Analyzing the Setup
Imagine you are standing before a coordinate plane. You have a line L defined by the equation 9x+5y=45.
To truly understand it, we transform it into the intercept form by dividing the entire equation by 45. This yields:
Suddenly, the geometry becomes clear. The line cuts the x-axis at A(5,0) and the y-axis at B(0,9). We have our segment AB anchored firmly on the axes.
The Art of Trisection
The problem asks us to consider two lines, l1 and l2, that pass through the origin and trisect this segment AB. Trisection is the act of dividing a whole into three equal parts.
To achieve this, we need two points, C and D, that sit on AB. Point C divides AB in the ratio 1:2, and point D divides it in the ratio 2:1.
We invoke the Section Formula:
P=(m+nmx2+nx1,m+nmy2+ny1)
For point C, with ratio 1:2, the coordinates become:
xC=1+21(0)+2(5)=310,yC=1+21(9)+2(0)=3
Thus, C is at (310,3). For point D, with ratio 2:1, the coordinates are:
xD=2+12(0)+1(5)=35,yD=2+12(9)+1(0)=6
Thus, D is at (35,6).
The Slopes of the Lines
Now, we define our lines l1 and l2. They pass through the origin (0,0) and the points C and D respectively.
The slope m1 of line l1 is:
The slope m2 of line l2 is:
We are looking for the intersection of the line y=(m1+m2)x with our original line L. First, we sum the slopes:
m1+m2=109+518=109+36=1045=29
Our new line is y=29x.
The Climax
Finding the Intersection
We now solve the system of equations: 9x+5y=45 and y=29x. Substituting the second into the first, we get:
Multiplying by 2 to clear the denominator, we have 18x+45x=90, which simplifies to 63x=90. Solving for x, we find:
Substituting this back into y=29x, we get:
The intersection point P is (710,745).
Final Verification
Finally, we test this point against the condition y−x=5. We calculate:
The equation holds true! You have successfully navigated the trisection and found the intersection. This is the elegance of coordinate geometry.