DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

Equations of Straight Lines

Example 1 ~ DSE (Paper 2) Ref: 2017 Q24

The straight line L is perpendicular to the straight line 3x  4y  10 = 0. If the y-intercept of L is 5, then
the equation of L is
A. 4x + 3y  20 = 0.
B. 4x + 3y  15 = 0.
C. 3x  4y  15 = 0.
D. 3x  4y + 20 = 0.

 Solution
Slope of the straight line 3x  4y  10 = 0
3
=
4
3
=
4
∵ L is perpendicular to the straight line 3x  4y  10 = 0.
3
∴ Slope of L  = 1  Exam Tips
4
If L1  L2, then
4 slope of L1  slope of L2 = 1.
Slope of L = 
3
The equation of L is
4
y =  x+ 5
3
3y = 4x + 15
4x + 3y  15 = 0
∴ The answer is B.

TRY Yourself! Q6–7

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

Example 2 ~ DSE (Paper 2) Ref: 2016 Q25

If the straight lines px + qy  24 = 0 and 3x + 4y  8 = 0 are perpendicular to each other and intersect at a
point on the y-axis, then p =
A. 16.
B. 4.
C. 9.
D. 12.

 Solution
Let L1 be the straight line px + qy  24 = 0 and L2 be the straight line 3x + 4y  8 = 0.
∵ L1 and L2 intersect at a point on the y-axis.
∴ y-intercept of L1 = y-intercept of L2  Exam Tips
24 8 When two lines intersect at a
 = point on the y-axis, they have
q 4 the same y-intercept:
24 y
=2
q
q = 12
x
∵ L1  L2 O
∴ Slope L1  slope of L2 = 1
p  3
     = 1
q  4
p  3
     = 1
12  4 
p = 16
∴ The answer is A.

TRY Yourself! Q13–14

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

Example 3 ~ DSE (Paper 2) Ref: 2020 Q8, 2018 Q6, 2015 Q25, 2014 Q25, 2012 Q25

In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are px + y + q = 0 and rx + y + s = 0
respectively. Which of the following are true?
y
I. p<r
II. q>s
III. ps < qr L1

A. I and II only x
O
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III L2

 Solution
p r
Slope of L1 =  = p, slope of L2 =  = r  Exam Tips
1 1
q Write down the slopes,
s
x-intercept of L1 =  , x-intercept of L2 =  x-intercepts and y-intercepts
p r of the straight lines first.
q s
y-intercept of L1 =  = q, y-intercept of L2 =  = s
1 1
I. From the figure,
slope of L1 > 0 > slope of L2  Exam Tips
p > 0 > r For I, in order to compare
the values of p and r, we
p < 0 < r .................... (*) consider the slopes of the
∴ I is true. two lines first.

II. From the figure,

y-intercept of L1 < 0 < y-intercept of L2
q < 0 < s
q>0>s
∴ II is true.

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

III. From the figure,

x-intercept of L1 > x-intercept of L2 > 0
q s
 > >0
p r
q s
<
p r
ps
q>  Exam Tips
r
From (*), we have p < 0 and r > 0.
qr > ps
First, when we multiply p to both
∴ III is true. sides, the inequality sign should be
reversed.
∴ The answer is D.
Next, when we multiply r to both
sides, the inequality sign remains
TRY Yourself! Q8–11, 25–27 unchanged.

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

Example 4 ~ DSE (Paper 2) Ref: 2022 Q24, 2019 Q23, 2017 Q23, 2013 Q14

In the figure, the equation of the straight line L is mx + ny = 6. Which of the following are true?
I. m<1 y
II. n>3
2
III. n > 3m
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only x
0 L
6
D. I, II and III

 Solution
m
Slope of L = 
n
6
x-intercept of L =
m
6
y-intercept of L =
n
I. From the figure,
x-intercept of L > 0
6
>0
m
m>0  Exam Tips
x-intercept of L > 6 Since 6 and are both positive,
6
>6 m must also be positive.
m
6 > 6m  ∵ m>0
m<1 ∴ Inequality sign
unchanged.
∴ I is true.

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

II. From the figure,

y-intercept of L > 0
6
>0
n
n>0
y-intercept of L < 2
6
<2
n
6 < 2n  ∵ n>0
n>3 ∴ Inequality sign unchanged.

∴ II is true.
III. Method 1
Construct a straight line L1 which passes through (6 , 0) and (0 , 2). y
From the figure,
2 L1
Slope of L1 < slope of L < 0  Exam Tips
02 m Note that the slopes of L
< and L1 are both negative.
60 n
Since L1 is steeper than L,
1 m
 < the slope of L1 is smaller. x
3 n 0 L
6
3m
1>
n
n > 3m  ∵ n>0
∴ Inequality sign unchanged.
∴ III is true.
Method 2
∵ m<1 (from I.)
∴ 3m < 3
∵ n>3 (from II.)
∴ n > 3 > 3m
i.e. n > 3m
∴ III is true.
∴ The answer is D.

TRY Yourself! Q20–24

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

Questions without figures

2023 Q41
DSE (Paper 2) 2023 Q25 2021 2020 2018 2017 2016 2016
2022 Q41
Reference 2019 Q24 Q26 Q26 Q26 Q24 Q25 Q26
2018 Q40
Target for
1–2
DSE Level 2+
Target for
DSE Level 4+ 3 4–5 6–7

Target for
16–19 12 13–14 15
DSE Level 5**

Questions with figures

2022 Q24
2020 Q8
DSE (Paper 2) 2019 Q23
2018 Q6 2015 Q25 2014 Q25
Reference 2017 Q23
2012 Q25
2013 Q14
Target for
8–9 10–11
DSE Level 4+
Target for
20–24 25–27
DSE Level 5**

Target for

DSE Level 2+
1. Find the constant k such that the straight lines 6x  3y + k = 0 and kx + 4y  2 = 0 are perpendicular
to each other.

A. 6

B. 2

C. 2

D. 6

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

2. Find the constant m such that the straight lines mx + 2y + 3 = 0 and 4x + 6y  m = 0 are
perpendicular to each other.

A. 4
B. 3
C. 3
D. 4

Target for

DSE Level 4+
3. The coordinates of the points A, B and C are (2 , 0), (4 , 8) and (8 , 6) respectively. Let T be a point
such that AT is a median of △ABC. Find the equation of the straight line which passes through A
and T.

A. x + 2y  20 = 0
B. 2x  y  4 = 0
C. 2x  y  5 = 0
D. 7x  4y  14 = 0

4. The equation of the straight line L is 12x  ky + 3k = 0, where k is a constant. If L is perpendicular

to the straight line 14x + 7y  1 = 0, find the x-intercept of L.

A. 6
B. 3
C. 3
D. 6

5. The equation of the straight line L is 2bx  3y + 4b = 0, where b is a constant. If L is perpendicular

to the straight line 3x + 6y + 2 = 0, find the y-intercept of L.

A. 4
B. 2
C. 2

D. 4
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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

6. The straight line L is perpendicular to the straight line 7x  2y + 11 = 0. If the y-intercept of L is 4,
then the equation of L is

A. 2x + 7y + 28 = 0.

B. 2x  7y  28 = 0.

C. 7x  2y + 28 = 0.

D. 7x  2y  8 = 0.

7. The straight line L is perpendicular to the straight line 6x + 5y  30 = 0. If the x-intercept of L is 2,

then the equation of L is

A. 6x + 5y  10 = 0.

B. 6x + 5y  12 = 0.

C. 5x  6y  10 = 0.

D. 5x  6y + 12 = 0.

8. In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are ry = 1 and sx  ty = 1 respectively.
Which of the following are true?
y
I. r>0 L2
II. r>t
x
III. s < 0 O

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

L1
C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

9. In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are mx + ny = 2 and kx = 2 respectively.
Which of the following are true?

I. k>0 y
L2
L1
II. m+k<0
III. n < 0

A. I and II only x
O
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

10. In the figure, the two straight lines intersect at a point on the negative x-axis. Which of the
following are true?
y
I. b>0 cx – dy = 2
II. d<0
III. a + c = 0

A. I and II only
x
O
B. I and III only

C. II and III only ax + by = 2

D. I, II and III

11. In the figure, the two straight lines intersect at a point on the positive y-axis. Which of the following
are true?
y
I. p<0 px + qy = 1
II. r<0
III. q + s = 0
A. I and II only rx + sy = 1

B. I and III only

x
C. II and III only O

D. I, II and III

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

Target for
DSE Level 5**
12. The equation of the straight line L1 is 2x  5y + 20 = 0. The straight line L2 is perpendicular to L1
and intersects L1 at a point lying on the x-axis. Find the area of the region bounded by L1, L2 and the
y-axis.

A. 20
B. 40

C. 125
D. 145

13. If the straight lines hx + ky + 20 = 0 and 3x + 2y  10 = 0 are perpendicular to each other and
intersect at a point on the x-axis, then k =

A. 6.

B. 4.
C. 4.

D. 9.

14. If the straight lines ax  20y + 12 = 0 and 2x + by + 3 = 0 are perpendicular to each other and
intersect at a point on the y-axis, then a =

A. 50.
B. 5.
C. 8.
D. 20.

15. The coordinates of the points A and B are (9 , 7) and (3 , 5) respectively. If C is a point lying on
the straight line 2x + y = 0 such that AC = BC, then the y-coordinate of C is

A. 4.
B. 1.

C. 3.

D. 8.
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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

16. Let O be the origin. The coordinates of the points A and B are (a , 0) and (0 , b) respectively, where
a and b are positive numbers. If the circumcentre of △OAB lies on the straight line 6x + 12y = 13a,
then a : b =

A. 3 : 5.

B. 5 : 3.

C. 12 : 33.

D. 33 : 12. Note: Circumcentre is the point of intersection of the three

perpendicular bisectors of a triangle.
Acute-angled Obtuse-angled
Right-angled triangle ABC
triangle ABC triangle ABC

17. The equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are 2x  3y + k = 0 and 3x + 2y  k = 0 respectively,
where k is a positive constant. It is given that L1 cuts the x-axis at the point A. Denote the point of
intersection of L1 and L2 by B. If C is a point lying on L2 such that the in-centre of △ABC lies on
the x-axis, then the x-coordinate of C is

A. 5k.

B. k.

C. k.

D. 5k. Note: In-centre is the point of intersection of the three angle bisectors
of a triangle.
Acute-angled Obtuse-angled Right-angled
triangle ABC triangle ABC triangle ABC

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

18. It is given that p is a negative constant. The straight line 5x  3y = p cuts the x-axis and the y-axis at
the points A and B respectively. Let C be a point lying on the x-axis such that the y-coordinate of
the orthocentre of △ABC is 15. Find the x-coordinate of C.

A. 25

B. 9

C. 9

D. 25

19. It is given that r is a positive constant. The straight line 2rx + ry + 4 = 0 cuts the x-axis and the
y-axis at the points D and E respectively. Let F be a point lying on the y-axis such that the
x-coordinate of the orthocentre of △DEF is 6. Find the y-coordinate of F.

A. 12

B. 3

C. 3

D. 12

Note: Orthocentre is the point of intersection of the three altitudes of a triangle.

Acute-angled triangle ABC Obtuse-angled triangle ABC Right-angled triangle ABC

orthocentre B B B

A C

A C A C
orthocentre orthocentre

The orthocentre lies The orthocentre lies The orthocentre lies on a

inside the triangle. outside the triangle. vertex of the triangle.

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

20. The figure shows the graph of the straight line px + qy = 4. Which of the following are true?
I. p>0 y
II. q > 2
x
III. p + q > 0 0
2
A. I and II only

B. I and III only

2
C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

21. The figure shows the graph of the straight line x  by + a = 0. Which of the following are true?
I. a>0 y
II. b<0
1
III. a > b
A. I and II only x – by + a = 0

B. I and III only

x
C. II and III only 0

D. I, II and III

22. In the figure, the equation of the straight line L is ax + by + 16 = 0. Which of the following are true?
I. a < 2b y
II. a<4 L

III. b < 2
x
A. I and II only 4 0

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
8

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

23. In the figure, the equation of the straight line L is hx  ky + 18 = 0. Which of the following are true?
I. 3h < 2k y
II. h > 2 L

III. k > 3 x
0
A. I and II only 9

B. I and III only

C. II and III only 6

D. I, II and III

24. In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are mx  y = n and px  y = q respectively.
Which of the following are true?
I. m<p y
L1
II. n<q
III. m  n > p  q
L2
A. I and II only
x
0 1
B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

25. In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are ax + y + b = 0 and x + by + c = 0
respectively. Which of the following are true?
y
I. c>0 L2
L1
II. ab > 1
III. c > b2

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only O

x

D. I, II and III

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 DSE MC Power-Up Handbook 4A Chapter 2

26. In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are 2x + ay = b and cx  y = d
respectively. Which of the following are true?
y
I. ac < 2
II. ad + b < 0
III. bc > 2d

A. I only

B. II only x
O
L1
C. I and III only
L2
D. II and III only

27. In the figure, the equations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are mx + y = n and px + y = q respectively.
Which of the following are true?
y
I. m>0 L1
II. m>p
III. n < q L2
IV. mq < np
x
A. I, II and III only O

B. I, II and IV only

C. I, III and IV only

D. II, III and IV only

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