Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (-3, 8) and cuts off positive intercepts on the coordinate axes whose sum is 7

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Concept Used:

The equation of the line with intercepts a and b is

Given:

Here a + b = 7, b = 7 – a

Explanation:

The line is passing through (-3, 8).

Substituting b =7 – a, we get

⇒

⇒ a² + 4a – 21 = 0

⇒ (a – 3)(a + 7)= 0

⇒ a = 3 ( since, a can only be positive )

Substituting a = 3 in equation (i) we get,

b = 7 – 3 = 4

Hence, the equation of the line is