1.3 Division of a Line Segment 21 & 1.3 DIVISION OF A LINE SEGMENT find the coordinates of a point In the previous section, we have shown how to midway between two points of given coordinates. Now, we will this idea br letting PG, y) be any division point ofthe line segment through an y If the ratio of the line segments PP and PsP: (see Figure 1.20) is a number r instead of }, then 7 (a) Figure 1.20. Division of a Line Segment, From similar triangles, we can find the x-coordinate of P as follows so En @ Equating (1) and (2), we obtain ener 8) @ Solving (3) for x, we get xexitrx—x) The y-coordinate of P can be derived similarly. Notice that our notation is symmetric in x and y, so that the formula for y can be obtained at once from (4) by merely changing each x to the corresponding y. Hence, the y-coordinate is y=VtrV2-n) 6)sii | | ‘ty i joining the points P,(4,2) f trisection. 2 ? Chapter 1° Fundamental Concepts Example 1 segment and P2(-2, Find the two trisection points of the line seBr zi ~1). Draw the line segment and indicate the points ints; P3(%3,V3), and j : ; section poi Solution Our goal is to find the coordinates of the two ttetionP (-2,-1).. Since it ig s(¥,¥4) (See Figure 1.21). Let P,(xi,y1) = (42). and Palt2sd?) = 1 rence, | trisected, the first ratio, r; of the two line segments P,P and PiP2 1S 3 PP 1 PP, 3 ‘ srisecti we ol we taker) = 1. Solving forthe x- and y-coordinates of the first trisection Pomnt btain HSM trK—m) . xy =44H2-4 > xs=2 Y=Wn+Or-y1) > ysa2ttC1-2) = el Thus, P5(%3,y3) = (2, 1) is the first trisection point of the line segment PP: Now, we use r2 = 3 to find the second trisection point, P4(xs, Ya), and have Xe=xi4M—m) => xm=443(-2-4) => xg=0 Ys=Vi+rQ2-N) => ye=24+2C1-2) > yaa Therefore, ? s(t, Y«) = (0,0) isthe second trisection point ofthe line segment P,P. . | : : Figure 1.21. Line Segment PiPy is Trisected at P, ana p and Py, Remarks Notice that the second trisection point can also be | the line segment between the Wo points Ps, 1)and P(g, <1) ed OY finding the midpoint of st1,3 Division of a Line Segment 23 Example 2 The line segment joining the points P\(-1,~3) and P2(2,-1) is extended beyond P, i s ‘A nag 2 So that its length is doubled, Find the terminal point 2. See Example 2, pp Solution Our goal is to find P(x,y), that is b , oa and P(x, y), eyond P; : tha P,P is twice the length of PP, (see Figure za). Hi Patt 2). Notice that the length of PP PP, sind me will take r=2, P,(e,,y,)=(-1,-3), and Ps(va,yx) = (2,1). Our goal is to Solving for the x- and y-coordinates, we get vex tr—x) = x=-1422-Cl) = x= YENta-y) => ys=-342C1-(3)) => y=l Hence, the terminal point is P(x, y) = (5, 1) Figure 1.22. Line Segment P,P; is Doubled Beyond P; Example'3_ Three-consecutive vertices of a parallelogram are (5, 1), (1, 3), (-5,-1).. Find the coordinates of the fourth vertex. Solution = Let Py(1,y1) =(5,1), P2(%2,)2)= (1,3), Palsy) =(-5,-1) be the consecutive vertices of the parallelogram (see Figure 1.23). Our goal is to find the fourth vertex, Pa(x4, 4).24 Chapter 1 Funda ‘undamental Concepts g.5)- midpoint of s First, (ie. M&. we fin i = main diagonal PiP3 PHPS). ye find the midpoin, of the main diag My +35) = 16 +5) = 2) =? j 4 F= Loy 4yy) =H 4) = 3O=? | ‘igin. That is, (5) = (0,0). ‘Therefore, the midpoint ofthe main diagonal is located at the origin | Then, we extend the line segment P;/d to twice its lengt PaPs PM We have = 2. Finding the x- and y-coordinates of fourth vertex, we obtain Xe=xytr@-x) = x4=1+2(0-1) xq=l Vs=YotrG-y2) => y4=3+20-3) ya=3 Thus, the coordinates of the fourth vertex of the parallelogram is (—1, 3). Figure 1.23. Fourth Vertex of the Parllelogram is Unknown1.3 Division of a Line Segment 25 Student: Score: (Exercise 1.3 DIVISION OF A LINE SEGMENT Instructor:, Section: [] solve the following problems. 1. Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line segment from (~2, 1) and (2,3) in the ratio 3 to 4 (two solutions) Solution 2. The line segment joining P;(1,3) and P:(-2,-4) is extended through each end by a distance equal to thrice its original length. Find the coordinates of the new endpoints Solution26 Chapter } Fundamental Concepts ich is -2) whiel Pi{-2, p,(3,3) and 3. Find the point of the line passing through ?”1( 19 cases). . twice as far from Py as from P2 (tw sases). Py (two ca b. three times as far from Py as from 1 Solution 4 h vertex. : the fourtl 3,1). Find 3, 0), 3, 4), 3, i lelogram are (3, 4. Three vertices of a paral Solution y