Math Problem Statement

The straight line l1 has equation 3 x – 2 y = 1. Find an equation of the straight l2 which is perpendicular to l1 and passes through the point A(4,-1), giving the answer in the form ax + by + c = 0 where a, b and c are integers. The straight line l1 meets the coordinate axes at the points P and Q . The point O represents the origin. Show that the area of the triangle OPQ is 1 /12 of a square unit.

Solution

Let's go through the solution step by step.

Part 1: Equation of the Perpendicular Line l2l_2

The equation of the line l1l_1 is given by:

3x2y=13x - 2y = 1

To find the slope of l1l_1, rewrite the equation in the slope-intercept form y=mx+cy = mx + c:

2y=3x+1-2y = -3x + 1 y=32x12y = \frac{3}{2}x - \frac{1}{2}

So, the slope m1m_1 of l1l_1 is 32\frac{3}{2}.

Since l2l_2 is perpendicular to l1l_1, its slope m2m_2 will be the negative reciprocal of m1m_1:

m2=1m1=23m_2 = -\frac{1}{m_1} = -\frac{2}{3}

We know that line l2l_2 passes through the point A(4,1)A(4, -1). Using the point-slope form of the equation of a line:

yy1=m2(xx1)y - y_1 = m_2(x - x_1)

Substituting (x1,y1)=(4,1)(x_1, y_1) = (4, -1) and m2=23m_2 = -\frac{2}{3}:

y+1=23(x4)y + 1 = -\frac{2}{3}(x - 4)

Simplify this equation:

y+1=23x+83y + 1 = -\frac{2}{3}x + \frac{8}{3}

To eliminate the fractions, multiply the entire equation by 3:

3y+3=2x+83y + 3 = -2x + 8

Rearranging terms to get the equation in the form ax+by+c=0ax + by + c = 0:

2x+3y5=02x + 3y - 5 = 0

So, the equation of the line l2l_2 is:

2x+3y5=02x + 3y - 5 = 0

Part 2: Area of Triangle OPQOPQ

To find the area of triangle OPQOPQ, we need to determine the coordinates of points PP and QQ, where PP is the x-intercept and QQ is the y-intercept of line l1l_1.

Finding Point PP (x-intercept):

At the x-intercept, y=0y = 0:

3x2(0)=1    3x=1    x=133x - 2(0) = 1 \implies 3x = 1 \implies x = \frac{1}{3}

So, the coordinates of PP are (13,0)\left(\frac{1}{3}, 0\right).

Finding Point QQ (y-intercept):

At the y-intercept, x=0x = 0:

3(0)2y=1    2y=1    y=123(0) - 2y = 1 \implies -2y = 1 \implies y = -\frac{1}{2}

So, the coordinates of QQ are (0,12)\left(0, -\frac{1}{2}\right).

Area of Triangle OPQOPQ:

The area AA of triangle OPQOPQ formed by the points O(0,0)O(0, 0), P(13,0)P\left(\frac{1}{3}, 0\right), and Q(0,12)Q\left(0, -\frac{1}{2}\right) can be calculated using the formula:

A=12x1(y2y3)+x2(y3y1)+x3(y1y2)A = \frac{1}{2} \left| x_1(y_2 - y_3) + x_2(y_3 - y_1) + x_3(y_1 - y_2) \right|

Substituting the coordinates (x1,y1)=(0,0)(x_1, y_1) = (0, 0), (x2,y2)=(13,0)(x_2, y_2) = \left(\frac{1}{3}, 0\right), and (x3,y3)=(0,12)(x_3, y_3) = \left(0, -\frac{1}{2}\right):

A=120(0(12))+13(120)+0(00)A = \frac{1}{2} \left| 0\left(0 - \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)\right) + \frac{1}{3}\left(-\frac{1}{2} - 0\right) + 0\left(0 - 0\right) \right|

A=1213×12A = \frac{1}{2} \left| \frac{1}{3} \times -\frac{1}{2} \right|

A=12×16=112A = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{6} = \frac{1}{12}

Thus, the area of triangle OPQOPQ is 112\frac{1}{12} square units.


Would you like to explore any specific part of the solution further, or do you have any questions? Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. What is the equation of a line parallel to l1l_1 that passes through a different point?
  2. Calculate the distance between point A(4,1)A(4, -1) and the line l1l_1.
  3. Determine the coordinates of the point where lines l1l_1 and l2l_2 intersect.
  4. Find the midpoint of the line segment PQPQ.
  5. What is the slope of a line that bisects the angle between l1l_1 and l2l_2?

Tip: When calculating the area of a triangle using its vertices, always double-check the coordinates to avoid mistakes!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Equations of Lines
Perpendicular Lines
Coordinate Geometry
Area of Triangle

Formulas

Point-slope form of a line equation
Area of a triangle formula

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12