COORDINATE GEOMETRY 99
7
7.1 Introduction
In Class IX, you have studied that to locate the position of a point on a plane, we
require a pair of coordinate axes. The distance of a point from the y-axis is called its
x -coordinate, or abscissa. The distance of a point from the x-axis is called its
y-coordinate, or ordinate. The coordinates of a point on the x-axis are of the form
(x, 0), and of a point on the y-axis are of the form (0, y).
Here is a play for you. Draw a set of a pair of perpendicular axes on a graph
paper. Now plot the following points and join them as directed: Join the point A(4, 8) to
B(3, 9) to C(3, 8) to D(1, 6) to E(1, 5) to F(3, 3) to G(6, 3) to H(8, 5) to I(8, 6) to
J(6, 8) to K(6, 9) to L(5, 8) to A. Then join the points P(3.5, 7), Q (3, 6) and R(4, 6) to
form a triangle. Also join the points X(5.5, 7), Y(5, 6) and Z(6, 6) to form a triangle.
Now join S(4, 5), T(4.5, 4) and U(5, 5) to form a triangle. Lastly join S to the points
(0, 5) and (0, 6) and join U to the points (9, 5) and (9, 6). What picture have you got?
Also, you have seen that a linear equation in two variables of the form
ax + by + c = 0, (a, b are not simultaneously zero), when represented graphically,
gives a straight line. Further, in Chapter 2, you have seen the graph of
y = ax
2
+ bx + c (a 0), is a parabola. In fact, coordinate geometry has been developed
as an algebraic tool for studying geometry of figures. It helps us to study geometry
using algebra, and understand algebra with the help of geometry. Because of this,
coordinate geometry is widely applied in various fields such as physics, engineering,
navigation, seismology and art!
In this chapter, you will learn how to find the distance between the two points
whose coordinates are given, and to find the area of the triangle formed by three given
points. You will also study how to find the coordinates of the point which divides a line
segment joining two given points in a given ratio.
COORDINATE GEOMETRY
Rationalised 2023-24
100 MATHEMATICS
7.2 Distance Formula
Let us consider the following situation:
A town B is located 36 km east and 15
km north of the town A. How would you find
the distance from town A to town B without
actually measuring it. Let us see. This situation
can be represented graphically as shown in
Fig. 7.1. You may use the Pythagoras Theorem
to calculate this distance.
Now, suppose two points lie on the x-axis.
Can we find the distance between them? For
instance, consider two points A(4, 0) and B(6, 0)
in Fig. 7.2. The points A and B lie on the x-axis.
From the figure you can see that OA = 4
units and OB = 6 units.
Therefore, the distance of B from A, i.e.,
AB = OB – OA = 6 – 4 = 2 units.
So, if two points lie on the x-axis, we can
easily find the distance between them.
Now, suppose we take two points lying on
the y-axis. Can you find the distance between
them. If the points C(0, 3) and D(0, 8) lie on the
y-axis, similarly we find that CD = 8 – 3 = 5 units
(see Fig. 7.2).
Next, can you find the distance of A from C (in Fig. 7.2)? Since OA = 4 units and
OC = 3 units, the distance of A from C, i.e., AC =
22
34
= 5 units. Similarly, you can
find the distance of B from D = BD = 10 units.
Now, if we consider two points not lying on coordinate axis, can we find the
distance between them? Yes! We shall use Pythagoras theorem to do so. Let us see
an example.
In Fig. 7.3, the points P(4, 6) and Q(6, 8) lie in the first quadrant. How do we use
Pythagoras theorem to find the distance between them? Let us draw PR and QS
perpendicular to the x-axis from P and Q respectively. Also, draw a perpendicular
from P on QS to meet QS at T. Then the coordinates of R and S are (4, 0) and (6, 0),
respectively. So, RS = 2 units. Also, QS = 8 units and TS = PR = 6 units.
Fig. 7.1
Fig. 7.2
Rationalised 2023-24
COORDINATE GEOMETRY 101
Therefore, QT = 2 units and PT = RS = 2 units.
Now, using the Pythagoras theorem, we
have
PQ
2
=PT
2
+ QT
2
=2
2
+ 2
2
= 8
So, PQ =
22
units
How will we find the distance between two
points in two different quadrants?
Consider the points P(6, 4) and Q(–5, –3)
(see Fig. 7.4). Draw QS perpendicular to the
x-axis. Also draw a perpendicular PT from the
point P on QS (extended) to meet y-axis at the
point R.
Fig. 7.4
Then PT = 11 units and QT = 7 units. (Why?)
Using the Pythagoras Theorem to the right triangle PTQ, we get
PQ =
22
11 7
=
170
units.
Fig. 7.3
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102 MATHEMATICS
Let us now find the distance between any two
points P(x
1
, y
1
) and Q(x
2
, y
2
). Draw PR and QS
perpendicular to the x-axis. A perpendicular from the
point P on QS is drawn to meet it at the point
T (see Fig. 7.5).
Then, OR = x
1
, OS = x
2
. So, RS = x
2
– x
1
= PT.
Also, SQ = y
2
, ST = PR = y
1
. So, QT = y
2
– y
1
.
Now, applying the Pythagoras theorem in PTQ, we get
PQ
2
=PT
2
+ QT
2
=(x
2
– x
1
)
2
+ (y
2
– y
1
)
2
Therefore, PQ =
22
21 21
x
xyy
Note that since distance is always non-negative, we take only the positive square
root. So, the distance between the points P(x
1
, y
1
) and Q(x
2
, y
2
) is
PQ =
22
21 21
–+–
x
xyy
,
which is called the distance formula.
Remarks :
1. In particular, the distance of a point P(x, y) from the origin O(0, 0) is given by
OP =
22
x
y
.
2. We can also write, PQ =
22
12 1 2
xx y y
. (Why?)
Example 1 : Do the points (3, 2), (–2, –3) and (2, 3) form a triangle? If so, name the
type of triangle formed.
Solution : Let us apply the distance formula to find the distances PQ, QR and PR,
where P(3, 2), Q(–2, –3) and R(2, 3) are the given points. We have
PQ =
2222
(3 2) (2 3) 5 5 50
= 7.07 (approx.)
QR =
2222
(–2 – 2) (–3 – 3) (– 4) (–6) 52
= 7.21 (approx.)
PR =
2222
(3–2) (2–3) 1 ( 1) 2
= 1.41 (approx.)
Since the sum of any two of these distances is greater than the third distance, therefore,
the points P, Q and R form a triangle.
Fig. 7.5
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COORDINATE GEOMETRY 103
Also, PQ
2
+ PR
2
= QR
2
, by the converse of Pythagoras theorem, we have P = 90°.
Therefore, PQR is a right triangle.
Example 2 : Show that the points (1, 7), (4, 2), (–1, –1) and (– 4, 4) are the vertices
of a square.
Solution : Let A(1, 7), B(4, 2), C(–1, –1) and D(– 4, 4) be the given points. One way
of showing that ABCD is a square is to use the property that all its sides should be
equal and both its digonals should also be equal. Now,
AB =
22
(1 – 4) (7 2) 9 25 34
BC =
22
(4 1) (2 1) 25 9 34
CD =
22
(–1 4) (–1 – 4) 9 25 34
DA =
22
(1 4) (7 – 4) 25 9 34
AC =
22
(1 1) (7 1) 4 64 68
BD =
22
(4 4) (2 4) 64 4 68
Since, AB = BC = CD = DA and AC = BD, all the four sides of the quadrilateral
ABCD are equal and its diagonals AC and BD are also equal. Thereore, ABCD is a
square.
Alternative Solution : We find
the four sides and one diagonal, say,
AC as above. Here AD
2
+ DC
2
=
34 + 34 = 68 = AC
2
. Therefore, by
the converse of Pythagoras
theorem, D = 90°. A quadrilateral
with all four sides equal and one
angle 90° is a square. So, ABCD
is a square.
Example 3 : Fig. 7.6 shows the
arrangement of desks in a
classroom. Ashima, Bharti and
Camella are seated at A(3, 1),
B(6, 4) and C(8, 6) respectively.
Do you think they are seated in a
line? Give reasons for your
answer.
Fig. 7.6
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104 MATHEMATICS
Solution : Using the distance formula, we have
AB =
22
(6 3) (4 1) 9 9 18 3 2
BC =
22
(8–6) (6–4) 4 4 8 2 2
AC =
22
(8–3) (6–1) 25 25 50 5 2
Since, AB + BC =
32 22 52 AC,
we can say that the points A, B and C
are collinear. Therefore, they are seated in a line.
Example 4 : Find a relation between x and y such that the point (x , y) is equidistant
from the points (7, 1) and (3, 5).
Solution : Let P(x, y) be equidistant from the points A(7, 1) and B(3, 5).
We are given that A
P = BP. So, AP
2
= BP
2
i.e., (x – 7)
2
+ (y – 1)
2
=(x – 3)
2
+ (y – 5)
2
i.e., x
2
– 14x + 49 + y
2
– 2y + 1 = x
2
– 6x + 9 + y
2
– 10y + 25
i.e., x – y =2
which is the required relation.
Remark : Note that the graph of the equation
x – y = 2 is a line. From your earlier studies,
you know that a point which is equidistant
from A and B lies on the perpendicular
bisector of AB. Therefore, the graph of
x – y = 2 is the perpendicular bisector of
AB
(see Fig. 7.7).
Example 5 : Find a point on the y-axis which
is equidistant from the points A(6, 5) and
B(– 4, 3).
Solution : We know that a point on the
y-axis is of the form (0, y). So, let the point
P(0, y) be equidistant from A and B. Then
(6 – 0)
2
+ (5 – y)
2
= (– 4 – 0)
2
+ (3 – y)
2
i.e., 36 + 25 + y
2
– 10y = 16 + 9 + y
2
– 6y
i.e., 4y =36
i.e., y =9
Fig. 7.7
Rationalised 2023-24
COORDINATE GEOMETRY 105
Fig. 7.8
So, the required point is (0, 9).
Let us check our solution : AP =
22
(6 – 0) (5 – 9) 36 16 52
BP =
22
(– 4 – 0) (3 – 9) 16 36 52
Note : Using the remark above, we see that (0, 9) is the intersection of the y-axis and
the perpendicular bisector of AB.
EXERCISE 7.1
1. Find the distance between the following pairs of points :
(i) (2, 3), (4, 1) (ii) (– 5, 7), (– 1, 3) (iii) (a, b), (– a, – b)
2. Find the distance between the points (0, 0) and (36, 15). Can you now find the distance
between the two towns A and B discussed in Section 7.2.
3. Determine if the points (1, 5), (2, 3) and (– 2, – 11) are collinear.
4. Check whether (5, – 2), (6, 4) and (7, – 2) are the vertices of an isosceles triangle.
5. In a classroom, 4 friends are
seated at the points A, B, C and
D as shown in Fig. 7.8. Champa
and Chameli walk into the class
and after observing for a few
minutes Champa asks Chameli,
“Don’t you think ABCD is a
square?” Chameli disagrees.
Using distance formula, find
which of them is correct.
6. Name the type of quadrilateral
formed, if any, by the following
points, and give reasons for
your answer:
(i) (– 1, – 2), (1, 0), (– 1, 2), (– 3, 0)
(ii) (–3, 5), (3, 1), (0, 3), (–1, – 4)
(iii) (4, 5), (7, 6), (4, 3), (1, 2)
7. Find the point on the x-axis which is equidistant from (2, –5) and (–2, 9).
8. Find the values of y for which the distance between the points P(2, – 3) and Q(10, y) is
10 units.
Rationalised 2023-24
106 MATHEMATICS
9. If Q(0, 1) is equidistant from P(5, –3) and R(x, 6), find the values of x. Also find the
distances QR and PR.
10. Find a relation between x and y such that the point (x, y) is equidistant from the point
(3, 6) and (– 3, 4).
7.3 Section Formula
Let us recall the situation in Section 7.2.
Suppose a telephone company wants to
position a relay tower at P between A and B
is such a way that the distance of the tower
from B is twice its distance from A. If P lies
on AB, it will divide AB in the ratio 1 : 2
(see Fig. 7.9). If we take A as the origin O,
and 1 km as one unit on both the axis, the
coordinates of B will be (36, 15). In order to
know the position of the tower, we must know
the coordinates of P. How do we find these
coordinates?
Let the coordinates of P be (x, y). Draw perpendiculars from P and B to the
x-axis, meeting it in D and E, respectively. Draw PC perpendicular to BE. Then, by
the AA similarity criterion, studied in Chapter 6, POD and BPC are similar.
Therefore ,
OD OP 1
PC PB 2
, and
PD OP 1
BC PB 2
So,
1
36 2
x
x
and
1
15 2
y
y
These equations give x = 12 and y = 5.
You can check that P(12, 5) meets the
condition that OP : PB = 1 : 2.
Now let us use the understanding that
you may have developed through this
example to obtain the general formula.
Consider any two points A(x
1
, y
1
) and
B(x
2
, y
2
) and assume that P (x, y) divides
AB internally in the ratio m
1
: m
2
, i.e.,
1
2
PA
PB
m
m
(see Fig. 7.10).
Fig. 7.9
Fig. 7.10
Rationalised 2023-24
COORDINATE GEOMETRY 107
Draw AR, PS and BT perpendicular to the x-axis. Draw AQ and PC parallel to
the x-axis. Then, by the AA similarity criterion,
PAQ ~ BPC
Therefore,
PA AQ
BP PC
=
PQ
BC
(1)
Now, AQ = RS = OS – OR = x – x
1
PC = ST = OT – OS = x
2
– x
PQ = PS – QS = PS – AR = y – y
1
BC = BT– CT = BT – PS = y
2
– y
Substituting these values in (1), we get
1
2
m
m
=
11
22
x
xyy
x
xy y
Taking
1
2
m
m
=
1
2
x
x
x
x
, we get x =
12 21
12
mx mx
mm
Similarly, taking
1
2
m
m
=
1
2
yy
yy
, we get y =
12 21
12
my my
mm
So, the coordinates of the point P(x, y) which divides the line segment joining the
points A(x
1
, y
1
) and B(x
2
, y
2
), internally, in the ratio m
1
: m
2
are
12 21 12 21
12 12
,
mx mx my m y
mm mm
(2)
This is known as the section formula.
This can also be derived by drawing perpendiculars from A, P and B on the
y-axis and proceeding as above.
If the ratio in which P divides AB is k : 1, then the coordinates of the point P will be
21 2 1
,
11
kx x ky y
kk
Special Case : The mid-point of a line segment divides the line segment in the ratio
1 : 1. Therefore, the coordinates of the mid-point P of the join of the points A(x
1
, y
1
)
and B(x
2
, y
2
) is
1212 1212
1111
,,
11 11 2 2
x
xy y xxyy
.
Let us solve a few examples based on the section formula.
Rationalised 2023-24
108 MATHEMATICS
Example 6 : Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining
the points (4, – 3) and (8, 5) in the ratio 3 : 1 internally.
Solution : Let P(x, y) be the required point. Using the section formula, we get
x =
3(8) 1(4)
7
31
, y =
3(5) 1(–3)
3
31
Therefore, (7, 3) is the required point.
Example 7 : In what ratio does the point (– 4, 6) divide the line segment joining the
points A(– 6, 10) and B(3, – 8)?
Solution : Let (– 4, 6) divide AB internally in the ratio m
1
: m
2
. Using the section
formula, we get
(– 4, 6) =
12 1 2
12 1 2
36–810
,
mm m m
mm m m
(1)
Recall that if (x, y) = (a, b) then x = a and y = b.
So, – 4 =
12
12
36mm
mm
and
12
12
810
6
mm
mm
Now, – 4 =
12
12
36mm
mm
gives us
– 4m
1
– 4m
2
=3m
1
– 6m
2
i.e., 7m
1
=2m
2
i.e., m
1
: m
2
=2 : 7
You should verify that the ratio satisfies the y-coordinate also.
Now,
12
12
810mm
mm
=
1
2
1
2
810
1
m
m
m
m
(Dividing throughout by m
2
)
=
2
810
7
6
2
1
7
Rationalised 2023-24
COORDINATE GEOMETRY 109
Therefore, the point (– 4, 6) divides the line segment joining the points A(– 6, 10) and
B(3, – 8) in the ratio 2 : 7.
Alternatively : The ratio m
1
: m
2
can also be written as
1
2
:1,
m
m
or k : 1. Let (– 4, 6)
divide AB internally in the ratio k : 1. Using the section formula, we get
(– 4, 6) =
36810
,
11
kk
kk
(2)
So, – 4 =
36
1
k
k
i.e., – 4k – 4 = 3k – 6
i.e., 7k =2
i.e., k : 1 = 2 : 7
You can check for the y-coordinate also.
So, the point (– 4, 6) divides the line segment joining the points A(– 6, 10) and
B(3, – 8) in the ratio 2 : 7.
Note : You can also find this ratio by calculating the distances PA and PB and taking
their ratios provided you know that A, P and B are collinear.
Example 8 : Find the coordinates of the points of trisection (i.e., points dividing in
three equal parts) of the line segment joining the points A(2, – 2) and B(– 7, 4).
Solution : Let P and Q be the points of
trisection of AB i.e., AP = PQ = QB
(see Fig. 7.1
1).
Therefore, P divides AB internally in the ratio 1 : 2. Therefore, the coordinates of P, by
applying the section formula, are
1( 7) 2(2) 1(4) 2( 2)
,
12 12
, i.e., (–1, 0)
Now, Q also divides AB internally in the ratio 2 : 1. So, the coordinates of Q are
2( 7) 1(2) 2(4) 1( 2)
,
21 21
, i.e., (– 4, 2)
Fig. 7.11
Rationalised 2023-24
110 MATHEMATICS
Therefore, the coordinates of the points of trisection of the line segment joining A and
B are (–1, 0) and (– 4, 2).
Note : We could also have obtained Q by noting that it is the mid-point of PB. So, we
could have obtained its coordinates using the mid-point formula.
Example 9 : Find the ratio in which the y-axis divides the line segment joining the
points (5, – 6) and (–1, – 4). Also find the point of intersection.
Solution : Let the ratio be k : 1. Then by the section formula, the coordinates of the
point which divides AB in the ratio k : 1 are
54 6
,
11
kk
kk
This point lies on the y-axis, and we know that on the y-axis the abscissa is 0.
Therefore,
5
1
k
k
=0
So, k =5
That is, the ratio is 5 : 1. Putting the value of k = 5, we get the point of intersection as
13
0,
3
.
Example 10 : If the points A(6, 1), B(8, 2), C(9, 4) and D(p, 3) are the vertices of a
parallelogram, taken in order, find the value of p.
Solution : We know that diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
So, the coordinates of the mid-point of AC = coordinates of the mid-point of BD
i.e.,
6914
,
22
=
823
,
22
p
i.e.,
15 5
,
22
=
85
,
22
p
so,
15
2
=
8
2
p
i.e., p =7
Rationalised 2023-24
COORDINATE GEOMETRY 111
EXERCISE 7.2
1. Find the coordinates of the point which divides the join of (–1, 7) and (4, –3) in the
ratio 2 : 3.
2. Find the coordinates of the points of trisection of the line segment joining (4, –1)
and (–2, –3).
3. To conduct Sports Day activities, in
your rectangular shaped school
ground ABCD, lines have been
drawn with chalk powder at a
distance of 1m each. 100 flower pots
have been placed at a distance of 1m
from each other along AD, as shown
in Fig. 7.12. Niharika runs
1
4
th the
distance AD on the 2nd line and
posts a green flag. Preet runs
1
5
th
the distance AD on the eighth line
and posts a red flag. What is the
distance between both the flags? If
Rashmi has to post a blue flag exactly
halfway between the line segment
joining the two flags, where should
she post her flag?
4. Find the ratio in which the line segment joining the points (– 3, 10) and (6, – 8) is divided
by (– 1, 6).
5. Find the ratio in which the line segment joining A(1, – 5) and B(– 4, 5) is divided by the
x-axis. Also find the coordinates of the point of division.
6. If (1, 2), (4, y), (x, 6) and (3, 5) are the vertices of a parallelogram taken in order, find
x and y.
7. Find the coordinates of a point A, where AB is the diameter of a circle whose centre is
(2, – 3) and B is (1, 4).
8. If A and B are (– 2, – 2) and (2, – 4), respectively, find the coordinates of P such that
AP =
3
AB
7
and P lies on the line segment AB.
9. Find the coordinates of the points which divide the line segment joining A(– 2, 2) and
B(2, 8) into four equal parts.
10. Find the area of a rhombus if its vertices are (3, 0), (4, 5), (– 1, 4) and (– 2, – 1) taken in
order. [Hint : Area of a rhombus =
1
2
(product of its diagonals)]
Fig. 7.12
Rationalised 2023-24
112 MATHEMATICS
7.4 Summary
In this chapter, you have studied the following points :
1. The distance between P(x
1
, y
1
) and Q(x
2
, y
2
) is
22
21 21
()().xx yy
2. The distance of a point P(x, y) from the origin is
22
.
x
y
3. The coordinates of the point P(x, y) which divides the line segment joining the
points A(x
1
, y
1
) and B(x
2
, y
2
) internally in the ratio m
1
: m
2
are
12 21 12 21
12 1 2
,
mx mx my m y
mm m m
4. The mid-point of the line segment joining the points P(x
1
, y
1
) and Q(x
2
, y
2
) is
121 2
,
22
x
xy y
.
A NOTE TO THE READER
Section 7.3 discusses the Section Formula for the coordinates (x, y) of a
point P which divides internally the line segment joining the points
A(x
1
, y
1
) and B(x
2
, y
2
) in the ratio m
1
: m
2
as follows :
x =
12 21
12
mx mx
mm
,
y =
12 21
12
my my
mm
Note that, here, PA : PB = m
1
: m
2
.
However, if P does not lie between A and B but lies on the line AB,
outside the line segment AB, and PA : PB = m
1
: m
2
, we say that P divides
externally the line segment joining the points A and B. You will study
Section Formula for such case in higher classes.
Rationalised 2023-24
