Question

Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining the points (4,-3) and (8,5) in the ratio 3:1 internally.

Answer 1

Let P(x,y) be the point which divides the line segment internally.

Using the section formula for the internal division, i.e.

Here, m₁ = 3, m₂ = 1

(x₁, y₁) = (4, -3) and (x₂, y₂) = (8, 5)

Putting the above values in the above formula, we get

⇒ x = 7, y = 3

Hence, (7,3) is the point which divides the line segment internally.