Find the ratio in which the line segment joining the points A(3, – 3) and B(– 2, 7) is divided by x – axis. Also, find the point of division.

Let the coordinate of the point on x axis be (x,0)


0 = (m1y2 + m2y1)/ m1 + m2


0 = (m17 + m2(– 3)/ m1 + m2


0 = (7m1 – 3m2)/ m1 + m2


7m1 – 3m2 = 0


7 m1 = 3m2


m1 : m2 = 3:7


x = (m1x2 + m2x1)/ m1 + m2


x = (3 x(– 2) + 7 × 3)/ 10


× = (– 6 + 21)/ 10


x = 15/10


x = 3/2


Hence the coordinate of the point be (3/2, 0)


29