MATHEMATICS

Chapter 7: Coordinate Geometry

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Coordinate Geometry
1. Coordinate axes:
Two perpendicular number lines intersecting at point zero are called coordinate axes.
The point of intersection is called origin and denoted by ‘O’. The horizontal number line is
the x-axis (denoted by X’OX) and the vertical one is the y-axis (denoted by Y’OY).
2. Cartesian plane is a plane formed by the coordinate axes perpendicular to each other in
the plane. It is also called as xy plane.
The axes divide the Cartesian plane into four parts called the quadrants (one fourth part),
numbered I, II, III and IV anticlockwise from OX.
Points on a Cartesian Plane
A pair of numbers locate points on a plane called the coordinates. The distance of a point
from the y-axis is known as abscissa or x-coordinate. The distance of a point from the x-
axis is called ordinates or y-coordinate.

Representation of (x,y) on the cartesian plane

3. Coordinates of a point:
• The x-coordinate of a point is its perpendicular distance from y-axis, called abscissa.
• The y-coordinate of a point is its perpendicular distance from x-axis, called ordinate
• If the abscissa of a point is x and the ordinate of the point is y, then (x, y) is called the
coordinates of the point.
•The point where the x-axis and the y-axis intersect is represented by the coordinate
point (0, 0) and is called the origin.
4. Sign of the coordinates in the quadrants:
Sign of coordinates depicts the quadrant in which it lies.
• The point having both the coordinates positive i.e. of the form (+, +) will lie in the first
quadrant.
• The point having x-coordinate negative and y-coordinate positive i.e. of the form (-, +)

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will lie in the second quadrant.
• The point having both the coordinates negative i.e. of the form (-, -) will lie in the third
quadrant.
• The point having x-coordinate positive and y-coordinate negative i.e. of the form (+,-)
will lie in the fourth quadrant.

5. Coordinates of a point on the x-axis or y-axis:

The coordinates of a point lying on the x-axis are of the form (x, 0) and that of the point
on the y-axis are of the form (0, y).
6. Distance formula
The distance formula is used to find the distance between two any points say P(x1, y1) and
Q(x2, y2) which is given by: 𝑃𝑄 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2

• The distance of a point P(x, y) from the origin O(0, 0) is 𝑂𝑃√𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2

• The points A, B and C are collinear if AB + BC = AC.
Distance between Two Points on the Same Coordinate Axes
The distance between two points that are on the same axis (x-axis or y-axis), is given by
the difference between their ordinates if they are on the y-axis, else by the difference
between their abscissa if they are on the x-axis.

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Distance AB = 6 – (-2) = 8 units

Distance CD = 4 – (-8) = 12 units
Distance between Two Points Using Pythagoras Theorem

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Finding distance between 2 points using Pythagoras Theorem

Let P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) be any two points on the cartesian plane.
Draw lines parallel to the axes through P and Q to meet at T.
ΔPTQ is right-angled at T.
By Pythagoras Theorem,
PQ2 = PT2 + QT2
= (x2 – x1)2 + (y2 – y1)2
PQ = √[x2 – x1)2 + (y2 – y1)2]
7. Determining the type of triangle using distance formula
i. Three points A, B and C are the vertices of an equilateral triangle if AB = BC = CA.
ii. The points A, B and C are the vertices of an isosceles triangle if AB = BC or BC = CA or
CA = AB.
iii. Three points A, B and C are the vertices of a right triangle if the sum of the squares of
any two sides is equal to the square of the third side.
8. Determining the type of quadrilateral using distance formula
For the given four points A, B, C and D, if:

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[Link] = CD, BC = DA; AC ≠ BD  ABCD is a parallelogram.
ii. AB = BC = CD = DA; AC ≠ BD  ABCD is a rhombus

iii. AB = CD, BC = DA; AC = BD  ABCD is a rectangle

iv. AB = BC = CD = DA; AC = BD  ABCD is a square.
9. Circumcentre of a triangle
The point of intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle is called
the circumcentre. In the figure, O is the circumcentre of the triangle ABC.

Circumcentre of a triangle is equidistant from the vertices of the triangle. That is, P is the
circumcentre of ∆ ABC, if PA = PB = PC.
• Moreover, if a circle is drawn with P as centre and PA or PB or PC as radius, the circle will
pass through all the three vertices of the triangle. PA (or PB or PC) is said to be the
circumradius of the triangle.

10. Section formula

If P is a point lying on the line segment joining the points A and B such that AP: BP = m:
n. Then, we say that the point P divides the line segment AB internally in the ratio m: n.

Coordinates of a point which divides the line segment joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2,

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𝑚𝑥2 +𝑛𝑥1 𝑚𝑦2 +𝑚𝑦1
y2) in the ratio m: n internally are given by: ( , ) This is known as the
𝑚+𝑛 𝑚+𝑛
section formula.
11. If P is a point lying on AB produced such that AP: BP = m: n, then point P divides AB
externally in the ratio m: n.

If P divides the line segment joining the points A (x1, y1) and B (x2, y2) in the ratio m: n
𝑚𝑥2 −𝑛𝑥1 𝑚𝑦2 −𝑚𝑦1
externally, then the coordinates of point P are given by ( , )
𝑚−𝑛 𝑚−𝑛
12. Coordinates of Mid-point
Mid-point divides the line segment in the ratio 1:1. Coordinates of the mid-point of a line
𝑥 +𝑥 𝑦 +𝑦
segment joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are ( 1 2 , 1 2)
2 2
13. Centroid of a triangle
The point of intersection of the three medians of a triangle is called the centroid.

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In the figure, G is the centroid of the triangle ABC where AD, BF and CE are the medians
through A, B and C respectively.
Centroid divides the median in the ratio of 2:1.
14. Coordinates of the centroid
If A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) are the vertices of a triangle ABC, then the coordinates of
𝑥1 +𝑥2 +𝑥3 𝑦1 +𝑦2 +𝑦3
the centroid are given by G(x, y) = ( , )
3 3
15. Incentre of a triangle
The point of intersection of all the internal bisectors of the angles of a triangle is called
the incentre.
It is also the centre of a circle which touches all the sides of a triangle (such type of a
circle is named as the incircle).

In the figure, I is the incentre of the triangle ABC.

16. Coordinates of incentre
If A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) are the vertices of a triangle, then the coordinates of
𝑎𝑥1 +𝑏𝑥2 +𝑐𝑥3 𝑎𝑦1 +𝑏𝑦2 +𝑐𝑦3
incentre are given by ( , )
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐

17. Orthocentre of a triangle

The point of intersection of all the perpendiculars drawn from the vertices on the
opposite sides (called altitudes) of a triangle is called the Orthocentre which can be
obtained by solving the equations of any two of the altitudes.

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In the figure, O is the orthocentre of the triangle ABC.

18. If the triangle is equilateral, the centroid, the incentre, the orthocenter and the
circumcentre coincides.
19. Orthocentre, centroid and circumcentre are always collinear, whereas the centroid
divides the line joining the orthocentre and the circumcentre in the ratio of 2:1.
20. Area of a triangle
If A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) are the vertices of a triangle, then the area of triangle
1
ABC is given by [𝑥1 (𝑦2 − 𝑦3 ) + 𝑥2 (𝑦3 − 𝑦1 ) + 𝑥3 (𝑦1 − 𝑦2 )]
2

• Three given points are collinear, if the area of triangle formed by these points is zero.
21. Area of a quadrilateral
Area of a quadrilateral can be calculated by dividing it into two triangles.
Area of quadrilateral ABCD = Area of ∆ABC+ Area of ∆ACD

Note: To find the area of a polygon, divide it into triangular regions having no common
area, then add the areas of these regions.

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Important Questions
Multiple Choice questions-
1. The ratio in which (4,5) divides the line segment joining the points (2,3) and (7,8) is

(a) 2:3

(b) -3:2

(c) 3:2

(d) -2:3

2. The values of x and y, if the distance of the point (x, y) from (-3,0) as well as from
(3,0) is 4 are

(a) x = 1, y = 7

(b) x = 2, y = 7

(c) x = 0, y = – √7

(d) x = 0, y = ± √7

[Link] distance between the points (3,4) and (8,-6) is

(a) 2√5 units

(b) 3√5 units

(c) √5 units

(d) 5√5 units

4. The ratio in which the x-axis divides the segment joining A(3,6) and B(12,-3) is

(a) 1:2

(b) -2:1

(c) 2:1

(d) -1:-1

5. The horizontal and vertical lines drawn to determine the position of a point in a

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Cartesian plane are called

(a) Intersecting lines

(b) Transversals

(c) Perpendicular lines

(d) X-axis and Y-axis

6. The mid point of the line segment joining A(2a,4) and B(-2,3b) is M (1,2a + 1). The
values of a and b are

(a) 2,3

(b) 1,1

(c) -2,-2

(d) 2,2

7. The points (1,1), (-2, 7) and (3, -3) are

(a) vertices of an equilateral triangle

(b) collinear

(c) vertices of an isosceles triangle

(d) none of these

8. The line 3x + y – 9 = 0 divides the line joining the points (1, 3) and (2, 7) internally in
the ratio

(a) 3 : 4

(b) 3 : 2

(c) 2 : 3

(d) 4 : 3

9. The ordinate of a point is twice its abscissa. If its distance from the point (4,3) is
√10, then the coordinates of the point are

(a) (1,2) or (3,6)

(b) (1,2) or (3,5)

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(c) (2,1) or (3,6)

(d) (2,1) or (6,3)

10. The mid-point of the line segment joining the points A (-2, 8) and B (-6, -4) is

(a) (-4, -6)

(b) (2, 6)

(c) (-4, 2)

(d) (4, 2)

Very Short Questions:

1. What is the area of the triangle formed by the points 0 (0, 0), A (-3, 0) and B (5,
0)?

2. If the centroid of triangle formed by points P (a, b), Q (b, c) and R (c, a) is at the
origin, what is the value of a + b + c?

3. AOBC is a rectangle whose three vertices are A (0, 3), 0 (0, 0) and B (5, 0). Find
the length of its diagonal.

4. Find the value of a, so that the point (3, a) lie on the line 2x – 3y = 5.

5. Find distance between the points (0, 5) and (-5, 0).

6. Find the distance of the point (-6,8) from the origin.

7. If the distance between the points (4, k) and (1, 0) is 5, then what can be the
possible values of k?

8. If the points A (1, 2), B (0, 0) and C (a, b) are collinear, then what is the relation
between a and b?

9. Find the ratio in which the line segment joining the points (-3, 10) and (6, – 8)
is divided by (-1, 6).

10. The coordinates of the points P and Q are respectively (4, -3) and (-1, 7). Find
𝑃𝑅 3
the abscissa of a point R on the line segment PQ such that = .
𝑃𝑄 5

Short Questions :
1. Write the coordinates of a point on x-axis which is equidistant from the points
(-3, 4) and (2, 5).

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2. Find the values of x for which the distance between the points P (2, -3) and Q
(x, 5) is 10.

3. What is the distance between the points (10 cos 30°, 0) and (0, 10 cos 60°)?

4. In Fig. 6.8, if A(-1, 3), B(1, -1) and C (5, 1) are the vertices of a triangle ABC,
what is the length of the median through vertex A?

5. Find the ratio in which the line segment joining the points P (3, -6) and Q (5,3)
is divided by the x-axis.

6. Point P (5, -3) is one of the two points of trisection of the line segment joining
the points A (7, -2) and B (1, -5). State true or false and justify your answer.

7. Show that ∆ABC, where A(-2, 0), B(2, 0), C(0, 2) and APQR where P(-4, 0), Q(4,
0), R(0,4) are similar triangles.

OR

Show that ∆ABC with vertices A(-2, 0), B(0, 2) and C(2, 0) is similar to ∆DEF
with vertices D(-4, 0), F(4,0) and E(0, 4).

[∆PQR is replaced by ∆DEF]

8. Point P (0, 2) is the point of intersection of y-axis and perpendicular bisector of

line segment joining the points, A (-1, 1) and B (3, 3). State true or false and
justify your answer.

9. Determine, if the points (1, 5), (2, 3) and (-2, -11) are collinear.

10. Find the distance between the following pairs of points:

(i) (-5, 7), (-1, 3)

(ii) (a, b), (-a, -b)

Long Questions :
1. Find the value of ‘k”, for which the points are collinear: (7, -2), (5, 1), (3, k).

2. Find the area of the triangle formed by joining the mid-points of the sides of
the triangle whose vertices are (0, -1), (2, 1) and (0, 3). Find the ratio of this
area to the area of the given triangle.

3. Find the area of the quadrilateral whose vertices, taken in order, are (-4, -2), (-
3, -5), (3, -2) and (2, 3).

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4. A median of a triangle divides it into two triangles of equal areas. Verify this
result for ∆ABC whose vertices are A (4,-6), B (3, -2) and C (5, 2).

5. Find the ratio in which the point P (x, 2), divides the line segment joining the
points A (12, 5) and B (4, -3). Also find the value of x.

6. If A (4, 2), B (7, 6) and C (1, 4) are the vertices of a ∆ABC and AD is its median,
prove that the median AD divides into two triangles of equal areas.

7. If the point A (2, -4) is equidistant from P (3, 8) and Q (-10, y), find the values
of y. Also find distance PQ.

8. The base BC of an equilateral triangle ABC lies on y-axis. The coordinates of

point Care (0, -3). The origin is the mid-point of the base. Find the coordinates
of the points A and B. Also find the coordinates of another point D such that
BACD is a rhombus.

9. Prove that the area of a triangle with vertices (t, t-2), (t + 2, t + 2) and (t + 3, t)
is independent of t.

10. The area of a triangle is 5 sq units. Two of its vertices are (2, 1) and (3, -2). If
7
the third vertex is ( , 𝑦), find the value of y.
2

Case Study Qurstions:

1. The Class X students of a secondary school in Krishinagar have been allotted a rectangular
plot of land for their gardening activity. Sapling of Gulmohar is planted on the boundary of
the plot at a distance of 1m from each other. There is a triangular grassy lawn inside the
plot as shown in Fig. The students have to sow seeds of flowering plants on the remaining
area of the plot.

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i. Considering A as the origin, what are the coordinates of A?

a. (0, 1)
b. (1, 0)
c. (0, 0)
d. (-1, -1)

ii. What are the coordinates of P?

a. (4, 6)
b. (6, 4)
c. (4, 5)
d. (5, 4)

iii. What are the coordinates of R?

a. (6, 5)
b. (5, 6)
c. (6, 0)
d. (7, 4)

iv. What are the coordinates of D?

a. (16, 0)
b. (0, 0)
c. (0, 16)

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d. (16, 1)

v. What are the coordinates of P if D is taken as the origin?

a. (12, 2)
b. (-12, 6)
c. (12, 3)
d. (6, 10)

2. Two brothers Ramesh and Pulkit were at home and have to reach School. Ramesh went to
Library first to return a book and then reaches School directly whereas Pulkit went to Skate
Park first to meet his friend and then reaches School directly.

i. How far is School from their Home?

a. 5m
b. 3m
c. 2m
d. 4m

ii. What is the extra distance travelled by Ramesh in reaching his School?

a. 4.48 metres
b. 6.48 metres
c. 7.48 metres
d. 8.48 metres

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iii. What is the extra distance travelled by Pulkit in reaching his School? (All distances
are measured in metres as straight lines).

a. 6.33 metres
b. 7.33 metres
c. 5.33 metres
d. 4.33 metres

iv. The location of the library is:

a. (-1, 3)
b. (1, 3)
c. (3, 1)
d. (3, -1)

v. The location of the Home is:

a. (4, 2)
b. (1, 3)
c. (4, 5)
d. (5, 4)

Assertion Reason Questions-

1. Directions: Each of these questions contains two statements: Assertion [A] and Reason
[R]. Each of these questions also has four alternative choices, any one of which is the
correct answer. You have to select one of the codes [a], [b], [c] and [d] given below.

a. A is true, R is true; R is a correct explanation for A.

b. A is true, R is true; R is not a correct explanation for A.

c. A is true; R is False.

d. A is false; R is true.

2. Directions: Each of these questions contains two statements: Assertion [A] and Reason
[R]. Each of these questions also has four alternative choices, any one of which is the
correct answer. You have to select one of the codes [a], [b], [c] and [d] given below.

a. A is true, R is true; R is a correct explanation for A.

b. A is true, R is true; R is not a correct explanation for A.

c. A is true; R is False.

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d. A is false; R is true.

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Answer Key-
Multiple Choice questions-
1. (a) 2:3

2. (d) x = 0, y = ± √7

3. (d) 5√5 units

4. (c) 2:1

5. (d) X-axis and Y-axis

6. (d) 2,2

7. (b) collinear

8. (a) 3 : 4

9. (a) (1,2) or (3,6)

10. (c) (-4, 2)

Very Short Answer :

1
1. Area of ∆OAB = [0(0 – 1) – 3(0 – 0) + 5(0 – 0)] = 0
2

⇒ Given points are collinear

2.

3.

4. Since (3, a) lies on the line 2x – 3y = 5

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Then 2(3) – 3(a) = 5

– 3a = 5 – 6

– 3a = -1
1
⇒a=
3

5. Here x1 = 0, y1 = 5, x2 = -5 and y2 = 0)

6. Here x1 = -6, y1 = 8

x2 = 0, y2 = 0

7. Using distance formula

8. Points A, B and C are collinear

⇒ 1(0 – b) + 0 (b – 2) + a(2 – 0) = 0

⇒ -b + 2a = 0 or 2a = b

9. In Fig. 6.6, let the point P(-1, 6) divides the line joining A(-3, 10) and B (6, -8) in
the ratio k : 1

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Hence, the point P divides AB in the ratio 2 : 7.

10.

Short Answer :
1. Let the required point be (x, 0).

Since, (x, 0) is equidistant from the points (-3, 4) and (2, 5).

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2.

3.

4.

5. Let the required ratio be λ : 1

Given that this point lies on the x-axis

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Thus, the required ratio is 2 : 1.

6. Points of trisection of line segment AB are given by

∴ Given statement is true.

7.

8. The point P (0, 2) lies on y-axis

AP ≠ BP

∴ P(0, 2) does not lie on the perpendicular bisector of AB. So, given statement is
false.

9. Let A (1, 5), B (2, 3) and C (-2, -11) be the given points. Then we have

Clearly, AB + BC ≠ AC

∴ A, B, C are not collinear.

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10. (i) Let two given points be A (-5, 7) and B (-1, 3).

Thus, we have x1 = -5 and x2 = -1

y1 = 7 and y2 = 3

Long Answer :
1. Let the given points be

A (x1, y1) = (7, -2), B (x2, Y2) = (5, 1) and C (x3, y3) = (3, k)

Since these points are collinear therefore area (∆ABC) = 0

⇒ 12 [x1(y2 – y3) + x2(y3 – y1) + x3(y1 – y2)] = 0

⇒ x1(y2 – y3) + x2(y3 – y1) + x3(y1 – y2) = 0

⇒ 7(1 – k) + 5(k + 2) + 3(-2 -1) = 0

⇒ 7 – 7k + 5k + 10 – 9 = 0

⇒ -2k + 8 = 0

⇒ 2k = 8

⇒k=4

Hence, given points are collinear for k = 4.

2. Let A (x1, y1) = (0, -1), B (x2, y2) = (2, 1), C (x3, y3) = (0, 3) be the vertices of ∆ABC.

Now, let P, Q, R be the mid-points of BC, CA and AB, respectively.

So, coordinates of P, Q, R are

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Ratio of ar (∆PQR) to the ar (∆ABC) = 1 : 4.

3.

Let A(4, -2), B(-3, -5), C(3, -2) and D(2, 3) be the vertices of the quadrilateral
ABCD.

Now, area of quadrilateral ABCD

= area of ∆ABC + area of ∆ADC

4. Since AD is the median of ∆ABC, therefore, D is the mid-point of BC.

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Hence, the median divides it into two triangles of equal areas.

5.

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3
The ratio in which p divides the line segment is , i.e., 3 : 5.
5

6. Given: AD is the median on BC.

⇒ BD = DC

The coordinates of midpoint D are given by.

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Hence, AD divides ∆ABC into two equal areas.

7. Given points are A(2, 4), P(3, 8) and Q(-10, y)

According to the question,

PA = QA

8. ∵ O is the mid-point of the base BC.

∴ Coordinates of point B are (0, 3). So,

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BC = 6 units Let the coordinates of point A be (x, 0).

Using distance formula,

∴ Coordinates of point A = (x, 0) = (3√3, 0)

Since BACD is a rhombus.

∴ AB = AC = CD = DB

∴ Coordinates of point D = (-3√3, 0).

1
9. Area of a triangle = [x1(y2 – y3) + x2(y3 – y1) + x3(y1 – y2)]
2

1
Area of the triangle = [t + 2 – t) + (t + 2) (t – t + 2) + (t + 3) (t – 2 – t – 2)]
2

1
= [2t + 2t + 4 – 4t – 12 ]
2

= 4 sq. units

which is independent of t.

Hence proved.

10.

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Given: ar(∆ABC) = 5 sq. units

Case Study Answer-

1. Answer :

It can be observed that the coordinates of point P, Q and R are (4, 6), (3, 2), and (6, 5)
respectively.

i c (0, 0)
ii a (4, 6)
iii a (6, 5)
iv a (16, 0)
v b (-12, 6)
2. Answer :

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Assertion Reason Answer-

1. (a) A is true, R is true; R is a correct explanation for A.
2. (d) A is false; R is true.

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