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Straight Lines
Straight Lines
● Slope of a Straight Line
● Equations of Straight Lines
● Family of Lines
● Locus Problems
● Equations of Angle Bisectors
Slope of a Straight Line
Slope of a straight line
If a straight line makes an angle α with the X-axis, then it’s slope m is
defined as tan α, where 0 ≤ ⍺ < π.
Slope of a straight line
If a straight line makes an angle α with the X-axis, then it’s slope m is
defined as tan α, where 0 ≤ ⍺ < π.

NOTE
Here, α is the angle made by the line with the positive direction of
the X-axis in the anti-clockwise sense.
Remark
Determine x so that the line passing through (3, 4) and (x, 5) makes 135°
angle with the positive direction of x-axis
Solution:
Observation
Remark

1. A line cutting same intercepts on the coordinate axes.

In both cases, observe that m = –1

Remark

2. A line cutting intercepts of equal length on the coordinate

axes.

Try to observe that the slope is either 1 or –1.

Remark

3. If a line is equally inclined to the axes, then its slope is 1 or –1.

Equations of a Straight Line
Equations of straight line
Before we study various equations of a straight line, let’s first see two
particular cases.

1. Horizontal Line
2. Vertical Line
Equations of horizontal line
As on a horizontal line, the y-coordinate does not change, therefore it’s
equation is of the form y = constant.

1. 2.

3. 4.
Equations of a vertical line
As on a vertical line, the x-coordinate does not change, therefore it’s
equation is of the form x = constant.

1. 2.

3. 4.
Now let’s study various forms of equations in which a line can be
represented, namely

1. Slope Intercept form

2. Point Slope form
3. Two Point form
4. Intercept form
5. Normal form
6. Parametric form
7. General form
Let’s pick the first four equations first

1.

slope = m
2.

slope = m

NOTE
Equations 1 and 2 are the most frequently used forms.
Let’s pick the first four equations first

1. 3.

slope = m
2. 4.

slope = m
Observation
Slope of the line 2x - 3y + 1 = 0 is
Find the equation of a straight line cutting off an intercept -1 from y-axis
and being equally inclined to the axis.
Solution: Since the required line is equally inclined with coordinates axes;
therefore, it makes an angle of either 45° or 135° with the x-axis.

So, its slope is either m = tan 45° or m = tan 135°, i.e., m = 1 or -1.
It is given that c = -1. Hence, the equations of the lines are
y = x - 1 and y = -x - 1
A line through (1, 0) and (2, 1) is rotated by 15° anticlockwise about the
point (1, 0). Find the equation of new line.
Solution:

Y
l2
l1

(2, 1)
X
O (1, 0)
Find the equation of a line passing through the point (2, 3) so that the
segment of the line intercepted between the axes is bisected at this
point.
Solution:
Find the number of straight lines passing through (2, 4) and forming a
triangle of area 16 cm2 with the coordinates axes and also find their
equations.

Remark
Whenever a point is given directly and slope is unknown,
we prefer to assume line in the form y - y1 = m(x - x1).
Find the number of straight lines passing through (2, 4) and forming a
triangle of area 16 cm2 with the coordinates axes and also find their
equations.
Solution:
Now let’s pick normal form and parametric form.
Normal Form
Normal form
Y

p
X
O

x cos⍺ + y sin ⍺ = p where, 0 ≤ ⍺ 360°

Remark
This equation can be easily derived observing that the X and Y
intercepts are p sec ⍺ and p cosec ⍺ respectively.
The length of the perpendicular from the origin to a line is 7 and the line
makes an angle of 150° with the positive direction of y-axis. Find the
equation of the line.
Solution: Here p = 7 and ⍺ = 30°
A straight canal is miles from a place and the shortest route from
this place to the canal is exactly north-east. A village is 3 miles north
and four east from the place. Does it lie by the edge of the canal?
Solution: Let the given place be O. Take this as the origin and the east
and north directions through O as the x and y-axes,
respectively.
Solution: Let AB be the nearest edge of the canal. From the question, OL
is perpendicular to AB such that
and ∠LOA = 45°
So, the equation of the canal is

The position of the village is (4, 3). The village will lie on the
edge of the canal if (4, 3) satisfies the Eq.(i).
Clearly, (4, 3) does not satisfy (i). Hence, the village does not lie
by the nearest edge of the canal.
Parametric Form
A straight line is drawn through the point P(2, 3) and is inclined at an
angle of 30° with the x-axis. Find the coordinates of two points on it at a
distance 4 from p.
Solution:
Parametric form m = tan θ
(x, y)
r

(x1, y1) θ
Find the distance of the point (1, 3) from the line 2x − 3y + 9 = 0
measured along the line x − y + 1 = 0.
Solution:

x-y+1=0 P

A (1, 3)
2x - 3y + 9 = 0
General Form
General form
Any linear equation in x and y represents a straight line, that is, the
equation ax + by + c = 0 is the general form of the equation of a line.
Angle between Two Lines
Angle between two Lines
m1

m2

where θ is the acute angle between the two lines

Remark
1. Lines are parallel if m1 = m2
2. Lines are perpendicular if m1m2 = -1, provided both m1 and m2
are finite.
3. If m1 = ∞, then m2 = 0 , for perpendicularity.
Observation
1. Slope of ax + by + c = 0 is , that is

2. L1 : a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and L2 : a2x + b2y + c2 = 0

Observation
1. Slope of ax + by + c = 0 is , that is

2. L1 : a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and L2 : a2x + b2y + c2 = 0

(a) L1 || L2 if

(b) L1 and L2 are coincident if

(c) L1 ⟂ L2 if a1a2 + b1b2 = 0

(a) Find the angle between the lines

(b) Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment
joining the points A(2, 3) and B(6, -5).
(a) Find the angle between the lines
Solution:
(b) Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment
joining the points A(2, 3) and B(6, -5).
Solution:
 JEE Main 2020
If the perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining the points
P(1, 4) and Q(k, 3) has y-intercept equal to -4, then a value of k is

C -4

D -2
 JEE Main 2020
If the perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining the points
P(1, 4) and Q(k, 3) has y-intercept equal to -4, then a value of k is

C -4

D -2
Solution:
 JEE Main 2020
If a ΔABC has vertices A(-1, 7), B(-7, 1) and C(5, -5), then its orthocentre
has coordinates

A (-3, 3)

C (3, -3)

D
 JEE Main 2020
If a ΔABC has vertices A(-1, 7), B(-7, 1) and C(5, -5), then its orthocentre
has coordinates

A (-3, 3)

C (3, -3)

D
Solution:
Solution:
If A (0, 0), B (4, –3) and C (4, 2) are the vertices of a Δ ABC, then find its
Circumcentre
Solution:

A (0, 0)

D
F
O

B (4, −3) C (4, 2)

Two sides of a triangle are 2x + y = 0 and x - y + 2 = 0. If its orthocentre
is (2, 3), then find its third side.
Solution:

x−y+2=0 H (2, 3)

B 2x + y = 4 C
Now that we have understood angle between two lines, let’s see one very
important category of questions, where we find the equations of a line
making a given angle with a given line.
Now that we have understood angle between two lines, let’s see one very
important category of questions, where we find the equations of a line
making a given angle with a given line.

NOTE
Try to see as a relation between m1, m2 and θ.
 IIT-JEE-2011 Paper-1
A straight line L through the point (3, -2) is inclined at an angle 60° to the
line If L also intersects the x-axis, then the equation of L is

D
 IIT-JEE-2011 Paper-1
A straight line L through the point (3, -2) is inclined at an angle 60° to the
line If L also intersects the x-axis, then the equation of L is

D
Solution:
Solution: Alternate solution
(a) Find the equation of a line through the point (2, 1) making an angle
of 30° angle with the line
(b) Find the equation of a line through (1, –10) which makes
equal angles with the lines 7x − y + 3 = 0 and x + y − 3 = 0
(a) Find the equation of a line through the point (2, 1) making an angle
of 30° angle with the line
Solution:

NOTE
Whenever while solving for m, if the leading term gets cancelled, then
one of the values of m is ∞, that is, the line is vertical.
(b) Find the equation of a line through (1, –10) which makes
equal angles with the lines 7x − y + 3 = 0 and x + y − 3 = 0

NOTE
This question can also be asked using the term “isosceles triangle”
Solution:
 JEE Main 18th March, 2021 Shift-1
The equation of one of the straight lines which passes through the point
(1, 3) and makes an angles with the straight line,
is

D
 JEE Main 18th March, 2021 Shift-1
The equation of one of the straight lines which passes through the point
(1, 3) and makes an angles with the straight line,
is

D
Solution:
Sometimes we are required to assume a point on a line or you may say,
sometimes, assuming a point on line facilitates solving the question
easily.
Sometimes we are required to assume a point on a line or you may say,
sometimes, assuming a point on line facilitates solving the question
easily.

NOTE
A point on y = mx + c is assumed as (t, mt + c).
Two sides of a triangle are 2x − y = 0 and x + y = 3. If the centroid of the
triangle is (2, 3) then find its third side.
Solution:

2x − y = 0 x+y =3
G (2, 3)
B C
 JEE Main 26th Aug, 2021 Shift-1
Let ABC be a triangle with A(-3, 1) and ∠ACB = θ, If the
equation of the median through B is 2x + y - 3 = 0 and the equation of
angle bisector of C is 7x - 4y - 1 = 0, then tan θ is equal to:

D 2
 JEE Main 26th Aug, 2021 Shift-1
Let ABC be a triangle with A(-3, 1) and ∠ACB = θ, If the
equation of the median through B is 2x + y - 3 = 0 and the equation of
angle bisector of C is 7x - 4y - 1 = 0, then tan θ is equal to:

D 2
Solution:
Some Formulae
Some Formulae
Distance of a Point from a Line
Some Formulae
Distance of a Point from a Line
(x1, y1)

Special case : Distance of origin from ax + by + c = 0 is

Ex. Distance of (1, 2) from 3x - 4y + 2 = 0 is

Find the coordinates of a point on x + y + 3 = 0, whose distance from
x + 2y + 2 = 0 is
Solution:
Some Formulae

Distance between Two Parallel Lines

Some Formulae

Distance between Two Parallel Lines

Ex. Distance between x + y + 2 = 0 and x + y + 4 = 0 is .

Distance between x - y + 1 = 0 and 2x - 2y + 5 = 0 is____.

D
Distance between x - y + 1 = 0 and 2x - 2y + 5 = 0 is____.

D
Solution:
Find the equations of straight lines passing through (-2, -7) and having
an intercept of length 3 between the straight lines 4x + 3y = 12 and
4x + 3y = 3.
Solution:
Solution:
Some Formulae

Foot of perpendicular from a Point to a line

Some Formulae

Foot of perpendicular from a Point to a line

(x1, y1)

Ex. Foot of perpendicular of (2, 3) on x + 2y -1 = 0 is given by

Some Formulae

Image of a Point in a line

(x1, y1)
 JEE Main 25th Feb, 2021 Shift-1

The image of the point (3, 5) in the line x - y + 1 = 0, lies on:

A (x - 2)2 + (y - 4)2 = 4

B (x - 4)2 + (y + 2)2 = 16

C (x - 4)2 + (y - 4)2 = 8

D (x - 2)2 + (y - 2)2 = 12
 JEE Main 25th Feb, 2021 Shift-1

The image of the point (3, 5) in the line x - y + 1 = 0, lies on:

A (x - 2)2 + (y - 4)2 = 4

B (x - 4)2 + (y + 2)2 = 16

C (x - 4)2 + (y - 4)2 = 8

D (x - 2)2 + (y - 2)2 = 12
Solution:
In triangle ABC, equation of the right bisectors of the sides AB and AC
are x + y = 0 and y - x = 0 respectively. If A ≡ (5, 7) then find the equation
of side BC.
Solution:

‘B’ and ‘C’ will be the image of A in y + x = 0 and y - x = 0

respectively.
Thus B ≡ (-7, -5), C ≡ (7, 5)
Hence, equation of BC is
Some Formulae

Area of a parallelogram whose sides are given

Some Formulae

Area of a parallelogram whose sides are given

The area of a
parallelogram whose
sides are y = m1x + c1,
y = m1x + c2 and
y = m2x + d1, y = m,
x + d2 is given by
Family of Lines
Family of Lines
Given any two lines L1 = 0 and L2 = 0, all the lines passing through their
point of intersection constitutes family of lines of L1 = 0 and L2 = 0.
Family of Lines
Given any two lines L1 = 0 and L2 = 0, all the lines passing through their
point of intersection constitutes family of lines of L1 = 0 and L2 = 0.

Remark

Any line through intersection point of L1 = 0 and L2 = 0 (that is a

member of their family) has equation of the form L1 + λL2 = 0
Eg. Any line through intersection point of 2x + y + 3 = 0 and
x - y + 1 = 0 will have equation of the form
2x + y + 3 + λ(x - y + 1) = 0
Eg. If equation of line is of the form x + y - 2 + λ(x + 2y) = 0, then for
sure it passes through intersection point of x + y - 2 = 0 and
x + 2y = 0
If 2a + 3b - c = 0 then prove that the variable straight line whose equation
is ax + by + c = 0 always passes through a fixed point.
If a2 + 9b2 = 6ab + 4c2 then ax + by + c = 0 passes through _____.

D
If a2 + 9b2 = 6ab + 4c2 then ax + by + c = 0 passes through _____.

D
Solution:
Consider a family of straight lines (x + y) + λ(2x - y + 1) = 0. Equation of
the straight line belonging to this family that is farthest form (1, -3) is

A 13y + 6x = 7

B 15y + 6x = 7

C 13y - 6x = 7

D 15y - 6x = 7
Consider a family of straight lines (x + y) + λ(2x - y + 1) = 0. Equation of
the straight line belonging to this family that is farthest form (1, -3) is

A 13y + 6x = 7

B 15y + 6x = 7

C 13y - 6x = 7

D 15y - 6x = 7
Solution:
Now, let’s do some examples on locus problems
If the vertices A and B of a Δ ABC are given by (2, 5) and (4, –11)
respectively and C moves along the line L ≡ 9x + 7y + 4 = 0, then the
locus of the centroid of Δ ABC is

A a circle

B a line parallel to L

C a parabola

D None of these
If the vertices A and B of a Δ ABC are given by (2, 5) and (4, –11)
respectively and C moves along the line L ≡ 9x + 7y + 4 = 0, then the
locus of the centroid of Δ ABC is

A a circle

B a line parallel to L

C a parabola

D None of these
Solution:

L
The equation of the locus of the foot of perpendicular drawn from (5, 6)
on the family of lines (x - 2) + λ(y - 3) = 0 (where λ ∈ R) is

A (x - 1) (x - 3) + (y - 2) (y - 6) = 0

B (x - 5) (x - 6) + (y - 2) (y - 3) = 0

C (x - 2) (x - 5) + (y - 3) (y - 6) = 0

D (x + 2) (x + 5) + (y + 3) (y + 6) = 0
The equation of the locus of the foot of perpendicular drawn from (5, 6)
on the family of lines (x - 2) + λ(y - 3) = 0 (where λ ∈ R) is

A (x - 1) (x - 3) + (y - 2) (y - 6) = 0

B (x - 5) (x - 6) + (y - 2) (y - 3) = 0

C (x - 2) (x - 5) + (y - 3) (y - 6) = 0

D (x + 2) (x + 5) + (y + 3) (y + 6) = 0
Solution:

Let A = (5, 6) and the point of concurrency of the family of

lines (x - 2) + λ(y - 3) = 0 is (2, 3) = B and foot of the
perpendicular from A to the family of lines is P = (h, k)
Now, PA is perpendicular to PB
⇒ (slope of PA) × (slope of PB) = -1

⇒ locus is (x - 2) (x - 5) + (y - 3) (y - 6) = 0
If a line AB of length 2l moves with the end A always on the X-axis and
the end B always on the line y = 6x, then equation of the locus of the mid
point of AB is _____.

A 9x2 - 6xy - 10y2 = 9t2

B 9x2 - 6xy + 10y2 = 9t2

C 9x2 + 6xy + 10y2 = 9t2

D 9x2 + 6xy - 10y2 = 9t2

If a line AB of length 2l moves with the end A always on the X-axis and
the end B always on the line y = 6x, then equation of the locus of the mid
point of AB is _____.

A 9x2 - 6xy - 10y2 = 9t2

B 9x2 - 6xy + 10y2 = 9t2

C 9x2 + 6xy + 10y2 = 9t2

D 9x2 + 6xy - 10y2 = 9t2

Solution:

B (b, 6b)
y = 6x
M (h, k)
k
X
O A (a, 0)
Solution:
A variable straight line drawn through the point of intersection of lines
meets the coordinate axes in A and B.
Then, the locus of the mid point of AB is _____.

A xy(a + b) = ab(x + y)

B 2xy(a - b) = ab(x + y)

C 2xy(a - b) = ab(x - y)

D 2xy(a + b) = ab(x + y)
A variable straight line drawn through the point of intersection of lines
meets the coordinate axes in A and B.
Then, the locus of the mid point of AB is _____.

A xy(a + b) = ab(x + y)

B 2xy(a - b) = ab(x + y)

C 2xy(a - b) = ab(x - y)

D 2xy(a + b) = ab(x + y)
Solution:
Solution:
The ends A and B of a straight line segment of a constant length c
slides on the axes OX and OY respectively. If the rectangle OAPB is
completed, then show that locus of the foot of the perpendicular drawn
from P to AB is
 Y

Solution: B P

D (h, k)

90° − θ
θ
E A X
O
Solution:
Equations of Angle Bisectors
Observation
For two non-parallel lines, we have two angle bisectors which are
always perpendicular to each other.

Now, let’s see the equations and categorization of angle bisector.

Equations of the two angle bisectors are given by

and

Let’s see how do we categorize these

1. Equation of the angle bisector of an angle containing a given point
(α, β).

2. Equation of bisector of acute angle / obtuse angle.

obtuse angle bisector

acute angle bisector

1. Equation of the angle bisector of an angle containing a given
point (α, β).
1. Equation of the angle bisector of an angle containing a given
point (α, β).

If , then the required angle bisector is

If , then the required angle bisector is

1. Equation of the angle bisector of an angle containing a given
point (α, β).

Special case : Bisector of angle containing origin

1. Equation of the angle bisector of an angle containing a given
point (α, β).

Special case : Bisector of angle containing origin

2. Equation of bisector of acute angle / obtuse angle.

Method 1
Find angle between one line and one bisector.
If tan θ < 1, then it is the acute angle bisector and
If tan θ > 1, then it is the obtuse angle bisector.
2. Equation of bisector of acute angle / obtuse angle.

Method 1
Find angle between one line and one bisector.
If tan θ < 1, then it is the acute angle bisector and
If tan θ > 1, then it is the obtuse angle bisector.

Method 2
Step 1 : Make c1 and c2 both positive
Step 2 : If a1a2 + b1b2 < 0 , then origin lies in acute angle while
if a1a2 + b1b2 > 0, then origin lies in obtuse angle.
For the lines 4x + 3y − 6 = 0 and 5x + 12y + 4 = 0, find the following.
(a) The bisector of the angle containing (1, 1)
(b) The bisector of the angle containing the origin
(c) The obtuse angle bisector
(d) The acute angle bisector
For the lines 4x + 3y − 6 = 0 and 5x + 12y + 4 = 0, find the following.
(a) The bisector of the angle containing (1, 1)
Solution:
For the lines 4x + 3y − 6 = 0 and 5x + 12y + 4 = 0, find the following.
(b) The bisector of the angle containing the origin
Solution:
For the lines 4x + 3y − 6 = 0 and 5x + 12y + 4 = 0, find the following.
(c) The obtuse angle bisector
Solution:
For the lines 4x + 3y − 6 = 0 and 5x + 12y + 4 = 0, find the following.
(d) The acute angle bisector
Solution:
Solution: Alternate Solution
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