Question

If the points P(a, –11), Q(5, b), R(2, 15) and S(1, 1) are the vertices of a parallelogram PQRS, find the values of a and b.

Answer 1

The points are  P (a,-11),Q(5,b) , R (2,15) and S(1,1).

Join PR and QS, intersecting at O.

We know that the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other Therefore, O is the midpoint of PR as well as QS.

`"Midpoint of PR" = ((a+2)/2,(-11+15)/2) = ((a+2)/2,4/2) = ((a+2)/2,2)`

`"Midpoint of QS " = ((5+1)/2 , (b+1)/2) = (6/2 ,(b+1)/2) = (3,(b+1)/2)`

Therefore ,   `(a+2)/2 =3, (b+1)/2= 2`

⇒ a +2 = 6, b+1=4

⇒ a = 6 - 2,  b = 4-1

⇒ a = 4 and b= 3