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Exercise 9.2 · Q17

Q.P(a,b)P(a, b) is the mid-point of a line segment between axes. Show that equation of the line is xa+yb=2\dfrac{x}{a} + \dfrac{y}{b} = 2.

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When a point is the midpoint of an intercept between the axes, the intercepts are twice the coordinates of that point; substituting into intercept form yields xa+yb=2\frac{x}{a} + \frac{y}{b} = 2.

Why this works: the intercept form connection

When a line segment lies between the coordinate axes, its endpoints are on the xx-axis and yy-axis respectively. If we call these intercepts AA and BB, then the line passes through (A,0)(A, 0) and (0,B)(0, B). The intercept form of a line is naturally suited to this setup:

xA+yB=1\frac{x}{A} + \frac{y}{B} = 1

The key insight is that if P(a,b)P(a, b) is the midpoint of this segment, we can find AA and BB in terms of aa and bb using the midpoint formula, then substitute back.

Step-by-step derivation

  1. Set up the intercepts.

    Let the line meet the xx-axis at (A,0)(A, 0) and the yy-axis at (0,B)(0, B). These are the two endpoints of our segment.

  2. Apply the midpoint formula.

    The midpoint of the segment joining (A,0)(A, 0) and (0,B)(0, B) is:

(A+02,0+B2)=(A2,B2)\left(\frac{A + 0}{2}, \frac{0 + B}{2}\right) = \left(\frac{A}{2}, \frac{B}{2}\right)

  1. Equate to the given point. We're told this midpoint is P(a,b)P(a, b), so:

A2=aandB2=b\frac{A}{2} = a \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{B}{2} = b

Solving for the intercepts:

A=2aandB=2bA = 2a \quad \text{and} \quad B = 2b

  1. Substitute into intercept form. The equation of a line with xx-intercept AA and yy-intercept BB is:

xA+yB=1\frac{x}{A} + \frac{y}{B} = 1

Replacing A=2aA = 2a and B=2bB = 2b: …

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