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ROTATION OF AXES (CHANGE OF DIRECTION)

1. Definition: If the axes are rotated through an angle in the same plane by keeping the
origin constant, then the transformation is called Rotation of axes.

2. Theorem: To find the co-ordinates of a point ( x, y ) are transformed to

( X , Y ) when the axes are rotated through an angle ‘ θ ’ about the origin in the same
plane.

Proof: Let x1Ox, yOY 1 are the original axes

Let P ( x, y ) be the co-ordinates of the point in the above axes.

After rotating the axes through an angle ‘ θ ’, then the co-ordinates of P be ( X , Y ) w.r.t

the new axes X 1OX and YOY 1 as in figure.

y ( X ,Y )
P ( x, y )
Y θ X
N M

θ
x1 θ x
1 O L Q
X 1
y1 Y

Since θ is the angle of rotation, then xOX = yOY = θ as in the figure.

Since L, M is projections of P on Ox and OX respectively. We can see that

LPM = xOX = θ

Let N be the projection to PL from M

Now x = OL = OQ − LQ = OQ − NM

= OM cos θ − PM sin θ

= X cos θ − Y sin θ

y = PL = PN + NL = PN + MQ

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PM cos θ + OM sin θ

= Y cos θ + X sin θ

∴ x = X cos θ − Y sin θ and

y = Y cos θ + X sin θ ------ (1)

Solving the above equations to get X and Y, then X = x cos θ + y sin θ and

Y = − x sin θ + y cos θ ---- (2)

From (1) and (2) we can tabulate

X Y

x cos θ − sin θ

y sin θ cos θ

Note:

(i) If the axes are turned through an angle ‘ θ ’, then the equation of a curve
f ( x, y ) = 0 is transformed to f ( X cos θ − Y sin θ , X sin θ + Y cos θ ) = 0

(ii) If f ( X , Y ) = 0 is the transformed equation of a curve when the axes are rotated
through an angle ‘ θ ’ then the original equation of the curve is

f ( x cos θ + y sin θ , − x sin θ + y cos θ ) = 0

Theorem: To find the angle of rotation of the axes to eliminate xy term in the
equation ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0

Proof: given equation is ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0

Since the axes are rotated through an angle θ , then x = X cos θ − Y sin θ ,
y = X sin θ + Y cos θ

Now the transformed equation is

a ( X cos θ − Y sin θ ) + 2h ( X cos θ − Y sin θ )( X sin θ + Y cos θ )

2

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+b ( X sin θ + Y cos θ ) + 2 g ( X cos θ − Y sin θ ) + 2 f ( X sin θ + Y cos θ ) + c = 0

2

(
⇒ a X 2 cos2 θ + Y 2 sin2 θ − 2 XY cosθ sinθ + )
( )
2h  X 2 cosθ sinθ + XY cos2 θ − sin2 θ − Y 2 sinθ cosθ 
 

(
+b X 2 sin 2 θ + Y 2 cos 2 θ + 2 XY cos θ sin θ )
+2 g ( X cos θ − Y sin θ ) + 2 f ( X sin θ + Y cos θ ) + c = 0

Since XY term is to be eliminated, coefficient of XY = 0.

(
2 ( b − a ) cos θ sin θ + 2h cos 2 θ − sin 2 θ = 0 )
⇒ h cos 2θ + ( b − a ) sin 2θ = 0

⇒ 2h cos 2θ = ( a − b ) sin 2θ

sin 2θ 2h
⇒ tan 2θ = =
cos 2θ a − b

1  2h 
⇒ Angle of rotation (θ ) = Tan −1  
2  a −b

Note: The angle of rotation of the axes to eliminate xy term in

π
ax 2 + 2hxy + ay 2 + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0 is
4

PROBLEMS

1. When the axes are rotated through an angle 30° , find the new co-ordinates of
the following points.

i) (0, 5) ii) (-2, 4) iii) (0, 0)

Sol. i) Given θ = 30°

Old co-ordinates are (0,5)

i.e., x=0, y = 5

X = x cos θ + y sin θ

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5
= 0.cos30° + 5.sin 30° =
2

Y = − x sin θ + y cos θ

5 3
−0.sin 30° + 5.cos30° =
2

5 5 3
New co-ordinates are  , 
2 2 

ii) Old co-ordinates are (-2,4) ANS . ( 3 + 2, 1 + 2 3 )

iii) Given ( x, y ) = ( 0,0 ) and θ = 30°

⇒ X = x.cos30° − y sin 30°

3 1
= 0. − 0. = 0
2 2

1 3
Y = x.sin 30° + y.cos30° = 0. + 0. =0
2 2

New co-ordinates of the point are (0, 0)

2. When the axes are rotated through an angle 60° , the new co-ordinates of three
points are the following

i) (3, 4) ii) (-7, 2) iii) (2, 0) Find their original co-ordinates

Sol. i) Given θ = 60°

New co-ordinates are (3, 4)

X = 3, Y = 4

x = X cos θ − Y sin θ = 3.cos 60° − 4.sin 60°

1 4. 3 3 − 4 3
= 3. − =
2 2 2

y = X sin θ + Y cos θ

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3 1 4+ 3
= 3sin 60° + 4.cos 60° = 3. + 4. =
2 2 2

 3− 4 3 4+3 3 
Co-ordinates of P are  , 
 2 2 

 −7 − 2 3 2 − 7 3 
ii) New coordinates are (-7,2) ANS.  , 
 2 2 

iii) New co-ordinates are (2, 0)

(
ans. 1, 3 )
3. Find the angle through which the axes are to be rotated so as to remove the xy
term in the equation. x 2 + 4 xy + y 2 − 2 x + 2 y − 6 = 0

Sol. Comparing the equation

x 2 + 4 xy + y 2 − 2 x + 2 y − 6 = 0 with ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0

a = 1, h =2, b=1, g=-1, f=1, c=-6

1  2h 
Let ‘ θ ’ be the angle of rotation of axes, then θ = tan −1  
2  a −b

1  4  1 −1  4 
= tan −1   = tan  
2  1−1  2 0

1 1 π
= tan −1 ( ∞ ) = ×
2 2 2

π
∴ θ=
4

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SHORT ANSWERS QUESTIONS

1. When the axes are rotated through an angle 45° , the transformed equation of
a curve is 17 x 2 − 16 xy + 17 y 2 = 225 .Find the original equation of the curve.?

Sol. Angle of rotation = θ = 45

x+ y
X = x cos θ + y sin θ = x cos 45 + y sin 45 =
2

−x + y
Y = − x sin θ + y cos θ = − x sin 45 + y cos 45 ==
2

The original equation of

17 X 2 − 16 XY + 17Y 2 = 225 is
2 2
⇒ 17  x + y  − 16  x + y  − x + y  + 17  − x + y  = 225
      
 2  
2 2 2   

⇒ 17 ( ) − 16 ( y ) + 17 ( x ) = 225
x 2 + y 2 + 2 xy 2
− x2 2
+ y 2 − 2 xy
2 2 2

⇒ 17 ( x + y ) + ( x − y )  -16 ( x 2 − y 2 ) = 450
2 2
 

⇒ 17  2 ( x 2 + y 2 )  -16 ( x 2 − y 2 ) = 450

⇒ 17 ( x 2 + y 2 ) -8 ( x 2 − y 2 ) = 225

⇒ 9 x 2 + 25 y 2 = 225 is the original equation

2. when the axes are rotated through an angle α , find the transformed equation
of x cos α + y sin α = p ?

Sol. The given equation is x cos α + y sin α = p

∵ The axes are rotated through an angle α

x = X cos α − Y sin α

y = X sin α + Y cos α

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The given equation transformed to

( X cosθ − Y sin θ ) cosθ + ( X sin α + Y cos α ) sin α = p

(
⇒ X cos 2 α + sin 2 α = p ⇒ X = p)
The equation transformed to x = p

3. When the axes are rotated through an angle π 6 . Find the transformed
equation of x 2 + 2 3 xy − y 2 = 2a 2

π
Sol. Since θ = , x = X cos α − Y sin α
6

π π
X = X cos − Y sin
6 6

3 1 3X − Y
X. − Y. =
2 2 2

π π 1 3 X + 3Y
y = X sin α + Y cos θ = X .sin + Y cos = X . + Y. =
6 6 2 2 2

Transformed equation is

 3 X − Y  X + 3Y   X + 3Y 
2
 3X − Y 
 −  = 2a
2
  + 2 3  
 2   2  2   2 

3x 2 − 2 3 + Y 2 2 3  3 X − XY + 3 XY − 3Y  =
2 2 X 2 + 3Y 2 + 2 3 XY
⇒ + = 2a 2
4 4 4

(
⇒ 3 X 2 − 2 3 XY + Y 2 + 2 3  3 X 2 + 2 XY + 3Y 2  − X 2 + 3Y 2 + 3 XY = 8a 2
  )
⇒ 3 X 2 − 2 3 + Y 2 + 6 X 2 + 4 3 XY −6Y 2 − X 2 − 3Y 2 − 2 3 XY = 8a 2

⇒ 8 X 2 − 8Y 2 = 8a 2 ⇒ X 2 − Y 2 = a 2

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π
4. When the axes are rotated through an angle , find the transformed equation
4
of 3 x 2 + 10 xy + 3 y 2 = 9

Sol. Given equation is 3 x 2 + 10 xy + 3 y − 9 = 0 ........... (1)

π
Angle of rotation of axes = θ =
4

Let (X,Y) be the new co-ordinates of ( x. y )

x = X cos θ − Y sin θ

π π X −Y
= X cos − y sin =
4 4 2

π π X +Y
y = X sin θ + Y cos θ = X sin + Y cos =
4 4 2

Transformed equation of (1) is

2 2
 X −Y   X − Y  X + Y   X + Y 
3  + 10    + 3  −9 = 0
 2   2  2   2 

3
(X 2
− 2 XY + Y 2 ) + 10 ( X 2
−Y2 ) +3 ( X 2
+ 2 XY + Y 2 ) −9 = 0
2 2 2

⇒ 3 X 2 − 6 XY + 3Y 2 + 10 X 2 − 10Y 2 +3 X 2 + 6 XY + 3Y 2 − 18 = 0

⇒ 16 X 2 − 4Y 2 − 18 = 0

∴ 8 X 2 − 2Y 2 = 9 is the transformed equation.

5. Find the transformed equation of17 x 2 − 16 xy + 17 y 2 = 225 when the axes are
rotated through an angle 45°

Sol. Let ( x, y ) the original equation of ( X , Y )

Angle of rotation θ = 45°

Now X = x cos θ − y sin θ

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x− y
= x cos 45° − y sin 45° =
2

Y = x sin θ + y cos θ

x+ y
= x sin 45° + y cos 45° =
2

The transformed equation is 45°

 x− y x+ y
f , =0
 2 2 
2 2
 x− y  x − y  X + Y   X +Y 
⇒ 17   − 16    +17   = 225
 2   2  2   2 

 x 2 + y 2 − 2 xy   x2 − y 2   x 2 + y 2 + 2 xy 
⇒ 17   − 16   +17   = 225
 2   2   2 
⇒ 17 X 2 + 17Y 2 − 34 XY − 16 X 2 + 16Y 2 + 17 X 2 +17Y + 34 XY = 450
2

⇒ 18 X 2 + 50Y 2 = 450

9 X 2 + 25Y 2 = 225

GENERAL TRANSFORMATIONS
1. Definition: If the axes are rotated through an angle θ after shifting the origin in
the same plane, then the transformation is called “General Transformation”

New origin A = ( x1 , y1 ) , angle of rotation = θ as in figure

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( X ,Y )
P ( x, y )
Y θ
X
N M

A
1 X1 Y1
x x
O L Q

y1

We get the transformed equations as

x = x1 + X cos θ − Y sin θ

y = y1 + X sin θ + Y cos θ

X = ( x − x1 ) cos θ + ( y − y1 ) sin θ

Y = ( x − x1 ) sin θ + ( y − y1 ) cos θ

We can easily understand the translation and rotation satisfy commutative property.

PROBLEMS.

1. When the origin is shifted to (-2,-3) and the axes are rotated through an angle
45° find the transformed of 2x2 + 4xy − 5 y2 + 20x − 22 y −14 = 0 ?

Sol. Here ( h, k ) = ( −2, −3) , h = −2, k = −3

θ = 45°

( )
Let x1 , y1 be the new co-ordinates of any point ( x, y ) is the plane after
transformation

x = x1 cos θ − y1 sin θ + h = −2 x + x1 cos 45° − y1 sin 45°

x1 − y1
= −2 +
2

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y = x1 sin θ + y1 cos θ + k = x1 sin 45° + y1 cos 45° − 3

x1 + y1
−3 +
2

The transformed equation is

2
 x1 − y1   x1 − y1  x1 + y1 
⇒ 2 − 2 + 4 − 2  − 3
 2   2  2 
2
 x1 + y1   x1 − y1   x1 + y1 
−5  − 3  + 20  − 2  − 22  − 3  − 14 = 0
 2   2   2 

(
 x1 + y1
) 
2

⇒ 2
 2  (
+ 42 2 x − y  + 4 1 1
)
 

 x12 − y12
 −3
x1 − y1
−2
x1 + y1 
+ 6
( ) ( )
 2 2 2 
 

(
 x1 + y1
) 
2

−5 
 2  (
1 1
 )
+ 9 − 3 2 x + y  + 10 2  x1 − y1 − 2 2  − 11 2 ( )
 

( )
 x1 + y1 − 3 2  − 14 = 0
 

(x 1
+ y1 )
2
(
+ 8 − 4 2 x1 − y1 +2 x1 − y1 − 6 2 x1 − y1 ) ( 2 2
) ( )
( )
−4 2 x1 + y1 + 24 = 0 − 5 ( x1 + y1 ) − 45 + 15 2 ( x1 + y1 ) + 10 2 ( x1 − y1 )
2
2

(
−40 − 11 2 x1 + y1 + 66 − 14 = 0 )
2 2 2 2 5
x1 + y1 − 2 x1 y1 + 2 x1 − 2 y1 −
2

(x 12 2
+ y1 + 2 x1 y1 − 1 = 0 )
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1 12 7 12
x − y − 7 x1 y1 − 1 = 0
2 2
2 2
i.e, x1 − 7 y1 − 14 x1 y1 − 2 = 0

The transformed equation is (dropping dashes)

x 2 − 7 y 2 − 14 xy − 2 = 0

PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE

1. Find the transformed equation of 5 x 2 + 4 xy + 8 y 2 − 12 x − 12 y = 0 . When the

 1
origin is shifted to 1,  by translation of axes.
 2

2. When the origin is shifted to (3,-4) by the translation of axis and the
transformed equation is x 2 + y 2 = 4 , find the original equation.

3. When the origin is shifted to (2,3) by the translocation of axes, the co-ordinates
of a point p are changed as (4,-3). Find the co-ordinates of P in the original
system.

4. Find the point to which the origin is to be shifted by the translation of axes so
as to remove the first degree terms from the equation
ax 2 + by 2 + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0 , where a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0

5. If the point P changes to (4,-3) when the axes are rotated through an angle of
135° , find the coordinates of P with respect to the original system.

1  2h 
6. Show that the axes are to be rotated through an angle of Tan −1   so as
2  a −b
to remove the xy term from the equation ax 2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 0 , if a ≠ b and
π
through the angle , if a = b
4

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