1 of 3

COORDINATE GEOMETRY

  • Sum based on Section Formula

and Midpoint Formula

2 of 3

y =

m1

y2

+

m2

y1

m1 + m2

P (4, –1),

Q (–2, –3)

= 1 : 2

=

1

(–2)

+

2

(4)

1

+

2

=

–2

+

8

3

=

6

3

=

1

(–3)

+

2

(–1)

1

+

2

=

–3

2

3

–5

3

By using section formula, we get

=

y

Sol.

, m1:m2

=

x

2

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

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

Let us substitute the values

P

R

S

(4, –1)

Q

(–2, –3)

Let the points R and S be the points

of trisection of seg PQ.

R =

2

–5

3

,

( )

Now, point R divides seg PQ in the ratio 1 : 2

x =

m1

x2

+

m2

x1

m1 + m2

2

1

2

:

Q. Find the coordinates of the points of trisection of the line

segment joining (4, –1) and (–2, –3).

i.e a line segment divided in three equal parts

x1 = 4

y1 = –1

x2 = –2,

y2 = –3

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

,

+

m1x2

m2 x1

+

m2

m1

x

=

+

m1y2

m2y1

+

m2

m1

y

=

2

–5

3

,

( )

We have co-ordinates of two points and the ratio

3 of 3

S

=

2

2

2

,

3

2

Now, point S is the midpoint of seg RQ

By Midpoint Formula

Q. Find the coordinates of the points of trisection of the line

segment joining (4, –1) and (–2, –3).

R

, Q (–2, –3)

x1 = 2,

x2 = –2,

y2 = –3

Sol.

P

R

S

(4, –1)

Q

(–2, –3)

2

–5

3

,

( )

2

–5

3

,

( )

–5

3

y1 =

–5

3

=

0

2

,

9

6

–5

=

0

,

–14

6

=

0

,

–7

3

S

Mid-Point Formula

,

+

x1

x2

2

+

y1

y2

2

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

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

Which formula is used to find co-ordinates of midpoint of a segment