Lesson: Straight Lines

URL: [Link]

Straight Lines

What is a Straight Line?

A line is simply an object in geometry that is characterized under zero width object that extends on both
sides. A straight line is just a line with no curves. So, a line that extends to both sides till in nity and has
no curves is called a straight line.

Equation of Straight Line

The relation between variable x, y satisfy all points on the curve.

Straight line equation linear in x and constant terms.

ax + by + c = 0 { equation of straight lines.

Slope:-

angle with + ve x-axis

‘tan θ’ is called slope of straight line.

θ E[0,n)

Note 1 – If line is Horizontal, then slope = 0

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Note 2 – If line is ⊥ to x-axis, i.e. vertical

Slope = unde ned

= 1
0

= tan π

Note 3 –

y2 −y2
− (x1 − x2 )−tan θ =
x1 −x2

Intercept Form
x – co-ordinate of point of intersection of line with x-axis is called x-intercept

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x – Intercept = 5

y – Intercept = 5

Line passes through origin, intercept = 0

x – Intercept = 0

y – Intercept = 0

Similarly

y – intercept will be y-co-ordinate of point of intersection of

line with y-axis.

x – Intercept =

y – Intercept = y1

x – Intercept = x1

y – Intercept =

Length of x – intercept = |x1|

Length of y – intercept = |y1 |

Point form
Equation of line passing through two points (x1, y1) & (x2 , y2)
y2 −y1
y − y1 ( ) (x − x1 ) → point
x2 −x1

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m = slope
y2 −y1
point
or y − y2 = ( ————Form – III
) (x − x2 )
x2 −x1

For example,

Example: Find the equation of the lines that passes through the points (-2,4) and (1,2)

Solution:

Now we have a slope and two points. We can nd the equation (by solving rst for “b”) if we have a point
and the slope. So we need to choose one of the points and use it to solve for b. Using the point (–2, 4), we
get:

y = mx + b

4 = (– 2/3)(–2) + b

4 = 4/3 + b

4 – 4/3 = b

12/3 – 4/3 = b

b = 8/3

so, y = ( – 2/3 ) x + 8/3.

On the other hand, if we use the point (1, 2), we get:

y = mx + b

2 = (– 2/3)(1) + b

2 = – 2/3 + b

2 + 2/3 = b

6/3 + 2/3 = b

b = 8/3

So it doesn’t matter which point we choose. Either way, the answer is the same:

y = (– 2/3)x + 8/3

Slope Point form (Equation of a Line with 2 Points)

Equation of line with slope ([Link] ‘m’ and which passes through (x1, y1)
can be given as

Form IV

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Intercept form
y
Equation of line with x – intercept as ‘a’ and y – intercept as ‘b’ can be given as
x
+ = 1
a b

Form V

ON = P

AON = α

Let length of ⊥ r from origin to S.L is ‘P’ and let this ⊥r make an angle with + vex- axis ‘α’, then equation of
line can be
x y
x cos α + y sin α = p + x
=cos
1 α + y sin α = P
p sec α p cos ecα

Here ‘P’ should be the α E [0, 2π)

Form – VI

Learn More: Different Forms Of The Equation Of Line ([Link]

equation-of-line/)

Straight Lines Video Lesson

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General Form or Standard form of a Line

Equation of a straight line can be given as

ax  +  by  +  c  =  0 a, b, c are Real numbers

Slope form
a −ax c −c
y = mx + c m = /b y = − , c = /b
b b

Relation between two lines

Parallel line

L1 a1x + b1y + c1 = 0

L2 a2x + b2y + c2 = 0

Condition required:
a1 b1
=
a2 b2

Intersection of two lines

Solve L1 & L2

x = x1
a1 x + b 1 y = −
ac x + b 2 y = −c2
21 {f rom above equation)
y = y1

Angle between Straight lines

Let L1 ≡ y = m1 x + c1

−1 ∣ m2 −m1 ∣
L2 ≡ y = m2 x +
θ =
c2acute angle
θ = tan ( )
∣ 1+m1 +m2 ∣

if ⇒ m2 = m1 → lines are parallel

⇒ m1 m2 = −1, lines L1 &L2 are perpendicular to

each other

Length of Perpendicular from a Point on a Line

The length of the perpendicular from P(x1, y1) on ax + by + c = 0 is

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∣ ax1 +by1 +c ∣
ℓ =
∣ √ a2 +b2 ∣

B (x, y) is foot of perpendicular is given by

x−x1 y−y1 −(ax1 +by1 +c)
= = 2
a b (a +b )
2

A’(h, k) is mirror image, given by

h−x1 k−y1 −2(ax1 +by1 +c)

= = 2
a b (a2 +b )

Angular Bisector of Straight lines

To nd the equation of the bisectors of the angle between lines.

Equation of line L can be given

a1 x+b1 y+c1 a2 x+b2 y+c2
= ±
2 2 2 2
√a +b1 √a +b2
1 2

Family of Lines:
The general equation of the family of lines through the point of intersection of two given lines L1 & L2 is
given by L1 +λ L2 = 0

Where λ is a parameter.

Concurrency of Three Lines

Let the lines be

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L1 ≡ a1 x + b 1 y + c1L=
2 ≡
0 a2 x + b 2 y + c2L=
3 ≡
0 a3 x + b 3 y + c3 = 0

So, condition for concurrency of linear is

∣ a1 b1 c1 ∣
∣ ∣
a2 b2 c2 = 0
∣ ∣
∣ a3 b3 c3 ∣

Pair of Straight Lines

Join equation of line L1 & L2 represents P. S. L (a1x + b1y+c1) (a2x+b2y+c2) = 0

f (x,  y) .  g (x,  y)   =  0 represent P . O. S.

↓ L ↓ linear linear
equation eqution

of line of line

Let de nes a standard form of equation:-

ax2 + by2 + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 represent conics curve equation

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Condition for curve of being P.O.S.L Δ = abc + 2fgy – ag2 – bf2 – ch2 = 0

If Δ ≠ 0, (i) parabola h2 = ab

(ii) hyperbola h2 < ab

(iii) circle h2 = 0, a = b

(iv) ellipse h2 > ab

Now, lets see how did we get Δ = 0

General equation ax2 + 2gx + hxy + by2 + 2fy + c = 0

ax2 + (2g+hy)x + (by2 + 2fy + c) = 0

we can consider equation 11 as quadratic equation in x keeping y as constant.

2 2
−(2g+hy)±√ (2g+hy) −4a(by +2fy+c)
−(2g+hy)±√ Q(y)
x = x =
2a 2a

Now, Q(y) has to be perfect square then only we can get two different line equation Q(y) in perfect square
for that Δ value of Q(y) should be zero.

From there D = 0

abc + 2fgh – bg2 – af2 – ch2 = 0

Or

∣a h g∣
∣ ∣
h b f = 0
∣ ∣
∣g f c∣

Hence proved.

⇒ point of intersection of two lines (P.O.S.L)

We can get point of intersection.

Or

Solve the P.O.S.L, factorize it in (L1).(L2) = 0 or f(x, y) . g(u,y) = 0

Angle between the lines,

2
∣ 2√ h −ab ∣
tan θ = ( )
∣ a+b ∣

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h2 = ab → line is either parallel or con dent

h2 < ab → imaginary line

h2 > ab → Two distinct lines

a + b = 0 ⇒ perpendicular line

P.O.S.L passing through origin

⇒ (y – m1x) x (y – m2x) = 0

y2 – m2yx – m1xy – m1m2x2 = 0

y2 – (m1 + m2) xy – m1m2x2 = 0

⇒ ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 – – – – – – – – (III)

2 2h ab 2 2h
⇒y + xy + x = 0 ——⇒(Im1
V ) + m2 =
b b b

∣ 2
√ (m1 +m2 ) 4m1 m2 ∣ 2
m1 −m2 ∣ 2√ h −ab ∣
m1 m2 = a
tan θ = ∣
∣ 1+m1 m2
∣ = ∣
∣ 1+m1 m2
∣ =
b ∣ a+b ∣
∣ ∣

Proved.

Straight Lines Formulas

All Formulas Related to Straight Lines

Equation of a Straight Line ax + by + c = 0

General form or Standard Form y = mx + c

Equation of a Line with 2 Points (Slope Point Form) (y – y1) = m(x – x1)

∣ m2 −m1 ∣
Angle Between Straight lines θ = tan
−1

∣
(
1+m1 +m2
)
∣

Problems on Straight Lines

Question 1:

Find the equation to the straight line which passes through the point (-5, 4) and is such that the portion of
it between the axes is divided by the given point in the ratio 1 : 2.

Solution:
y
Let the required straight line be x
a
+ = 1.
b

2a+1.0 2.0+1.b
Using the given conditions, P ( 2+1
,
2+1
is)the point which divides (a, 0) and (0, b) internally in the
ratio 1 : 2.

But P is (-5, 4)

Hence -5 = 2a/3, 4 = b/3 a = -15/2, b = 12.

y
Hence the required equation is x
+
12
= 1
(−15/2)

Question 2:

Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (1, 2) and makes an angle θ with the
positive direction of the x-axis where cos θ = − 13 .
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Solution:
–
Here cos θ = − 13(a. negative number) so that π

2
< θ <⇒
π tan θ = −√8 = slope of line.

We know that the equation of the straight line passing through the point (x1, y1) having slope m is

y – y1 = m(x – x1)
– – –
Therefore the equation of the required line is y − 2 = −√8 (x −
⇒ 1)
√8x + y − √8 − 2 = 0.

Question 3:

Find the equation of the line joining the points (-1, 3) and (4, -2).

Solution:
y1 −y2
Equation of the line passing through the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is y − y1 =
x1 −x2
(x − x1 )

Hence equation of the required line will be y − 3 = 3+2

−1−4
(x + 1) ⇒ x + y − 2 = 0

Question 4:

Which line is having greatest inclination with positive direction of x-axis?

(i) line joining points (1, 3) and (4, 7)

(ii) line 3x – 4y + 3 = 0

Solution:

(i) Slope of line joining points A(1, 3) and B(4, 7) is 7−3

4−1
=
4

3
= tan α

(ii) Slope of line is − −4

3
=
3

4
= tan β

Now tan α > tan β

Question 5:

Angle of line positive direction of x-axis is θ. Line is rotated about some point on it in anticlockwise
direction by angle 45° and its slope becomes 3. Find the angle θ.

Solution:

Originally slope of line is tan θ = m

Now slope of line after rotation is 3.

Angle between old position and new position of lines is 45°.

∴ we have tan 45∘ =

3−m

1+3m

1 + 3m = 3 – m

4m = 2

m = 1/2 = tan θ

θ = tan-1(1/2)

Question 6:

If line 3x − ay − 1 =
is 0
parallel to the line (a + 2) x − y + 3then
= 0 nd the values of a.

Solution:

Slope of line 3x − ay − 1 =
is 03a

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Slope of line (a + 2) x − y + 3is=

(a0+ 2)

Since lines are parallel then we have a + 2 =

3

or a 2
+ 2a − 3 = 0

or (a − 1) (a + 3) = 0

or a = 1 or a = 3.

Question 7:

Find the value of x for which the points (x, -1), (2, 1) and (4, 5) are collinear.

Solution:

If points A(x, -1) B(2, 1), and C(4, 5) are collinear, then
1−(−1) 5−1 2
⇒ = ⇒ = 2 ⇒ x = 1
2−x 4−2 2−x

Question 8:

The slope of a line is double of the slope of another line. It tangent of the angle between them is 1
3
Find
.

the slopes of the lines.

Solution:

Let m1 and m be the slopes of the two given lines such that m1 = 2m
m2 −m1
We know that if θ is the angle between the lines l1 and l2 with slopes m1 and m2, then tan θ = ∣∣ 1+m ∣
∣
1 m2

It is given that the tangent of the angle between the two lines is 1

1 ∣ m−2m ∣ 1 −m 2
∴ = ⇒ = ∣
∣ 1+2m
∣
⇒ 22|m|
∣ − 3 |m| + 1⇒
=(|m|
0 − 1) (2 |m| − 1)
⇒=|m|
0 = 1 or |m| = 1/2
3 ∣ 1+(2m).m ∣ 3

⇒ |m| ± 1 or m = ±1/2

Question 9:

Find equation of the line parallel to the line 3x − 4y + 2 =

and
0 passing through the point (−2, 3) .

Solution:

Line parallel to the line 3x − 4y + 2 =

is 3x
0 − 4y + t = 0

It passes through the point (-2, 3), so 3(-2) – 4(3) + t = 0 or t = 18.

So equation of line is 3x − 4y + 18 = 0

Question 10:

Find the coordinates of the foot of perpendicular from the point (-1, 3) to the line 3x − 4y − 16 = 0.

Solution:

Let (a, b) be the coordinates of the foot of the perpendicular from the point (-1, 3) to the line
3x − 4y − 16 = 0.

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Slope of the line joining (-1, 3) and (a, b)

b−3
m1 =
a+1

Slope of the line 3x − 4y − 16 =

is 0
3

Since these two lines are perpendicular, m1m2 = -1

b−3
∴ (
a+1
) × (
3

4
) =⇒
−14a + 3b = 5 … (1)

Point (a, b) lies on line 3x − 4y = 16.

∴ 3a − 4b = 16 … (2)

On solving equations (1) and (2), we obtain

a = and b = − 49
68
25 25

Thus, the required coordinates of the foot of the perpendicular are ( 68

25
,
49

25
)

Question 11:

Three lines

and
x + 2y + 3 = 0, x + 2y − 7 =
2x0− y − 4 = 0 form 3 sides of two squares. Find the equations of
remaining sides of these squares.

Solution:
|7+3| –
Distance between the two parallel lines is = 2√5. The equations of the sides forming the square are
√5

of the form 2x − y + k = 0.

Since the distance between sides A and B = distance between sides B and C,
|k−(−4)| – k+4 –
= 2√5 ⇒ = ±2√5 ⇒ k = 6, −14.
√5 √5

Hence the fourth side of the two squares is

(i) 2x − y + 6 =or0,(ii) 2x − y − 14 = 0.

Question 12:

For the straight lines 4x + 3y − 6 =

and
0 5x + 12y + 9 =nd
0, the equation of the

(i) bisector of the obtuse angle between them,

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(ii) bisector of the acute angle between them,

(iii) bisector of the angle which contains (1, 2).

Solution:

Equations of bisectors of the angles between the given lines are

4x+3y−6 5x+12y+9
= ± ⇒ 9x − 7y − 41 = 07x + 9y − 3 = 0. and
√ 42 +32 √ 52 +12 2

If θ is the angle between the line 4x + 3y − 6 =

and
0 the bisector 9x − 7y − 41 =
then
0,

∣ −
4
−
9 ∣
3 7 11
tan θ = ∣ ∣ = > 1.
−4 9 3
∣ 1+( ) ∣
3 7

Hence

(i) The bisector of the obtuse angle is 9x − 7y − 41 = 0.

(ii) The bisector of the acute angle is 7x + 9y − 3 = 0.

(iii) For the point (1, 2)

4x + 3y − 6 = 4 × 1 + 3 × 2 5x
− 6+>12y
0, + 9 = 5 × 1 + 12 × 2 + 9 > 0.

Hence equation of the bisector of the angle containing the point (1, 2) is
4x+3y−6 5x+12y+9
= ⇒ 9x − 7y − 41 = 0.
5 13

Question 13:

Find the value of λ if 2x will represent a pair of straight lines

2 2
+ 7xy + 3y + 8x + 14y + λ = 0

Solution:

The given equation ax2 + 2hxy + by

2
represents a pair of lines
+ 2gx + 2f y + c = 0

If abc + 2fgh – af2 – bg2 – bc2 = 0 i.e., if

2 2 2
7 7 49λ 49λ
6λ + 2 (7) (4) ( ) − 2(7) − 3(4) − λ⇒
( 6λ
) =+0
196 − 98 − 48 − ⇒ = 0 − 6λ = 196 − 146 = 50
2 2 4 4
25λ 200
⇒ = 50 λ = = 8
4 25

Question 14:

If one of the lines of the pair ax bisects the angle between positive direction of the axes,
2 2
+ 2hxy + by = 0

then nd relation for a, b and h.

Solution:

Bisector of the angle between the positive directions of the axes is y = x.

Since it is one of the lines of the given pair of lines ax2 + 2hxy + by
2
= 0,

We have x or
2
(a + 2h + b) = a
0 + b = −2h.

Question 15:

If the angle between the two lines represented by 2x2 + 5xy + 3y

2
+ 6x + 7y + 4 = 0is tan-1(m), then nd
the value of m.

Solution:

The angle between the lines

2x
2
+ 5xy + 3y
2
+ 6x + 7y + 4 = 0 is given by
25
±2√ −6
4
−1 1
tan θ = θ = tan (± ).
2+3 5

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Question 16:
– – 2
The pair of lines √3x2 − 4xy + √3y = 0are rotated about the origin by
π

in the anticlockwise sense. Find the equation of the pair in the new position.

Solution:
– –
The given equation of pair of straight lines can be rewritten as (√3x − y) (x − √3y)Their
= [Link]
– –
equations are y = √3x
and y = 1/√3orxy = tan 60° x and y = tan 30° x

After rotation, the separate equations are

y = tan 90° x and y = tan 60° x

–
or x = 0 and y = √3x
– –
the combined equation in the new position is x (√3x − y) =
or0√3x2 − xy = 0

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