Question

find the ratio in which the line segment joining the points A(6, 4) and B(1,-7) is divided by the x-axis.

Answer 1

Let the ratio be k:1

By section formula:

x1=6      y1=4

x2=1     y2=-7

x=(kx2+x1)/k

y=(ky2+y1)/k

Then:

It is divided by the x axis.

Hence y=0

So:

ky2+y1/k=0

ky2+y1=0

-7k+4=0

-7k=-4

k=-4/-7

=4/7

So the ratio is:

4/7:1

or

4/7*7:1*7

=4:7

The ratio is 4:7

Hope it helps