Division of a Line Segment

Two points A( x1, y1 ) and B( x2 , y2 ) are given.

Internal Division Point External Division Point

B`

( x − x1 ) : ( x2 − x) = m : n ( x − x1 ) : ( x − x2 ) = m : n
Therefore nx1 + mx2 Therefore − nx1 + mx2
x= x=
m+n m−n
ny1 + my2 − ny1 + my2
y= y= 3
m+n m−n
 Example
[ Example 14.1] Find the point C which is located on the x-axis and has
equal distances from points A(-1, 3) and B(2, 4).
Ans.
Let the coordinates of point C be (x, 0). y
Then
(2,4)
( x + 1)2 + (0 − 3)2 = ( x − 2)2 + (0 − 4)2 (-1,3)
Square both sides
( x + 1)2 + 9 = ( x − 2)2 + 16
Therefore, O x
x
5
x=
3
That was too easy! 4
 Straight Line
General form of a straight line
ax + by + c = 0 y
Various Forms
(1) Point-slope form ( x1 , y1 ) m
From point ( x1, y1 ) and slope m 1

y − y1
m= y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) O x
x − x1
y
(2) Slope-intercept form
m m
From y − intercept (0, n) and slope
n 1
y−n
m= y = mx + n
x−0 O x
5
 Straight Line - Cont.
(3) Line through two points ( x1, y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 )
y2 − y1
∗ y − y1 = ( x − x1 ) (when x1 ≠ x2 )
x2 − x1 y
y2 − y1 ( x 2 , y2 )
Slope m=
x2 − x1 (x , y )
1 1 y2 − y1
∗ x = x1 (when x1 = x2)
x2 − x1
( This represents a vertical line. )
O x
y
Vertical line
Horizontal line
x = x1
y = y1
y1
6
O x
x1
 Example (Intercept-Intercept Form)
[ Example 14.2] Find the expression of the straight line which passes
two points (4, 0) and (0, -3).

Ans. From the expression mentioned above, we have y

x
−3 − 0 O
y−0 = ( x − 4) (4, 0)
0−4
Then we have (0, -3)
x y
3x − 4 y = 12 or + =1
4 (−3)

(4) Intercept-intercept form y

When a straight line intersects the x -axis at
a and the y -axis at b, it is expressed as b
x y
+ =1 a
a b O x 7
 Exercise
[ Exercise 14.1] Three points A(-1, 1), B (3, a ) and C (a + 3, 7) are on the
straight line l in this order. Find the value of a and the equation of l in the
following steps.
(1) Assume the line as y = mx + n and find the conditions that points A, B
and C are on the line.
(2) Find which satisfy these conditions. C
B
(3) Select appropriate values. A

Ans.

Pause the video and solve the problem by yourself.

8
 Exercise
[ Exercise 14.1] Three points A(-1, 1), B (3, a ) and C (a + 3, 7) are on the
straight line l in this order. Find the value of a and the equation of l in the following
steps. y = mx + n
(1) Assume the line as and find the conditions that points A, B and C are on
the line. C
B
(2) Find which satisfy these conditions. A
(3) Select appropriate values.
Ans. (1) Because the line passes points A, B, and C, we have
l
1 = −m + n (i), a = 3m + n (ii) , 7 = m(a + 3) + n (iii)

. (2) From (ii)-(i) and (iii)-(i), we have a = 4m + 1 and 6 ,= (a + 4)m .

By eliminating a , we have (m + 2)(4m − 3) = 0
3 7
Therefore, we obtain (m, a, n) = (−2, − 7, − 1) and ( , 4, ).
4 4
(3) Considering the order, we have a+3>3
Therefore, the latter satisfies the request of the problem.
3 7
Finally, we obtain
.
a = 4 and y= x+ 9
4 4