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)