CBSE • Class 10Mathematics • Chapter 7

Coordinate GeometryNCERT Solutions, AI Tutor & Practice

Distance formula, section formula and area of a triangle from coordinates — the algebra of geometry on a Cartesian plane.

Aligned to the latest NCERT 2024-25 edition • 2 exercises covered • Free plan, no credit card

What you will learn

  • Use the distance formula to compute lengths between points
  • Use the section formula to find points dividing a line segment in a given ratio
  • Find the area of a triangle from the coordinates of its vertices

Key concepts in this chapter

Distance formulaSection formulaMidpointArea of triangle from coordinates

NCERT Exercise-wise Solutions

2 exercises20 questions covered • Open any exercise for theme, focus topics and Socratic AI walkthroughs

Frequently asked NCERT questions in this chapter

  1. Find the distance between the points A(2, 3) and B(7, 11).
  2. Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line joining (4, −3) and (8, 5) in the ratio 3 : 1.
  3. Find the area of the triangle whose vertices are A(1, 2), B(4, 6), C(−2, 3).

Step-by-step NCERT solutions

16 solved questions • Each solution includes a Socratic hint, full working and a common-mistake callout • Last reviewed 2026-09-03

Exercise 7.1 Q1 • 2 marks

Find the distance between the points A(3,4)A(3, 4) and B(7,1)B(7, 1).
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Which formula uses the differences in the xx-coordinates and yy-coordinates?
Step-by-step solution

The distance formula is d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2.d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}.

Here (x1,y1)=(3,4)(x_1, y_1) = (3, 4) and (x2,y2)=(7,1)(x_2, y_2) = (7, 1).

d=(73)2+(14)2=42+(3)2d = \sqrt{(7-3)^2 + (1-4)^2} = \sqrt{4^2 + (-3)^2} =16+9=25=5.= \sqrt{16 + 9} = \sqrt{25} = 5.

So the distance is 55 units.

Common mistake:
Forgetting to square the negative difference correctly — writing (14)2=9(1-4)^2 = -9 instead of 99.
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Exercise 7.1 Q2 • 2 marks

Find the distance of the point P(6,8)P(-6, 8) from the origin.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
What are the coordinates of the origin, and how does that simplify the distance formula?
Step-by-step solution

The origin is O(0,0)O(0, 0). Using the distance formula: d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} =(60)2+(80)2= \sqrt{(-6 - 0)^2 + (8 - 0)^2} =36+64=100=10.= \sqrt{36 + 64} = \sqrt{100} = 10.

The distance from the origin is 1010 units.

Common mistake:
Ignoring the negative sign of 6-6 and computing 6282\sqrt{6^2 - 8^2} or mixing addition with subtraction under the root.
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Exercise 7.1 Q3 • 3 marks

Show that the points A(1,2)A(1, 2), B(5,2)B(5, 2) and C(3,5)C(3, 5) form an isosceles triangle.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
For an isosceles triangle, how many of the three side lengths must be equal?
Step-by-step solution

Compute all three side lengths.

AB=(51)2+(22)2=16+0=4.AB = \sqrt{(5-1)^2 + (2-2)^2} = \sqrt{16 + 0} = 4. BC=(35)2+(52)2=4+9=13.BC = \sqrt{(3-5)^2 + (5-2)^2} = \sqrt{4 + 9} = \sqrt{13}. CA=(13)2+(25)2=4+9=13.CA = \sqrt{(1-3)^2 + (2-5)^2} = \sqrt{4 + 9} = \sqrt{13}.

Since BC=CA=13BC = CA = \sqrt{13}, two sides are equal.

Therefore ABC\triangle ABC is isosceles.

Common mistake:
Concluding equilateral without checking all three sides, or making an arithmetic error that makes unequal sides appear equal.
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Exercise 7.1 Q4 • 3 marks

Find the value of yy for which the distance between P(2,3)P(2, -3) and Q(10,y)Q(10, y) is 1010 units.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Can you set the distance formula equal to 1010 and then square both sides?
Step-by-step solution

Using the distance formula and equating to 1010: (102)2+(y(3))2=10.\sqrt{(10-2)^2 + (y-(-3))^2} = 10. 64+(y+3)2=10.\sqrt{64 + (y+3)^2} = 10.

Squaring both sides: 64+(y+3)2=100.64 + (y+3)^2 = 100. (y+3)2=36.(y+3)^2 = 36. y+3=±6.y + 3 = \pm 6.

So y+3=6y=3y + 3 = 6 \Rightarrow y = 3, or y+3=6y=9y + 3 = -6 \Rightarrow y = -9.

Thus y=3y = 3 or y=9y = -9.

Common mistake:
Taking only the positive square root and reporting just one value of yy instead of both.
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Exercise 7.1 Q5 • 3 marks

Show that the points A(1,1)A(1, 1), B(4,4)B(4, 4) and C(6,6)C(6, 6) are collinear.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
If three points are collinear, how does the sum of two of the distances relate to the third?
Step-by-step solution

Find the three distances.

AB=(41)2+(41)2=9+9=18=32.AB = \sqrt{(4-1)^2 + (4-1)^2} = \sqrt{9+9} = \sqrt{18} = 3\sqrt{2}. BC=(64)2+(64)2=4+4=8=22.BC = \sqrt{(6-4)^2 + (6-4)^2} = \sqrt{4+4} = \sqrt{8} = 2\sqrt{2}. AC=(61)2+(61)2=25+25=50=52.AC = \sqrt{(6-1)^2 + (6-1)^2} = \sqrt{25+25} = \sqrt{50} = 5\sqrt{2}.

Since AB+BC=32+22=52=ACAB + BC = 3\sqrt{2} + 2\sqrt{2} = 5\sqrt{2} = AC, the points are collinear.

Common mistake:
Assuming collinearity from a rough sketch without verifying AB+BC=ACAB + BC = AC.
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Exercise 7.1 Q6 • 3 marks

Find a point on the xx-axis which is equidistant from A(2,5)A(2, -5) and B(2,9)B(-2, 9).
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
What is the yy-coordinate of any point on the xx-axis, and what does equidistant tell you about two distances?
Step-by-step solution

Let the point be P(x,0)P(x, 0) on the xx-axis.

Equidistant means PA=PBPA = PB, so PA2=PB2PA^2 = PB^2. (x2)2+(0+5)2=(x+2)2+(09)2.(x-2)^2 + (0+5)^2 = (x+2)^2 + (0-9)^2. (x2)2+25=(x+2)2+81.(x-2)^2 + 25 = (x+2)^2 + 81. x24x+4+25=x2+4x+4+81.x^2 - 4x + 4 + 25 = x^2 + 4x + 4 + 81. 4x+25=4x+81.-4x + 25 = 4x + 81. 8x=56x=7.-8x = 56 \Rightarrow x = -7.

The required point is (7,0)(-7, 0).

Common mistake:
Taking the point as (0,y)(0, y) (on the yy-axis) instead of (x,0)(x, 0) on the xx-axis.
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Exercise 7.1 Q7 • 4 marks

Prove that the points A(3,0)A(3, 0), B(6,4)B(6, 4) and C(1,3)C(-1, 3) are the vertices of a right-angled isosceles triangle.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Which two conditions must hold — one for 'isosceles' and one (via the converse of Pythagoras) for 'right-angled'?
Step-by-step solution

Compute the squares of the side lengths.

AB2=(63)2+(40)2=9+16=25.AB^2 = (6-3)^2 + (4-0)^2 = 9 + 16 = 25. BC2=(16)2+(34)2=49+1=50.BC^2 = (-1-6)^2 + (3-4)^2 = 49 + 1 = 50. CA2=(3(1))2+(03)2=16+9=25.CA^2 = (3-(-1))^2 + (0-3)^2 = 16 + 9 = 25.

Isosceles: AB2=CA2=25AB^2 = CA^2 = 25, so AB=CAAB = CA.

Right-angled: AB2+CA2=25+25=50=BC2AB^2 + CA^2 = 25 + 25 = 50 = BC^2, so by the converse of the Pythagoras theorem the angle at AA is 9090^\circ.

Hence ABC\triangle ABC is a right-angled isosceles triangle.

Common mistake:
Checking the Pythagoras condition with the wrong side as hypotenuse (using AB2+BC2=CA2AB^2 + BC^2 = CA^2 instead of the longest side squared).
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Exercise 7.1 Q8 • 3 marks

Find the value of kk if the point P(k,4)P(k, 4) is equidistant from A(1,2)A(1, 2) and B(3,2)B(3, -2).
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Equidistant means the two distances are equal — can you square both to avoid the roots?
Step-by-step solution

Set PA2=PB2PA^2 = PB^2. (k1)2+(42)2=(k3)2+(4+2)2.(k-1)^2 + (4-2)^2 = (k-3)^2 + (4+2)^2. (k1)2+4=(k3)2+36.(k-1)^2 + 4 = (k-3)^2 + 36. k22k+1+4=k26k+9+36.k^2 - 2k + 1 + 4 = k^2 - 6k + 9 + 36. 2k+5=6k+45.-2k + 5 = -6k + 45. 4k=40k=10.4k = 40 \Rightarrow k = 10.

Thus k=10k = 10.

Common mistake:
Expanding (4+2)2(4+2)^2 as 42+22=204^2 + 2^2 = 20 instead of 62=366^2 = 36.
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Exercise 7.2 Q1 • 2 marks

Find the coordinates of the point which divides the line segment joining A(4,3)A(4, -3) and B(8,5)B(8, 5) in the ratio 3:13 : 1 internally.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Which ratio values are m1m_1 and m2m_2, and how do they weight each endpoint in the section formula?
Step-by-step solution

The section formula for internal division in ratio m1:m2m_1 : m_2 is P=(m1x2+m2x1m1+m2, m1y2+m2y1m1+m2).P = \left( \frac{m_1 x_2 + m_2 x_1}{m_1 + m_2}, \ \frac{m_1 y_2 + m_2 y_1}{m_1 + m_2} \right).

Here m1=3m_1 = 3, m2=1m_2 = 1, A(4,3)A(4,-3), B(8,5)B(8,5). x=3(8)+1(4)3+1=24+44=284=7.x = \frac{3(8) + 1(4)}{3+1} = \frac{24 + 4}{4} = \frac{28}{4} = 7. y=3(5)+1(3)3+1=1534=124=3.y = \frac{3(5) + 1(-3)}{3+1} = \frac{15 - 3}{4} = \frac{12}{4} = 3.

The point is (7,3)(7, 3).

Common mistake:
Pairing m1m_1 with the first point instead of the second — writing m1x1+m2x2m_1 x_1 + m_2 x_2 in the numerator.
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Exercise 7.2 Q2 • 2 marks

Find the midpoint of the line segment joining P(3,5)P(-3, 5) and Q(7,1)Q(7, -1).
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
The midpoint corresponds to which special ratio in the section formula?
Step-by-step solution

The midpoint formula is M=(x1+x22, y1+y22).M = \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \ \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right).

Here P(3,5)P(-3, 5) and Q(7,1)Q(7, -1). x=3+72=42=2.x = \frac{-3 + 7}{2} = \frac{4}{2} = 2. y=5+(1)2=42=2.y = \frac{5 + (-1)}{2} = \frac{4}{2} = 2.

The midpoint is (2,2)(2, 2).

Common mistake:
Subtracting the coordinates instead of adding them before dividing by 22.
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Exercise 7.2 Q3 • 3 marks

In what ratio does the point P(4,6)P(-4, 6) divide the line segment joining A(6,10)A(-6, 10) and B(3,8)B(3, -8)?
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Let the ratio be k:1k : 1 and set the xx-coordinate from the section formula equal to 4-4.
Step-by-step solution

Let PP divide ABAB in the ratio k:1k : 1. Using the xx-coordinate: 4=k(3)+1(6)k+1.-4 = \frac{k(3) + 1(-6)}{k + 1}. 4(k+1)=3k6.-4(k+1) = 3k - 6. 4k4=3k6.-4k - 4 = 3k - 6. 7k=2k=27.-7k = -2 \Rightarrow k = \frac{2}{7}.

So the ratio k:1=27:1=2:7k : 1 = \frac{2}{7} : 1 = 2 : 7.

Check with yy: 27(8)+1027+1=167+1097=54797=6.\dfrac{\frac{2}{7}(-8) + 10}{\frac{2}{7}+1} = \dfrac{-\frac{16}{7} + 10}{\frac{9}{7}} = \dfrac{\frac{54}{7}}{\frac{9}{7}} = 6.

The ratio is 2:72 : 7.

Common mistake:
Forgetting to verify with the yy-coordinate, or leaving the answer as a fraction like 27\frac{2}{7} instead of the ratio 2:72:7.
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Exercise 7.2 Q4 • 3 marks

The points A(1,2)A(1, 2), B(4,y)B(4, y), C(x,6)C(x, 6) and D(3,5)D(3, 5) are the vertices of a parallelogram taken in order. Find xx and yy.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
In a parallelogram, the diagonals bisect each other — so which two midpoints must coincide?
Step-by-step solution

In parallelogram ABCDABCD, the diagonals ACAC and BDBD bisect each other, so their midpoints are equal.

Midpoint of AC=(1+x2,2+62)=(1+x2,4).AC = \left(\dfrac{1 + x}{2}, \dfrac{2 + 6}{2}\right) = \left(\dfrac{1+x}{2}, 4\right).

Midpoint of BD=(4+32,y+52)=(72,y+52).BD = \left(\dfrac{4 + 3}{2}, \dfrac{y + 5}{2}\right) = \left(\dfrac{7}{2}, \dfrac{y+5}{2}\right).

Equate the coordinates: 1+x2=721+x=7x=6.\frac{1+x}{2} = \frac{7}{2} \Rightarrow 1 + x = 7 \Rightarrow x = 6. y+52=4y+5=8y=3.\frac{y+5}{2} = 4 \Rightarrow y + 5 = 8 \Rightarrow y = 3.

Thus x=6x = 6 and y=3y = 3.

Common mistake:
Pairing the wrong vertices as diagonals (e.g. taking ABAB and CDCD as diagonals instead of ACAC and BDBD).
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Exercise 7.2 Q5 • 4 marks

Find the coordinates of the points of trisection of the line segment joining A(2,2)A(2, -2) and B(7,4)B(-7, 4).
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Trisection points divide the segment into three equal parts — what ratios do they correspond to?
Step-by-step solution

The two trisection points PP and QQ divide ABAB in the ratios 1:21:2 and 2:12:1.

Point PP (ratio 1:21:2): x=1(7)+2(2)1+2=7+43=33=1.x = \frac{1(-7) + 2(2)}{1+2} = \frac{-7 + 4}{3} = \frac{-3}{3} = -1. y=1(4)+2(2)1+2=443=0.y = \frac{1(4) + 2(-2)}{1+2} = \frac{4 - 4}{3} = 0. So P(1,0)P(-1, 0).

Point QQ (ratio 2:12:1): x=2(7)+1(2)2+1=14+23=123=4.x = \frac{2(-7) + 1(2)}{2+1} = \frac{-14 + 2}{3} = \frac{-12}{3} = -4. y=2(4)+1(2)2+1=823=63=2.y = \frac{2(4) + 1(-2)}{2+1} = \frac{8 - 2}{3} = \frac{6}{3} = 2. So Q(4,2)Q(-4, 2).

The points of trisection are (1,0)(-1, 0) and (4,2)(-4, 2).

Common mistake:
Using the ratio 1:31:3 or 1:11:1 for trisection instead of 1:21:2 and 2:12:1.
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Exercise 7.2 Q6 • 3 marks

Find the ratio in which the xx-axis divides the line segment joining A(2,3)A(2, -3) and B(5,6)B(5, 6). Also find the point of division.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
What is the yy-coordinate of the point where the segment meets the xx-axis?
Step-by-step solution

The xx-axis has y=0y = 0. Let the ratio be k:1k : 1. Using the yy-coordinate of the section formula: 0=k(6)+1(3)k+1.0 = \frac{k(6) + 1(-3)}{k + 1}. 6k3=0k=12.6k - 3 = 0 \Rightarrow k = \frac{1}{2}.

So the ratio k:1=12:1=1:2k : 1 = \frac{1}{2} : 1 = 1 : 2.

Point of division (using ratio 1:21:2): x=1(5)+2(2)1+2=5+43=93=3.x = \frac{1(5) + 2(2)}{1+2} = \frac{5 + 4}{3} = \frac{9}{3} = 3. y=0 (on the x-axis).y = 0 \ (\text{on the } x\text{-axis}).

The xx-axis divides ABAB in ratio 1:21 : 2 at the point (3,0)(3, 0).

Common mistake:
Setting the xx-coordinate to 00 instead of the yy-coordinate when dealing with the xx-axis.
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Exercise 7.2 Q7 • 4 marks

If A(2,1)A(-2, 1), B(a,0)B(a, 0), C(4,b)C(4, b) and D(1,2)D(1, 2) are the vertices of a parallelogram ABCDABCD, find aa and bb and hence the length of side ABAB.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Use the diagonal-bisection property first to find aa and bb, then apply the distance formula.
Step-by-step solution

Finding aa and bb: Diagonals ACAC and BDBD have the same midpoint.

Midpoint of AC=(2+42,1+b2)=(1,1+b2).AC = \left(\dfrac{-2+4}{2}, \dfrac{1+b}{2}\right) = \left(1, \dfrac{1+b}{2}\right).

Midpoint of BD=(a+12,0+22)=(a+12,1).BD = \left(\dfrac{a+1}{2}, \dfrac{0+2}{2}\right) = \left(\dfrac{a+1}{2}, 1\right).

Equate: a+12=1a=1,1+b2=1b=1.\frac{a+1}{2} = 1 \Rightarrow a = 1, \qquad \frac{1+b}{2} = 1 \Rightarrow b = 1.

So B(1,0)B(1, 0) and C(4,1)C(4, 1).

Length of ABAB: with A(2,1)A(-2, 1) and B(1,0)B(1, 0), AB=(1(2))2+(01)2=9+1=10.AB = \sqrt{(1-(-2))^2 + (0-1)^2} = \sqrt{9 + 1} = \sqrt{10}.

Thus a=1a = 1, b=1b = 1, and AB=10AB = \sqrt{10} units.

Common mistake:
Solving for aa and bb correctly but then substituting the old unknown coordinates into the distance formula instead of the found values.
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Exercise 7.2 Q8 • 2 marks

Point PP divides the segment joining A(1,7)A(-1, 7) and B(4,3)B(4, -3) such that AP:PB=2:3AP : PB = 2 : 3. Find the coordinates of PP.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Which endpoint gets weighted by 22 and which by 33 in the internal section formula?
Step-by-step solution

Using the section formula with m1:m2=2:3m_1 : m_2 = 2 : 3, A(1,7)A(-1, 7), B(4,3)B(4, -3): x=2(4)+3(1)2+3=835=55=1.x = \frac{2(4) + 3(-1)}{2+3} = \frac{8 - 3}{5} = \frac{5}{5} = 1. y=2(3)+3(7)2+3=6+215=155=3.y = \frac{2(-3) + 3(7)}{2+3} = \frac{-6 + 21}{5} = \frac{15}{5} = 3.

The coordinates of PP are (1,3)(1, 3).

Common mistake:
Swapping which coordinates multiply 22 and 33 — e.g. computing 2(1)+3(4)5\frac{2(-1)+3(4)}{5} instead of 2(4)+3(1)5\frac{2(4)+3(-1)}{5}.
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FAQs about this chapter

Is the section formula in the CBSE Class 10 syllabus?+

Yes — both the internal and external section formulas are part of the Class 10 Coordinate Geometry chapter, and questions on the internal section formula appear regularly in the board examination.

All Class 10 Mathematics chapters

  1. 1.Real Numbers
  2. 2.Polynomials
  3. 3.Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables
  4. 4.Quadratic Equations
  5. 5.Arithmetic Progressions
  6. 6.Triangles
  7. 7.Coordinate Geometry
  8. 8.Introduction to Trigonometry
  9. 9.Some Applications of Trigonometry
  10. 10.Circles
  11. 11.Areas Related to Circles
  12. 12.Surface Areas and Volumes
  13. 13.Statistics
  14. 14.Probability

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