Mathematics

Session

Cartesian Coordinate Geometry

And
Straight Lines

Session Objectives
1. Cartesian Coordinate system and
Quadrants
2. Distance formula
3. Area of a triangle
4. Collinearity of three points
5. Section formula
6. Special points in a triangle
7. Locus and equation to a locus
8. Translation of axes - shift of
origin
9. Translation of axes - rotation of
axes

Ren Descartes

Y
Y-axis : YOY

3
2

X-axis : XOX

O
-4

-3

-2

-1

X
1
-1

Origin

-2

-ve direction

-3

2
-ve direction

+ve direction

Coordinates

+ve direction

Coordinates
Y

3
2

Abcissa

(2,1)

O
-4

-3

-2

-1

X
1
-1

Ordinate

-2

(-3,-2)

-3

(?,?)

Coordinates
Y

3
2

Abcissa

(2,1)

O
-4

-3

-2

-1

X
1
-1

Ordinate

-2

(-3,-2)

-3

(4,?)

Coordinates
Y

3
2

Abcissa

(2,1)

O
-4

-3

-2

-1

X
1
-1

Ordinate

-2

(-3,-2)

-3

(4,-2.5)

Quadrants
Y

(-,+)
X

II

(+,+)
O

IV

III
(-,-)

(+,-)

Quadrants
Y

(-,+) (+,+)
X

II

IV

III

(-,-)

(+,-)

Ist? IInd?

Q : (1,0) lies in which Quadrant?

A : None. Points which lie on the axes do not lie in any
quadrant.

Distance Formula

x1
X O

(x2-x1)
x2

PQ

PQN is a right angled .

y1

y2

y2-y1

PQ2 = PN2 + QN2

PQ2 = (x2-x1)2+(y2-y1)2

x2 x1

y2 y1

Distance From Origin

Distance of P(x, y) from the
origin is

x 02 y 02

x2 y2

Applications of Distance Formula

Parallelogram

Applications of Distance Formula

Rhombus

Applications of Distance Formula

Rectangle

Applications of Distance Formula

Square

Area of a Triangle
A(x1, y1)

B(x2, y2)

X O

C(x3, y3)

Area of ABC =
Area of trapezium ABML + Area of trapezium ALNC
- Area of trapezium BMNC

Area of a Triangle

XO
Y

A(x1, y1)

B(x2, y2)

C(x3, y3)
L

Area of trapezium ABML + Area of trapezium ALNC

- Area of trapezium BMNC
1
1
1
BM AL ML AL CN LN BM CN MN
2
2
2
1
1
1
y2 y1 x1 x2 y1 y3 x3 x1 y2 y3 x3 x2
2
2
2
x1 y1 1 Sign of Area : Points anticlockwise +ve
1
x2 y2 1
Points clockwise
-ve
2
x3 y3 1

Area of Polygons

Area of polygon with points Ai (xi, yi)

where i = 1 to n

1 x1

2 x2

x2
y1

x3
y2

y2
xn 1 yn 1
xn
...

y3
xn
yn
x1
Can be used to calculate
area of Quadrilateral,
Pentagon, Hexagon etc.

yn
y1

Collinearity of Three Points

Method I :
Use Distance Formula

b
c

Show that a+b = c

Collinearity of Three Points

Method II :
Use Area of Triangle
A (x1, y1)
B (x2, y2)

C (x3, y3)
Show that

x1
x2
x3

y1 1
y2 1 0
y3 1

Section Formula Internal Division

Y

H
X O

mx2 nx1 my2 ny1

P
,

n
m

Clearly AHP ~ PKB

AP AH PH

BP PK BK
y y1
m x x1
X

n
x2 x y2 y

Midpoint

Midpoint of A(x1, y1) and B(x2,y2)

m:n 1:1

x1 x2 y1 y2
P
,

2
2

Section Formula External Division

Y

P divides AB externally in ratio m:n

H
X O

Clearly PAH ~ PBK

AP AH PH

BP BK PK
y y1
m x x1
X

n
x x2
y y2

mx2 nx1 my2 ny1

P
,

n
m

Centroid
Intersection of medians of a
triangle is called the centroid.
A(x1, y1)

B(x2, y2)

G
D

x x3 y2 y3
D 2
,

2
2

x1 x3 y1 y3
E
,

2
2

C(x3, y3)

Centroid is
always denoted
by G.
x x2 y1 y2
F 1
,

2
2

Centroid
A(x1, y1)
F
B(x2, y2)

G
D

x x3 y1 y3
E 1
,

2
2

x x3 y2 y3
D 2
,

2
2

C(x3, y3)
x x2 y1 y2
F 1
,

2
2

Consider points L, M, N dividing AD, BE

and CF respectively in the ratio 2:1
x2 x3
y2 y3

2
y

2
1
1
2
2
L
,
12
12

Centroid
A(x1, y1)
F
B(x2, y2)

G
D

x x3 y1 y3
E 1
,

2
2

x x3 y2 y3
D 2
,

2
2

C(x3, y3)
x x2 y1 y2
F 1
,

2
2

Consider points L, M, N dividing AD, BE

and CF respectively in the ratio 2:1
x1 x3
y1 y3

2
y

2
2
2
2
2
M
,
12
12

Centroid
A(x1, y1)
F
B(x2, y2)

G
D

x x3 y1 y3
E 1
,

2
2

x x3 y2 y3
D 2
,

2
2

C(x3, y3)
x x2 y1 y2
F 1
,

2
2

Consider points L, M, N dividing AD, BE

and CF respectively in the ratio 2:1
x1 x2
y1 y2

2
y

2
3
3
2
2
N
,
12
12

Centroid
A(x1, y1)
F
B(x2, y2)

G
D

x x3 y1 y3
E 1
,

2
2

x x3 y2 y3
D 2
,

2
2

C(x3, y3)
x x2 y1 y2
F 1
,

2
2

x x2 x3 y1 y2 y3
L 1
,

3
3

x1 x2 x3 y1 y2 y3
M
,

3
3

x x2 x3 y1 y2 y3
N 1
,

3
3

We see that L M N G

Medians are
concurrent at the
centroid, centroid
divides medians in
ratio 2:1

Centroid
A(x1, y1)
F
B(x2, y2)

G
D

x x3 y1 y3
E 1
,

2
2

x x3 y2 y3
D 2
,

2
2

C(x3, y3)
x x2 y1 y2
F 1
,

2
2

x x2 x3 y1 y2 y3
L 1
,

3
3

x1 x2 x3 y1 y2 y3
M
,

3
3

x x2 x3 y1 y2 y3
N 1
,

3
3

We see that L M N G

Centroid

x1 x2 x3 y1 y2 y3
G
,

3
3

Incentre
Intersection of angle bisectors of a
triangle is called the incentre
A(x1, y1)
F

B(x2, y2)

I
D

C(x3, y3)

Let BC = a, AC = b, AB = c

Incentre is
the centre of
the incircle

AD, BE and CF are the angle

bisectors of A, B and C
respectively.
BD AB b D bx2 cx3 , by2 cy3

bc

DC AC c

Incentre
A(x1, y1)
F
B(x2, y2)

I
D

BD AB b

DC AC c

C(x3, y3)

bx cx3 by2 cy3

D 2
,
b

c
b c

AI AB AC AB AC c b

ID BD DC BD DC
a
bx2 cx3
by2 cy3

ay1 b c
ax1 b c b c

c
I
,

a b c
a b c

Similarly I can be derived

ax1 bx2 cx3
I

using E and F also

abc

Now,

Incentre
A(x1, y1)
F
B(x2, y2)

I
D

BD AB b

DC AC c

C(x3, y3)

bx cx3 by2 cy3

D 2
,
b

c
b c

AI AB AC AB AC c b

ID BD DC BD DC
a
bx2 cx3
by2 cy3

ay1 b c
ax1 b c b c

c
I
,

a b c
a b c

Angle bisectors are

ax1 bx2 cx3
I

concurrent at the incentre

abc

Now,

Excentre
Intersection of external angle
bisectors of a triangle is called
the excentre
E
A(x1, y1)
F

B(x2, y2)

C(x3, y3)

EA = Excentre opposite A

Excentre is
the centre of
the excircle

ax1 bx2 cx3 ay1 by2 cy3

EA
,

Excentre
Intersection of external angle
bisectors of a triangle is called
the excentre
E
A(x1, y1)
F

B(x2, y2)

C(x3, y3)

EB = Excentre opposite B
ax1 bx2 cx3 ay1 by2 cy3
EB
,

c
a

Excentre is
the centre of
the excircle

Excentre
Intersection of external angle
bisectors of a triangle is called
the excentre
E
A(x1, y1)
F

B(x2, y2)

C(x3, y3)

EC = Excentre opposite C
ax1 bx2 cx3 ay1 by2 cy3
EC
,

c
a

Excentre is
the centre of
the excircle

Cirumcentre
Intersection of perpendicular
bisectors of the sides of a triangle
is called the circumcentre.
A
C
O

OA = OB = OC
= circumradius

The above relation gives two

simultaneous linear equations. Their
solution gives the coordinates of O.

Orthocentre
Intersection of altitudes of a triangle
is called the orthocentre.
A
H
B

Orthocentre
is always
denoted by H
C

We will learn to find

coordinates of Orthocentre
after we learn straight lines
and their equations

Cirumcentre, Centroid and

Orthocentre
The circumcentre O, Centroid G and
Orthocentre H of a triangle are
collinear.

G divides OH in the
ratio 1:2

Locus a Definition
The curve described by a point
which moves under a given condition
or conditions is called its locus
e.g. locus of a point having a
constant distance from a fixed point
:

Circle!!

Locus a Definition
The curve described by a point
which moves under a given condition
or conditions is called its locus
e.g. locus of a point equidistant from
two fixed points :

Perpendicular bisector!!

Equation to a Locus
The equation to the locus of a point
is that relation which is satisfied by
the coordinates of every point on the
locus of that point

Important :
A Locus is NOT an
equation. But it is
associated with an
equation

Equation to a Locus
Algorithm to find the equation to a
locus :
Step I : Assume the coordinates
of the point whose locus is to be
found to be (h,k)

Step II : Write the given conditions in mathematical

form using h, k
Step III : Eliminate the variables, if any
Step IV : Replace h by x and k by y in Step III. The
equation thus obtained is the required equation to locus

Illustrative Example
Find the equation to the locus of
the point equidistant from
A(1, 3) and B(-2, 1)
Solution :
Let the point be P(h,k)
PA = PB (given)
PA2 = PB2
(h-1)2+(k-3)2 = (h+2)2+(k-1)2
6h+4k = 5
equation of locus of (h,k) is 6x+4y = 5

Illustrative Example
A rod of length l slides with its
ends on perpendicular lines. Find
the locus of its midpoint.
Solution :
Let the point be P(h,k)
Let the lines be the axes
Let the rod meet the axes at

B(0,b)

A(a,0) and B(0,b)

h = a/2, k = b/2

P(h,k)

Also, a2+b2 = l2
4h2+4k2 = l2

equation of locus of (h,k) is 4x2+4y2 = l2

A(a,0)

Shift of Origin
Y
P(x,y)
X
O(h,k)

X O

Y
y

Consider a point P(x, y)

Let the origin be shifted to
O with coordinates (h, k)
X
relative to old axes
Let new P (X, Y)

x = X + h, y = Y + k
X = x - h, Y = y - k
O (-h, -k) with reference to new axes

Illustrative Problem
Show that the distance between two
points is invariant under
translation of the axes
Solution :
Let the points have vertices
A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2)
Let the origin be shifted to (h, k)
new coordinates : A(x1-h, y1-k), B(x2-h, y2-k)

Old dist.
& New dist.

(x1 x2 )2 (y1 y2 )2
(x1 h x2 h)2 (y1 h y2 h)2

= Old dist.

Rotation of Axes
Y
P(x,y)

Consider a point P(x, y)

Let the axes be rotated

through an angle .
X
O
X
Let new P (X, Y) make
x
an angle with the new
Y
x-axis
x
y
Y
X
cos , sin , sin , cos
R
R
R
R

Rotation of Axes
cos

x
y
Y
X
, sin , sin , cos
R
R
R
R

x
R
y
sin cos cos sin
R
X
Y
x
cos sin
R
R
R

cos cos sin sin

X
Y
y
sin cos
R
R
R
x X cos Y sin

y X sin Y cos
X x cos y sin
Y y cos x sin

Class Exercise

Class Exercise - 1
If the segments joining the points
A(a,b) and B(c,d) subtend an angle
at the origin, prove that

cos

ac bd

b2 c2 d2

Solution
Let O be the origin.
OA2 = a2+b2, OB2 = c2+d2, AB2 = (c-a)2+(d-b)2
Using Cosine formula in OAB, we have
AB2 = OA2+OB2-2OA.OBcos

c a d b a2 b2 c2 d2 2
2

On simplifying, cos

ac bd
b2

d2

b2

d2 cos

Class Exercise - 2
Four points A(6,3), B(-3,5), C(4,-2)
and D(x,3x) are given such that
DBC 1 Find x.

ABC 2
Solution :

Given that ABC = 2DBC

6
3
4

1 2 3

2 1

x
4

3x 1
5

2 1

6 5 2 3 4 3 1 6 20 2 x 5 2 3x 4 3 1 6 20

2 28x 14 49
49
28x 14
2

11
3
or x
8
8

Class Exercise - 3
If a b c, prove that (a,a2), (b,b2)
and (c,c2) can never be collinear.
Solution :

Let, if possible, the three points be

collinear.
a a2 1
1
b b2 1 0
2
c c2 1

R2 R2-R1, R3 R3- R2
2

a
a
b a b2 a2
c b c2 b2

a a2
1
1
b a c b 1 b a 0 0
0 0
1 cb 0
0

Solution Cont.
R2 R2-R3
a a2
1
b a c b 0 a c 0 0
1 c b 0

b a c b c a 0

This is possible only if a = b or b = c or c = a.

But a b c. Thus the points can never be collinear.
Q.E.D.

Class Exercise - 4
Three vertices of a parallelogram
taken in order are (a+b,a-b),
(2a+b,2a-b) and (a-b,a+b). Find the
fourth vertex.

Solution :
Let the fourth vertex be (x,y).
Diagonals bisect each other.

a b a b 2a b x
a b a b 2a b y

and

2
2
2
2

the required vertex is (-b,b)

Class Exercise - 5
If G be the centroid of ABC and P
be any point in the plane, prove that
PA2+PB2+PC2=GA2+GB2+GC2+3GP2.
Solution :

Choose a coordinate system such that G is

the origin and P lies along the X-axis.
Let A (x1,y1), B (x2,y2), C (x3,y3), P (p,0)

LHS = (x1-p)2+y12+(x2-p)2+y22+(x3-p)2+y32
= (x12+y12)+(x22+y22)+(x32+y32)+3p2-2p(x1+x2+x3)
=GA2+GB2+GC2+3GP2

=RHS

Q.E.D.

Class Exercise - 6
The locus of the midpoint of the portion
intercepted between the axes by the
line xcos+ysin = p, where p is a
constant, is
1
1
4
(a) x2 y2 4p2 (b) 2 2 2
x
y
p
4
1
1
2
(c) x2 y2 2 (d) 2 2 2
p
x
y
p

Solution
Let the line intercept at the
axes at A and B. Let R(h,k) be
the midpoint of AB.
p
p
R h,k
,

2 cos 2 sin
sin

p
p
, cos
2k
2h

1
1
4
p2
p2
2 2 1 Locus 2 2 2
x
y
p
4k
4h

Ans : (b)

Class Exercise - 7
A point moves so that the ratio of its
distance from (-a,0) to (a,0) is 2:3.
Find the equation of its locus.
Solution :

Let the point be P(h,k). Given that

h a k 2
2
h a k 2
2

h a k2
2

2
4

2
3
h a k2 9

h2 2ah a2 k2 4
2

2
2
9
h 2ah a k
5h2 26ah 5k2 5a2 0
the required locus is
5x2 26ax 5y2 5a2 0

Class Exercise - 8
Find the locus of the point such that
the line segments having end points
(2,0) and (-2,0) subtend a right angle
at that point.
Solution :
Let A (2,0), B (-2,0)
Let the point be P(h,k). Given that
PA2 PB2 AB2
2
2
2
h 2 k 2 h 2 k 2 2 2
2h2 2k2 8 16
the required locus is
x2 y 2 4

Class Exercise - 9
Find the coordinates of a point where the
origin should be shifted so that the equation
x2+y2-6x+8y-9 = 0 will not contain terms in
x and y. Find the transformed equation.
Solution :
Let the origin be shifted to (h,k). The given equation becomes
(X+h)2+(Y+k)2-6(X+h)+8(Y+k)-9 = 0
Or, X2+Y2+(2h-6)X+(2k+8)Y+(h2+k2-6h+8k-9) = 0

2h-6 = 0; 2k+8 = 0 h = 3, k = -4.

Thus the origin is shifted to (3,-4).
Transformed equation is X2+Y2+(9+16-18-32-9) = 0

Or, X2+Y2 = 34

Class Exercise - 10
Through what angle should the axes
be rotated so that the equation
11x2+4xy+14y2 = 5 will not have
terms in xy?
Solution :
Let the axes be rotated through an
angle . Thus equation becomes
11 X cos Y sin 4 X cos Y sin X sin Y cos
2

14 X sin Y cos 5
2

Solution Cont.

Or, 11cos2 4 sin cos 14 sin2 X

11sin

4 cos2 6 sin cos 4 sin2 XY

2

4 sin cos 14 cos2 5

2 cos2 3 sin cos 2 sin2 0

cos 2 sin 2 cos sin 0

tan

1
or tan 2
2

Therefore, the required angle is

tan1

1
or tan1 2
2

Thank you