The Student Room Group

C1 WTF moment type of question

Need help on part d. I got a-c. but how do you get d and why.


10. The line L1 passes through the point A(2, 5) and has gradient 12\frac{-1}{2}

a). Find an equation of L1, giving your answer in the form y = mx + c. (3)


The point B has coordinates (–2, 7).

b). Show that B lies on L1. (1)

c). Find the length of AB, giving your answer in the form k5\sqrt 5, where k is an integer. (3)

The point C lies on L1 and has x-coordinate equal to p.

The length of AC is 5 units.

d). Show that p satisfies
p24p16=0p^2-4p-16=0






MARK SCHEME METHOD for d (that i don't understand)

x = p, so y = 12\frac{-1}{2} p + 6.

AC2 = (2 p)2 + (12\frac{-1}{2} + 6 5)2 = 52

25 = 4 4p + p2p^2 + (1 12\frac{-1}{2})2

25 = 4 4p + p2p^2 +1 14\frac{-1}{4} + p2

100 = 16 16p + 4p2p^2 + 4 4p + p2p^2

5p220p80=05p^2-20p-80=0

or p24p16=0p^2-4p-16=0 , as required.
(edited 14 years ago)

Reply 1

Plug x = p into the equation of L1 to find the corresponding y value in terms of p.

Length of a line = x2+y2 \sqrt{x^2+y^2} .
Squaring both sides gives the somewhat easier equation: x2+y2=l2 x^2 + y^2 = l^2 , where l is the length.

Note that the equation is pythagoras, you're essentially finding the hypotenuse of the triangle with horizontal side 'x' and vertical side 'y'.
(edited 14 years ago)

Reply 2

would it be possible to explain it using a diagram. this question is currently ruining my life
Original post by Spungo
Plug x = p into the equation of L1 to find the corresponding y value in terms of p.

Length of a line = x2+y2 \sqrt{x^2+y^2} .
Squaring both sides gives the somewhat easier equation: x2+y2=l2 x^2 + y^2 = l^2 , where l is the length.

Note that the equation is pythagoras, you're essentially finding the hypotenuse of the triangle with horizontal side 'x' and vertical side 'y'.

Reply 3

Original post by The Smeezington
Need help on part d. I got a-c. but how do you get d and why.


10. The line L1 passes through the point A(2, 5) and has gradient .

a). Find an equation of L1, giving your answer in the form y = mx + c. (3)


The point B has coordinates (–2, 7).

b). Show that B lies on L1. (1)

c). Find the length of AB, giving your answer in the form k?5, where k is an integer. (3)

The point C lies on L1 and has x-coordinate equal to p.

The length of AC is 5 units.

d). Show that p satisfies
p2 4p 16 = 0.


Calculating from 'bottom up' the given gradient of the line - '-.' - should have been -0.5 =-1/2
L1: y=-1/2x+6


MARK SCHEME METHOD for d (that i don't understand)

x = p, so y = p + 6.

AC2 = (2 p)2 + (– p + 6 5)2 = 52

25 = 4 4p + p2 + (1 p)2

25 = 4 4p + p2 +1 p + p2

100 = 16 16p + 4p2 + 4 4p + p2

5p2 20p 80 = 0

or p2 4p 16 = 0, as required.


AT the first line: y=-1/2p+6
at the 2nd and 3rd line: there should to be (1-p/2)^2 term
from this you will get a (p^2)/4 term in the equation
then multiply by 4.
(edited 14 years ago)

Reply 4

Original post by ztibor

Original post by ztibor
Calculating from 'bottom up' the given gradient of the line - '-.' - should have been -0.5 =-1/2
L1: y=-1/2x+6



AT the first line: y=-1/2p+6
at the 2nd and 3rd line: there should to be (1-p/2)^2 term
from this you will get a (p^2)/4 term in the equation
then multiply by 4.


not my thead but can I borrow you a second? because this questions lost me aswell!
I got to 4 + p^2 - 4p + 1 + (p^2)/4 = 25
and this lead me to 5p^2 - 16p - 80
where does the other -4p come from? :s-smilie:

Reply 5

Original post by The Smeezington
would it be possible to explain it using a diagram. this question is currently ruining my life


Brace for bad paint skills.

Spoiler




a = x2 - x1
b = y2 - y1

Reply 6

Original post by emma363
not my thead but can I borrow you a second? because this questions lost me aswell!
I got to 4 + p^2 - 4p + 1 + (p^2)/4 = 25
and this lead me to 5p^2 - 16p - 80
where does the other -4p come from? :s-smilie:


You lost one term, because (1-p/2)^2=1+(p^2)/4-p
then multiply by 4

Reply 7

i happened to do the same question for my trials exam and i am wondering where this question was from?

Reply 8

Where does the 52 come from though?

Reply 9

Original post by lunaticjordanmg
Where does the 52 come from though?


I WISH SOMEONE ANSWERED YOU :'))) 9 years ago damnn

Reply 10

Original post by lunaticjordanmg
Where does the 52 come from though?


IT MUST BE A TYPO OF 25 ACTUALLY (I know this is probably of no help 9 years later :smile: