NCERT Exemplar Solutions
Class 11 - Mathematics
Chapter 10: STRAIGHT LINES

Slope of a line, Angle between two lines, Collinearity of three points, Various forms of the equation of a line, General equation of a line, Distance of a point from a line, Locus and Equation of Locus, Intersection of two given lines

Short Answer Type

Question. 1

Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point \((1, -2)\) and cuts off equal intercepts from axes.

Answer:

\(x + y + 1 = 0\)

Question. 2

Find the equation of the line passing through the point \((5, 2)\) and perpendicular to the line joining the points \((2, 3)\) and \((3, -1)\).

Answer:

\(x - 4y + 3 = 0\)

Question. 3

Find the angle between the lines \(y = (2 - \sqrt{3})(x + 5)\) and \(y = (2 + \sqrt{3})(x - 7)\).

Answer:

60° or 120°

Question. 4

Find the equation of the lines which pass through the point \((3, 4)\) and cut off intercepts from the coordinate axes such that their sum is 14.

Answer:

\(x + y = 7\)

or

\(\dfrac{x}{6} + \dfrac{y}{8} = 1\)

Question. 5

Find the points on the line \(x + y = 4\) which lie at a unit distance from the line \(4x + 3y = 10\).

Answer:

\((3, 1), (-7, 11)\)

Question. 6

Show that the tangent of an angle between the lines \(\dfrac{x}{a} + \dfrac{y}{b} = 1\) and \(\dfrac{x}{a} - \dfrac{y}{b} = 1\) is \(\dfrac{2ab}{a^2 - b^2}\).

Answer:

\(\dfrac{2ab}{a^2 - b^2}\)

Question. 7

Find the equation of lines passing through \((1, 2)\) and making angle 30° with the y-axis.

Answer:

\(y - \sqrt{3}x - 2 + \sqrt{3} = 0\)

Question. 8

Find the equation of the line passing through the point of intersection of \(2x + y = 5\) and \(x + 3y + 8 = 0\) and parallel to the line \(3x + 4y = 7\).

Answer:

\(3x + 4y + 3 = 0\)

Question. 9

For what values of \(a\) and \(b\) are the intercepts cut off on the coordinate axes by the line \(ax + by + 8 = 0\) equal in length but opposite in signs to those cut off by the line \(2x - 3y + 6 = 0\)?

Answer:

\(a = -\dfrac{8}{3},\ b = 4\)

Question. 10

If the intercept of a line between the coordinate axes is divided by the point \((-5, 4)\) in the ratio 1 : 2, then find the equation of the line.

Answer:

\(8x - 5y + 60 = 0\)

Question. 11

Find the equation of a straight line on which the length of the perpendicular from the origin is four units and the line makes an angle of 120° with the positive direction of the x-axis.

Answer:

\(\sqrt{3}x + y = 8\)

Question. 12

Find the equation of one of the sides of an isosceles right-angled triangle whose hypotenuse is given by \(3x + 4y = 4\) and the opposite vertex of the hypotenuse is \((2, 2)\).

Answer:

\(x - 7y - 12 = 0\)

Long Answer Questions

Question. 13

If the equation of the base of an equilateral triangle is \(x + y = 2\) and the vertex is \((2, -1)\), find the length of the side of the triangle.

Answer:

The distance from the vertex \((2, -1)\) to the line \(x + y = 2\) is the altitude of the equilateral triangle.

Using the perpendicular distance formula:

\[ d = \dfrac{|2 + (-1) - 2|}{\sqrt{1^2 + 1^2}} = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \]

In an equilateral triangle, altitude \(h = \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2} a\), where \(a\) is the side.

So, \( \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2} a = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \Rightarrow a = \sqrt{\dfrac{2}{3}} \).

Therefore, the side length is \( \sqrt{\dfrac{2}{3}} \).

Question. 14

A variable line passes through a fixed point \(P\). The algebraic sum of the perpendiculars drawn from the points \((2,0)\), \((0,2)\), and \((1,1)\) on the line is zero. Find the coordinates of point \(P\).

Answer:

Let the line through \(P(x_1,y_1)\) be \(y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)\).

Convert to normal form and compute perpendicular distances from \((2,0)\), \((0,2)\), and \((1,1)\).

Using the condition that the algebraic sum of perpendiculars is zero gives:

\[ (2 - x_1)m - (y_1) + (0 - x_1)m + (2 - y_1) + (1 - x_1)m + (1 - y_1) = 0 \]

Simplifying yields \(x_1 = 1, y_1 = 1\).

Thus, the fixed point is \((1,1)\).

Question. 15

In what direction should a line be drawn through the point \((1, 2)\) so that its point of intersection with the line \(x + y = 4\) is at a distance \(\dfrac{\sqrt{6}}{3}\) from the given point?

Answer:

Let the required line through \((1,2)\) make angle \(\theta\) with the positive x-axis.

Its parametric form is:

\[ (x, y) = (1, 2) + t(\cos\theta, \sin\theta). \]

Substitute into \(x + y = 4\):

\[ 1 + 2 + t(\cos\theta + \sin\theta) = 4 \Rightarrow t = \dfrac{1}{\cos\theta + \sin\theta}. \]

The distance from \((1,2)\) to the intersection point is:

\[ |t| = \dfrac{1}{\cos\theta + \sin\theta} = \dfrac{\sqrt{6}}{3}. \]

Solving this gives \(\theta = 15^\circ\) or \(75^\circ\).

Question. 16

A straight line moves so that the sum of the reciprocals of its intercepts on the coordinate axes is constant. Show that the line passes through a fixed point.

Answer:

The intercept form of the line is:

\[ \dfrac{x}{a} + \dfrac{y}{b} = 1. \]

Given that

\[ \dfrac{1}{a} + \dfrac{1}{b} = k, \]

a constant.

Rewrite the line equation:

\[ bx + ay = ab. \]

Using \(ab(\dfrac{1}{a} + \dfrac{1}{b}) = abk\):

\[ b + a = abk. \]

Hence the equation becomes:

\[ bx + ay = a + b. \]

Dividing both sides by \(k\):

\[ b(x - k) + a(y - k) = 0. \]

This holds for every valid choice of \(a\) and \(b\), implying all such lines pass through the fixed point:

\[ (k, k). \]

Question. 17

Find the equation of the line which passes through the point \((-4, 3)\) and the portion of the line intercepted between the axes is divided internally in the ratio \(5:3\) by this point.

Answer:

Let the line intersect the axes at \((a,0)\) and \((0,b)\).

The point \((-4,3)\) divides the intercepts in the ratio \(5:3\):

\[ \dfrac{-4}{a} = \dfrac{5}{5+3} = \dfrac{5}{8}, \quad \dfrac{3}{b} = \dfrac{3}{8}. \]

Thus, \(a = -\dfrac{32}{5}\) and \(b = 8\).

The intercept form of the line becomes:

\[ \dfrac{x}{-32/5} + \dfrac{y}{8} = 1. \]

Simplifying yields the equation:

\[ 9x - 20y + 96 = 0. \]

Question. 18

Find the equations of the lines through the point of intersection of the lines \(x - y + 1 = 0\) and \(2x - 3y + 5 = 0\) and whose distance from the point \((3,2)\) is \(\dfrac{7}{5}\).

Answer:

Let the required line be:

\[ (x - y + 1) + \lambda (2x - 3y + 5) = 0. \]

Simplify to obtain:

\[ (1 + 2\lambda)x + (-1 - 3\lambda)y + (1 + 5\lambda) = 0. \]

Apply perpendicular distance formula to point \((3,2)\) and equate to \(\dfrac{7}{5}\).

Solving for \(\lambda\) produces two values, giving two lines:

\[ 3x - 4y + 6 = 0, \]

\[ 4x - 3y + 1 = 0. \]

Question. 19

If the sum of the distances of a moving point in a plane from the axes is 1, find the locus of the point.

Answer:

The distance of \((x,y)\) from the x-axis is \(|y|\), and from the y-axis is \(|x|\).

Given:

\[ |x| + |y| = 1. \]

This is the equation of a square of side 1, oriented at 45° with respect to the coordinate axes.

Question. 20

\(P_1, P_2\) are points on either of the two lines \(y - \sqrt{3}|x| = 2\) at a distance of 5 units from their point of intersection. Find the coordinates of the foot of perpendiculars drawn from \(P_1, P_2\) on the bisector of the angle between the given lines.

Answer:

The lines are:

\[ y = \sqrt{3}x + 2 \quad (x \ge 0), \]

\[ y = -\sqrt{3}x + 2 \quad (x < 0). \]

Their intersection is at \((0,2)\).

Points \(P_1, P_2\) lie 5 units away from \((0,2)\) on these lines.

The angle bisector is the y-axis. The foot of perpendicular from \((x_1,y_1)\) on the y-axis has x-coordinate 0 and y-coordinate equal to the point’s y-value.

The y-coordinates are:

\[ y = 2 \pm 5\cos 30^\circ = 2 \pm \dfrac{5\sqrt{3}}{2}. \]

Thus the feet of perpendiculars are:

\[ \left(0, 2 + \dfrac{5\sqrt{3}}{2}\right), \, \left(0, 2 - \dfrac{5\sqrt{3}}{2}\right). \]

Question. 21

If \(p\) is the length of perpendicular from the origin on the line \(\dfrac{x}{a} + \dfrac{y}{b} = 1\) and \(a^2, p^2, b^2\) are in A.P., show that \(a^4 + b^4 = 0\).

Answer:

The perpendicular distance from origin to the line \(\dfrac{x}{a} + \dfrac{y}{b} = 1\) is:

\[ p = \dfrac{ab}{\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}}. \]

Given \(a^2, p^2, b^2\) in A.P., so:

\[ 2p^2 = a^2 + b^2. \]

Substitute the expression for \(p^2\):

\[ 2 \left( \dfrac{a^2 b^2}{a^2 + b^2} \right) = a^2 + b^2. \]

Cross-multiplying gives:

\[ 2a^2 b^2 = (a^2 + b^2)^2. \]

Expanding the right-hand side:

\[ 2a^2 b^2 = a^4 + 2a^2 b^2 + b^4. \]

Simplifying:

\[ a^4 + b^4 = 0. \]

Objective Type Question

Choose the correct answer from the given four options:

Question.  22

A line cutting off intercept \(-3\) from the y-axis and the tangent of angle to the x-axis is \(\tfrac{3}{?}\), its equation is

(a)

5y - 3x + 15 = 0

(b)

3y - 5x + 15 = 0

(c)

5y - 3x - 15 = 0

(d)

None of these

Question.  23

Slope of a line which cuts off intercepts of equal lengths on the axes is

(a)

-1

(b)

0

(c)

2

(d)

\(\sqrt{3}\)

Question.  24

The equation of the straight line passing through the point \((3,2)\) and perpendicular to the line \(y = x\) is

(a)

x - y = 5

(b)

x + y = 5

(c)

x + y = 1

(d)

x - y = 1

Question.  25

The equation of the line passing through the point \((1,2)\) and perpendicular to the line \(x + y + 1 = 0\) is

(a)

y - x + 1 = 0

(b)

y - x - 1 = 0

(c)

y - x + 2 = 0

(d)

y - x - 2 = 0

Question.  26

The tangent of angle between the lines whose intercepts on the axes are \(a, -b\) and \(b, -a\), respectively, is

(a)

\(\dfrac{a^2 - b^2}{ab}\)

(b)

\(\dfrac{b^2 - a^2}{2}\)

(c)

\(\dfrac{b^2 - a^2}{2ab}\)

(d)

None of these

Question.  27

If the line \(\dfrac{x}{a} + \dfrac{y}{b} = 1\) passes through the points \((2,-3)\) and \((4,-5)\), then \((a,b)\) is

(a)

(1, 1)

(b)

(-1, 1)

(c)

(1, -1)

(d)

(-1, -1)

Question.  28

The distance of the point of intersection of the lines \(2x - 3y + 5 = 0\) and \(3x + 4y = 0\) from the line \(5x - 2y = 0\) is

(a)

\(\dfrac{130}{17\sqrt{29}}\)

(b)

\(\dfrac{13}{7\sqrt{29}}\)

(c)

\(\dfrac{130}{7}\)

(d)

None of these

Question.  29

The equations of the lines which pass through the point \((3,-2)\) and are inclined at \(60^\circ\) to the line \(\sqrt{3}\,x + y = 1\) is

(a)

\(y + 2 = 0\) and \(\sqrt{3}x - y - 2 - 3\sqrt{3} = 0\)

(b)

\(x - 2 = 0\) and \(\sqrt{3}x - y + 2 + 3\sqrt{3} = 0\)

(c)

\(\sqrt{3}x - y - 2 - 3\sqrt{3} = 0\)

(d)

None of these

Question.  30

The equations of the lines passing through the point \((1,0)\) and at a distance \(\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\) from the origin are

(a)

\(\sqrt{3}x + y - \sqrt{3} = 0\), \(\sqrt{3}x - y - \sqrt{3} = 0\)

(b)

\(\sqrt{3}x + y + \sqrt{3} = 0\), \(\sqrt{3}x - y + \sqrt{3} = 0\)

(c)

x + \sqrt{3}y - \sqrt{3} = 0, \; x - \sqrt{3}y - \sqrt{3} = 0

(d)

None of these

Question.  31

The distance between the lines \(y = mx + c_1\) and \(y = mx + c_2\) is

(a)

\(\dfrac{c_1 - c_2}{\sqrt{m^2 + 1}}\)

(b)

\(\dfrac{|c_1 - c_2|}{\sqrt{1 + m^2}}\)

(c)

\(\dfrac{c_2 - c_1}{\sqrt{1 + m^2}}\)

(d)

0

Question.  32

The coordinates of the foot of perpendiculars from the point \((2,3)\) on the line \(y = 3x + 4\) is given by

(a)

\(\left(\dfrac{37}{10}, -\dfrac{1}{10}\right)\)

(b)

\(\left(-\dfrac{1}{10}, \dfrac{37}{10}\right)\)

(c)

\(\left(\dfrac{10}{37}, -10\right)\)

(d)

\(\dfrac{2}{3}, -\dfrac{1}{3}\)

Question.  33

If the coordinates of the middle point of the portion of a line intercepted between the coordinate axes is \((3,2)\), then the equation of the line will be

(a)

2x + 3y = 12

(b)

3x + 2y = 12

(c)

4x - 3y = 6

(d)

5x - 2y = 10

Question.  34

Equation of the line passing through \((1,2)\) and parallel to the line \(y = 3x - 1\) is

(a)

y + 2 = x + 1

(b)

y + 2 = 3(x + 1)

(c)

y - 2 = 3(x - 1)

(d)

y - 2 = x - 1

Question.  35

Equations of diagonals of the square formed by the lines \(x = 0\), \(y = 0\), \(x = 1\) and \(y = 1\) are

(a)

y = x, \; y + x = 1

(b)

y = x, \; x + y = 2

(c)

2y = x, \; y + x = \dfrac{1}{3}

(d)

y = 2x, \; y + 2x = 1

Question.  36

For specifying a straight line, how many geometrical parameters should be known?

(a)

1

(b)

2

(c)

4

(d)

3

Question.  37

The point \((4,1)\) undergoes the following two successive transformations:

(i) Reflection about the line \(y = x\)

(ii) Translation through a distance 2 units along the positive x-axis

Then the final coordinates of the point are

(a)

(4, 3)

(b)

(3, 4)

(c)

(1, 4)

(d)

\(\left(\tfrac{7}{2},\tfrac{7}{2}\right)\)

Question.  38

A point equidistant from the lines \(4x + 3y + 10 = 0\), \(5x - 12y + 26 = 0\) and \(7x + 24y - 50 = 0\) is

(a)

(1, -1)

(b)

(1, 1)

(c)

(0, 0)

(d)

(0, 1)

Question.  39

A line passes through \((2,2)\) and is perpendicular to the line \(3x + y = 3\). Its y-intercept is

(a)

\(\dfrac{1}{3}\)

(b)

\(\dfrac{2}{3}\)

(c)

1

(d)

\(\dfrac{4}{3}\)

Question.  40

The ratio in which the line \(3x + 4y + 2 = 0\) divides the distance between the lines \(3x + 4y + 5 = 0\) and \(3x + 4y - 5 = 0\) is

(a)

1 : 2

(b)

3 : 7

(c)

2 : 3

(d)

2 : 5

Question.  41

One vertex of the equilateral triangle with centroid at the origin and one side as \(x + y - 2 = 0\) is

(a)

(-1, -1)

(b)

(2, 2)

(c)

(-2, -2)

(d)

(2, -2)

Fill in the Blanks

Question. 42

If \(a, b, c\) are in A.P., then the straight lines \(ax + by + c = 0\) will always pass through ____.

Answer:

(1, -2)

Question. 43

The line which cuts off equal intercept from the axes and passes through the point \((1, -2)\) is ____.

Answer:

x + y + 1 = 0

Question. 44

Equations of the lines through the point \((3, 2)\) and making an angle of \(45^\circ\) with the line \(x - 2y = 3\) are ____.

Answer:

3x - y - 7 = 0, x + 3y - 9 = 0

Question. 45

The points \((3, 4)\) and \((2, -6)\) are situated on the ____ of the line \(3x - 4y - 8 = 0\).

Answer:

opposite sides

Question. 46

A point moves so that square of its distance from the point \((3, -2)\) is numerically equal to its distance from the line \(5x - 12y = 3\). The equation of its locus is ____.

Answer:

13(x^2 + y^2) - 83x + 64y + 182 = 0

Question. 47

Locus of the mid-points of the portion of the line \(x \, \sin\theta + y \, \cos\theta = p\) intercepted between the axes is ____.

Answer:

4x^2 y^2 = p^2 (x^2 + y^2)

True or False

Question. 48

If the vertices of a triangle have integral coordinates, then the triangle can not be equilateral.

Answer:

True

Question. 49

The points A \((-2,1)\), B \((0,5)\), C \((-1,2)\) are collinear.

Answer:

False

Question. 50

Equation of the line passing through the point \((a\cos^3\theta, a\sin^3\theta)\) and perpendicular to the line \(x \sec\theta + y \csc\theta = a\) is \(x \cos\theta - y \sin\theta = a \sin 2\theta\).

Answer:

False

Question. 51

The straight line \(5x + 4y = 0\) passes through the point of intersection of the straight lines \(x + 2y - 10 = 0\) and \(2x + y + 5 = 0\).

Answer:

True

Question. 52

The vertex of an equilateral triangle is \((2,3)\) and the equation of the opposite side is \(x + y = 2\). Then the other two sides are \(y - 3 = (2 \pm \sqrt{3})(x - 2)\).

Answer:

True

Question. 53

The equation of the line joining the point \((3,5)\) to the point of intersection of the lines \(4x + y - 1 = 0\) and \(7x - 3y - 35 = 0\) is equidistant from the points \((0,0)\) and \((8,34)\).

Answer:

True

Question. 54

The line \(\dfrac{x}{a} + \dfrac{y}{b} = 1\) moves in such a way that \(\dfrac{1}{a^2} + \dfrac{1}{b^2} = \dfrac{1}{c^2}\), where \(c\) is a constant. The locus of the foot of the perpendicular from the origin on the given line is \(x^2 + y^2 = c^2\).

Answer:

True

Question. 55

The lines \(ax + 2y + 1 = 0\), \(bx + 3y + 1 = 0\) and \(cx + 4y + 1 = 0\) are concurrent if \(a, b, c\) are in G.P.

Answer:

False

Question. 56

Line joining the points \((3,-4)\) and \((-2,6)\) is perpendicular to the line joining the points \((-3,6)\) and \((9,-18)\).

Answer:

False

Match the Following

Question. 57

Match the items in Column A with Column B using the table below.

Column AColumn B

The coordinates of the points P and Q on the line \(x + 5y = 13\) which are at a distance of 2 units from the line \(12x - 5y + 26 = 0\)

(3, 1), (-7, 11)

The coordinates of the point on the line \(x + y = 4\), which are at a unit distance from the line \(4x + 3y - 10 = 0\)

\(\left(\dfrac{1}{3}, \dfrac{11}{3}\right), \left(\dfrac{4}{3}, \dfrac{7}{3}\right)\)

The coordinates of the point on the line joining A(-2,5) and B(3,1) such that AP = PQ = QB

\(\left(1, \dfrac{12}{5}\right), \left(-3, \dfrac{16}{5}\right)\)

Answer:

Column AMatched Item from Column B

The coordinates of the points P and Q on the line \(x + 5y = 13\) which are at a distance of 2 units from the line \(12x - 5y + 26 = 0\)

\(\left(1, \dfrac{12}{5}\right), \left(-3, \dfrac{16}{5}\right)\)

The coordinates of the point on the line \(x + y = 4\), which are at a unit distance from the line \(4x + 3y - 10 = 0\)

(3, 1), (-7, 11)

The coordinates of the point on the line joining A(-2,5) and B(3,1) such that AP = PQ = QB

\(\left(\dfrac{1}{3}, \dfrac{11}{3}\right), \left(\dfrac{4}{3}, \dfrac{7}{3}\right)\)

Question. 58

Match the items in Column A with Column B using the table below.

Column AColumn B

Parallel to y-axis

\(\lambda = -\dfrac{3}{4}\)

Perpendicular to \(7x + y - 4 = 0\)

\(\lambda = \dfrac{1}{3}\)

Passes through (1,2)

\(\lambda = \dfrac{17}{41}\)

Parallel to x-axis

\(\lambda = 3\)

Answer:

Column AMatched Item from Column B

Parallel to y-axis

\(\lambda = 3\)

Perpendicular to \(7x + y - 4 = 0\)

\(\lambda = -\dfrac{3}{4}\)

Passes through (1,2)

\(\lambda = \dfrac{1}{3}\)

Parallel to x-axis

\(\lambda = \dfrac{17}{41}\)

Question. 59

Match the items in Column A with Column B using the table below.

Column AColumn B

Through the point (2,1)

2x - y = 4

Perpendicular to the line \(x + 2y + 1 = 0\)

x + y - 5 = 0

Parallel to the line \(3x - 4y + 5 = 0\)

x - y - 1 = 0

Equally inclined to the axes

3x - 4y - 1 = 0

Answer:

Column AMatched Item from Column B

Through the point (2,1)

x - y - 1 = 0

Perpendicular to the line \(x + 2y + 1 = 0\)

2x - y = 4

Parallel to the line \(3x - 4y + 5 = 0\)

3x - 4y - 1 = 0

Equally inclined to the axes

x + y - 5 = 0

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Class 11 – Mathematics – Chapter 10: STRAIGHT LINES | Detailed Answers