Question

Calculate the co-ordinates of the point P which divides the line segment joining: A (1, 3) and B (5, 9) in the ratio 1 : 2

Answer 1

Let the co-ordinates of the point P be (x, y)

`x = (m_1x_2 + m_2x_1)/(m_1 + m_2)`

= `(1 xx 5 + 2 xx 1)/(1 + 2)`

= `7/3`

`y = (m_1y_2 + m_2y_1)/(m_1 + m_2)`

= `(1 xx 9 + 2 xx 3)/(1 + 2)`

= `15/3`

= 5

Thus, the co-ordinates of point P are `(7/3, 5)`