Question
Question: In what ratio is a line segment joining the points (-2,-3) and (3,7) divided by y axis? \( {\t...
In what ratio is a line segment joining the points (-2,-3) and (3,7) divided by y axis?
A. 32 B. 23 C. 54 D. 45
Solution
Hint:In this problem first we let the ratio in which yaxis divides the given line segment be in m:n. Then we apply the Section Formula on coordinates of that point to get a relation between m and n. And finally we put x coordinate of points obtained from Section Formula to get a ratio of m and n.
Complete step-by-step answer:
Let y axis divide the line segment joining the point (-2,-3) and (3,7) in m:n ratio internally.
Since, the line segment is divided by y axis sox coordinate of the point is 0. Let the coordinates of the point which divides the line segment be (0,y) .
Section Formula: If a point divides a line segment in m:n whose endpoints coordinates are (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) then the coordinates of that point are
\Rightarrow \left( {\dfrac{{m{x_2} + n{x_1}}}{{m + n}},\dfrac{{m{y_2} + n{y_1}}}{{m + n}}} \right) \\\
Using Section Formula the coordinates of the point of division of the line segment whose endpoints (-2,-3) and (3,7) in m:n ratio.
⇒(m+nm(3)+n(−2),m+nm(7)+n(−3)) ⇒(m+n3m−2n,m+n7m−3n) eq.1
Since we let the coordinates of division points be (0,y) .
Then,
\Rightarrow \left( {\dfrac{{3m - 2n}}{{m + n}},\dfrac{{7m - 3n}}{{m + n}}} \right) = (0,y) \\\
On comparing x−coordinate of above equation we get
\Rightarrow \dfrac{{3m - 2n}}{{m + n}} = 0 \\\
\Rightarrow 3m - 2n = 0 \\\
\Rightarrow 3m = 2n \\\
\Rightarrow \dfrac{m}{n} = \dfrac{2}{3} \\\
Therefore, the ratio in which y-axis divides the given line segment is 2:3.
Hence, option A. is correct
Note:Whenever you get this type of problem the key concept of solving is to have knowledge about
how a given point divides the line segment like in this question dividing point lies on y axis so its coordinates must be in the form(0,y). And using Section Formula (m+nmx2+nx1,m+nmy2+ny1) you can find the required result.