Example 13
Assuming that straight lines work as the plane mirror for a point, find the image of the point (1, 2) in the line x − 3y + 4 = 0 .
Let line AB be x – 3y + 4 = 0
& point P be (1, 2)
Let Q (h, k) be the image of
point P (1, 2) in line AB
Since line AB is mirror
Point P & Q are at equal distance from line AB, i.e. PR = QR, i.e. R is the mid point of PQ
Image is formed perpendicular to mirror i.e. line PQ is perpendicular to line AB
Since R is the mid point of PQ
We know that
mid point of a line joining (x1, y1) & (x2, y2) = ((𝑥_1+〖 𝑥〗_2)/2, (𝑦_1+ 𝑦_2)/2)
Mid point of PQ joining (1, 2) & (h, k) is = ((1 + ℎ)/2 ", " (2 + 𝑘)/2)
Coordinate of point R = ((1 + ℎ)/2 ", " (2 + 𝑘)/2)
Since point R lies on the line AB
It will satisfy the equation of line AB
Putting x = (ℎ + 1)/2 & y = (𝑘 + 2)/2 in equation of AB
x – 3y + 4 = 0
((ℎ + 1)/2) – 3((𝑘 + 2)/2) + 4 = 0
(ℎ + 1 − 3(𝑘 + 2) + 4 × 2)/2 = 0
h + 1 – 3k – 6 + 8 = 0
h – 3k + 1 – 6 + 8 = 0
h – 3k + 3 = 0
h – 3k = –3
Also,
PQ is perpendicular to AB
We know that
If two lines are perpendicular then product of their slope is equal to – 1
∴ Slope of AB × Slope of PQ = –1
Slope of PQ = (−1)/(𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵)
Finding slope of AB
Equation of line AB is
x – 3y + 4 = 0
x + 4 = 3y
3y = x + 4
y = (𝑥 + 4)/3
y = (1/3)x + 4/3
The above equation is of the form
y = mx + c
where m = Slope of line
So, Slope of line AB = 1/3
Now,
Slope of line PQ = (−1)/(𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵)
= (−1)/(1/3)
= –3
Now,
Line PQ is formed by joining points P(1, 2) & Q(h, k)
Slope of PQ = (𝑦_2 − 𝑦_1)/(𝑥_2− 𝑥_1 )
–3 = (𝑘 − 2)/(ℎ − 1)
–3(h – 1) = k – 2
–3h + 3 = k – 2
–3h – k = –2 – 3
–3h – k = –5
–(3h + k) = –5
3h + k = 5
Now, our equations are
h – 3k = –3
& 3h + k = 5
From (1)
h – 3k = –3
h = 3k – 3
Putting value of h in (2)
3h + k = 5
3(3k – 3) + k = 5
9k – 9 + k = 5
9k + k = 5 + 9
10k = 14
k = 14/10
k = 7/5
Putting k = 7/5 in (1)
3h + k = 5
3h + 7/5 = 5
3h = 5 – 7/5
3h = (5(5) − 7)/5
3h = (25 − 7)/5
3h = 18/5
h = 18/(5 × 3)
h = 6/5
Hence Q = (6/5, 7/5)
Hence, image is (𝟔/𝟓, 𝟕/𝟓)
Made by
Davneet Singh
Davneet Singh has done his B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He has been teaching from the past 14 years. He provides courses for Maths, Science and Computer Science at Teachoo
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