What is the Section Formula | Distance Formula

Here, you will learn what is the section formula and distance formula and and applications of distance formula.

Let’s begin –

Section Formula – for internal and external division

The co-ordinates of a point dividing a line joining the points P($$x_1,y_1$$) and Q($$x_2,y_2$$) in the ratio m : n is given by :

(a)  for internal division : R(x,y) divides line segment PQ, internally.

(x,y) = ($$mx_2 + nx_1\over {m+n}$$,$$my_2 + ny_1\over {m+n}$$)

(b) for external division : R(x,y) divides line segment PQ, externally.

(x,y) = ($$mx_2 – nx_1\over {m-n}$$,$$my_2 – ny_1\over {m-n}$$)

(c) Harmonic Conjugate : If P divides AB internally in the ratio m : n & Q divides AB externally in the ratio m : n then P & Q are said to be harmonic conjugate of each other w.r.t. AB.

Mathematically, $$2\over AB$$ = $$1\over AP$$ + $$1\over AQ$$ i.e. AP, AB & AQ are in H.P.

Distance Formula and its Applications

If A($$x_1,y_1$$) and B($$x_2,y_2$$) are two points, then

AB = $$\sqrt{{(x_2-x_1)}^2 + {(y_2-y_1)}^2}$$

Note :

(i)  Three given points A,B and C are collinear, when sum of any two distances out of AB, BC, CA is equal to the remaining third otherwise the points will be the vertices of a triangle.

(ii)  Let A,B,C & D be the four points in a plane. Then the quadrilateral will be :

(a)  Square if AB = BC = CD = DA & AC = BD    AC $$\perp$$ BD

(b)  Rhombus if AB = BC = CD = DA and AC $$\ne$$ BD    AC $$\perp$$ BD

(c)  Parallelogram if AB = BC = CD = DA ; AC $$\ne$$ BD   AC $$\not\perp$$ BD

(d)  Rectangle if AB = BC = CD = DA ; AC = BD    AC $$\not\perp$$ BD

Hope learnt what is the section formula and distance formula and and applications of distance formula. Tp learn more practice more questions and get ahead in competition. Good Luck!