Definitions [5]
The sum of the indices of all variables in a term is called the degree of the term.
For \[ax^2+2hxy+by^2=0\]
Slopes of lines are roots of: \[bm^2+2hm+a=0\]
This equation is called the Auxiliary Equation.
An equation representing two lines together is called the combined (joint) equation of the lines.
An equation in which the degree of every term is the same is called a homogeneous equation.
Homogeneous equation of degree 2:
\[ax^2+2hxy+by^2=0\]
Equation of the form \[ax^2+2hxy+by^2+2gx+2fy+c=0\], where at least one of a,b,h is not zero, is called a general second degree equation in x and y.
The expression\[abc+2fgh-af^{2}-bg^{2}-ch^{2}\] is the expansion of the determinant \[\begin{vmatrix}
a & h & g \\
h & b & f \\
g & f & c
\end{vmatrix}\]
Formulae [2]
\[\tan\theta=\frac{2\sqrt{h^2-ab}}{a+b}\]
If \[ax^2+2hxy+by^2=0\]
Then slopes are:
\[m_1=\frac{-h-\sqrt{h^2-ab}}{b}\]
\[m_2=\frac{-h+\sqrt{h^2-ab}}{b}\]
Their sum is m1 + m2 = \[-\frac{2h}{b}\]
product is m1 m2 = \[\frac{a}{b}\]
Theorems and Laws [1]
Prove that the acute angle θ between the lines represented by the equation ax2 + 2hxy+ by2 = 0 is tanθ = `|(2sqrt(h^2 - ab))/(a + b)|` Hence find the condition that the lines are coincident.
Let m1 and m2 be slopes of lines represented by the equation
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0.
∴ `m_1 + m_2 = (-2h)/b and m_1 m_2 = a/b`
∴ `(m_1 - m_2)^2 = (m_1 + m_2)^2 - 4m_1 m_2`
= `((2h)/b)^2 - 4(a/b)`
= `(4h^2)/b^2 - (4a)/b`
= `(4h^2 - 4ab)/b^2`
= `(4(h^2 - ab))/b^2`
∴ `m_1 - m_2 = ± (2sqrt(h^2 - ab))/b`

As θ is the acute angle between the lines, then:
`tan theta = |(m_1 - m_2)/(1 + m_1m_2)|`
`= |((2sqrt(h^2 - ab))/(b))/(1 + a/b)|`
`tan theta = |(2sqrt(h^2 - ab))/(a + b)|`
Now, if the lines are coincident,
then θ = 0
tan θ = 0
Lines represented by ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 are coincident if and only if m1 = m2
∴ m1 - m2 = 0
∴ `(2sqrt(h^2 - ab))/b = 0`
∴ `h^2 - ab = 0`
∴ `h^2 = ab`
Lines represented by ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 are coincident if and only if h2 = ab.
Key Points
| Condition | Nature |
|---|---|
| \[h^2-ab>0\] | Distinct lines |
| \[h^2-ab=0\] | Coincident lines |
| \[h^2-ab<0\] | Not a pair of lines |
| Sr. No. | Condition Type | Mathematical Condition | Additional Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perpendicular Lines | a + b = 0 | Lines are perpendicular |
| 2 | Parallel Lines | \[h^2-ab=0\] | Lines are parallel |
| 3 | Intersecting Lines | \[h^2-ab\geq0\] | Point of intersection is \[\left(\frac{hf-bg}{ab-h^2},\frac{gh-af}{ab-h^2}\right)\] |
Important Questions [24]
- Write the separate equations of lines represented by the equation 5x2 – 9y2 = 0
- Write the joint equation of co-ordinate axes.
- Find the combined equation of the following pair of lines: 2x + y = 0 and 3x − y = 0
- Find the joint equation of the line passing through the origin having slopes 2 and 3.
- Find k, if the sum of the slopes of the lines represented by x^2 + kxy – 3y^2 = 0 is twice their product.
- Find the value of k. if 2x + y = 0 is one of the lines represented by 3x2 + kxy + 2y2 = 0
- If one of the lines given by ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 bisects an angle between the coordinate axes, then show that (a + b)2 = 4h2.
- Prove that the acute angle θ between the lines represented by the equation ax2 + 2hxy+ by2 = 0 is tanθ = |2h2-aba+b| Hence find the condition that the lines are coincident.
- Find the value of k if the lines represented by kx2 + 4xy – 4y2 = 0 are perpendicular to each other.
- Show that the difference between the slopes of the lines given by (tan2θ + cos2θ)x2 - 2xy tan θ + (sin2θ)y2 = 0 is two.
- If the angle between the lines represented by ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 is equal to the angle between the lines 2x2 − 5xy + 3y2 = 0, then show that 100(h2 − ab) = (a + b)2
- If ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 represents a pair of lines and h2 = ab ≠ 0 then find the ratio of their slopes.
- If θ is the acute angle between the lines represented by ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 0 then prove that tan θ = |2h2-aba+b|
- Equation of line passing through the points (0, 0, 0) and (2, 1, –3) is ______.
- Find p and q if the equation px2 – 8xy + 3y2 + 14x + 2y + q = 0 represents a pair of prependicular lines.
- Find the coordinates of the points of intersection of the lines represented by x2 − y2 − 2x + 1 = 0
- If a line drawn from the point A( 1, 2, 1) is perpendicular to the line joining P(1, 4, 6) and Q(5, 4, 4) then find the co-ordinates of the foot of the perpendicular.
- Find the separate equations of the lines represented by the equation 3x2 – 10xy – 8y2 = 0.
- The Equation of a Line is 2x -2 = 3y + 1 = 6z -2 , Find the Direction Ratios and Also Find the Vector Equation of the Line.
- Find the Vector Equation of the Lines Which Passes Through the Point with Position Vector `4hati - Hatj +2hatk` And Is in the Direction of `-2hati + Hatj + Hatk`
- Let A(a¯) and B(b¯) be any two points in the space and R(r¯) be a point on the line segment AB dividing it internally in the ratio m : n, then prove that r¯=mb¯+na¯m+n.
- The Cartesian Equations of Line Are 3x+1=6y-2=1-z Find Its Equation in Vector Form.
- The Cartestation Equation of Line Is (x-6)/2=(y+4)/7=(z-5)/3 Find Its Vector Equation.
- The Cartesian Equations of Line Are 3x -1 = 6y + 2 = 1 - z. Find the Vector Equation of Line.
