A line is such that its segment between the straight lines 5x − y − 4 = 0 and 3x + 4y − 4 = 0 is bisected at the point (1, 5). Obtain its equation.
Solution
Let P1P2 be the intercept between the lines 5x − y − 4 = 0 and 3x + 4y − 4 = 0.
Let P1P2 make an angle \[\theta\] with the positive x-axis.
Here,
\[\left( x_1 , y_1 \right) = A \left( 1, 5 \right)\]
So, the equation of the line passing through A (1, 5) is
\[\frac{x - x_1}{cos\theta} = \frac{y - y_1}{sin\theta}\]
\[ \Rightarrow \frac{x - 1}{cos\theta} = \frac{y - 5}{sin\theta}\]
\[ \Rightarrow \frac{y - 5}{x - 1} = \tan\theta\]
Let \[A P_1 = A P_2 = r\]
Then, the coordinates of \[P_1 \text { and } P_2\] are given by \[\frac{x - 1}{cos\theta} = \frac{y - 5}{sin\theta} = r \text { and } \frac{x - 1}{cos\theta} = \frac{y - 5}{sin\theta} = - r\]
So, the coordinates of \[P_1 \text { and } P_2\] are \[\left( 1 + rcos\theta, 5 + r\sin\theta \right) \text { and } \left( 1 - rcos\theta, 5 - r\sin\theta \right)\] respectively.
Clearly,
\[P_1 \text { and } P_2\] lie on 5x − y − 4 = 0 and 3x + 4y − 4 = 0, respectively.
\[\therefore 5\left( 1 + rcos\theta \right) - 5 - r\sin\theta - 4 = 0 \text { and } 3\left( 1 - rcos\theta \right) + 4\left( 5 - r\sin\theta \right) - 4 = 0\]
\[ \Rightarrow r = \frac{4}{5cos\theta - sin\theta} \text { and } r = \frac{19}{3cos\theta + 4sin\theta}\]
\[ \Rightarrow \frac{4}{5cos\theta - sin\theta} = \frac{19}{3cos\theta + 4sin\theta}\]
\[ \Rightarrow 95cos\theta - 19sin\theta = 12cos\theta + 16sin\theta\]
\[ \Rightarrow 83cos\theta = 35sin\theta\]
\[ \Rightarrow tan\theta = \frac{83}{35}\]
Thus, the equation of the required line is
\[\frac{y - 5}{x - 1} = tan\theta\]
\[ \Rightarrow \frac{y - 5}{x - 1} = \frac{83}{35}\]
\[ \Rightarrow 83x - 35y + 92 = 0\]