) and (13,6) are the points of the vertices of
a right triangle.
Solution:
Consider, P(x1,y1)  (1,1) Q(x2,y2)  (13, 1) R(x3,y3)  (13, 6)
By distance formula,
PQ =  x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2

= √( ) ( )
12    0
2
=

12 
2
=
PQ = 12 units

QR =  x 3  x 2    y3  y2 
2 2

13  13   6  1
2 2
=
 Co-ordinate Geometry

=  0    5
2

QR = 5 units

PR =  x 3  x1    y3  y1 
2 2

= 13  1   6  1
2 2

12    5
2 2
=
= 144  25
= 169
PR= 13 units

PR2= 132 =169=144 +25=122 + 52= PQ2 + QR2

RS2=PQ2 + QR2
ΔPQR is a right triangle

19) If the distance of P(x,y) from A(5,1) and B(-1,5) are equal. Prove that 3x = 2y
Solution:
A(x1,y1)  (5,1) B(x2,y2)  (-1, 5)
AP=PB (given)
 AP2=PB2
By distance formula
 x  5   y  1 =  x  (1)    y  5
2 2 2 2

x2-10x+25+y2-2y+1= x2 +2x+1 +y2 – 10y+25

-10x-2y= 2x-10y
-12x=-8y
Dividing by -4 throughout we get,
3x=2y

20) Show that the points (a,a), (-a,-a) and (- 3 a, 3 a) form an equilateral triangle.
Solution:
 Co-ordinate Geometry

Consider, P(x1,y1)  (a,a) Q(x2,y2)  (-a,-a) R(x3,y3)  (- 3 a, 3 a)

PQ =  x 2  x1    y2  y1 
2 2

PQ =  a  a    a  a 
2 2

=  2a    2a 
2 2

= 4a 2  4a 2
= 8a 2
PQ = 2 2a units........(1)
QR =  x 3  x 2    y3  y2 
2 2

   3a  (a) 
2 2
= 3a  (a) 

 3a  a    3a  a 
2 2
=

= 3a 2  2 3a 2  a 2  3a 2  2 3a 2  a 2
= 8a 2
QR = 2 2a units.......(2)
PR =  x 3  x1    y3  y1 
2 2

   
2 2
= 3a  a  3a  a

= 3a 2  2 3a 2  a 2  3a 2  2 3a 2  a 2
= 8a 2
PR = 2 2a units.......(3)
From (1), (2) and (3) we get,
PQ=QR=PR
Hence,
ΔPQR is an equilateral triangle