Concept understanding — Straight Lines — Forms of the Equation
The general (linear) equation of a straight line is ax+by+c=0, where a,b are not both zero; the set of solutions of any such equation is a straight line in the plane. Because dividing through by b (or a) removes one constant, every line's equation genuinely contains only two independent arbitrary constants — so exactly two independent pieces of information (two points, or a point and a slope, or two intercepts, etc.) are enough to pin a line down uniquely.
Slope. The angle of inclinationθ of a line is the angle it makes with the x-axis, measured counter-clockwise; the slopem=tanθ (undefined when θ=π/2, i.e. for a vertical line). Equivalently, through two points (x1,y1),(x2,y2) with x1=x2, m=x2−x1y2−y1; from the general form, m=−a/b (b=0). Three points are collinear exactly when the slope of any one pair equals the slope of another pair sharing a point.
Intercepts. The x-intercept is where a line meets the x-axis (y=0); the y-intercept is where it meets the y-axis (x=0). (x=0 is itself the equation of the y-axis; y=0 is the equation of the x-axis.)
The six forms (two conditions each, all interconvertible by algebra):
Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The image of the point (2,3) in the line y=−x is:
(a) (−2,−3)
(b) (−3,−2)
(c) (3,2)
(d) (−3,2)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reflecting (x,y) in the line y=−x gives (−y,−x), so (2,3)→(−3,−2).
The line y=−x passes through the origin at 135∘ to the x-axis. Reflection in this line swaps the coordinates and negates both: the general rule is (x,y)↦(−y,−x).