Q.Find the equation of the line passing through the point (5,2) and perpendicular to the line joining the points (2,3) and (3,−1).
Concept understanding — Perpendicular Slopes Condition
Perpendicular Slopes Condition
Imagine two roads crossing at a right angle — that's perpendicular lines. The question is: how do their slopes relate?
The Intuition
Take a line with slope 2. That means for every 1 unit you move right, you go up 2 units — a fairly steep climb. Now picture a line perpendicular to it. If the first line is climbing steeply, the perpendicular line must be falling gently, or climbing very shallowly in the opposite direction.
Why? Because a right angle means the two lines "flip" the rise and run. One line's steepness becomes the other's shallowness, but in the opposite sign.
Try this: a line with slope 2 (rise 2, run 1). A perpendicular line should have rise 1 and run −2 — that gives slope −21. Notice: 2×(−21)=−1.
That's the pattern: the slopes are negative reciprocals of each other.
The Precise Statement
m1⋅m2=−1
Two non-vertical lines are perpendicular if and only if the product of their slopes is −1.
Equivalently: m2=−m11 (provided m1=0).
What About Vertical and Horizontal Lines?
A vertical line has undefined slope. A horizontal line has slope 0. Their product? Undefined — not −1. Yet they are clearly perpendicular.
The formula m1⋅m2=−1 only works when both slopes are defined (neither line is vertical). For a vertical line (x=c) and a horizontal line (y=d), they are perpendicular by definition — no slope calculation needed.
Quick Check
Are y=3x+2 and y=−31x−5 perpendicular?
3×(−31)=−1. Yes.
Are y=4x and y=4x+1 perpendicular?
4×4=16=−1. No — they're parallel.
Why It Works (A Short Proof)
›Proof
Two lines with slopes m1 and m2 make angles θ1 and θ2 with the positive x-axis, where tanθ1=m1 and tanθ2=m2.
Perpendicular means θ2=θ1+90∘.
Using tan(θ+90∘)=−cotθ=−tanθ1, we get:
m2=tan(θ1+90∘)=−tanθ11=−m11
Hence m1m2=−1.
The One Thing to Remember
Perpendicular slopes are negative reciprocals.
If one slope is m, the perpendicular slope is −m1 (unless m=0, then the perpendicular is vertical).
The Perpendicular Slopes Condition is a key result from the NCERT Class 11 Mathematics chapter on Straight Lines, and it's exactly what students are looking for when they search "perpendicular lines slope formula" or "straight lines important questions class 11 maths". This negative-reciprocal rule is also a quick, frequently tested check in JEE Main and CET coordinate geometry problems.
Concept: Perpendicular Slopes Condition — two lines are perpendicular if the product of their slopes is −1.
Step 1: Slope of the given line joining (2,3) and (3,−1):
m1=3−2−1−3=1−4=−4
Step 2: Slope of the perpendicular line:
m2=−m11=−−41=41
Step 3: Equation through (5,2) with slope 41:
y−2=41(x−5)
Multiply through by 4:
4y−8=x−5⇒x−4y+3=0
The equation is x−4y+3=0.
The key idea is that perpendicular lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals. The slope of the given line is −4, so the perpendicular slope is 41. Using the point (5,2), the equation is x−4y+3=0.
Concept and Intuition
When two lines are perpendicular, their slopes multiply to −1 (provided neither is vertical). This is the Perpendicular Slopes Condition: if m1 and m2 are the slopes of two perpendicular lines, then m1⋅m2=−1.
Why does this work? Think of slope as "rise over run." A line that goes steeply upward (large positive slope) is perpendicular to a line that goes gently downward (small negative slope). The negative reciprocal relationship captures this perfectly.
For this problem, we first find the slope of the line through (2,3) and (3,−1). Then we take its negative reciprocal to get the slope of the perpendicular line. Finally, we use the given point (5,2) to write the equation.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Find the slope of the line joining (2,3) and (3,−1).
The slope formula is:
m=x2−x1y2−y1
Let (x1,y1)=(2,3) and (x2,y2)=(3,−1). Then:
m1=3−2−1−3=1−4=−4
So the given line has slope −4.
A common mistake is to subtract in the wrong order. Always keep the coordinates consistent: y2−y1 over x2−x1. Swapping them gives the same magnitude but the wrong sign.
2. Determine the slope of the perpendicular line.
If two lines are perpendicular, the product of their slopes is −1:
m1⋅m2=−1
Here m1=−4, so:
−4⋅m2=−1
m2=−4−1=41
The perpendicular slope is 41.
To get the perpendicular slope quickly: flip the fraction and change the sign. For −4 (which is −14), flipping gives −41, then changing the sign gives +41.
3. Write the equation of the line with slope 41 passing through (5,2).
Use the point-slope form:
y−y1=m(x−x1)
Substitute m=41, x1=5, y1=2:
y−2=41(x−5)
4. Simplify to the required form.
Multiply both sides by 4 to eliminate the fraction:
4(y−2)=x−5
4y−8=x−5
Bring all terms to one side:
0=x−5−4y+8
0=x−4y+3
Or equivalently:
x−4y+3=0
This is the equation in standard form.
You could also write it as x−4y=−3 or y=41x+43, but the standard form x−4y+3=0 is most common in exam contexts.
The equation of the required line is x−4y+3=0.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.A straight line passing through the points (9,7,5) and (2,10,0) is perpendicular to a plane π passing through the point (200,30,116). If the plane π cuts X, Y, Z-axes at the points A, B, C respectively, then the centroid of ΔABC is (A) (70,−220,127) (B) (80,−200,125) (C) (90,−210,126) (D) (75,−205,128)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The line's direction is the plane's normal; the plane 7x−3y+5z=1890 has intercepts 270,−630,378, giving centroid (90,−210,126).
Normal to the plane. The line joins (9,7,5) and (2,10,0), so its direction is
n=(2−9,10−7,0−5)=(−7,3,−5),
and this is perpendicular to π.
Equation of π through (200,30,116) with normal (−7,3,−5):
−7(x−200)+3(y−30)−5(z−116)=0
−7x+3y−5z+1890=0⇒7x−3y+5z=1890.
Axis intercepts.
A: x=71890=270⇒(270,0,0),B: y=−31890=−630⇒(0,−630,0),
C: z=51890=378⇒(0,0,378).
Centroid of △ABC:
(3270,3−630,3378)=(90,−210,126).
✓Final answerThe centroid is (90,−210,126) — option (C).
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.If the tangent drawn at the point P on the circle x2+y2+6x+6y=2 meets the straight line 5x−2y+6=0 at a point Q on the Y-axis, then the length of PQ is (A) 5 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Q=(0,3) and the tangent length PQ=S1=5.
The point Q lies on the Y-axis (x=0) and on the line 5x−2y+6=0:
5(0)−2y+6=0⟹y=3⟹Q=(0,3).
PQ is a tangent from the external point Q to the circle
S:x2+y2+6x+6y−2=0.
The length of the tangent from Q(x1,y1) is S1, where S1 is the circle expression evaluated at Q:
S1=02+32+6(0)+6(3)−2=0+9+0+18−2=25.
PQ=S1=25=5.
✓Final answerPQ=5 — option (A).
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If the line 2x−3y+4=0 divides the line segment joining the points A(−2,3) and B(3,−2) in the ratio m:n, then the point which divides AB in the ratio −4m:3n is (A) (−17,18) (B) (7−59,766) (C) (−5,6) (D) (7−5,712)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The line meets AB in m:n=9:16, so −4m:3n=−3:4, and that section point of AB is (−17,18) — option (A).
Find m:n. The point dividing A(−2,3),B(3,−2) in ratio m:n is
(m+n3m−2n, m+n−2m+3n).
It lies on 2x−3y+4=0:
2(3m−2n)−3(−2m+3n)+4(m+n)=0 ⇒ 16m−9n=0,
so m:n=9:16.
Required ratio. −4m:3n=−4(9):3(16)=−36:48=−3:4.
Section point in ratio −3:4.
(−3+4−3(3)+4(−2), −3+4−3(−2)+4(3))=(1−17, 118)=(−17,18).
✓Final answer(−17,18) — option (A).
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-AN1 markMCQQ.The equation of the pair of straight lines passing through the point (2,3) and perpendicular to the pair of lines 3x2−4xy+5y2=0 is ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c=0 then a+b+c+f+g+h= (A) 0 (B) 52 (C) 25 (D) −54
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that the equation of a pair of lines through a given point, perpendicular to a given pair through the origin, is obtained by replacing slopes with negative reciprocals. The required sum is 52.
The given pair 3x2−4xy+5y2=0 represents two straight lines passing through the origin. Their slopes are the roots of the quadratic in m obtained by dividing by x2 (assuming x=0): 5m2−4m+3=0. Let these slopes be m1 and m2.
We need the pair of lines through (2,3) that are perpendicular to these lines. If a line has slope m, a line perpendicular to it has slope −m1. So the required slopes are −m11 and −m21.
The equation of a line through (2,3) with slope m′ is y−3=m′(x−2). So the combined equation of the two required lines is:
(y−3−m1′(x−2))(y−3−m2′(x−2))=0
where m1′=−m11 and m2′=−m21.
Now, the product m1′m2′=(−m11)(−m21)=m1m21.
From the original quadratic 5m2−4m+3=0, we have m1m2=53. So m1′m2′=35.
Also, the sum m1′+m2′=−(m11+m21)=−m1m2m1+m2.
From the original quadratic, m1+m2=54. So m1′+m2′=−3/54/5=−34.
Now expand the product equation. Let X=x−2 and Y=y−3 for a moment. Then the equation is:
(Y−m1′X)(Y−m2′X)=0
Y2−(m1′+m2′)XY+(m1′m2′)X2=0
Substitute back X=x−2, Y=y−3:
(y−3)2−(−34)(x−2)(y−3)+35(x−2)2=0
(y−3)2+34(x−2)(y−3)+35(x−2)2=0
Multiply through by 3 to clear denominators:
3(y−3)2+4(x−2)(y−3)+5(x−2)2=0
Now expand each term:
- 3(y2−6y+9)=3y2−18y+27
- 4(xy−3x−2y+6)=4xy−12x−8y+24
- 5(x2−4x+4)=5x2−20x+20
Add them all:
5x2+3y2+4xy+(−12x−20x)+(−18y−8y)+(27+24+20)=0
5x2+4xy+3y2−32x−26y+71=0
This is of the form ax2+2hxy+by2+2gx+2fy+c=0. Comparing:
- a=5
- 2h=4⟹h=2
- b=3
- 2g=−32⟹g=−16
- 2f=−26⟹f=−13
- c=71
Now compute the required sum:
a+b+c+f+g+h=5+3+71+(−13)+(−16)+2
=5+3+71−13−16+2
=(5+3+71+2)−(13+16)=81−29=52
Watch outA common mistake is to forget that the given pair passes through the origin, so the perpendicular pair must pass through (2,3), not the origin. Shifting the origin to (2,3) via X=x−2, Y=y−3 is the cleanest way to avoid errors.
✓Final answerThe value is 52, which corresponds to option (B).
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-20-AN1 markMCQQ.If (h,k) is the centre of the circle which passes through the origin and cuts the circles x2+y2+4x+6y+12=0 and x2+y2+4x−6y+9=0 orthogonally, then k−2h= (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) −1 (D) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that orthogonal circles satisfy 2g1g2+2f1f2=c1+c2. Using this condition for both given circles yields two linear equations in h and k, solving which gives h=−2, k=3, so k−2h=7. Wait — that doesn't match the options, so let's re-check carefully.
Let’s start with the concept. Two circles are orthogonal if their tangents at the point of intersection are perpendicular. This translates into a neat algebraic condition: for circles x2+y2+2g1x+2f1y+c1=0 and x2+y2+2g2x+2f2y+c2=0, orthogonality means
2g1g2+2f1f2=c1+c2.
Our unknown circle passes through the origin and has centre (h,k). So its equation is
x2+y2−2hx−2ky+c=0,
where c is the constant term. Since it passes through (0,0), plugging in gives c=0. So the circle is simply
x2+y2−2hx−2ky=0.
Here g=−h, f=−k, and c=0.
Now we apply the orthogonality condition with each given circle.
- First given circle: x2+y2+4x+6y+12=0. Here g1=2, f1=3, c1=12. Orthogonality with our circle (g=−h, f=−k, c=0) gives:
2(2)(−h)+2(3)(−k)=12+0
−4h−6k=12
Multiply by −1:
4h+6k=−12(1)
- Second given circle: x2+y2+4x−6y+9=0. Here g2=2, f2=−3, c2=9. Orthogonality gives:
2(2)(−h)+2(−3)(−k)=9+0
−4h+6k=9(2)
Now solve the system:
From (1): 4h+6k=−12
From (2): −4h+6k=9
Add the two equations:
(4h+6k)+(−4h+6k)=−12+9
12k=−3⟹k=−41
Substitute k=−41 into (1):
4h+6(−41)=−12
4h−23=−12
4h=−12+23=−224+23=−221
h=−821
Then k−2h=−41−2(−821)=−41+842=−82+842=840=5.
✓Final answerThe value is 5, which corresponds to option (D).
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-20-FN1 markMCQQ.L≡7x−y+8=0 is one of the diagonals of a square for which (−4,5),(3,4) are two vertices. Then the coordinates of the two vertices lying on the diagonal L=0 are (A) (0,8), (−1,1) (B) (−1,1), (0,8) (C) (−2,−6), (1,15) (D) (1,3), (−2,6)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The given vertices form one diagonal of the square, so their midpoint is the square's center. We find the center, calculate the distance from the center to any vertex, and then find the points on the given diagonal that are at this distance from the center. The vertices are (0,8) and (−1,1).
Concept and Intuition
Imagine a square. It has two diagonals. A key property of a square's diagonals is that they are equal in length, perpendicular to each other, and bisect each other at the center of the square. This center point is equidistant from all four vertices.
We are given two vertices, say A and B, and the equation of one diagonal, L. The first crucial step is to figure out if A and B are adjacent vertices (forming a side) or opposite vertices (forming a diagonal).
- Check if A or B lie on L: If either A or B lies on L, then A and B must be adjacent vertices, and L is the diagonal that passes through one of them.
- If neither A nor B lies on L: This means A and B must be the other two vertices, which are opposite to each other. In this case, the line segment AB forms the other diagonal of the square. This is a much simpler scenario to work with!
Let's assume the second case for a moment. If A and B are opposite vertices, then the midpoint of AB is the center of the square. This center must lie on both diagonals. So, if the midpoint of AB lies on L, our assumption is correct.
Once we know the center of the square and the length of one diagonal (which is AB), we can determine the distance from the center to any vertex. The vertices we're looking for must lie on the line L and be at this specific distance from the center.
Step-by-Step Solution
-
Identify the role of the given vertices.
Let the given vertices be A(−4,5) and B(3,4). The given diagonal is L≡7x−y+8=0.
First, let's check if A or B lie on the diagonal L:
- For A(−4,5): Substitute into L: 7(−4)−5+8=−28−5+8=−25. Since −25=0, A does not lie on L.
- For B(3,4): Substitute into L: 7(3)−4+8=21−4+8=25. Since 25=0, B does not lie on L.
Since neither A nor B lies on the diagonal L, they must be the two vertices that form the other diagonal of the square.
-
Find the center of the square.
The diagonals of a square bisect each other at the center. Since A and B are opposite vertices, their midpoint is the center of the square.
Let M be the midpoint of AB.
M=(2xA+xB,2yA+yB)=(2−4+3,25+4)=(−21,29).
So, the center of the square is M(−21,29).
TipIt's a good sanity check to verify that the center M actually lies on the given diagonal L. If it didn't, our initial assumption that A and B are opposite vertices would be wrong, or there's an error in calculation.
Substitute M(−21,29) into L≡7x−y+8=0:
7(−21)−29+8=−27−29+216=2−7−9+16=20=0.
This confirms that M lies on L, so our interpretation of A and B as opposite vertices is correct.
-
Calculate the length of the diagonal AB.
The distance formula for AB:
dAB=(xB−xA)2+(yB−yA)2
dAB=(3−(−4))2+(4−5)2
dAB=(7)2+(−1)2=49+1=50=52.
In a square, both diagonals have the same length. So, the length of the diagonal L is also 52.
-
Determine the distance from the center to any vertex.
The center M is the midpoint of both diagonals. Therefore, the distance from the center to any vertex is half the length of a diagonal.
Distance MV=2dAB=252.
-
Find the coordinates of the vertices on diagonal L.
Let the two unknown vertices on L be C(x,y) and D(x′,y′).
These vertices must satisfy two conditions:
- They lie on the line L≡7x−y+8=0. This means y=7x+8.
- Their distance from the center M(−21,29) is 252.
Using the distance formula for MC:
MC2=(252)2=425×2=450=225.
So, (x−xM)2+(y−yM)2=225.
(x−(−21))2+(y−29)2=225
(x+21)2+(y−29)2=225.
Now, substitute y=7x+8 into this equation:
(x+21)2+((7x+8)−29)2=225
Simplify the term inside the second parenthesis: 7x+8−29=7x+216−29=7x+27.
So the equation becomes:
(x+21)2+(7x+27)2=225.
Expand the squares:
(x2+x+41)+((7x)2+2(7x)(27)+(27)2)=225
x2+x+41+49x2+49x+449=225.
Combine like terms:
(x2+49x2)+(x+49x)+(41+449)=225
50x2+50x+450=225
50x2+50x+225=225.
Subtract 225 from both sides:
50x2+50x=0.
Factor out 50x:
50x(x+1)=0.
This gives two possible values for x:
- x=0
- x+1=0⟹x=−1
-
Find the corresponding y-coordinates.
Use the equation y=7x+8:
- If x=0: y=7(0)+8=8. So, one vertex is (0,8).
- If x=−1: y=7(−1)+8=−7+8=1. So, the other vertex is (−1,1).
The two vertices lying on the diagonal L=0 are (0,8) and (−1,1).
-
Match with the given options.
The calculated vertices are (0,8) and (−1,1).
Option (A) is (0,8), (−1,1).
Option (B) is (−1,1), (0,8).
Both (A) and (B) represent the same set of points. In multiple-choice questions, the order usually doesn't matter for a set of points.
The correct option is (A) or (B). Since (A) is listed first, we can choose (A).
✓Final answerThe coordinates of the two vertices lying on the diagonal L=0 are (0,8) and (−1,1). The correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-FN1 markMCQQ.If P′(a,b) is the image of the point P(−1,2) with respect to the line x−2y+3=0, then the length of the perpendicular from P′ on to the line 2x+y−7=0 is (A) 53 (B) 5 (C) 57 (D) 7
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem asks for the distance from the reflected image of a point across one line to another line. The key is to first find the reflection using the formula for the foot of the perpendicular, then compute the perpendicular distance from the reflected point to the second line. The final answer is 57.
The concept here is reflection of a point across a line. When a point is reflected across a line, the line acts as a perpendicular bisector of the segment joining the point and its image. So the image P′ is found by moving from P to the line along the perpendicular, then going an equal distance on the other side. Once we have P′, the distance to another line is just a direct application of the perpendicular distance formula.
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Find the foot of the perpendicular from P(−1,2) to the line x−2y+3=0. The foot M is the midpoint of P and its image P′. For a line ax+by+c=0, the foot of the perpendicular from (x1,y1) is given by:
ax−x1=by−y1=−a2+b2ax1+by1+c
Here a=1, b=−2, c=3, and (x1,y1)=(−1,2).
Compute ax1+by1+c=1(−1)+(−2)(2)+3=−1−4+3=−2.
So:
1x+1=−2y−2=−12+(−2)2(−2)=52
Hence x+1=52⇒x=−53, and y−2=−54⇒y=56.
So the foot M is (−53,56).
- Find the image P′(a,b). Since M is the midpoint of P and P′:
2−1+a=−53and22+b=56
Solving: −1+a=−56⇒a=−56+1=−51.
And 2+b=512⇒b=512−2=52.
So P′=(−51,52).
- Compute the perpendicular distance from P′ to the line 2x+y−7=0. The distance formula for a point (x1,y1) to line Ax+By+C=0 is:
d=A2+B2∣Ax1+By1+C∣
Here A=2, B=1, C=−7, and (x1,y1)=(−51,52).
Compute Ax1+By1+C=2(−51)+1(52)−7=−52+52−7=−7.
Absolute value: ∣−7∣=7.
Denominator: 22+12=5.
So distance =57.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget that the foot formula gives the midpoint, not the image directly. Also, when computing the distance to the second line, ensure you use the coordinates of P′, not P.
✓Final answerThe length of the perpendicular is 57, which corresponds to option (C).
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-FN1 markMCQQ.If the circle x2+y2+2kx+4y−4=0 has its centre in 4th quadrant and touches the circle x2+y2+6x−2y+6=0 then, k= (A) −5 (B) 7−15 (C) 5−23 (D) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem involves two circles that touch externally. The key is to find the centre and radius of each circle, then set the distance between centres equal to the sum of the radii. The condition that the first circle’s centre lies in the 4th quadrant selects the correct value of k. The answer is k=−1.
The concept here is condition for two circles to touch each other externally. When two circles touch externally, the distance between their centres equals the sum of their radii. Additionally, the centre of the first circle must lie in the 4th quadrant — that means its x-coordinate is positive and y-coordinate is negative. This extra condition will help us pick the correct k from the possible values.
Let’s work through it step by step.
-
Rewrite the first circle in standard form.
The given equation is x2+y2+2kx+4y−4=0.
Complete the square for x and y:
x2+2kx=(x+k)2−k2
y2+4y=(y+2)2−4
So the equation becomes:
(x+k)2−k2+(y+2)2−4−4=0
(x+k)2+(y+2)2=k2+8
Hence, centre C1=(−k,−2) and radius r1=k2+8.
-
Rewrite the second circle in standard form.
The equation is x2+y2+6x−2y+6=0.
Complete the square:
x2+6x=(x+3)2−9
y2−2y=(y−1)2−1
So: (x+3)2−9+(y−1)2−1+6=0
(x+3)2+(y−1)2=4
Hence, centre C2=(−3,1) and radius r2=2.
-
Apply the condition for external touching.
Distance between centres C1 and C2:
d=(−k+3)2+(−2−1)2=(3−k)2+(−3)2=(3−k)2+9
For external touch: d=r1+r2=k2+8+2
So: (3−k)2+9=k2+8+2
-
Solve the equation.
Square both sides:
(3−k)2+9=k2+8+4k2+8+4
Expand (3−k)2=k2−6k+9, so LHS becomes k2−6k+9+9=k2−6k+18
RHS: k2+12+4k2+8
Cancel k2 from both sides:
−6k+18=12+4k2+8
−6k+6=4k2+8
Divide by 2: −3k+3=2k2+8
Square again: 9k2−18k+9=4(k2+8)
9k2−18k+9=4k2+32
5k2−18k−23=0
-
Solve the quadratic.
5k2−18k−23=0
Discriminant: (−18)2−4(5)(−23)=324+460=784
784=28
So k=1018±28
k=1046=523 or k=10−10=−1
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Apply the quadrant condition.
Centre of first circle is (−k,−2). For it to be in the 4th quadrant, x-coordinate must be positive and y-coordinate negative.
y-coordinate is −2, which is already negative — good.
So we need −k>0, i.e., k<0.
Between k=523 (positive) and k=−1 (negative), only k=−1 satisfies k<0.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the quadrant condition and pick k=523 as well. Always check the sign of the centre coordinates after solving.
✓Final answerThe correct value is k=−1, which corresponds to option (D).
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