Coordinate Geometry

ICSE Class 10 Mathematics • Chapter 09

1. Distance Formula

Distance between $A(x_1, y_1)$ and $B(x_2, y_2)$:

$AB = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}$

Example 1: Find distance between A(3, 4) and B(7, 1).

$AB = \sqrt{(7-3)^2 + (1-4)^2} = \sqrt{16 + 9} = \sqrt{25} = 5$ units

Applications:

2. Section Formula

If P divides line joining $A(x_1, y_1)$ and $B(x_2, y_2)$ in ratio $m:n$:

Internal Division: $P = \left(\frac{mx_2 + nx_1}{m+n}, \frac{my_2 + ny_1}{m+n}\right)$

External Division: $P = \left(\frac{mx_2 - nx_1}{m-n}, \frac{my_2 - ny_1}{m-n}\right)$

Special Case - Midpoint Formula: (when m:n = 1:1)

$M = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}\right)$

Example 2: Find point P dividing A(2, 3) and B(7, 8) in ratio 2:3.

$P = \left(\frac{2(7) + 3(2)}{2+3}, \frac{2(8) + 3(3)}{2+3}\right) = \left(\frac{14+6}{5}, \frac{16+9}{5}\right) = (4, 5)$

3. Centroid of Triangle

Centroid of triangle with vertices $A(x_1, y_1)$, $B(x_2, y_2)$, $C(x_3, y_3)$:

$G = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2 + x_3}{3}, \frac{y_1 + y_2 + y_3}{3}\right)$

4. Slope of a Line

Slope (gradient) of line through $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$:

$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} = \tan\theta$

where θ is angle line makes with positive x-axis.

Line Type Slope Angle
Horizontal m = 0 θ = 0°
Vertical m = undefined θ = 90°
Rising (↗) m > 0 0° < θ < 90°
Falling (↘) m < 0 90° < θ < 180°

5. Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Condition Slope Relation
Parallel Lines $m_1 = m_2$ (slopes are equal)
Perpendicular Lines $m_1 \times m_2 = -1$ (product = −1)

Example 3: Line AB passes through A(2, 3) and B(4, 7). Line CD is perpendicular to AB. Find slope of CD.

Slope of AB = $\frac{7-3}{4-2} = \frac{4}{2} = 2$

For perpendicular: $m_{CD} = -\frac{1}{m_{AB}} = -\frac{1}{2}$

6. Equation of a Line

A. Slope-Intercept Form

$y = mx + c$

where m = slope, c = y-intercept

B. Point-Slope Form

Line with slope m passing through $(x_1, y_1)$:

$y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$

C. Two-Point Form

Line through $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$:

$\frac{y - y_1}{y_2 - y_1} = \frac{x - x_1}{x_2 - x_1}$

D. Intercept Form

Line with x-intercept a and y-intercept b:

$\frac{x}{a} + \frac{y}{b} = 1$

Example 4: Find equation of line passing through (2, 5) with slope 3.

Using point-slope form: $y - 5 = 3(x - 2)$

$y - 5 = 3x - 6$

$y = 3x - 1$ or $3x - y - 1 = 0$

Example 5: Find equation of line with x-intercept 4 and y-intercept −3.

Using intercept form: $\frac{x}{4} + \frac{y}{-3} = 1$

$\frac{x}{4} - \frac{y}{3} = 1$

$3x - 4y = 12$

7. Finding Intercepts

From equation ax + by + c = 0:

8. Quick Reference

Formula Expression
Distance $\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2}$
Midpoint $\left(\frac{x_1+x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)$
Section (m:n) $\left(\frac{mx_2+nx_1}{m+n}, \frac{my_2+ny_1}{m+n}\right)$
Centroid $\left(\frac{x_1+x_2+x_3}{3}, \frac{y_1+y_2+y_3}{3}\right)$
Slope $\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$
Parallel $m_1 = m_2$
Perpendicular $m_1 \times m_2 = -1$

Exam Practice (PYQ Trends)

PYQ: 2023

BOARD Find the equation of line passing through (1, 2) and perpendicular to line 3x + 4y = 12.

PYQ: 2022

BOARD The line joining A(−2, 9) and B(6, 3) is trisected at P and Q. Find coordinates of P and Q.