Q.Find the equations of the lines, which cut-off intercepts on the axes whose sum and product are and , respectively.
The key idea is to use the intercept form of a line: , where and are the - and -intercepts. Given and , we solve for and to get two pairs: and . The required lines are and .
When a line cuts intercepts on the axes, the intercept form is the most natural tool. The intercepts are the points where the line meets the -axis and -axis — call them and . The line's equation is then , provided neither intercept is zero. The problem gives us the sum and product of these intercepts, so we can find and by solving a quadratic. Once we have the intercepts, we write the equations.
Let's work through it step by step.
- Set up the intercepts. Let the -intercept be and the -intercept be . The line is
We are told:
- Form a quadratic equation. If two numbers have sum and product , they are the roots of . Here and , so
- Solve for and . Factor the quadratic:
So or .
This gives two possible ordered pairs for :
- If , then (since ).
- If , then .
A common mistake is to assume and are both positive. Here, the product is negative, so one intercept is positive and the other negative. That's perfectly fine — the line will cross one axis on the positive side and the other on the negative side.
- Write the equations. For :
Multiply through by 6:
For :
Multiply through by 6:
Notice that swapping and does not give the same line — it gives a different line. The two lines are symmetric in a sense: one has intercepts and the other . They are distinct.
- Check the conditions. For : -intercept is (set ), -intercept is (set ). Sum , product . For : -intercept is , -intercept is . Sum , product . Both satisfy the given conditions.
The required lines are and .
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