COORDINATE GEOMETRY Introduction Coordinate Geometry is the unification of algebra and geometry in which algebra is used in the study

of geometrical relations and geometrical figures are represented by means of equations. The most popular coordinate system is the rectangular Cartesian system. Coordinates of a point are the real variables associated in an order to describe its location in space. Here we consider the space to be two-dimensional. Through a point O, referred to as the origin, we take two mutually perpendicular lines XOX and YOY and call them x and y axes respectively. The position of a point is completely determined with reference to these axes of means of an ordered pair of real numbers (x, y) called the coordinates of P where |x| and |y| are the distances of the point P from the yaxis and the x-axis respectively. X is called the x-coordinate or the abscissa of P and y is called the y-coordinate or the ordinate of P. Representation of points in a plane We are familiar with the representation of real numbers on a line, which we call a real line. In this representation we fix a point O (called origin) and represent a real number by a point A on this line such that its distance OA (see figure given below) is equal to the value of real number. In the left side of O we represent negative real numbers and in the right side of O we represent positive real numbers. Thus, not only the magnitude of OA but the direction of the line OA is also considered for representation.

Hence OA = AO Similarly ordered pairs are represented in a plane. To represent an ordered pair (a, b) we take two reference lines which are mutually perpendicular. The ordered pair (a, b) represents in such a plane, by a point P(a, b) such that (see figure given below) OA = a and OB = b.

This system is called Cartesian co-ordinate system. Since elements of an ordered pair are not inter changeable (i.e., (a, b) (b, a) unless a = b) so they are represented in particular order, the first element a is represented on horizontal line called abscissa and the second element b on a vertical line called ordinate. Like the real number notation the positive side of the x-axis is the right side of O and positive side of O and positive side of y-axis is upper side of O.

So, the two lines divide the region in 4 parts. These are called quadrants. These quadrants are characterized as I II III IV quadrant quadrant quadrant quadrant x > 0, y > 0 x < 0, y > 0 x < 0, y < 0 x > 0, y < 0

Here the point O represents x = 0 and y = 0, hence order pair becomes (0, 0). There is a second type of representation called the polar co-ordinate system. In this system a reference is fixed to a line (Called the initial line), and a point called the origin in the system. Any point P is represented by ordered pair (r, ). Such that OP = r; The distance of point from origin.

and POX = The angular displacement of line OP from fixed line i.e. the initial line, (in the anticlockwise direction) Clearly a = r cos and b = r sin (see figure given below)

Distance between two points

The distance between two points P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) is (see the figure given below).

Length PQ = (x2 x1)2 + (y2 y1)2 Proof: Let P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) be the two points and let the distance between them be d. Draw PA, QR parallel to y-axis and PR parallel to x-axis.
Angle QRP = 90o

 d2 = PR2 + RQ2
d2 = (x2 x1)2 + (y2 y1)2

d = (x2 x1)2 + (y2 y1)2.

Section Formula

Let us say we want to know the co-ordinates of point which divides a line segment between two points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) in the ratio m : n. The coordinates of such a point are given by (nx1 + mx2/m+n, ny1 + my2/m+n) (for internal division) Note: This is called section formula. Let P divide the line segment AB in the ratio m : n. If P is inside AB then it is called internal division; if it is outside AB then it is called external division. However in each case AP/BP [or AP'/BP' or AP"/BP"] = m/n. Proof: Consider ? ABB Since BB||PQ and AP:PB = m:n (see figure given below)

AQ/AB' = PQ/BB' = m/m+n (= AP/AB)

 x x1/x2 x1 = m/m+n x = nx1 + mx2/m+n and y = ny1 + my2/m+n If P is outside AB (less assume it is at P) We have x x1/x2 x1 = m/m+n x = nx1 + mx2/m+n and y = ny1 + my2/m+n Similarly if P is at P then x = mx2+m+n/nm, y = my2+ny1/m+n
Note:

m:n can be written as m/n or :1. So any point on line joining A and B will be P(x2+x1/+1.y2+y1/+1). It is useful to assume :1 because it involves only one variable. illustration: Find the ratio in which line segment A(2, 1) and B(5, 2) is divided by xaxis. Solution: Let x-axis intersect line at point P(xp, 0) such that AP/BP = /1 yP = 0 = y2+1.ya/+1 = 2+(1)/+1 = 1/2 AP/BO = 1/2 Illustration: Prove that altitudes of a triangle are concurrent and prove that the coordinates of the point of con-currency are (x1 tan A + x2 tan B + x3 tan C/tan A + tan B + tan C, y1 tan A + y2 tan B + y3 tan C/tan A + tan B + tan C), Solution: In triangle A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3), draw AD perpendicular to BC. Our effort now should be to find the co-ordinates of the point D.

To do that, we need to find BC/CD. (figure is given above) tan B = AD/BD and tan C = AD/CD BD/DC = tan C/tan B Now we apply section formulae. xD = x2 tan B + x3 tan C/tan B + tan C (i) yD = y2 tan B + y3 tan C/tan B + tan C (ii) We know that orthocenter will lie on AD. We need to find this point and its co-ordinates. We should select a point H1 on AD and take the ratio AH1/H1D in such a manner so that xH1 and yH1 calculated form (i) should be symmetric in x1, x2, x3, tan A, tan B and tan C. Think before you proceed Let tan C and AH1/H1D = tan B + tan C/tan A xH1 = x1 tan A + x2 tan B + x3 tan C/tan A + tan B + yH1 = y1 tan A + y2 tan B + y3 tan C/tan A + tan B + tan C

Since the result is symmetric, this point H1 will lie on other altitude as well i.e. the altitudes are concurrent
xH = xH1 and yH = yH1

Illustration:

Prove analytically that in a right angled triangle the midpoint of the hypotenuse is equidistant from the three angular points. Solution: While proving a problem analytically take most convenient co-ordinates of known points. In the present case triangle is assumed as AOB with coordinates as shown in figure given below, C is midpoint of AB.

So co-ordinates of C will be (a/2, b/2) Now AB = a2 + b2 CA = CB = AB/2 (C is mid point of AB)

= a2 + b2

and, we know that the distance between two points C and O is given by CO = (a/2 0)2 + (b/2 0)2 = a2 + b2/2 Hence CA = CB = CO Coordinates of the point P dividing the join of two points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) internally in the given ratio 1 : 2 i.e., AP/BP = 1/2 areP(2x1+1x2/2+1, 2y1+1y2/2+1). Coordinates of the point P dividing the join of two points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) externally in the ratio 1 : 2 i.e., Ao/BP = 1/2 areP(2x1+1x2/21, 2y1+1y2/21).
Centroid of Triangle

The centroid of a triangle is the point of concurrency of the medians. The centroid G of the triangle ABC, divides the median AD, in the ratio of 2 : 1. Illustration: Find the centroid of the triangle the coordinates of whose vertices are given by A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) respectively.

Solution: AG/AD = 2/1 Since D is the midpoint of BC, coordinates of D are (x2+x3/2, y2+y3/2) Using the section formula, the coordinates of G are (2(x2+x3/2)+1.x1/2+1, 2(y2+y3/2)+1.y1/2+1) Coordinates of G are (x1+x2+x3/3, y1+y2+y3/3). Incentre of Triangle The incentre I of a triangle is the point of concurrency of the bisectors of the angles of the triangle. Illustration: Find the incentre of the triangle the coordinates of whose vertices are given by A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2), C(x3, y3).

Solution: By geometry, we know that BD/DC = AB/AC (since AD bisects A). If the lengths of the sides AB, BC and AC are c, a and b respectively, then BD/DC = AB/AC = c/b. Coordinates of D are (bx2+cx3/b+c, by2+cy3/b+c) IB bisects B. Hence ID/IA = BD/BA = (ac/b+c)/c = a/c+b. Let the coordinates of I be (x, y). Then x = ax1+bx2+cx3/a+b+c, y = ay1+by2+cy3/a+b+c. Circum Centre of Triangle This the point of concurrency of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of the triangle. This is also the centre of the circle, passing through the vertices of the given triangle. Orthocentre of Triangle This is the point of concurrency of the altitudes of the triangle. Excentre Excentre of a triangle is the point of concurrency of bisectors of two exterior and third interior angle. Hence there are three excentres I1, I2 and I3 opposite to three vertices of a triangle. If A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2) and C(x3, y3) are the vertices of a triangle ABC,

coordinates of centre of ex-circle opposite to vertex A are given as I1(x, y) = (ax1+bx2+cx3/a+b+c/a+b+c, ay1+by2+cy3/a+b+c). Similarly co-ordinates of centre of I2(x, y) and I3(x, y) are I2(x, y) = (ax1bx2+cx3/ab+c, ay1by2+cy3/ab+c) I3(x, y) = (ax1+bx2cx3/a+bc, ay1+by2cy3/a+bc)

Area of a triangle Let (x1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) respectively be the coordinates of the vertices A, B, C of a triangle ABC. Then the area of triangle ABC, is

|1/2[x1(y2 y3) + x2(y3 + y1) + x3(y1 y2)]| =

It follows that the three points (x1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) will be

collinear if

= 0.

Area of a polygon of n sides First of all we plot the points and see their actual order. Let A1(x1, y1), A(x2, y2), , An(xn, yn) be the vertices of the polygon in anticlockwise order. Then area of the polygon = .
Illustration:

Calculate area of a triangle shown in figures given below.

Solution:

Using the just derived formula Area of a triangle 1/2 [3(2 4) + (1) (4 6) + 5 (6 2)] = 1/2 [ 6 2 + 20] = 6

Similarly, area of the triangle shown in the figure given above. Area of a ?ABC is = 1/2 [3(4 2) + (5) (2 6) + (1) (6 4)] =1/2 [6 20 + 2] = 6 Caution: Thus we observe that the area of a triangle is positive vertices are taken in the anticlockwise direction and negative when the vertices are taken the clockwise direction.

Note:

Area of a triangle can also be expressed as = 1/2

= 1/2 [x1 y2 y1 x2 + x2 y3 y2 x3 + x3 y1 y3 x1] This form is important. It can be used to find area of a quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon and polygons.
Important:

If three points P1, P2 and P3 are collinear then the determinant at must vanish i.e. the area of triangle formed must be zero. Note: If the vertices are in clockwise order then take modulus.
Illustration:

Prove that the area of the triangle with vertices at (p 4, p + 5), (p + 3, p 2) and (p, p) remains constant as p varies.
Solution:

The area of the triangle is

which remains constant for all values of p.