Pair of straight lines The nature of a general equation of second degree is determined by reducing it to its canonical form.

Here we want to discuss the conditions for the equation to represent a pair of straight lines only. From the previous discussion, we already know that the general equation of second degree represent a pair of straight lines if and only if . . The general equation of second degree represents (i) a pair of intersecting straight lines if and only if intersection given by ( ) and , the point of | | and

(ii) a pair of parallel or coincident straight lines or no locus if and only if and . From the above we can also conclude that the equation represents a pair of straight lines through origin if and only if

Equation of the pair of lines joining the origin to the points in which the line intersects the conic

Let the line (1) meet the curve (2) at P and Q. We are to find the equation of the pair of straight lines OP and OQ. Making the equation (2) homogeneous of degree two in x and y with the help of (1), we get , ( ) ( ) (3)

The equation (3) is homogeneous of degree two in x and y, so it represents a pair of straight lines through the origin. Also, (3) is satisfied by co-ordinates of P and Q as the co-ordinates of P and Q satisfy both the equations (1) and (2) and hence (3). Hence (3) is the required equation of the pair of straight lines OP and OQ.

Angle between two intersecting lines given by

(1)

Since (1) represents a pair of intersecting lines, we have . (2) Let the angle between the lines represented by (1) be . Since (1) represents a pair of intersecting lines, the expression may be transformed into the canonical form by a suitable rotation of co-ordinate axes . Hence by propery of invariants we have, (3) and (4) Since angle remains invariant under orthogonal transformations, considering the angle between the lines we get *

+ , using (3) and (4) . Note that by (2)

Hence the required angle is given by

(5) (6) , the lines

When from (3) we get . Hence the equation takes the form . But the lines (6) are at right angles to each other. Hence when (1) are at right angles to each other.

Equation of the bisectors of the angles between two intersecting lines given by (1) Let . Comparing coefficients from both sides we get (2) Let be a point on any bisector. Then the lengths of the perpendiculars from Q on the lines and must be equal. Hence or, or, or, , . [ ] (3)

Since (1) represents a pair of intersecting straight lines, From (2), Hence from (3) we get, or,
( )

(4) by (4)

. lies on which is a (5)

Thus

Equation (5) can be written as homogeneous equation of second degree in x, y for which ( ) [ ] ( )

Hence (5) represents a pair of straight lines through the origin and is the required equation of the bisectors. Since the sum of the coefficients of x and y in (5) is zero, it follows from the previous discussion that the lines represented by (5) are at right angles to each other. Some results 1. If the equation represents a pair of straight lines, then represents a pair of straight lines through the origin parallel to the first pair. 2. If be the angle between the straight lines represented by the equation , then it will have the same value as the angle between the two lines represented by . Thus

3. If the two straight lines represented by the equation are at right angles, then the two lines represented by are also at right angles and for this the condition is . 4. Let the two straight lines represented by the equation (1) be parallel. Let the two lines represented by it be and . Then (1) can be written as . ( )

( Hence Again and Therefore ( ( giving ) ) or, ( (

) . ) ). whence

Thus, for parallelism of two straight lines represented by the equation the condition is .

Problems 1. If represents a pair of parallel .

straight lines, show that the distance between them is

2. Show that the lines joining the origin to the intersections of the conic and the line are at 3. If is a chord of the circle which subtends an 0 angle of 45 at the origin, show that [ ] { } . 4. If the pair of lines represented by and be such that each pair bisects the angle between the other pair, prove that . 5. Show that the equation represents a pair of intersecting lines. Show further that the angle between them is . 6. Show that the condition that one of the straight lines given by may coincide with one of the straight lines given by is 4(ah/ - a/h)(hb/ - h/b) = (ba/ - a/b)2 . 7. Prove that the equation to the straight lines through the origin , each of which makes an angle with the straight line is .

8. Prove that the pair of straight lines joining origin to the points of intersection of the parabola by the straight line are (i) at right angles if and (ii) coincident if .