Straight Lines Class 11

In straight lines class 11, the basic concepts of lines such as slopes, angle between two lines, various forms of lines, the distance between lines are given in detail. Now, let us take a look of the straight line class 11 concepts one by one. We are providing here the notes for important topics with formulas for the students so that they can learn from here and prepare for exams. These notes will be of great help for students to score well. Read the complete article for more information.

What is a Straight Line?

A straight line is defined as a line traced by a point travelling in a constant direction with zero curvature. In other words, the shortest distance between two points is called a straight line.

Slope of a Line

Tan θ is called the slope or gradient of line l if θ is the inclination of a line l. The slope of a line whose inclination is not equal to 90⁰. It is denoted by ‘m’.

Thus, m = tan θ, θ ≠ 90°

If the slope of the y-axis is not defined, it is observed that the slope of the x-axis is zero.

Angle Between Two Lines

Let’s take the two non-vertical lines L₁ and L₂ with slopes m₁ and m₂, respectively where α₁ and α₂are the inclinations of lines L₁ and L₂, respectively. Then the slope of the lines m₁ and m₂ is given as

m₁ = tanα₁ and m₂= tanα₂

We know that, when two lines intersect each other, it makes two pairs of vertically opposite angles such that the sum of any two adjacent angles is 180° from the property. Assume that θ and φ be the adjacent angles between the lines L₁ and L₂. Then

θ = α₂– α₁ and α₁, α₂≠ 90°.

Therefore,

tan θ = tan(α₂-α₁) =  (tan α₂ – tan α₁)/(1 + tan α₁ tan α₂)

tan θ = (m₂-m₁)/(1+m₁m₂)

Since 1+m₁m₂ ≠ 0 and φ = 180° – θ, so;

tan φ = tan (180° – θ ) = -tan θ = -(m₂-m₁)/(1+m₁m₂)

Case 1: If (m₂-m₁)/(1+m₁m₂) is positive, then tan θ will be positive and tan φ will be negative, which means that θ will be acute and φ will be obtuse.

Case 2: If (m₂-m₁)/(1+m₁m₂) is negative, then tan θ will be negative and tan φ will be positive, that means that θ will be obtuse and φ will be acute.

Thus, the acute angle between the lines L₁ and L₂ with slopes m₁ and m₂ respectively is given by

Where, 1 + m₁m₂ ≠ 0

Then the obtuse angle can be found by using φ =180⁰– θ.

Various Forms of Equations of Line

The various forms of the equation of the line covered in straight line class 11 are as follows

Slope – Point Form

Assume that P₀(x₀, y₀) is a fixed point on a non-vertical line L, whose slope is m. Consider that P (x, y) be an arbitrary point on L then the point (x, y) lies on the line with slope m through the fixed point (x₀, y₀), if and only if, its coordinates satisfy the following equation

y – y₀ = m (x – x₀)

Two – Point Form

Let us take the line L passes through two given points P₁(x₁, y₁) and P₂(x₂, y₂) and P (x, y) be a general point on L. Then the three points P₁, P₂ and P are collinear, therefore, it becomes

The slope of P₁P = The slope of P₁P₂

Thus, the equation of the line passing through the given points (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) is defined by

Slope-Intercept Form

Assume that a line L with slope m cuts the y-axis at a distance c from the origin where the distance c is called the y-intercept of the line L. Therefore, the coordinates of the point where the line meets the y-axis are (0, c). So, the line L has slope m and passes through a fixed point (0, c). Thus, from the slope – point form, the equation of the line L is

y – c =m( x -0 )

Therefore, the point (x, y) on the line with slope m and y-intercept c lies on the line if and only if

y = m x +c

Note that the value of c will be positive or negative according to the intercept is made on the positive or negative side of the y-axis, respectively.

Intercept Form

Consider a line L that makes x-intercept and y-intercept b on the axes. So that, L meets x-axis at the point (a, 0) and y-axis at the point (0, b)

From the two-point form of the equation of the line, we get

Therefore, it becomes

Thus, the equation of the line having the intercepts a and b on x-and y-axis respectively is given by

Distance of a Point From a Line

Let, the perpendicular distance (d) of a line Ax + By+ C = 0 from a point (x₁, y₁) is defined by

Distance Between Two Parallel Lines

The distance d between the two parallel lines say, y= m x+ c₁ and y = m x + c₂ is given by

Consider the general form of the line, i.e., Ax + By + C₁= 0 and Ax + By + C₂=0

Sample Problem

Go through the straight line class 11 problem provided here.

Question: If the three lines 2x + y – 3 =0 , 5x + ky – 3 = 0 and 3x – y – 2 = 0 are concurrent then find the Value of k.

Solution: If three lines are said to be concurrent when they pass through a common point. It means that the point of intersection of two lines lies on the third line.

Given equation :

2x + y – 3 =0 ……(1)

5x + ky – 3 = 0 ……(2)

3x – y – 2 = 0 ……..(3)

By solving the line equation (1) and (3) using cross multiplication method,

x = 1 and y = 1

Therefore, the point of intersection of two lines is given as (1, 1). By substituting the point (1, 1) in equation (2), we get

5.1 + k .1 – 3 = 0 or k = – 2.

Therefore, the value of k is -2.

Straight Lines – Important JEE Main Questions

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