SOLVED SUBJECTIVE EXAMPLES

Example 1 :
A rod of length k slides in a vertical plane, its ends touching the co-ordinates axes. Prove that the
locus of the foot of the perpendicular from the origin to the rod is (x2 + y2)3 = k2x2y2.
Solution :
(Slope of OP). (Slope of BP) = – 1
 b
 . =–1
 0

 2  2
 b =

and (Slope of OP) (Slope of AP) = – 1
 
 . =–1
 a

 2  2
 a=

a + b = k2
2 2

 (2 + 2)3 = K2 2 2
 (x2 + y2)3 = k2 x2 y2

Example 2 :
Two fixed points A and B are taken on the co-ordinate axes such that OA = a and OB = b. Two
variable point A and B are taken on the same axes such that OA + OB = OA + OB. Find the
locus of the point of intersection of AB and AB.
Solution :
Let A  (a, 0), B (0, b), A (a, 0), B (0, b)
x y
Equation of AB is + =1 .......(1)
a b
x y
and the equation of AB is + =1 ........(2)
a b

1 1   1 1
Subtracting (1) from (2), we get, x    + y    = 0
 a a   b b 
x (a   a ) y( b  b) x y
 + = 0  + =0 [Using a – a = b – b]
aa  bb aa bb
a (a  b ) y
 b = ........(3)
ay  bx
 ay
From (2) b x + ay = ab b = ........(4)
ax
Equations (3) and (4) we get x + y = a + b. which is the required locus.

Example 3 :
Show that the origin is within the triangle whose vertices are A(2, 1), B(3, – 2) and C(– 4, – 1).
Solution :
We have the sides BC, CA, AB having the equations

x + 7y + 11 = 0, x – 3y + 1 = 0, 3x + y – 7 = 0
respectively. Now (0, 0) will be within the ABC if and only
if (0, 0) and A are on the same side of BC ; (0, 0) and B are on
the same side of CA ; (0, 0) are C are on the same side of AB.
(0, 0) and A are on the same side of BC whose equation is x + 7y + 11 = 0 since 2 + 7 + 11 = 20 > 0
and 0 + 7(0) + 11 > 0 are of the same sign.
Similarly, B and (0, 0) are on the same side of CA because 3 – 3(– 2) + 1 = 10 > 0
and 0 – 3(0) + 1 = 1 > 0. Finally, substituting the coordinates of C in 3x + y – 7
we get 3(– 4) + (– 1) – 7 = – 20 < 0 ; also 3(0) – 7 = – 7 < 0. Hence (0, 0) lies within ABC.
Alternately we can do the above problem as follows.
Equation to OA is y = x/2 or x – 2y = 0.
Substituting the coordinates of B(3, – 2) and C(– 4, – 1) in the equation to OA we see that
3 – 2(– 2) = 7 > 0 and – 4 – 2(– 1) = – 2 < 0, So B and C are on the opposite sides of OA. This
means that O(0, 0) lies within either the region 1, 4 or 7 (fig.). Similarly C and A are on the opposite
sides of OB. Again this means that O lies within the region either 2, 5 or 7. Hence O (0, 0) lies within
the region 7; i.e., O lies with ABC.

Example 4 :
A straight line moves so that the sum of the reciprocals of its intercepts on the coordinate axes is
constant. Show that it passes through a fixed point.
Solution :
x y
Let the variable line be + = 1.
a b
1 1
Then we are given that + = K = a constant therefore, the variable line takes the form
a b

x  1
+ k   y – 1 = 0
a  a

1
or (x – y) + (K y – 1) = 0. This represents a straight line through the intersection of
a
 x y
x – y = 0 and Ky – 1 = 0. They intersect at (1/K, 1/K) and hence + = 1 always passes
a b
1 1
through the fixed point  ,  .
K K

Example 5 :
ABCD is a variable rectangle having its sides parallel to fixed directions. The vertices B and D lie
on x = a and x = – a and A lies on the line y = 0. Find the locus of C.
Solution :

Let A be (x1, 0), B be (a, y2) and D be (– a, y4). We are given AB and AD have fixed directions and
hence their slopes are constants, say m1 and m2.
y2 y4
 a  x1 = m1
and  a  x1 = m2
Further m1m2 = – 1 since ABCD is a rectangle.
y2 y4 1
a  x1 = m1
and  a  x1 = – m1 .

 y 2  y 4   x1  x y 
The midpoint of BD is  0, = , 
 2   2 2
= midpoint of AC where C is taken to be (x, y).
This gives x = – x1 and y = y2 + y4. So C is (– x1, y2 + y4).
y2 y4 1
Also a  x1 = m1
and a  x1 = + m1 gives
the locus of C as (1 – m12) x + m1 y = a(m12 + 1).
Example 6 :
Each side of a square is of length 6 units and the centre of the square is (– 1, 2). One of its
diagonals is parallel to x + y = 0. Find the coordinates of the vertices of the square.
Solution :
Let ABCD be the given square with centre (– 1, 2) and side of length 6. BD is parallel to x + y = 0.
Equation to BD is x + y = 1. Hence the equation to AC is x – y + 3 = 0 (note that ACBD).
We have |OC| = |OB| = |OA| = |OD| = 3 2 units.
 x  ( 1) y2
We may write AC as = = r where r is the algebraic distance of (x, y) from
cos 45º sin 45º
(– 1, 2). Therefore A and C are given by
x 1 y2
= =± 2 or A is (2, 5) and C is (– 4, – 1). Again, we may write BD as
1/ 2 1/ 2
y 1
= = r..
1/ 2
x 1 y 1
B and D are given by = =± 3 2
1/ 2 1 / 2
B is (– 4, 5) and D is (2, – 1).
The vertices of the square are (2, 5), (– 4, 5), (– 4, – 1) and (2, – 1).

Example 7 :
Find the incentre of the triangle whose sides have the equations x + y – 7 = 0, x – y + 1 = 0 and
x – 3y + 5 = 0.
Solution :

The given equations of the sides of a triangle are

x+y–7=0 . . . (1)
x–y+1=0 . . . (2)
x – 3y + 5 = 0 . . . (3)
Solving these equation we get the three co-ordinates of vertices of the triangle.
A   3, 4  , B   4, 3 and C  1, 2 

Also AB = 2, BC  10 and CA  2 2

 ax1  bx 2  cx 3 ay1  by 2  cy3 

Hence the co-ordinate of in-center of the triangle is given by  , 
 abc a bc 


 3, 1  5 
Example 8 :
Prove that the diagonals of the parallelogram formed by the lines ax + by + c = 0, ax + by + c= 0,
ax + by + c = 0, ax + by + c = 0 will be at right angles if a2 + b2 = a2 + b2 .
Solution :
Now the diagonal AC is of the form ax + by + c +  (ax + by + c) = 0 as it passes through the
intersection of ax + by + c = 0 and ax + by + c = 0.
 a  a 
slope of AC = –  
 b  b 
Similarly, the diagonal AC is also of the form (ax + by + c) + µ (ax + by + c) = 0. Thus AC is
given by (a + a) x + (b +  b) y + (1 + ) c= 0. and (a + µa) x + (b + µ b) y + (1 + µ) c= 0

a  a b  b
We must have = (ab – ab) = µ (ab – ab)
a  µa b  µb 

a a 1   c
Now  (Why ?) and hence  = µ. This means that 1 =  
b b  1  µ  c
But c  c (why ?) and hence  = – 1. Thus  = k = – 1.
Therefore equation to AC is (a – a) x + (b – b) y = 0. Similarly equation to BD is (a + a) x + (b + b)
y + c + c = 0. (It is easily observed that (ax + by +c) – (ax + by + c) = 0 passes through A and
C; and (ax + by + c) + (ax + by + c) = 0 passes through B and D).
Now AC is perpendicular to BD if and only if the product of their slopes is – 1; which happens if.
 a  a   a  a 
  .   = – 1 or simplifying a2 + b2 = a2 + b2
 b  b   b  b 
Remarks :
If the sides of parallelogram are L1  ax + by + c = 0, L2  ax + by + c = 0, L3  ax + by + c
= 0 and L4  ax + by + c = 0, the diagonals are given by L1 – L2 = 0 and L1 + L2 = 0.

Example 9 :
The sides of a triangle are Ur  xcos r + y sin r – pr = 0 for r = 1, 2, 3.
Show that its orthocentre is given by
U1 cos (2 – 3) = U2cos (3 – 1) = U3 cos (1 – 2).
Solution :
Let BC be U1  x cos 1 + y sin1 – p1 = 0, CA be U2  0 and AB be U3 = 0
Then the altitude AD through A is of the form
 U2 + U3 = (xcos 2 + y sin 2 – p2) +  (x cos3 + y sin3 – p3) = 0
i.e., AD is given by (cos2 +  cos3) x + (sin 2 + sin 3) y – (p2 + p3) = 0.
cos  2   cos  3
Slope of AD = – sin    sin  . Now AD  BC given
2 3

 cos  2   cos  3 
–  sin    sin   (– cot1) = – 1,
 2 3 

or cos1 (cos2 + cos3 ) + sin1 (sin2 + sin3) = 0,

This gives (cos1 cos2 + sin1 sin2) +  (cos1 cos3 + sin1 sin3) = 0
cos(1   2 )
or equivalents  = – cos(   )
3 1

cos1   2 
 Equation to AD is U2 – cos    U3 = 0
3 1

or equivalently U2 cos(3 – 1) = U3 cos(1 – 2).

Similarly the altitude BE is U3 cos(1 – 2) = U1 cos(2 – 3).
 The orthocentre is given by
U1 cos(2 – 3) = U2cos(3 – 1) = U3 cos(1 – 2).

Example 10 :
Find the locus of a point which moves such that the sum of the perpendicular distances from it on
two given straight lines is a constant.
Solution :
We may take one of the two given straight line to be our x-axis and the point of intersection of the
given lines as our origin. Observe that we have the freedom of choosing our axes, depending on the
problem. (Students, this is where we intelligently exploit the convenience of coordinate geometry). By
our choice of the axes one of the given lines is y = 0 and let the other be mx – y = 0. If P (x, y) is

mx   y
the variable point, its distances from the two given lines are |y| and , we are given that
1  m2

mx   y
P moves such that |y| + = k = constant, k > 0 .
1  m2

 The locus of p is 1 m 2 |y| + |mx – y| = k 1 m 2 .

 In region I where y > 0, mx > y the locus is the straight line mx +  1  m 1 y – k
2
1 m 2
= 0. In region II where y > 0, mx < y the locus is the straight line (1 + 1 m 2 ) y – mx
= k 1 m 2 . In region III, where y < 0, mx < y the locus is the straight line (1 – 1 m 2 ) y – mx

= k 1 m 2 . In region IV, where y < 0, mx > y the locus is mx – (1 + 1 m 2 ) y = k 1 m 2 .

Example 11 :
A line intersects the straight lines 5x – y – 4 = 0 and 3x – 4y – 4 = 0 at A and B respectively. If a
point P (1, 5) on the line AB is such that AP : PB = 2:1 (internally), find the point A.
Solution :

 3r  4 
Any point A on the first line is (t, 5t – 4). Any point B on the second line is  r , .
 4 

2r  t
Hence 1 = and
3

3r  4
 5t  4
5= 2
3
 2r + t = 3 and 3r + 10t = 42.
75
on solving, we get t =
17

 75 304 
Hence A is  , 
 17 17 
Example 12 :
Find the values of non-negative real numbers h1, h2, h3, k1, k2, k3 such that the algebraic sum of the
perpendiculars drawn from points (2, k1), (3, k2), (7, k3), (h1, 4) (h2, 5), (h3, – 3) on a variable line
passing through (2, 1) is zero.
Solution :
Let the equation of the variable line be ax + by + c = 0. It is given that
6 6
ax i  byi  c
 0  ax i  by i  c   0
i 1 a 2  b2 i 1

6 6 6 6
  ax i   c0  ax i   byi  6c  0
i 1 i 1 i 1 i 1
  6   6 
  xi    yi   6  6 
  x i    yi 
 a i1   b i1   c  0
 6   6  . Hence the fixed point must be   i1 ,  i1 
     6  6 
      
  
2  3  7  h1  h 2  h 3
But the fixed point is (2, 1) so that  2  h1  h 2  h 3  0
6

k1  k 2  k 3  4  5  3
 h1 = 0, h2 = 0, h3 = 0(as h1, h2, h3  0) . Similarly 1
6
 k1 = k2 = k3 = 0. (as k1, k2, k3  0)
Alternative Solution:
Let the variable line be y – 1 = m(x – 2) or mx – y + 1 – 2m =0
Since the algebraic sum of the perpendicular from the given points is

m2  3  7  h1  h 2  h 3  12   6  k1  k 2  k 3  4  5  3
zero i.e. 0
1  m2
for all m.  m (h1 + h2 + h3) – (k1 + k2 + k3) = 0 for all m
 h1 + h2 + h3 = 0 and k1 + k2 + k3 = 0
 h1 = 0 = h2 = h3, and k1 = 0 = k2 = k3.
Example 13 :
Find the locus of the circumcentre of a triangle whose two sides are along the co-ordinate axes and
third side passes through the point of intersection of the lines ax + by + c = 0 and
lx + my + n = 0.
Solution :
Let the equation of the third line be (ax + by + c) +  (lx + my + n) = 0 where  is a parameter..

 n  c 
it meets the x-axis at A where y = 0 and x =
l  a
The triangle OAB is a right angled triangle. Its circumcentre is the midpoint of the hypotenuse. Let
it be (  ,  )

 n  c   n  c  2 a  c 2b  c
 2     and 2     m  a      2l  n   2 m  n
  l  a   

c  2ax c  2by
Hence the locus of  ,   is n  2lx  n  2my  2xy(ma-bl) + x(an - lc) + y (mc - bn) = 0.
Example 14 :
Show that straight lines (A2 – 3B2)x2 – 8AB xy + (B2 – 3A2) y2 = 0 form with the line
Ax + By + C = 0 and equilateral triangle of area C2/ 3 (A2 + B2).
Solution :
Let y = mx . . . (i)
0
be a line through the origin making an angle of 60 with the line
Ax + By + C = 0 . . . (ii)
m   A / B 
Then we have tan 600 = 
1  m A / B
From (i) we have m = y/x. Substituting this value of m in the above result
i.e. 3(B – Am)2 = (mB + A)2, we have
(A2 – 3B2) x2 + 8ABxy + (B2 - 3A2)y2 = 0, . . . (iii)
These are the straight lines
through the origin making angles of 600 with (ii) i.e. forming an equilateral triangle with (ii).
Now OL = length of perpendicular to Ax + By + C = 0 from (0, 0)

C C2
= So Area =
A 2
 B2  
3 A 2  B2 
Example 15 :
Find the condition in a and b, such that the portion of the line ax + by – 1 = 0, intercepted between
the lines ax + y = 0 and x + by subtends a right angle at the origin.
Solution :
Given lines are ax + y + 1 = 0 . . . (i)
x + by = 0 . . . (ii)
ax + by = 1 . . . (iii)
Joint equation of (i) and (ii) is (ax + y + 1) (x + by) = 0
 ax2 + by2 + (ab + 1) xy + x + by = 0
Making (iv) homogeneous with the help of equation (i) we have
ax2 + by2 + (ab + 1)xy + x (ax + by) + by (ax + by) = 0
since angle between these two lines is 900
 Coefficient of x2 + Coefficient of y2 = 0
2a + b + b2 = 0 is the required condition.
 SOLVED OBJECTIVE EXAMPLES

Example 1 :
If 3a – 2b + 5c = 0, family of straight lines ax + by + c = 0 are always concurrent at a point whose
coordinate is -
3 2  3 2
(A)  ,  (B)   , 
5 5  5 5
3 2  3 2
(C)  ,   (D)  , 
5 5  5 5 
Solution :
3 2
3a – 2b + 5c = 0  a– b + c = 0.
5 5
3 2
Thus the line ax + by + c = 0 passes through the point  ,  .
5 5

Example 2 :
The diagonals AC and BD of a rhombus intersect at (5, 6). If A  (3, 2) then equation of diagonal
BD is
(A) y – x = 1 (B) 2y – x = 17
(C) y – 2x + 4 = 0 (D) 2y + x = 17
Solution :
62 1
mAC = = 2  mBD = – .
53 2
1
Thus equation of BD is (y – 6) = – (x – 5) i.e., 2y + x – 17 = 0.
2

Example 3 :
Consider the straight line ax + by = c where a, b, c  R+. This line meets the coordinate axes at ‘P’
and ‘Q’ respectively. If the area of triangle OPQ, ‘O’ being origin, does not depend upon a, b and
c, then
(A) a, b, c are in G.P. (B) a, c, b are in G.P.
(C) a, b, c are in A.P. (D) a, c, b are inA.P.
Solution :
c   c
P   ,0  , Q   0, 
a   b
1
OPQ = (OP)(OQ)
2
 1 c2
= clearly OPQ will not depend upon a, b and c if c2 = ab,
2 ab
i.e. a, c, b are in G.P.
Example 4 :
Locus of a point that is equidistant from the lines x + y – 2 2 = 0 and x + y – 2 = 0 is
(A) x + y –5 2 = 0 (B) x + y – 3 2 = 0
(C) 2x + 2y – 3 2 = 0 (D) 2x + 2y – 5 2 = 0
Solution :
For any point P(x, y) that is equidistant from given line, we have
x + y – 2 = – (x + y – 2 2 )  2x + 2y – 3 2 = 0.
Example 5 :
The nearest point on the line 3x + 4y = 12 from the origin is -
 36 48   3  3
(A)  ,  (B)  3,  (C)  2,  (D) none of these
 25 25   4  2
Solution :
If ‘D’ be the foot of altitude, drawn from origin to the given line, then ‘D’ is the required point.
4 12
Let OBA =  tan =  DOA =  we have OD = .
3 5

36 48
If D is (h, k) then h = OD cos, k = OD sin  h = ,k = .
25 25

Example 6 :
Image of the point P(1, 5) with respect to the line 4x + 3y + 6 = 0 is -
 19 13   13 19 
(A)  ,  (B)  , 
 25 25   25 25 
 191 113 
(C) (– 7, – 1) (D)  , 
 25 25 
Solution :
h 1 k  5
If Q (h, k) is the image then = = – 10  h = – 7, k = – 1
4/5 3/ 5
Example 7 :
If the points P(a2 , a) lies in the region corresponding to the acute angle between the lines 2y = x
and 4y = x, then
(A) a  (2, 6) (B) a  (4,6)
(C) a  (2, 4) (D) none of these
Solution :
a2 a2
We have a – > 0 and a – <0
4 2

 a2  a2 
  a    a    0
4 2
  
 a  (2, 4)

Example 8 :
The lines x + 2y + 3 = 0, x + 2y – 7 = 0 and 2x – y – 4 = 0 are the sides of a square. Equation of
the remaining side of the square can be -
(A) 2x – y – 14 = 0 (B) 2x – y + 8 = 0
(C) 2x – y – 10 = 0 (D) 2x – y – 6 = 0
Solution :
10
Distance between x + 2y + 3 = 0 and x + 2y – 7 = 0 is . Let the remaining side be 2x – y + = 0.
5
|   4 | 10
We have, =   = 5, – 14, thus remaining side is 2x – y + 6 = 0 or 2x – y – 14 = 0
5 5
Example 9 :
The straight lines 7x – 2y + 10 = 0 and 7x + 2y – 10 = 0 forms an isosceles triangle with the line
y = 2. Area of this triangle is equal to
15 10
(A) sq. units (B) sq. units
7 7
18
(C) sq. units (D) none of these
7
Solution : Y

6   6 
We have, B   ,2  , C    ,2  A (0, 5)
7   7 
12 C B
y=2
 BC = , AD = 3 D
7  10   10 
  ,0   ,0 
 7   7 
x
O
7x

1 12 18
0
0=

+2

 ABC = . .3= sq. units

+1

2 7 7
y-1
-2y

0
=0
7x

Example 10 :
Consider the family of lines 5x + 3y – 2 + 1 (3x – y – 4) = 0 and x – y + 1 + 2(2x – y – 2) = 0.
Equation of a straight line that belong to both families is -
 (A) 25x – 62y + 86 = 0 (B) 62x – 25y + 86 = 0
(C) 25x – 62y = 86 (D) 5x – 2y – 7 = 0
Solution :
Lines 5x + 3y – 2 + 1(3x – y – 4) = 0 are concurrent at (1, – 1) and lines x – y + 1 + 2(2x – y – 2) = 0
are concurrent at (3, 4). Thus equation of line common to both family is,
1 4
y– 4= (x – 3)
1 3
i.e., 5x – 2y – 7 = 0.
Example 11 :
In the adjacent figure combined equation of the incident and the refracted ray is -
4
(A ) (x – 2) 2 – y2 + (x – 2) y = 0
3
4
(B) (x – 2)2 + y2 – (x – 2) y = 0
3
4
(C) (x – 2)2 + y2 + (x – 2) y = 0
3
(D) none of these
Solution :
1
Equation of incident ray is y = – (x – 2). Equation of refracted rays is, y = – 3 (x – 2).
3
Combined equation is.
 y  y
(x – 2 + y 3 )  x  2   =0 i.e., (x – 2)2 + y2 + (x – 2) + 4 = 0.
 3 3
Example 12 :
A light ray emerging from the point source placed at P(2, 3) is reflected at a point ‘Q’ on the y-axis
and then passes through the point R(5, 10). Coordinate of ‘Q’ is -
(A) (0, 3) (B) (0, 2)
(C) (0, 5) (D) none of these
Solution :
If P1 be the reflection of P in y-axis then P1  (– 2, 3)
Equation of line P1R is
10  3
(y – 3) = (x + 2)
5 2
 y = x + 5. It meets y-axis at (0, 5)  Q (0, 5)

Example 13 :

Line ax + by + p = 0 makes angle with xcos + y sin = p, p  R+. If these lines and the line
4
 x sin  – y cos = 0 are concurrent then -
(A) a2 + b2 = 1 (B) a2 + b2 = 2
2 2
(C) 2(a + b ) = 1 (D) none of these
Solution :
Lines x cos + y sin = p and x sin – y cos = 0 are mutually perpendicular. Thus ax + by + p
= 0 will be equally inclined to these line and would be the angle bisector of these lines. Now
equations of angle bisectors is ,
x sin –y cos = ± (x cos + y sin – p)
 x(cos – sin) + y(sin + cos) = p or x(sin + cos) – y(cos – sin) = p
a b
Comparing these lines with ax + by + p = 0, we get = =1
cos   sin  sin   cos 
a b
 a2 + b2 = 2 or = = 1  a2 + b2 = 2
sin   cos  sin   cos 

Example 14 :
If a, b, c are in A.P., then ax + by + c = 0 represents
(A) a single line (B) a family of concurrent lines
(C) a family of parallel lines (D) none of these

Solution :
Since a, b, c are in A.P.  2b = a + c
a – 2b + c = 0  family of lines is concurrent at the point (1, – 2)
Example 15 :
Two particles start from the point (2, – 1), one moving 2 units along the line x + y = 1 and the other
5 units along the line x – 2y = 4. If the particles move towards increasing y, then their new positions
are
 
(A) 2  2 , 2  1 , 2 5  2, 5  1   
(B) 2 5  2, 5  1 , 2 2 , 2  1 
(C) 2  2, 2  1, 2 5  2, 5  1 (D) none of these
Solution :
P(2, –1) goes 2 units along x + y = 1 upto A and 5 units along
x – 2y = 4 upto B.
slope of PA = – 1 = tan 1350
slope of PB = 1/2 = tan 
1 2
 sin  = , cos  
5 5
The coordinates of B
i.e.  
(x1 + rcos  , y1 + rsin  ) are 2 5  2, 5  1
The coordinates of A i.e. (x1 + rcos1350, y1 + rsin1350) are (2 – 2 , 2  1 )