Question

Determine the ratio in which the point p(a -2 ) divides the join of a(-4 3) and b(2,-4 )find a 0

Answer 1

let the ratio be k:1
p(a,-2)
--------------------k:1--------------------
a(-4,3) b(2,-4)

lets start with y coordinate.
-4k+3/k+1= -2
on cross multiplying we get,
-4k+3= -2(k+1)
-4k+3= -2k-2
-4k+2k= -2-3
-2k=-5
k= 5/2
therefore,the ratio becomes
5/2
--------------- = 5:2
1

now we will use the value of k = 5/2 to determine the value of a.

5
----- ×(2) -4
2
------------------------------------ =a
5 + 1
--
2

5-4
--------- =a
5+2 /2

1/7/2

a=2/7

hope it helps you.