Question

Find the co-ordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining the points (1. -3) and (3.9) in the ratio 1:3 internally.

Answer 1

Answer:

Using the section formula, if a point (x,y) divides the line joining the

points (x

1

,y

1

) and (x

2

,y

2

) in the

ratio m:n, then (x,y)≡(

m+n

mx

2

+nx

1

,

m+n

my

2

+ny

1

)

Substituting (x

1

,y

1

)=(1,−3) and (x

2

,y

2

)=(−3,9) and m=1,n=3 in the section formula, we get

the point (

1+3

1(−3)+3(1)

,

1+3

1(9)+3(−3)

)=(0,0)