Coordinate geometry: Formulas & techniques
Formulas
Distance between two points $A(x_1, y_1)$ and $B (x_2, y_2)$:
$ AB $ = $ \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} $
Gradient of line passing through two points $A(x_1, y_1)$ and $B (x_2, y_2)$:
$ \text{Gradient of } AB $ = $ {y_2 - y_1 \over x_2 - x_1} $
Midpoint of two points $A(x_1, y_1)$ and $B (x_2, y_2)$:
$ \text{Midpoint of } AB $ = $ \left( {x_1 + x_2 \over 2}, {y_1 + y_2 \over 2} \right) $
Working backwards from midpoint
Example
Given that the point $M(2.5, 2.5)$ is the midpoint of the points $C(1, 4)$ and $D$, find the coordinates of point $D$.
Answer: $ D(4, 1) $
Equation of straight line
Equation of a non-vertical straight line:
$ \text{Equation: } $$ y = mx + c $
$ m \text{ represents the } $$ \text{gradient of the straight line} $
$ c \text{ represents the } $$ y\text{-intercept of the straight line} $
Equation of a horizontal line:
$ \text{Equation of horizontal line passing though } (a, b) \text{:} $$ \phantom{.} y = b $
$ \text{Gradient of line} $ = $ \phantom{0} 0 \phantom{0} $
Equation of a vertical line:
$ \text{Equation of vertical line passing though } (a, b) \text{:} $$ \phantom{.} x = a $
$ \text{Gradient of line is} $ $ \text{ undefined } $
Example
The diagram below shows two points, $A(2, 3)$ and $B(1, 1)$.
(i) State the equation of the horizontal line $l_1$.
Answer: $ y = 3 $
(ii) State the equation of the vertical line $l_2$.
Answer: $ x = 2 $
(iii) Form the equation of the straight line that passes through points $A$ and $B$.
Answer: $ y = 2x - 1 $
Find angle between line and axes
Example
Line $l$ has gradient of $-2$ and $y$-intercept $2$.
(i) Find the acute angle between line $l$ and the $y$-axis.
Answer: $ 26.6^\circ $
(ii) Find the obtuse angle between line $l$ and the $x$-axis.
Answer: $ 116.6^\circ $
Collinear points
If two or more points are collinear, then they lie on the same straight line. Thus,
- Gradient between any two points is the same
- The coordinate of each point must satisfy the equation of the straight line
Example: Prove that points are collinear
Prove that the points $E(1, 2)$, $F(2.5, 3)$ and $G(4, 4)$ are collinear.
Solutions (by finding gradient)
Solutions (by equation of line)
Example: Find the coordinates of collinear point
The points $A$ and $B$ have coordinates $(-2, 1)$ and $(0, 2)$ respectively. The line $AB$ is produced to point $C$, such that $AB:AC = 1:3$. Find the coordinates of point $C$.
Answer: $ (4, 4) $
Solutions (by similar triangles)
Relationship between two lines
Parallel lines:
- If two lines are parallel, they have the same gradient, i.e. $m_1 = m_2$
- If two lines are parallel and do not have the same $y$-intercept, they will not intersect
Non-parallel lines:
Since the lines are not parallel, the lines will meet at a point. The coordinates of the point of intersection can be found by solving simultaneous equations using the equation of each line.
Perpendicular lines:
The gradients of both lines are related by, $m_1 \times m_2 = $ $ - 1 $
Example
(i) Form the equation of the straight line that is parallel to the line $2y - 3x = 5$ and passes through the point $(3, 3)$.
Answer: $ y = {3 \over 2}x - {3 \over 2} $
(ii) Form the equation of the straight line that is perpendicular to the line $2y - 3x = 5$ and passes through the point $(3, 3)$.
Answer: $ y = -{2 \over 3}x + 5 $
Form equation of perpendicular bisector
Example
The points $A$ and $B$ have coordinates $(1, 4)$ and $(5, 2)$ respectively. Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of line segment $AB$.
Answer: $ y = 2x - 3 $
Find area by 'shoelace' method
Formula & steps:
$ \text{Area of figure} $ = $ {1 \over 2} \left| \begin{matrix} x_1 & x_2 & ... & x_n & x_1 \\ y_1 & y_2 & ... & y_n & y_1 \end{matrix} \right| $
Steps:
- Select the points in anti-clockwise order
- Repeat the first point chosen
- When calculating the area, go ↘ , then go ↗
Example
Find the area of the quadrilateral $ABCD$.
Answer: $ 28.5 \text{ units}^2 $
Past year O level questions
Year & paper | Comments |
---|---|
2023 P1 Question 13 | Perpendicular bisector |
4049 Specimen P1 Question 1 | Find the values of constants a and b (involves y = mx + c and distance between two points) |
2013 P1 Question 10 | Long question |
2006 P2 Question 12 Or | Long question (Link - Subscription required) |
2004 P1 Question 11 | Long question (Link - Subscription required) |
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