Co-ordinate Geometry: Questions Set 1

Co-ordinate Geometry
[Book: A Text Book on Co-ordinate Geometry with Vector Analysis by Rahman and Bhattacharjee]

Co-ordinate Geometry: Transformation of co-ordinates axes and its uses; Equation of conics and its reduction to
standard forms; Pair of straight lines; Homogeneous equations of second degree; Angle between a pair of straight
lines; Pair of lines joining the origin to the point of intersection of two given curves, circles; System of circles;
Orthogonal circles; Radical axis, radical center, properties of radical axes; Coaxial circles and limiting points;
Equations of parabola, ellipse and hyperbola in Cartesian and polar co-ordinates; Tangents and normals, pair of
tangents; Chord of contact; Chord in terms of its middle points; Pole and polar parametric co-ordinates; Diameters;
Conjugate diameters and their properties; Director circles and asymptotes.


Rh20/Chap4, KhoshMd(KM)14/Chap2, Isa6/Chap2
2 Change of Axes
1. Transformation of Co-ordinates 6, 2. Translation of axes 6, 3. Rotation of axes 7,
4. Simplification of the equation of a curve by transformation of coordinates 8, 5. Invariants 10,
6. Illustrative examples 12, Exercise-II 19.

Transformation of coordinates
The process of changing the coordinate of a point or equation of a curve by changing the origin or
the direction of axes is called transformation of coordinates. We proceed to establish the
fundamental formulae for such transformation of coordinates.

2.2. Translation of axes (change of origin).
To find the change in the coordinates of a point when the origin is shifted to another point
but the direction of axes remain unaltered.







Fig.2.1

(x - 1)
2
+ (y - 2)
2
= 1 becomes
2 2
1 x y ' ' + = when 1 and 1 x x y y ' ' = =
Thus, to transfer the origin to the point (o,|), the formulae of transformation are x x o ' = + and
y y | ' = + . Which implies x x o ' = and y y | ' = .

N
y
y'
O'
N'
X'
X
L
O
P
y y'
x'
x
O
O'(o,|)
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
2
2.3. Rotation of axes: (Origin fixed).
To rotate the axes through an angle u, the formulae of transformation are
u u sin cos y x x ' ' = and u u cos sin y x y ' + ' =
To find the change in the coordinates of a point when the directions of axes is turned through an
angle but the origin of coordinates remains the same.






Fig.2.2
It is to be noted that when the direction of axes are turned through an angle u, the transformed
equation of a curve is obtained by substituting ) sin cos ( u u y x and ) cos sin ( u u y x + for x and
y respectively in the equation of the curve.

Using polar coordinates to show the rotation formula
We know cos , sin x r y r u u = = . If rotation angle is o, then
cos( ) cos sin
sin( ) cos sin
x r x y
y r y x
u o o o
u o o o
' = = +
' = =

** If the angle of rotation is u then o will be replaced by u.
cos sin
cos sin
x x y
y y x
u u
u u
' = +
' =
; In matrix form it can be written as X' = AX where The vectors
,
x x
X X
y y
'
| | | |
' = =
| |
'
\ . \ .
and the u-rotation matrix is
cos sin
cos sin
A
u u
u u
| |
=
|

\ .

Solving for x and y we get,

cos sin
sin cos
x x y
y x y
u u
u u
' ' =
' ' = +

The transforming equations for x, y and x' , y' may be conveniently remembered from the
following scheme:
x' y'
x cosu sinu
y sinu cosu


y'
y
P
L
x'
x
M N
M'
u
u
u
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
3
2.5. Invariants.
If by the rotation of the rectangular coordinate axes about the origin through an angle u the
expression
2 2
2 by hxy ax + + changes to
2 2
2 y b xy h x a ' + ' + ' then
a b a b ' ' + = + and
2 2
ab h a b h ' ' ' =
Proof: Replacing x and y in the expression
2 2
2 by hxy ax + + we have
2 2
2 2
( cos sin ) 2 ( cos sin )( sin cos ) ( sin cos )
2
a x y h x y x y b x y
a x h xy b y
u u u u u u u u ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' + + + +
' ' ' = + +

or, u u u u cos sin 2 sin cos
2 2
h b a a + + = '

2 2
sin cos 2 sin cos b a b h u u u u ' = +
and
2 2
2 2 (cos sin ) 2( )sin cos h h a b u u u u ' =
Now, (i)
2 2 2
2
cos sin 2 sin cos sin
cos 2 sin cos
a b a b h a
b h
u u u u u
u u u
' ' + = + + +
+

) cos (sin ) sin (cos
2 2 2 2
u u u u + + + = b a
a b = + (proved)
(ii)

2 2
2 2 cos 4 sin cos 2 sin
(1 cos 2 ) 2 sin 2 (1 cos 2 )
( ) 2 sin 2 ( ) cos 2
a a h b
a h b
a b h a b
u u u u
u u u
u u
' = + +
= + + +
= + + +

similarly, 2 ( ) 2 sin2 ( )cos2 b a b h a b u u ' = +
Now,
2 2
4( ) (2 )(2 ) (2 ) a b h a b h ' ' ' ' ' ' =
=
2 2 2
( ) {2 sin2 ( )cos2 } {2 cos2 ( )sin2 } a b h a b h a b u u u u + +
[used
2 2
( )( ) A B A B A B + = ]
=
2 2 2 2
( ) 4 ( ) 4 4 a b h a b ab h + =
2 2
ab h a b h ' ' ' = (proved)
Hence, the quantities b a + and
2
h ab of a second degree expression are invariants due to
rotation of axes.

Removal of xy-term ( product term)
Now suppose we want to remove the product term ( x y ' ' term) then the coefficients of y x ' ' should
vanish and hence we get 0 cos sin ) ( 2 ) sin (cos 2
2 2
= u u u u b a h ,
i.e. 0 2 sin ) ( 2 cos 2 = u u b a h
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
4
i.e.,
b a
h

=
2
2 tan u i.e.,
|
.
|

\
|

=

b a
h 2
tan
2
1
1
u .

Hence if the axes are be rotated through an angle
|
.
|

\
|

=

b a
h 2
tan
2
1
1
u then xy term in the
expression
2 2
2 by hxy ax + + vanishes .

So if it is necessary to remove the product term of an equation, the axes should be rotated through
an angle u such that
|
.
|

\
|

=

b a
h 2
tan
2
1
1
u .
[ So if it is necessary to remove the product term of an equation, the axes should be rotated
through an angle u such that
|
.
|

\
|

=

b a
h 2
tan
2
1
1
u .]

1. Rh23/Ex1
Determine the equation of the curve
2 2
2 3 8 6 7 0 x y x y + + = when the origin is transferred to
the point (2, 1). The equation will be reduced to
2 2
2 3 18 x y ' ' + = .
Removing the dashes the equation is
2 2
2 3 18 x y + = (Ans).

2. Rh23/Ex2
Determine the equation parabola
2 2
2 2 4 3 0 x xy y x y + + + = after rotating of axes through
45
o
.
Hints. For 45
o
rotation ,
1 1
( ) , ( )
2 2
x x y y x y ' ' ' ' = = + , put them in the given equation
and after simplification the given equation reduces to
2
2 2 3 2 3 0] y x y ' ' ' + =
Now dropping the dashes, the equation is
2
2 2 3 2 3 0 y x y + = (Ans).

3. Rh24/Ex4, Isa20/Exr5
By transforming to parallel axes through a properly chosen point (h, k), prove that the equation
0 2 5 11 2 10 12
2 2
= + + + y x y xy x
can be reduced to one containing only terms of the second degree.
Ans. 0 2 10 12 ,
2
5
,
2
3
2 2
= +

= y xy x k h

4. KhM22/Ex
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
5
Transform the equation
2 2
9 24 2 6 20 41 0 x xy y x y + + + = in rectangular coordinates so as to
remove the terms in x, y and xy. [Ans.
2 2
18 7 54 0 x y + = ]


5. Rh25/Exr11, Isa19/Exr3
The equation 0 50 22 18 3 2 3
2 2
= + + + y x y xy x is transformed to 1 2 4
2 2
= + y x when
referred to rectangular axes through the point (2, 3). Find the inclination of the latter axes to the
former. [Ans. 45].

6. Isa21/Exr14(iii)
Simply the following equations by suitable translation and rotation of axes:
0 50 22 18 3 2 3
2 2
= + + + + + y x y xy x [Ans. 1 2 4
2 2
= + y x ]

Transfer the origin to (1, 1) then equation becomes
2 2
9 24 2 54 0 x xy y + + + =
To remove xy term let axes be rotated through the angle u then
1
2 24 3 3
tan 2 or , tan or , tan
7 4 4
h
a b
u u u

= = = =

so,
3 4
sin , cos
5 5
u u = =
substituting these and simplifying the transformed equation is
2 2
18 7 54 0 x y + = (Ans)

Rh51/Art48
3.1. To find the condition that the general equation of second degree in x and y may represent a
pair of straight lines.
1. The general equation of second degree 0 2 2 2
2 2
= + + + + + c fy gx by hxy ax ... ... .. (1)
will represent a pair of straight lines if A = 0 where the symbol A represents the determinant
a h g
h b f
g f c
A =
(i) Lines are parallel if ab = h
2
and (ii) Lines are perpendicular if a + b = 0.

A 0:
2. a circle if a = b , h = 0
3. a parabola if ab = h
2

4. an ellipse if ab > h
2

5. a hyperbola if ab < h
2
, (i) if a + b = 0 then rectangular hyperbola.
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
6
2 2 2
2
a h g
h b f abc fgh af bg ch
g f c
A = = +

Rh51/Art49
Centre of a Conic
Let
2 2
2 2 2 F ax hxy by gx fy c + + + + +
Then 2( ) 0
F
ax hy g
x
c
= + + =
c
and 2( ) 0
F
hx by f
y
c
= + + =
c
.
Solving these two equations 0 ax hy g + + = and 0 hx by f + + = , we get
2
1 x y
hf bg gh af h ab
= =

or
2 2
( , ) ,
hf bg gh af
x y
h ab h ab
| |
=
|

\ .
.

7. Rh25/Exr11
Transform the equation 0 50 22 18 3 2 3
2 2
= + + + y x y xy x to its standard form and then
identify the conic.
Hints. Centre is (2, 3) , Find angle u then use invariants
a b a b ' ' + = + and
2
ab h a b ' ' =

(as 0 h' = ), calculate 4 and 2 a b ' ' = = . Finally, get the
transformed equation in standard form as
2 2
4 2 1 x y ' ' + = .
Now dropping the primes, the equation is 1 2 4
2 2
= + y x , which is an ellipse.
Rh53/
Working rule for the reduction of Conic to its standard form
Equation of conic is 0 2 2 2
2 2
= + + + + + c fy gx by hxy ax
Let
2 2
2 2 2 F ax hxy by gx fy c + + + + +
Then 2( )
F
ax hy g
x
c
= + +
c
and 2( )
F
hx by f
y
c
= + +
c
.
If (x
1
, y
1
) be the centre of the conic then
1 1
0 ax hy g + + = and
1 1
0 hx by f + + = (3)
Solving, we get
1 1
2
1 x y
hf bg gh af h ab
= =

or
1 1
2 2
( , ) ,
hf bg gh af
x y
h ab h ab
| |
=
|

\ .
. (4)
If we transfer the origin to (x
1
, y
1
) the equation becomes
2 2
1
2 0 ax hxy by c + + + =
where,
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
7

2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
2 2 2
( ) ( )
(0) (0) [by (3)]
c ax hx y by gx fy c
x ax hy g y hx by f gx fy c
x y gx fy c
= + + + + +
= + + + + + + + +
= + + + +

So, New constant is
1 1 1
c gx fy c = + +
Put the values of x
1
and y
1
from (4) then
2 2 2
1
2 2
2 abc fgh af bg ch
c
ab h ab h
+ A
= =


Calculate
1 1 1
2
from g or from c x fy c
ab h
A
+ +

.
Then new equation
2 2
1
2 0 ax hxy by c + + + = (5)
Which can be written as,
2 2
2 1 Ax Hxy By + + = [when c
1
0 that is A 0]
** If A = 0, then c
1
= 0 then equation (5) will represent two straight lines.

Find angle u from
|
.
|

\
|

=

b a
h 2
tan
2
1
1
u
So, if the axes are be rotated through an angle u then xy term will disappear. Then equation (5)
will be transferred to
2 2
1 1 1
0 a x b y c + + =
We can calculate
1 1
, a b from the invariants
1 1
a b a b + = + and
2
1 1
a b ab h =

[as h
1
= 0]

8. Rh54/Ex
Reduce the equation
2 2
32 52 7 64 52 148 0 x xy y x y + = to the standard form and then
identify the conic.
Let
2 2
( , ) 32 52 7 64 52 148 0 f x y x xy y x y = + =
Then 0
f
x
c
=
c
or, 64 52 64 0 x y + =
and 0
f
y
c
=
c

or, 52 14 52 0 x y =
Solving, x = 1, y = 0 that is centre is at (x
1
, y
1
) = (1, 0).
New constant,
1 1 1
c gx fy c = + + = 32(1) 26(0) 148 = 180
The equation of conic referred as origin is
2 2
32 52 7 180 0 x xy y + =
When the xy-term is removed by the rotation of axes, let the reduced equation be
2 2
1 1
180 a x b y + =
... ... ...
(3)
Then
1 1
a b + = 327 = 25 ; [Here , a = 32 , b = 7 , h = 26]
and
2
1 1
a b ab h = = 32(7) (26)
2
= 900
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
8
2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1
( ) ( ) 4 a b a b a b = + = (25)
2
4( 900) = 4225
or ,

1 1
a b = 65
So, we have
1 1
45, 20 a b = =
The equation (3) is
2 2
45 20 180 x y = or,
2 2
1
4 9
x y
= , which is a hyperbola
Therefore the given equation represents a hyperbola.

PSL1 (Hand note)

Rh26/Chap5, KhoshMd(KM)49/Chap4, Isa23/Chap3
3 Pair of Straight Lines
y = 2x , y = 3x or, y 2x = 0 , y 3x = 0
(y 2x)( y 3x) = 0
2 2
5 6 0 y xy x + = which represents a pair of straight lines.
Homogeneous equation of the second degree
0 2
2 2
= + + by hxy ax
... ... ...
(1)
always represents a pair of straight lines through the origin.
If (1) represents the straight lines y m
1
x = 0 , y m
2
x = 0 then
(y m
1
x)( y m
2
x) =
2 2
2h a
y xy x
b b
+ +
or,
1 2 1 2
2
,
h a
m m mm
b b
+ = =

Angle between two lines Represented by
3.7. To find the angle between the lines represented by the equation
0 2
2 2
= + + by hxy ax ... ... ... ... (1)
Let the separate equations of the lines given by (1) be 0
1
= x m y and 0
2
= x m y so that
|
.
|

\
|
= +
b
h
m m
2
2 1
and .
2 1
b
a
m m = If u be the angle between the lines, then
2 1
2 1
2
2 1
2 1
2 1
1
4 ) (
1
~
tan
m m
m m m m
m m
m m
+
+
=
+
= u
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
9

b
a
b
a
b
h
+

=
1
4
4
2
2
,

= +
b
h
m m
2
2 1
and
(

(
=
b
a
m m
2 1


( )
b a
ab h
b a
b
b
ab h
+

=
+

=
2
2
2
) (
1
1
2
.
2
tan
2
1
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=

b a
ab h
u
The general equation of second degree in x and y
0 2 2 2
2 2
= + + + + + c fy gx by hxy ax
... ... ...
(1)
represents a pair of straight lines if
0
a h g
h b f
g f c
A =
Expanding the determinant, the condition can be written as
2 2 2
2 0 abc fgh af bg ch A + =

If equation (1) represents a pair of straight lines, then the equation
0 2
2 2
= + + by hxy ax
... ... ...
(2)
represents a pair of straight lines through the origin, parallel to those represented by equation (1),
then the equation
2
2
tan
h ab
a b
u

=
+
;
Parallel if: | = 0 or, tan| = 0 or,
2
0 h ab = or,
2
h ab =
Perpendicular if: a + b = 0 [
2
t
| = or, cot | = 0 that is a + b = 0 ]

PSL2 (Hand note)

Point of intersection
The coordinates of the point of intersection of the two lines given by (1) are
|
.
|

\
|

2 2
,
h ab
af gh
h ab
bg hf
i.e.
|
.
|

\
|
C
F
C
G
, where C, G, F are the cofactors of the elements c, g, f of the
determinant
a h g
a b f
g f c
A =
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
10
Also, the point of intersection is obtained by solving 0
S
x
c
=
c
and 0
S
y
c
=
c
where
2 2
( , ) 2 2 2 S x y ax hxy by gx fy c = + + + + +
[See Rh51/Art49 / Centre of a Conic]


Bisectors of the angles between the lines
KhM 56/Art. 33, Isa28/Art.3.9
To find the equations of the bisectors of the angles between the lines given by
0 2
2 2
= + + by hxy ax ... ... ... ... (1)
Let the separate equations of the lines given by (1) be
0
1
= x m y and 0
2
= x m y
where
|
.
|

\
|
= +
b
h
m m
2
2 1
and
b
a
m m =
2 1

the equations of the bisectors are
2
2
2
2
1
1
1 1 m
x m y
m
x m y
+

=
+

(Squaring or)
Their joint equation is
0
1 1 1 1
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
=

+
+

m
x m y
m
x m y
m
x m y
m
x m y

or, 0
1
) (
1
) (
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
=
+

m
x m y
m
x m y

or, ) 2 )( 1 (
2 2
1 1
2 2
2
x m xy m y m + +
0 ) 2 )( 1 (
2 2
2 2
2 2
= + + x m xy m y m
or, 0 ) )( 1 ( 2 ) )( (
2 1 2 1
2 2 2
2
2
1
= + xy m m x m y x m m
or, 0 ) 1 ( 2 ) )( (
2 1
2 2
2 1
= + + xy m m y x m m
or, 0 1 2 ) (
2
2 2
=
|
.
|

\
|
+ xy
b
a
y x
b
h

or, 0 ) ( ) (
2 2
= + xy b a y x h
or,
h
xy
b a
y x
=

2 2
... ... ... ... ... ... ... (2)
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
11
Observation:
The bisectors given by (2) are perpendicular to each other.

KhM 58/Cor. 33, Isa30/Art.3.11
To find the equations of the bisectors of the angles between the lines given by
0 2 2 2
2 2
= + + + + + c fy gx by hxy ax (1)

Let (o, |) be the point of intersection of the lines given by (1). Referred to parallel axes though
(o, |), as origin,
so that x X o = + and y Y | = + . Which implies X x o = and Y y | = .
the equation of the given lines reduces to the homogeneous form
2 2
2 0 aX hXY bY + + = ,
Whose bisectors angles are given by
2 2
X Y XY
a b h

Reverting now to the old axes, this equation becomes
h
y x
b a
y x ) )( ( ) ( ) (
2 2
| o | o
=

which is the required equations of bisectors of the angles between the lines given by (1).

Pair of lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the curve
KhM 59/Art. 34, Isa32/Art.3.14
A special pair of lines
To find the equation of the pair of lines joining the origin to the points of intersection of the curve

0 2 2 2
2 2
= + + + + + c fy gx by hxy ax ... ... ... ... (1)
with the line, 0 = + + n my lx ... ... ... ... ... .... (2)
Making equation (1) homogeneous with the help of the equation (2) which is written in the form
1 =

+
n
my lx
we get,
0 ) ( 2 2
2
2 2
=
|
.
|

\
|

+
+
|
.
|

\
|

+
+ + + +
n
my lx
c
n
my lx
fy gx by hxy ax ... ... (3)
On simplification, this equation assumes the form
2 2
2 0 Ax Hxy By + + = which is a second
degree homogenous equation. The equation (3) being a homogeneous second degree equation,
represents a pair of straight lines through the origin. Moreover, it is satisfied by the coordinates of
points which satisfy (1) and (2).

Alternate
For circle
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
12
2 2
1 x y + = in (1)
Making equation (1) homogeneous with the help of the equation (2)
2
2 2
lx my
x y
n
+ | |
+ =
|

\ .
which contains terms with
2 2
, and x y xy and is of the form
2 2
2 0 Ax Hxy By + + = ; where
2
2
1
l
A
n
= ,
lm
H
n
= ,
2
2
1
m
B
n
=
Which represents a pair of straight lines through the origin.

PSL3 (Hand note)

Rh39/Exr5Q8-15, KhM67/Exr4,Q1b Isa37/Ex2

9. KhM60/Ex1
Find for what values of the equation
2 2
12 36 6 6 3 0 x xy y x y + + + + + =
represents a pair of straight lines.
Solution: we have 12, , 3, 18, 3, 3 a b c h g f = = = = = = .
2 2 2
2 0 abc fgh af bg ch A = + =
gives 12(3) + 2(3)(3)(18) 12(3)
2
(3)
2
3(18)
2
= 0
4 + 36 12 108 = 0 [dividing by 9]
3 = 84 or, = 28
The required values of = 28 (Ans).

10. Isa37/Ex2
Find the values of k so that the equation
0 21 26 8 10 3
2 2
= + + + y kx y xy x
represents a pair of straight lines and then find the angle between the lines.
Solution: The given equation is
0 21 26 8 10 3
2 2
= + + + y kx y xy x ... ... ... ... (1)
Comparing the given equation (1) with the equation
0 2 2 2
2 2
= + + + + + c fy gx by hxy ax
we have 13 ,
2
, 5 , 21 , 8 , 3 = = = = = = f
k
g h c b a .
The given equation, represents a pair of straight lines, if
0 2
2 2 2
= + ch bg af fgh abc ... ... ... ... ... ... (2)
Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
13
Putting the values of c b a , , etc. in (2), we get
0 ) 5 ( 21
2
8 ) 13 ( 3 5
2
) 13 ( 2 21 8 3
2
2
2
=
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
+
k k

or, 0 525 2 507 65 504
2
= + k k
or, 0 528 65 2
2
= + k k
or, 0 528 32 33 2
2
= + k k k
or, 0 ) 33 2 ( 16 ) 33 2 ( = k k k
or, 0 ) 16 )( 33 2 ( = k k
0 33 2 = k and 0 16 = k i.e.
2
33
= k and k = 16 which are the required values of k.

11. KhM60/Ex2
Show that the equation
2 2
2 7 10 0 x xy y x y + =
represents a pair of straight lines and then find the angle between the lines. Find also their point
of intersection and the equation of the bisectors of the angles between the two lines given by the
equation.
Solution: We have
1 1 7
2, 1, 10, , ,
2 2 2
a b c h g f = = = = = = .
2 2 2
7 49 1 10
2 20 0
4 2 4 4
abc fgh af bg ch A = + = + + + =
The given equation represents a pair of straight lines.
Let
2 2
2 7 10 F x xy y x y = +
Then 4 1
F
x y
x
c
= +
c
and 2 7
F
x y
y
c
=
c

If (x
1
, y
1
) is the point of intersection then
1 1
4 1 0 x y + = and
1 1
2 7 0 x y =
Solving these two equations, we get
1 1
1
7 2 1 28 8 1
x y
= =
+
or
1 1
1, 3 x y = =
The point of intersection is
1 1
( , ) (1, 3) x y = .
The equation of the bisectors of the angles between two lines is
h
y x
b a
y x ) )( ( ) ( ) (
2 2
| o | o
=

or,
2 2
( 1) ( 3) ( 1)( 3)
2 1 1/ 2
x y x y + +
=
+
or,
2 2
6 20 10 0 x xy y x + =

(Ans)

Coordinate Geometry: Lecs
14

(Contd.)




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