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COORDINATE GEOMETRY

  • Section formula for Internal Division

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A

B

P

P divides seg AB internally in the ratio AP : PB.

Point P is called ‘Point of internal division’.

(x1, y1)

(x2, y2)

(x, y)

AP : PB

=

m1 : m2

SECTION FORMULA FOR INTERNAL DIVISION

=

m1

x2

+

+

m2

x1

m1

m2

x

=

m1

y2

+

+

m2

y1

m1

m2

y

Consider seg AB

Let A (x1, y1)

Let B (x2, y2)

Consider point P on seg AB such that A-P-B

Let P (x, y)

Now, let us understand the formula for finding coordinates of point ‘P’

Let point P divides seg AB in the ratio m : n

Section formula for internal division is used to find coordinates of point of internal division

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A

B

P

(x1, y1)

(x2, y2)

(x, y)

AP : PB

=

m1 : m2

SECTION FORMULA FOR INTERNAL DIVISION

=

m1

x2

+

+

m2

x1

m1

m2

x

=

m1

y2

+

+

m2

y1

m1

m2

y

Let us understand, how to remember the formula

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P (1, 0)

x =

x

=

2

(4)

+

1

(–5)

2

+

1

=

8

5

3

=

3

3

=

2

(–4)

+

1

(8)

=

–8

+

8

3

By section formula for internal division,

1

=

m1

x2

+

m2

x1

m1 + m2

y =

m1

y2

+

m2

y1

m1 + m2

Sol.

y

Q. Find the coordinates of the point P which divides line segment

QR internally in the ratio m1 : m2.

1

=

0

2

+

1

Let the co-ordinates of Q be (x1, y1)

We have co-ordinates of two points and the ratio.

Let us substitute the values.

Let the co-ordinates of R be (x2, y2)

Which formula is used to find co-ordinates of P?

Section formula for Internal Division.

,

+

m1x2

m2x1

+

m2

m1

x

=

+

m1y2

m2y1

+

m2

m1

y

=

(i) Q (–5, 8) and R (4, –4) and m1 : m2 = 2:1

x1 = –5,

x2 = 4,

y2 = –4

y1 = 8