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Need help in 2D coordinate geometry problem of pair of straight lines?

If the distance of a given point (p,q) from each of two straight lines through the origin is k ,show that the equation of straight lines is (py - qx)^2= k^2 (x^2+y^2) .

Please show it step by step.I tried in various ways but couldn't solve it.!!

1 Answer

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  • Indica
    Lv 7
    4 years ago

    If the lines have slopes m₁ & m₂ their combined equation is (y−m₁x)(y−m₂x) = 0

    Expand this to y²−(m₁+m₂)xy+m₁m₂x² = 0 so you just need to find m₁+m₂ & m₁m₂ … (i)

    For a line y=mx the distance of (p.q) from it is |q−mp|/√(1+m²)

    If this is k then (q−mp)²/(1+m²) = k² which simplifies to m²(k²−p²)+2pqm+(k²−q²) = 0

    By Vieta, if the solutions of this quadratic in m are m₁, m₂ then

    m₁+m₂ = −2pq/(k²−p²) and m₁m₂ = (k²−q²)/(k²−p²)

    Sub these in (i) to get y² +2pqxy/(k²−p²) + (k²−q²)x²/(k²−p²) = 0

    ⟹ (k²−p²)y² +2pqxy + (k²−q²)x² = 0

    ⟹ k²(x²+y²) = p²y²−2pqxy+q²x²

    ⟹ k²(x²+y²) = (py−qx)²

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