Find the equations of the lines, which cut-off intercepts on the axes whose sum and product are 1 and

Q : 3 Find the equations of the lines, which cut-off intercepts on the axes whose sum and product are $\small 1$ and $\small -6$ , respectively.

Answers (1)

Let the intercepts on x and y-axis are a and b respectively
It is given that
$a+b = 1 \ \ and \ \ a.b = -6$
$a= 1-b$
$\Rightarrow b.(1-b)=-6$
$\Rightarrow b-b^2=-6$
$\Rightarrow b^2-b-6=0$
$\Rightarrow b^2-3b+2b-6=0$
$\Rightarrow (b+2)(b-3)=0$
$\Rightarrow b = -2 \ and \ 3$
Now, when $b=-2\Rightarrow a=3$
and when $b=3\Rightarrow a=-2$
We know that the intercept form of the line is
$\frac{x}{a}+\frac{y}{b}=1$

Case (i) when a = 3 and b = -2
$\frac{x}{3}+\frac{y}{-2}=1$
$\Rightarrow 2x-3y=6$

Case (ii) when a = -2 and b = 3
$\frac{x}{-2}+\frac{y}{3}=1$
$\Rightarrow -3x+2y=6$
Therefore, equations of lines are $2x-3y=6 \ and \ -3x+2y=6$