Section and Mid-Point Formula

Complete Worked Solutions — Exercise 12.1 & 12.2

Method used throughout: State given points → Name the rule (Section / Mid-point formula) → Substitute →
Solve x and y separately → Box the answer.

Key Formulas

Section formula (P divides AB in ratio m : n):

mx2 + nx1 my2 + ny1
x= , y=
m+n m+n
Mid-point formula (m : n = 1 : 1):
x1 + x2 y1 + y2
x= , y=
2 2

1 Exercise 12.1

Q1. Find the coordinates of point P dividing the segment in the given ratio.

(a) A(3, −3) and B(6, 9) in ratio 1 : 2

Solution:
Here (x1 , y1 ) = (3, −3), (x2 , y2 ) = (6, 9), m : n = 1 : 2.

1(6) + 2(3) 6+6 1(9) + 2(−3) 9−6

x= = =4 y= = =1
1+2 3 1+2 3

Answer: P (4, 1)

(b) M (−4, −5) and N (3, 2) in ratio 2 : 5

Solution:
(x1 , y1 ) = (−4, −5), (x2 , y2 ) = (3, 2), m : n = 2 : 5.

2(3) + 5(−4) 6 − 20 2(2) + 5(−5) 4 − 25

x= = = −2 y= = = −3
7 7 7 7

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 Answer: P (−2, −3)

(c) S(2, 6) and R(9, −8) in ratio 3 : 4

Solution:
(x1 , y1 ) = (2, 6), (x2 , y2 ) = (9, −8), m : n = 3 : 4.

3(9) + 4(2) 27 + 8 3(−8) + 4(6) −24 + 24

x= = =5 y= = =0
7 7 7 7

Answer: P (5, 0)

Q2. Find the points of trisection of the segment joining A(−3, 7) and B(3, −2).

Solution:
Trisection points P (ratio 1 : 2 from A) and Q (ratio 2 : 1 from A).
For P , ratio 1 : 2:

1(3) + 2(−3) 3−6 1(−2) + 2(7) −2 + 14

x= = = −1 y= = =4
3 3 3 3
For Q, ratio 2 : 1:

2(3) + 1(−3) 6−3 2(−2) + 1(7) −4 + 7

x= = =1 y= = =1
3 3 3 3

Answer: P (−1, 4) and Q(1, 1)

Q3. Find the ratio in which P (3, 4) divides the segment joining A(−3, 1) and B(7, 6).

Solution:
Let ratio be m : n. Using x-coordinate:
7m − 3n m 3
3= ⇒ 3m + 3n = 7m − 3n ⇒ 6n = 4m ⇒ =
m+n n 2
3(6) + 2(1) 18 + 2
Check with y: = =4✓
3+2 5

Answer: Ratio = 3 : 2

Q4. Ratio in which segment joining A(2, −3), B(5, 6) is divided by the x-axis.

Solution:
On the x-axis, y = 0. Let ratio = m : n.
6m − 3n m 1
0= ⇒ 6m = 3n ⇒ =
m+n n 2

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 Answer: Ratio = 1 : 2

Q5. Ratio in which segment joining (2, −1), (−5, 6) is divided by the y-axis.

Solution:
On the y-axis, x = 0. Let ratio = m : n.
−5m + 2n m 2
0= ⇒ 5m = 2n ⇒ =
m+n n 5

Answer: Ratio = 2 : 5

Q6. Ratio in which line x = 0 divides segment joining (−4, 7) and (3, 0). Also find the
point.

Solution:
x = 0: let ratio = m : n.
3m − 4n m 4
0= ⇒ 3m = 4n ⇒ =
m+n n 3
4(0) + 3(7) 21
y-coordinate with m = 4, n = 3: y= = =3
7 7

Answer: Ratio = 4 : 3; point of intersection = (0, 3)

Q7. In what ratio does (1, a) divide the segment joining (−1, 4) and (4, −1)? Find a.

Solution:
Let ratio = m : n. Using x-coordinate:
4m − n m 2
1= ⇒ m + n = 4m − n ⇒ 2n = 3m ⇒ =
m+n n 3
2(−1) + 3(4) −2 + 12
Using y with m = 2, n = 3: a= = =2
5 5
Answer: Ratio = 2 : 3, a=2

Q8. Find P on segment joining A(−3, −10), B(3, 2) such that P B : AB = 1 : 5.

Solution:
Since P B = 15 AB, we get AP = 45 AB, so AP : P B = 4 : 1.

4(3) + 1(−3) 12 − 3 9 4(2) + 1(−10) 8 − 10 2

x= = = y= = =−
5 5 5 5 5 5

 
9 2
Answer: P ,−
5 5

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Q9. Ratio in which x = −2 divides segment joining (−6, −1), (1, 6). Find the point.

Solution:
x = −2: let ratio = m : n.
m − 6n m 4
−2 = ⇒ −2m − 2n = m − 6n ⇒ 4n = 3m ⇒ =
m+n n 3
4(6) + 3(−1) 24 − 3
y with m = 4, n = 3: y= = =3
7 7

Answer: Ratio = 4 : 3; point = (−2, 3)

Q10. Ratio in which y = −1 divides segment joining (6, 5), (−2, −11). Find the point.

Solution:
y = −1: let ratio = m : n.
−11m + 5n m 3
−1 = ⇒ −m − n = −11m + 5n ⇒ 10m = 6n ⇒ =
m+n n 5
3(−2) + 5(6) −6 + 30
x with m = 3, n = 5: x= = =3
8 8

Answer: Ratio = 3 : 5; point = (3, −1)

Q11. Line P (−5, 6)Q(3, 2) meets y-axis at R. Find P R : RQ.

Solution:
x = 0: let ratio = m : n.
3m − 5n m 5
0= ⇒ 3m = 5n ⇒ =
m+n n 3

Answer: P R : RQ = 5 : 3

Q12. B is a point on AC; A(2, 5), B(1, 0), and AC = 3AB. Find C.

Solution:
Since AC = 3AB, BC = AC − AB = 2AB, so B divides AC in ratio AB : BC = 1 : 2.

1(Cx ) + 2(2)
1= ⇒ 3 = Cx + 4 ⇒ Cx = −1
3
1(Cy ) + 2(5)
0= ⇒ 0 = Cy + 10 ⇒ Cy = −10
3

Answer: C(−1, −10)

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Q13. A(2, 5), B(−1, 2), C(5, 8). P on AB, Q on AC with AP : P B = AQ : QC = 1 : 2. Find P ,
Q and show 3P Q = BC.

Solution:
Point P (on AB, ratio 1 : 2):
1(−1) + 2(2) 1(2) + 2(5)
x= =1 y= =4 ⇒ P (1, 4)
3 3
Point Q (on AC, ratio 1 : 2):
1(5) + 2(2) 1(8) + 2(5)
x= =3 y= = 6 ⇒ Q(3, 6)
3 3
Verification using distance formula:
p √ √
P Q = (3 − 1)2 + (6 − 4)2 = 4 + 4 = 2 2
p √ √
BC = (5 − (−1))2 + (8 − 2)2 = 36 + 36 = 6 2
√ √
3P Q = 3(2 2) = 6 2 = BC ✓

Answer: P (1, 4), Q(3, 6), and 3P Q = BC is verified

Q14. A(30, 20), B(6, −4) are fixed points. Find P in AB with 2P B = AP ; also find Q in AB
with AB = 6AQ.

Solution:
For P : 2P B = AP ⇒ AP : P B = 2 : 1.
2(6) + 1(30) 42 2(−4) + 1(20) 12
x= = = 14 y= = =4
3 3 3 3
P (14, 4)
For Q: AQ = 61 AB ⇒ AQ : QB = 1 : 5.
1(6) + 5(30) 156 1(−4) + 5(20) 96
x= = = 26 y= = = 16
6 6 6 6

Answer: P (14, 4) and Q(26, 16)

Q15. Show the segment joining (−3, 10), (6, −5) is trisected by the coordinate axes.

Solution:
Let A(−3, 10), B(6, −5). Find the two trisection points.
Point P , ratio 1 : 2:
1(6) + 2(−3) 1(−5) + 2(10)
x= =0 y= =5 ⇒ P (0, 5)
3 3
Since x = 0, P lies on the y-axis.
Point Q, ratio 2 : 1:
2(6) + 1(−3) 2(−5) + 1(10)
x= =3 y= =0 ⇒ Q(3, 0)
3 3
Since y = 0, Q lies on the x-axis.

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 Answer: Both trisection points P (0, 5) and Q(3, 0) lie on the coordinate axes – hence the segment
is trisected by them.

Q16. O(0, 0), A(5, 10), B(6, 3) are vertices of △OAB. P divides OB in ratio 1 : 2 and Q
divides OA in ratio 1 : 2. Find P, Q and show P Q = 31 AB.

Solution:
Point P (on OB, ratio 1 : 2):
1(6) + 2(0) 1(3) + 2(0)
x= =2 y= =1 ⇒ P (2, 1)
3 3
Point Q (on OA, ratio 1 : 2):
 
1(5) + 2(0) 5 1(10) + 2(0) 10 5 10
x= = y= = ⇒ Q ,
3 3 3 3 3 3
Verification: √
5 2
q q q
5 2 10 2 1 2

2
− 37 50




PQ = 2− + 1−
3 3 = + 3 = 9 =
3
p √ √
AB = (6 − 5)2 + (3 − 10)2 = 1 + 49 = 5 2
√
PQ 5 2/3 1 1
= √ = ⇒ P Q = AB ✓
AB 5 2 3 3
 
5 10 1
Answer: P (2, 1), Q , , and P Q = AB is verified
3 3 3

Q17. Find the points of trisection of the segment joining A(−3, 6), B(2, −6).

Solution:
Point P , ratio 1 : 2:
1(2) + 2(−3) 4 1(−6) + 2(6)
x= =− y= =2
3 3 3
Point Q, ratio 2 : 1:
2(2) + 1(−3) 1 2(−6) + 1(6)
x= = y= = −2
3 3 3
   
4 1
Answer: P − , 2 and Q , −2
3 3

Q18. Show P (1, m + 2) is a point of trisection of segment joining A(2, 5), B(−1, 2). Find m.

Solution:
Try ratio 1 : 2 from A:
1(−1) + 2(2) −1 + 4
x= = = 1 ✓ (matches given x = 1)
3 3
1(2) + 2(5) 2 + 10
y= = =4
3 3
So P (1, 4) is indeed the trisection point ⇒ m + 2 = 4

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 Answer: m = 2

Q19. Line AP B meets x-axis at A, y-axis at B. P (−4, 2) and AP : P B = 1 : 2. Find A and

B.

Solution:
Let A = (a, 0) and B = (0, b). P divides AB in ratio 1 : 2.

1(0) + 2(a)
−4 = ⇒ −12 = 2a ⇒ a = −6
3
1(b) + 2(0)
2= ⇒6=b
3

Answer: A(−6, 0) and B(0, 6)

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2 Exercise 12.2

Q1. Find the mid-points.

(a) (4, 7) and (10, 15)

Solution:

4 + 10 7 + 15
x= =7 y= = 11
2 2

Answer: Mid-point = (7, 11)

(b) (3a − 2b, 5a + 7b) and (a + 4b, a − 3b)

Solution:

(3a − 2b) + (a + 4b) 4a + 2b

x= = = 2a + b
2 2
(5a + 7b) + (a − 3b) 6a + 4b
y= = = 3a + 2b
2 2

Answer: Mid-point = (2a + b, 3a + 2b)

Q2. Mid-point of A(−2, 0) and B(x, y) is P (6, 3). Find B.

Solution:

−2 + x
6= ⇒ 12 = −2 + x ⇒ x = 14
2
0+y
3= ⇒y=6
2

Answer: B(14, 6)

Q3. A lies on the x-axis, B lies on the y-axis. Mid-point of AB is (4, −3). Find A and B.

Solution:
Let A = (x, 0), B = (0, y).
x+0 0+y
4= ⇒x=8 −3= ⇒ y = −6
2 2

Answer: A(8, 0) and B(0, −6)

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Q4. P, Q, R collinear with P Q = QR. Coordinates P (−5, x), Q(y, 7), R(1, −3). Find x, y.

Solution:
P Q = QR means Q is the mid-point of P R.
−5 + 1 x + (−3)
y= = −2 7= ⇒ 14 = x − 3 ⇒ x = 17
2 2

Answer: x = 17, y = −2

Q5. A, B, C collinear with AB = 21 AC. Coordinates A(−4, −4), B(−2, b), C(a, 2). Find a, b.

Solution:
AB = 12 AC ⇒ AB = BC ⇒ B is the mid-point of AC.

−4 + a
−2 = ⇒ −4 = −4 + a ⇒ a = 0
2
−4 + 2
b= = −1
2

Answer: a = 0, b = −1

Q6. Mid-point of (p, 2) and (3, 6) is (2, q). Find p, q.

Solution:

p+3 2+6
2= ⇒p=1 q= =4
2 2

Answer: p = 1, q = 4

Q7. Endpoints of a diameter are (3, 1) and (7, 11). Find the centre.

Solution:
Centre = mid-point of the diameter.
3+7 1 + 11
x= =5 y= =6
2 2

Answer: Centre = (5, 6)

Q8. AB is a diameter, centre O. A(1, 4), O(3, 6). Find B and the length of the diameter.

Solution:
O is the mid-point of AB.
1+x 4+y
3= ⇒x=5 6= ⇒y=8 ⇒ B(5, 8)
2 2

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Length of diameter:
p √ √ √
AB = (5 − 1)2 + (8 − 4)2 = 16 + 16 = 32 = 4 2 units

√
Answer: B(5, 8); diameter = 4 2 units

Q9. P (−2, 5), Q(3, 6), R(−4, 3), S(−9, 2) are vertices of a quadrilateral. Find the mid-points
of diagonals P R and QS. Name the quadrilateral.

Solution:
 
−2 − 4 5 + 3
Mid-point of P R = , = (−3, 4)
2 2
 
3−9 6+2
Mid-point of QS = , = (−3, 4)
2 2
Both mid-points coincide ⇒ the diagonals bisect each other.

Answer: Mid-point of both diagonals = (−3, 4); since the diagonals bisect each other, P QRS is
a parallelogram.

Q10. (4, 2) and (−1, 5) are adjacent vertices of a parallelogram. (−3, 2) is the point of
intersection of its diagonals. Find the other two vertices.

Solution:
Let the parallelogram be A(4, 2), B(−1, 5), C, D. Diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other, so
(−3, 2) is the mid-point of both diagonals AC and BD.
Finding C (mid-point of AC is (−3, 2)):

4 + Cx 2 + Cy
−3 = ⇒ Cx = −10 2= ⇒ Cy = 2
2 2
C(−10, 2)

Finding D (mid-point of BD is (−3, 2)):

−1 + Dx 5 + Dy
−3 = ⇒ Dx = −5 2= ⇒ Dy = −1
2 2
D(−5, −1)

Answer: The other two vertices are C(−10, 2) and D(−5, −1)

End of solutions — Exercise 12.1 (Q1–19) and Exercise 12.2 (Q1–10)

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