STRAIGHT LINE -2

NORMAL FORM
Let a line be at a distance of p units from the origin and α (0 ≤ α < 3600 ) be the angle
made by the normal to the line with positive direction of
x - axis. Then the equation of the line is x cos α + y sin α = p.

SYMMETRIC FORM
The equation of the line passing through (x1, y1) and having inclination θ
 π π 
x − x1 y − y1 θ ∈  0,  ∪  , π 
is = , where  2   2  .
cos θ sin θ

NOTE:
A first degree equation in x and y represents a straight line.
The equation ax + by+ c = 0 is called the General Form Of The Equation Of A Line.
Note: The slope of the line ax + by + c = 0 is –a/b.

Theorem

Two lines a1x+b1y+c1=0 and a2x+b2y+c2=0 are parallel iff a1 b2 = a2 b1 i.e.

Theorem
Two equations a1x+b1y+c1=0 and a2x+b2y+c2=0 represent the same line iff
a1 b1 c1
= =
a2 b2 c2

Theorem

Two lines a1x+b1y+c1=0 and a2x+b2y+c2=0 are perpendicular if a1a2 + b1b2 = 0

Reduction of the equation ax + by + c = 0 of a straight line into various forms.
1. SLOPE INTERCEPT FORM

Equation of the line is ax + by + c = 0

a c
by = –ax – c ⇒ y = − x −
b b
This equation is of the form y = mx + K .k is constant.

2. INTERCEPTS FORM
Equation of the line is ax + by + c = 0
ax + by = –c
ax by x y x y
⇒ + =1⇒ + = 1 Which is of the form + = 1
−c −c −c / a −c / b A B
c c
Here x - intercept = − , y - intercept = − .
a b

3. NORMAL FORM

Case (i) Let c ≥ 0

The equation of the line is ax + by + c = 0
a b −c
ax + by = – c (– c ≥ 0) ⇒ x+ y=
a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2

a b
x cos α + y sin α = p, where cos α = ,sin α = and
a +b
2 2
a + b2
2

−c
p= >0
a + b2
2

Case (ii) Let c > 0.

Then ax + by + c = 0
ax + by = – c
(–a)x + (–b)y = c

 −a   −b  c
⇒  x +   y =
 2
 a +b  a +b a 2 + b2
2 2 2
 

−a −b c
x cos α + y sin α = p, where cos α = , sin α = and p =
a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2
 c
Note: The perpendicular distance from origin to the line ax + by + c = 0 is .
a 2 + b2
x y
The area of the triangle formed by the line + = 1 with the cooridnate axes
a b
1
is ab .
2
PARAMETRIC FORM

If P(x, y) is any point on the line passing through A(x1, y1) and having inclination θ ,
then
x = x1 + r cos θ , y = y1 + r sin θ where | r | is the distance from A to P. (r is a real
parameter)
EXERCISE – 3(B)
I.
1. Find the sum of the square of the intercepts of the line 4x – 3y = 12 on the axes
of co-ordinates.
Sol. Given line is 4x – 3y = 12
4x 3y x y
⇒ − =1⇒ + =1
12 12 3 −4
Intercepts are a = 3, b = -4 ⇒ Sum of the squares = a 2 + b2 = 9 + 16 = 25
2. If the portion of a straight line intercepted between the axes of co-ordinates is
bisected at (2p, 2q), write the equation of the straight line.
Sol. Let a, b be the intercepts of the line and AB be the line segment between the axes.
Then points A =(a, 0) and B = (0, b)
x y
Equation of the line in the intercept form is + =1 --- (1)
a b
 a b
Mid -point of AB is M=  ,  = (2p, 2q) given
2 2
a b
⇒ = 2p, = 2q ⇒ a = 4p, b = 4q
2 2
x y x y
Substituting in (1), + =1⇒ + = 4
4p 4q p q

3. If the linear equation ax + by + c = 0

l n
(a, b, c ≠ 0 ) and lx + my + n = 0 represent the same line and r = = , write
a c
the value of r in terms of m and b.
Sol. The equations ax + by + c = 0 and
l m n m
lx + my + n = 0 are representing the same line ⇒ = = =r⇒ =r
a b c b

4. Find the angle made by the straight line y = − 3 x + 3 with the positive X-axis
measured in the counter clock-wise direction.

Sol. Equation of the given line is y = − 3x + 3

let α be the inclination of the line.
2π 2π
Then tan α = − 3 = tan ⇒α=
3 3
5. The intercepts of a straight line on the axes of co-ordinates are a and b. If P is
the length of the perpendicular drawn from the origin to this line. Write the
value of P in terms of a and b.
Sol. Equation of the line in the intercept form is
x y
+ −1 = 0
a b
Y

B
K

P A
O a X

P = length of the perpendicular from origin

 | 0 + 0 − 1|
p=
1 1
2
+ 2
a b
1 1 1
⇒ = 2+ 2
p a b
Square on both sides
1 1 1 a 2 + b2 a 2b2 | ab |
⇒ = + = 2 2 ⇒ p2 = ⇒p=
p2 a2 b2 a b a +b
2 2
a 2 + b2

II.
1. In what follows, P denotes the distance of the straight line from the origin and
α is the angle made by the normal ray drawn from the origin to the straight




line with OX measured in the anti-clock wise sense. Find the equations of the
straight lines with the following values of P and α .
7π
i) p = 5, α = 60º ii) p = 6, α = 150º iii) p = 1, α =
4
5π
iv) p = 4, α = 90º iv) p = 0, α = 0 v) p = 2 2,α =
4
Sol. Equation of the line in the normal form is x cos α + y sin α = p
i) given p = 5, α = 60º
1 3
cos α = cos 60º = and sin α = sin 60º =
2 2
Equation of the line is x cos α + y sin α = p
1 3
⇒x +y = 5 ⇒ x + 3 y = 10
2 2
ii) ans : 3x + y + 12 = 0
7π
iii) p = 4, α =
4
1 1
cos α = cos 315º = and sin α = sin 315º = −
2 2
1 1
Equation of the line is x. − y. =1
2 2
x−y = 2 ⇒ x−y− 2 = 0
iv) P = 4, α = 90º
cos α = cos90º = 0and sin α = sin 90º = 1
Equation of the line is x cos α + y sin α = p ⇒ x. 0 +y. 1 = 4 ⇒ x = 4
 v) ans: x=0
vi) ans: x + y + 4 = 0

2. Find the equation of the straight line in the symmetric form, given the slope
and a point on the line in each part of the question.
1
i) 3 ,(2, 3) ii) − , (-2, 0) iii) –1, (1, 1)
3
Sol. i) point (x1, y1 ) = (2,3)
slope m = tan α = 3 ⇒ α = 60º ⇒ cos α = cos 60º ⇒ sin α = sin 60º
x − x1 y − y1 x −2 y −3
Equation of the line in the symmetric form is = =r ⇒ =
cos α sin α π π
cos sin
3 3
ii) ( x1, y1 ) = ( −2,0)
1
tan α = − ⇒ α = 180º −30º = 150º
3
Equation of the line in the symmetric form is
x − x1 y − y1 x −2 y −3 x+2 y
= =r ⇒ = ⇒ =
cos α sin α π π cos150º sin150º
cos sin
3 3
x −1 y −1
iii) ans: =
 3π  3π
cos  sin 
4 4
3. Transform the following equation into a) Slope-intercept form
b) Intercept from and c) Normal form
i) 3x + 4y = 5 ii) 4x -3y +12 =0 iii) 3x + y = 4 iv) x + y + 2 = 0
v) x + y – 2 = 0 vi) 3x + y + 10 = 0
Sol. i) equation of the line is 3x + 4y = 5
1.Slope-intercept form
 3 5
4y = – 3x + 5 ⇒ y =  −  x +   ) which is of the form y =mx+c.
 4 4
2. Intercept form : 3x + 4y = 5
3x 4y x y x y
+ =5⇒ + = 1 which is of the form + = 1
5 5 5 5 a b
   
3  4

3.Normal form : 3x + 4y = 5
Dividing with 32 + 42 = 9 + 16 = 5
 3 4 3 4
x + y = 1 ⇒ let cos α = ,sin α = and p=1
5 5 5 5

Then the above eq. reduces to x cos α + y sin α = p

 −4  3 12
4 x y   x + y =
ii) ans: y =   x + 4 , + = 1,  5  5 5
3 ( −3) 4

x y π π
iii) y = − 3x + 4 , + = 1 , x cos   + y sin   = 32
 4  4 6 6
 
 3
iv) x + y + 2 = 0
1. Slope-intercept form :
x+y+2=0
⇒ y = -x – 2 = (-1) x + (-2) which is of the form y =mx+c.
Intercept form :
x + y + 2 = 0 ⇒ –x – y = 2
x y x y x y
⇒ − − =1 ⇒ + = 1 which is of the form + = 1
2 2 −2 −2 a b

3.Normal form: x + y + 2 = 0 ⇒ –x – y = 2

Dividing with 1 + 1 = 2
 1   1   5π   5π 
⇒ − x +−  y = 2 ⇒ x cos  4  + y sin  4  = 2
 2  2    
Which is of the form x cos α + y sin α = p
x y π π
v) y = - x + 2, + = 1 , x cos   + sin   = 2
2 2 4 4
x y
vi) y = − 3x − 10 , + = 1, xcos30º +ysin30º = 5
 10  −10
 
 3
4. If the product of the intercepts made by the straight line
 π
x tanα + y sec α = 1  0 ≤ α <  , on the co-ordinate axes is equal to sin α, find α.
 2

Sol. Equation of the line is x tan α + y sec α = 1

x y
⇒ + = 1 ⇒ a = cot α, b = cos α
cot α cos α
Given product of intercepts = sin α
 ⇒ cot α.cos α = sin α
cos 2 α
⇒ = sin α ⇒ cos 2 α = sin 2 α
sin α
⇒ tan 2 α = 1 ⇒ tan α − ±1 ⇒ α = 45º
5. If the sum of the reciprocals of the intercept made by a variable straight line
on the axes of co-ordinates is a constant then prove that the line always passes
through a fixed point.
x y
Sol. Equation of the line in the intercept form is + =1 --- (1)
a b
Sum of the reciprocals of the intercepts
1 1
   
= k ⇒   +   =1
1 1 1 1 k k
+ =k⇒ +
a b ak bk a b
Comparing this equation with (1),
1 1
The line (1) passes through the fixed point  , 
k k
6. Line L has intercepts a and b on the axes of co-ordinates. When the axes are
rotated through a given angle, keeping the origin fixed, the same line L has
1 1 1 1
intercepts p and q on the transformed axes. Prove that 2 + 2 = 2 + 2 .
a b p q
x y x y
Sol. Equation of the line in the old system in intercept form is + = 1 ⇒ + −1 = 0
a b a b
| 0 + 0 − 1|
Length of the perpendicular form origin = ---(1)
1 1
+
a 2 b2
Equation of the line in the new system in intercept form
X Y X Y
is + = 1 ⇒ + − 1 = 0
p q p q
| 0 + 0 − 1|
Length of the perpendicular form origin = ---
1 1
+
p2 q 2

(2)
 Since the position of the origin and the given line remain unchanged ,perpendicular
distances in both the systems are same.
−1 −1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= ⇒ = ⇒ 2+ 2= 2+ 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 a b p q
+ 2 + 2  2 + 2  + 
2
a b 2
p q  a b   p2 q2 
x y
7. Transform the equation + = 1 into the normal form when a > 0 and b > 0.
a b
If the perpendicular distance of the straight line form the origin is p, deduce that
1 1 1
= + .
p2 a 2 b2
x y
Sol. Equation of the line is + =1
a b

bx + ay = ab
Dividing with a 2 + b 2
b a ab
.x + .y = ----(1)
a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2
b a ab
Let cosα= ,sinα= and p =
a2 + b2 a2 + b2 a2 + b2
x cos α + y sin α = p which is normal form
Now eq. (1) reduces to .

ab a 2b2
The perpendicular distance from O to the line is p= ⇒ p2 =
a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2
1 a 2 + b2 a2 b2 1 1 1 1 1
⇒ 2
= 2 2
= 2 2
+ 2 2
= + ∴ 2
= 2
+
p a b a b a b b 2
a 2
p a b2


III. 1. A straight line passing through A(-2, 1) makes an angle 30º with OX in the
positive direction. Find the points on the straight line whose distance form A is
4 units.
Sol. Let (x1, y1) = (−2,1) , r =4 and α = 30º
Co-ordinates of any point on the given line are
3 1
(x1 ± r cos α, y1 ± r sin α) cos α = cos 30º = 2 ,sin α = sin 30º = 2

Require points are

  1
 −2 + 4.
2
3
(
,1 + 4.  = −2 + 2 3,3
2
) And

 1
 −2 + 4.
2
3
(
,1 − 4.  = −2 − 2 3, −1
2
)

2. Find the points on the line 3x – 4y – 1 = 0 which are at a distance of 5 units
form the point (3, 2).
Sol. Equation of the line is 3x – 4y – 1 = 0 ⇒ slope of the line is tanθ = ¾
⇒ sinθ = 3/5 and cosθ =4/5
Given Point is (3,2) = (x1, y1 ) and r = 5.
Co-ordinates of any point on the given line are (x1 ± r cos θ, y1 ± r sin θ)
 4 3
Co-ordinates of the points are  3 + 5. , 2 + 5.  = (7,5) And
 5 5
 4 3
 3 − 5. , 2 − 5.  = (−1, −1)
 5 5
3. A straight line whose inclination with the positive direction of the X – axis
measured in the anti clock wise sense is π / 3 makes positive intercept on the
Y – axis. If the straight line is at a distance of 4 form the origin, find its
equation.
Sol. Let α = π / 3, P = 4
Slope m = tan α = tan 60º = 3
Equation of the line in the slope – intercept
form is y = 3x + c ⇒ 3x − y + c = 0
Distance from the origin = 4
|0−0+c|
= 4 ⇒| c |= 4 × 2 = 8 ⇒ c = ±8
3 +1
Given c > 0 ∴c = 8
Equation of the line 3x − y + 8 = 0
4. A straight line L is drawn through the point A(2, 1) such that its point of
intersection with the straight line x + y = 9 is at a distance of 3 2 form A.
Find the angle which the line L makes with the positive direction of the X –
axis.
Sol. Suppose α is the angle made by L with the positive X – axis

Given point (2, 1) =(x1 ,y1) and r =3 2

Any point on the line is (x1 + r cos θ, y1 + sin θ) = (2 + 3 2 cos θ + 3 2 sin θ)
This is a point on the line x + y = 9
 ⇒ 2 + 3 2 cos α + 1 + 3 2 sin α = 9
1 1
⇒ 3 2(cos α + sin α) = 6 ⇒ .cos α + sin α = 1 ⇒ cos α.cos 45º + sin α.sin 45º = 1
2 2
π
⇒ cos(α − 45º ) = cos 0º ⇒ α − 45º = 0 ⇒ α = 45º =
4
5. A straight line L with negative slope passes through the point (8, 2) and cuts
positive co-ordinates axes at the points P and Q. Find the minimum value of
OP + OQ as L varies, when O is the origin.
Sol. Let –m be the slope of the line where m>0.
Equation of the line passing through A (8, 2)
With negative slope ‘-m’ is
y – 2= – m(x – 8)
⇒ mx + y − (2 + 8m) = 0 ⇒ mx + y = 2 + 8m
m y x y
⇒ x+ =1⇒ + =1
2 + 8m 2 + 8m 2 + 8m 2 + 8m
m
2 + 8m
OP = x Intercept =
m
OQ= Y-Intercept = 2 + 8m
8m2 + 10m + 2
OP + OQ =
m
2 2
= 8m + + 10 ≥ 10 + 2 8m. ≥ 10 + 2.4 = 18
m m
Therefore the minimum value is 18.