Question

Determine the ratio in which the point (−6, a) divides the join of A (−3, 1) and B (−8, 9). Also find the value of a.

Answer 1

The co-ordinates of a point which divided two points and internally in the ratio is given by the formula,

Here we are given that the point P(−6,a) divides the line joining the points A(−3,1) and B(−8,9) in some ratio.

Let us substitute these values in the earlier mentioned formula.

Equating the individual components we have

We see that the ratio in which the given point divides the line segment is.

Let us now use this ratio to find out the value of ‘a’.

Equating the individual components we have

Thus the value of ‘a’ is.