COORDINATE GEOMETRY

Coordinate geometry has been developed as an important tool for studying geometry of figures. It helps
us to study geometry with the help of algebra and to understand algebra with the help of geometry.

In this chapter, we will discuss Distance formula and Section formula.

DISTANCE FORMULA

Let P ( x1 , y1 ) and Q ( x2 , y2 ) be two points. Then the distance between them is given by:

PQ = ( x2 − x1 )2 + ( y2 − y1 )2
Note. 1. The distance of the point P ( x , y ) from the origin O (0, 0) is: OP = x 2 + y 2
2. Three points A, B and C are collinear if and only if:
(i) AB + BC = AC, or (ii) AB + AC = BC, or (iii) AC + BC = AB
 SECTION FORMULA

Midpoint Formula:

Coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment AB where, A = ( x1 , y1 ) and B = ( x2 , y2 ) are given by
 x1 + x2 y1 + y2 
 2 , 2 
 

Section Formula:

The coordinates of a point P ( x , y ) which divides the line segment joining A ( x1 , y1 ) and B ( x2 , y2 )
 mx2 + nx1 my2 + ny1 
internally in the ratio m : n are given by 
m + n 
,
 m+n

Illustrations:

Question 1

Find the distance between the points A (- 5, 7) and B ( 11 , - 5).

Solution:

AB = ( x2 − x1 )2 + ( y2 − y1 )2

= (11 + 5)2 + ( −5 − 7)2

= 256 + 144 = 400 = 20 units.

Question 2
Find the perimeter of a triangle whose vertices are (0, 4), (0.0) and (3, 0).

Solution:
Since, Perimeter of triangle = OA + AB + OB
Here OA = 4 units, AB = 5 units (using Pythagoras theorem in
triangle AOB) and OB = 3 units.
Perimeter of triangle = 4 + 5 + 3 = 12 units

Question 3
What are the coordinates of the fourth vertex D of a parallelogram ABCD whose three vertices are
A(-2, 3), B (6, 7) and C (8, 3)?
Solution:

Let coordinates of D be (x, y)

  −2 + 8 3 + 3  6+ x 7+ y 
Midpoint of AC = P =  ,  = (3,3) and midpoint of BD = Q =  , 
 2 2   2 4 

We know, diagonals of parallelogram bisect each other.

 P and Q will coincide

6+ x 7+ y  6+ x 7+ y
 ,  = (3, 3)  3= and 3=
 2 4  2 2

 x = 0 And y = −1

Coordinates of D are (0, - 1)

Question 4 (Case Study)

A bee flies after every 3 seconds Mr. Suraj recorded the position of the bee by the graph paper. At 11.00 am, the
location of bee was recorded at the point B. After 3 seconds the bee has moved to the position C.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

(i) What is the distance between points B and C?
(ii) (a) After 3 more seconds the bee moves from C to a point on the x -axis such that it covers the same
distance i.e. BC. What can be the possible coordinates of the location of that point?
OR
(b) Find a point on the y -axis which is equidistant from B and C.
(iii) At some point of time, the bee sits on the point D (-2, 4). Find the coordinates of the point that divides C
and D in the ratio 1: 2. On which axis does the point lie?

Solution: (i) Coordinates of B are (2, 4) and of C are (1, 1), Then by using distance formula,

BC = (2 − 1)2 + (4 − 1)2 = 10 units.

(ii) (a) Let a point on the x -axis be (𝑥, 0), Then by distance formula,
( x − 1)2 + (0 − 1)2 = BC 2 = 10
 ( x − 1)2 = 10 − 1 = 9
 x − 1 = 3
 x = −2, 4
The points can be (-2, 0) or (4,0)
 OR
(iii) (b) Let the point on the y -axis be P (0, y )

 PB = PC  PB 2 = PC 2
 (2 − 0)2 + (4 − y )2 = (0 − 1)2 + (1 − y )2
 4 + 16 + y 2 − 8 y = 1 + 1 + y 2 − 2 y
 6 y = 18
 y=3
Therefore, the required point is P (0, 3).

(iii) Using section formula, the point which divides CD in the ratio 1:2 is

 −2 + 2 4 + 2 
 ,  = (0,2)
 1+ 2 1+ 2 
It lies on the y -axis.

MCQs:

1. The distance of the point P (2,3) from the x -axis is:

a. 2 b. 3 c. 1 d. 5
2. The distance between the points (a cos  + b sin  , 0) and (0, a cos  − b sin  ) is:
a. a 2 + b 2 b. a + b c. a 2 − b 2 d. a 2 + b2

3. If the distance between points (4, p) and (1, 0) is 5, then p is:

a. 4 b. 4 c. - 4 d. 0
 13 
4. A circle drawn with origin as the centre passes through  , 0  . The point which does not lie in the interior
 2 
of the circle is:
 −3   7  −1   5
a.  ,1  b.  2,  c.  5,  d.  −6, 
 4   3  2   2
5. The point on the x -axis which is equidistant from points (- 3, 4) and (2, 5) are:
4 
a. (20, 0) b. (- 23, 0) c.  , 0  d. None of these
5 
6. The points A (9, 0), B (9, 6), C (- 9, 6) and D (- 9, 0) are the vertices of a:
a. Square b. Rectangle c. Rhombus d. Trapezium
7. If points A ( x , 2), B (- 3, - 4) and C (7, - 5) are collinear, then the value of x is:
a. - 63 b. 63 c. - 60 d. 60
8. The ratio in which the x -axis divides the line segment joining (3, 6) and (12, - 3) is:
a. 2:1 b. 1:2 c. -2:1 d. 1: -2
9. The coordinates of the point P dividing the line segment joining the points A (1, 3) and B (4, 6) in the ratio
2:1 are:
a. (2, 4) b. (3, 5) c. (4, 2) d. (5, 3)
 a 
10. If  , 4  is the mid-point of the line segment joining the points A (- 6, 5) and B (- 2, 3), then a is:
2 
a. 8 b. 16 c. -8 d. 0

Assertion and Reason:

Each of the following questions has two statements, namely Assertion (A) and Reason (R). For selecting the
correct answer, use the following code:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true R is false
(d) A is false R is true

1. Assertion (A): The point (–1, 6) divides the line segment joining the points (–3, 10) and (6, –8) in the ratio
2: 7 internally.
Reason (R): Given three points, A, B and C form an equilateral triangle, then AB = BC = AC.
2. Assertion (A): Mid-point of a line segment divides it in the ratio 1:1.
Reason (R): The ratio in which the point (–3, k) divides the line segment joining the points (–5, 4) and
(–2, 3) is 1: 2.
3. Assertion (A): The value of y is 6, for which the distance between the points P (2, –3) and Q (10, y ) is 10
units.
Reason (R): Distance between two points A ( x1 , y1 ) ) and B ( x2 , y2 ) is given by
( x2 − x1 )2 + ( y2 − y1 )2
4. Assertion (A): The point (8, 0) lies on the y -axis.
Reason (R): The x -coordinate of a point on the y -axis is zero.
5. Assertion (A): Point A (-7, - 9) lies in III quadrant.
Reason (R): A point both of whose coordinates are negative lies in III quadrant.
6. Assertion (A): The perpendicular distance of a point from y -axis is called its x -coordinate.
Reason (R): The x -coordinate of a point on the y -axis is zero.
7. Assertion (A): If the coordinates of the mid-points of sides AB and AC of triangle ABC are D (3, 5) and
E (- 3, - 3) respectively, then BC = 20 units.
Reason (R): On y -axis, x -coordinate of every point is zero.
8. Assertion (A): If c is a variable, then the centroids of the triangles having vertices at P (1, a), Q (c, b), and
R ( c 2 , 1) will never lie on the y -axis.
Reason (R): The line segment joining the mid-points of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side.
9. Assertion (A) : The points A (3, 4), B (2, 7) and C (4, 4) are the vertices of an isosceles triangle.
Reason ( R ) : In an isosceles triangle length of any two sides of the triangle are equal.
10. Assertion (A) : The point which divides the line segment joining the points A(1,2) and B(-1,1) internally
 −1 5 
in the ratio 1:2 is  , 
 3 3
Reason (R) : Coordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining the points A ( x1 , y1 ) and
 m x + m2 x1 m1 y2 + m2 y1 
B ( x2 , y2 ) in the ratio m1 : m2 are  1 2 , 
 m1 + m2 m1 + m2 
Level – 1

1. Show that the points (1,-1), (5,2) and (9,5) are collinear.
2. Find the points of trisection of the line segment joining the points (1, – 2) and (– 3, 4).
3. The midpoints of the sides of a triangle are (3, 4), (4, 1) and (2, 0). Find the vertices of the triangle.
4. A circle has its centre at (4, 4). If one end of a diameter is (4, 0) then find the coordinates of the other end.
5. Find the ratio in which P (4, m) divides the line segment joining the points A (2, 3) and B
(6, –3). Hence find m.
6. Find the points on the x -axis which are at a distance of 2 5 units from the point (7, – 4). How many such
points are there?
7. If the point R ( x , y ) is equidistant from two points P ( −3, 4) and Q (2, − 1), prove that y = x + 2 .
8. In what ratio does the point (−4, 6) divide the line segment joining the points A (− 6, 10) and B (3, −8)?
9. Find the value of k, if the point P (2, 4) is equidistant from the points A (5, k) and B(k,7).
10. Show that the points A (1, −2) B (3, 6), C (5, 10) and D (3, 2) are the vertices of a rectangle.

Level – 2
1. Name the type of triangle formed by the points A (– 5, 6), B (– 4, – 2) and C (7, 5).
2. If A (–2, 1), B (a, 0), C (4, b) and D (1, 2) are the vertices of a parallelogram ABCD, find the values of a
and b. Hence find the lengths of its sides.
𝑋𝐴 2
3. Point A lies on the line segment XY joining X (6, – 6) and Y (– 4, – 1) in such a way that = 5 . If point
𝑋𝑌
A also lies on the line 3 x + k ( y + 1) = 0 , find the value of k.
4. Let P and Q be the points of trisection of the line segment joining the points A (2, – 2) and B (– 7, 4) such
that P is nearer to A. Find the co-ordinates of P and Q.
5. Find the distance between the points A (2a, 6a) and B (2a + 3a , 5a).
6. Find the ratio in which the line x − 3 y = 0 divides the line segment joining the points (– 2, – 5) and (6, 3).
Also, find the coordinates of the point of intersection.
AP 1
7. Point P divides the line segment joining the points A (2, 1) and B (5, – 8) such that = . If P lies on
AB 3
the line 2 x − y + k = 0 . Find the value of k .
x y
8. If P ( x , y ) is any point on the line segment joining A ( a , 0) and B (0, b) , then show that + =1.
a b
9. If the points (5, 4) and ( x , y ) are equidistant from the point (4, 5), prove that: x 2 + y 2 − 8 x − 10 y + 39 = 0 .
10. If the centroid of the triangle formed by the points A ( a , b ) , B (b, c ) and C (c , a ) is at the origin, what is
a 2 b2 c 2
the value of + + ?
bc ac ab
Case Based Questions:

1. A hockey field is the playing surface for the game of hockey. Historically, the game was played on natural
turf (grass) but nowadays it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. It is rectangular in shape - 100 yards
by 60 yards. Goals consist of two upright posts placed equidistant from the centre of the backline, joined at
the top by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts must be 3.66 metres (4 yards) apart, and the
lower edge of the crossbar must be 2.14 metres (7 feet) above the ground. Each team plays with 11 players
on the field during the game including the goalie. Positions you might play include-
• Forward: As shown by players A, B, C and D.
• Midfielders: As shown by players E, F and G.
• Fullbacks: As shown by players H, I and J.
• Goalie: As shown by player K

Considering O as origin answer the following :

(i) Write coordinates of points A, B, D.
(ii) (a) Find the perimeter of Δ EHJ.
OR
(b) Find the coordinates of a point on y -axis equidistant from A and D.
(iii) What are the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment joining H and J?

2. A group of Class X students goes to picnic during vacation. They were sitting in three different positions as
shown by P, Q and R in the given diagram. Considering O as origin answer the following:

(i) Write the coordinates of P and R.

 (ii) (a) If point Q divides the line segment PR in the 1:2 internally, then find coordinate of Q.
OR
(b) Find the coordinates of the point on x-axis which is equidistant from the points P and R.
(iii) Find the distance PR.

CBSE Board Questions:

Sl.No. Questions Year

1. If end points of a diameter of a circle are (- 5, 4) and (1, 0), then the radius of the circle is: 2023
a. 2 13 units b. 13 units c. 4 2 units d. 2 2 units

2. The mid-point of the line segment AB joining A (- 2,8) and B (- 6,4) is: 2024
a. (2, 6) b. (- 4 ,12) c. (- 4, 6) d. (4, - 6)

3. Assertion (A) : If the points A(4,3) and B( x ,5) lie on a circle with centre O(2,3), then the 2023
value of x is 2.
Reason (R) : Centre of a circle is the midpoint of each chord of a circle.

4. Find a point on y -axis which is equidistant from the points A (6,5) and B(- 4, 3). 2024

5. Find the coordinates of the points of trisection of the line segment joining the points 2024
A(5, – 3) and B(– 4, 3).

6. Find the ratio in which the point (3, y) divides the line segment joining the points (- 2, - 5) 2024
and (6, 3). Also find the value of y.

7. Find the ratio in which the point P (−4, 6) divides the line segment joining the points 2024
A (− 6, 10) and B (3, −8).

8. The line segment joining the points A (4, - 5) and B (4, 5) is divided by the point P such 2023
that AP : AB = 2:5. Find the coordinates of P.

9. Prove that the points (3, 0), (6, 4) and (- 1, 3) are the vertices of an isosceles triangle. 2024

10. Point P ( x , y ) is equidistant from points A (5,1) and B (1,5). Prove that x = y . 2023

11. Find the ratio in which line y = x divides the line segment joining the points (6, - 3) and 2023
(1,6).

12. A garden is in the shape of a square. The gardener grew saplings of Ashoka tree on the 2024
boundary of the garden at the distance of 1m from each other. He wants to decorate the
garden with rose plants. He chose a triangular region inside the garden to grow rose plants.
In the above situation, the gardener took help from the students of class 10. They made a
chart for it which looks like the given figure.
 Based on the above, answer the following questions:

(i) If A is taken as origin, what are the coordinates of the vertices of PQR ?
(ii) (a) Find distances PQ and QR.
OR
(b) Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining points
P and R in the ratio 2:1 internally.
(iii) Find out if PQR is an isosceles triangle.

Answers

MCQ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

b d a d d b a a b c

Assertion-Reason:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
b c d b a b a c b d

Level – 1

 −1   −5 
(2)  , 0  &  , 2  (3) (1, 3), (5, 5) & (3, −3) (4) (4, 8) (5) 1 : 1, m = 0 (6) (9, 0) , (5,0) ; 2
 3   3 
(8) 2:7 (9) k = 3
Level – 2

(1) scalene (2) a = 1, b = 1, 10 units (3) (2, −4), k = 2 (4) P (−1, 0), Q (−4, 2)

 9 3
(5) 2a units (6)  ,  (7) k = − 4
 2 2

Case Based Questions

(1) (i) A (3, 6), B (4, 3), D (3, −4) (ii) (a) 16 units (b) (0, 1) (iii) (2, −1)

 13   11 
(2) (i) P(2, 5) , R (8, 3) (ii) (a)  4,  (b)  , 0  (iii) 2 10 units
 3 3 