Find the equation of the line passing through the intersection of the lines 3x – 4y + 1 = 0 and 5x + y – 1 = 0 and which cuts off equal intercepts from the axes.

Suppose the given two lines intersect at a point P(x1, y1). Then, (x1, y1) satisfies each of the given equations.

3x – 4y + 1 = 0 …(i)


5x + y – 1 = 0 …(ii)


Now, we find the point of intersection of eq. (i) and (ii)


Multiply the eq. (ii) by 4, we get


20x + 4y – 4 = 0 …(iii)


On adding eq. (iii) and (i), we get


20x + 4y – 4 + 3x – 4y + 1 = 0


23x – 3 = 0


23x = 3



Putting the value of x in eq. (ii), we get







Hence, the point of intersection P(x1, y1) is



Now, the equation of line in intercept form is:



where a and b are the intercepts on the axis.


Given that: a = b




x + y = a …(i)






Putting the value of ‘a’ in eq. (i), we get



23x + 23y = 11


Hence, the required line is 23x + 23y = 11


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