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COORDINATE GEOMETRY

  • Introduction
  • Distance formula

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  • It is a branch of mathematics which shows symbolic

relationship between algebra and geometry.

In Class IX, you have studied that to locate the position of

a point in a plane, we require a pair of coordinate axes.

  • Coordinate Geometry is an algebraic approach to geometry.

What is Coordinate Geometry ?

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The number associated on the foot of

the perpendicular on X-axis is called

X-coordinate or abscissa.

The number associated on the foot of

the perpendicular on Y-axis is called

Y-coordinate or ordinate.

The horizontal axis is called x-axis

and the vertical axis is called y-axis.

The intersection point of both the axes

is called the origin

and they intersect at right angle.

X

Y

O

origin

P

x

(x, y)

Consider point P

Let us draw perpendicular to Y-axis

Let us draw perpendicular to X-axis

Now, let us understand

its X-coordinate and

Y-coordinate

y

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Let us learn how to find the

distance between the two points

whose coordinates are given,

The coordinates of a point on the

X-axis are of the form (x, 0),

and of a point on the Y-axis are

of the form (0, y).

X

Y

O

P

(__,__)

Q

We know that,

Y-coordinate of any point on X-axis is ‘0’

We know that,

X-coordinate of any point on Y-axis is ‘0’

x

0

(__,__)

y

0

Consider a point on X-axis

Consider a point on

Y-axis

Let us find their coordinates

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X

O

Y

DISTANCE FORMULA

Distance formula is used to find the distance between

two points in a co-ordinate plane.

A

B

AB =

The distance between two points A(x1, y1) and

B(x2, y2) in a rectangular coordinate system

is given by

(x2 , y2)

+

(

)

(

)

(x1 , y1)

x2

x1

y2

y1

2

2

Let coordinates of point A be (x1, y1)

Let coordinates of point B be (x2, y2)

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Q. Find the distance between the following pair of points :

(i) A (2, 3) , B (4, 1)

Sol.

AB =

+

(

)

(

)

x2

x1

y2

y1

2

2

+

(

)

(

)

4

2

1

3

2

2

+

(

)

2

2

(

)

–2

2

+

4

4

8

2

2

units

What is the formula to find distance between two points ?

x1 = 2,

y1 = 3,

x2 = 4,

y2 = 1

Let the coordinates of B be (x2, y2).

Let the coordinates of A be (x1, y1).

By distance formula,

Let us substitute the values.

AB =

AB =

AB =

AB =

AB =

+

(

)

(

)

x2

x1

y2

y1

2

2