Question

If the perpendicular distance of a point P from the x-axis is 5 units and the foot of the perpendicular lies on the negative direction of x-axis, then the point P has
(a) x-coordinate 5
(b) y-coordinate = 5 only
(c) y-coordinate = – 5 only
(d) y-coordinate = 5 or –5

Answer 1

The perpendicular distance of a point from the x-axis gives the ordinate of the point. It is given that the foot of the perpendicular lies on the negative direction of x-axis, so the perpendicular distance can be measured in II or III quadrant.

It is given that, the perpendicular distance of a point P from the x-axis is 5 units and the foot of perpendicular lies on the negative direction of x-axis. So, the point P can be plotted on the graph paper as shown below.



Thus, the point P has y-coordinate as 5 or −5.

Hence, the correct answer is option (d).