Chapter 1:

Analytic Geometry
At the end of the chapter, the students are expected to:
a. solve for the midpoint and distance of a line segment;
b. find the slope of a line;
c. write the equation of a line;
d. recognize whether an algebraic equation represents a circle, an ellipse, a parabola, or a hyperbola;
e. describe the properties of a circle, an ellipse, a parabola, and a hyperbola;
f. write the equation of a circle, an ellipse, a parabola, and a hyperbola; and
g. graph the circle, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola in different standard positions with vertex at the
origin and with vertex at (h,k).

Analytic Geometry is also called coordinate geometry.

It is a mathematical course in which algebraic concepts and methods
are used to represent and solve problems in geometry. The idea of
combining the processes of algebra with the concept of geometry is
generally credited to Descartes. It is for this reason that he has been
regarded as the father of analytic geometry.
The concept of Analytic Geometry is often applied in other
sciences such as Physics and Engineering, aviation, rocketry,
space science, and spaceflight. It is likewise regarded as the foundation
of modern fields of geometry including algebraic,
differential, discrete, and computational geometry
(wikipedia.org).
In this chapter, we will deal with the basic concepts of a
straight line and how it relates to the study of Algebra, Geometry,
and Calculus.
1.1 DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS
To find the distance between two points, one usually uses measuring devices such as a tape measure
or a ruler. However, in the sense of Algebra in which points are usually represented by coordinates, we
cannot use these measuring devices as the distances are usually hypothetical or scaled down for better
representation. Thus, to measure the distance between two points, we need to consider their coordinates.
Let the points with coordinates (x1, y1), (x2, y2), and (x3, y3) be on a Cartesian plane such that they
form a right triangle. Using the Pythagorean Theorem for right triangles, which states that “In a right
triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the lengths of the
legs.”

In our right triangle as shown in Figure 1.0.1, the legs measure |x̅̅̅̅̅̅|
2 -x1 and |y -y So, if d is the
̅̅̅̅̅̅|.
2 1
length of the hypotenuse, we obtain

2
d2 =|x2 -x1 |2 +|y2 -y1 | =(x2 -x1 )2 +(y2 -y1 )2

Taking the square roots, we obtain the desired result.

Distance Formula:

√(x2 -x1 )2 +(y2 -y1 )2

Notice that for any real number a, |a|2 = a2. In the distance formula, it makes no difference
which point is labeled (x1, y1) and which is (x2, y2).

Figure 1.0.1
Example 1. Find the distance between (4, -1) and (2, -5). See figure 1.2 below.
Solution: Let (x1, y1) = (4, -1); (x2, y2) = (2, -5). And d be the distance between the two points.
Substituting these values into the distance formula, we get

d=√(x2 -x1 )2 +(y2 -y1 )2

2
d=√(2-4)2 +[-5-(-1)]

𝑑=√-22 +(-4)2

d=2√5

Notice that when we draw other segments connecting (4, -1) & (4, -5) and (2, -5) & (4, -
5), we form a right triangle, and we can easily prove the distance of the segment in our
problem (which is the hypotenuse of the right triangle formed) by simply using the
Pythagorean Theorem.

Figure 1.0.2

Example 2. If (1, -2) is equidistant with (4, 4) and (x, 4), find x. (1-4)2 +(-2-4)2
Solution: Our goal is to find x-coordinate of the third point (x, 4) equidistant from (4, 4) and (1,
-2). First, we find the distance between (4, 4) and (1, -2). Hence,

d=√(x2 -x1 )2 +(y2 -y1 )2

d=√(1-4)2 +(-2-4)2

d=√-32 +(-6)2 or d=√45

Substituting (1, -2), (x, 4), and d = √45 into the distance formula to find x, we get

√45=√(x-1)2 +[4-(-2)]2
 √45=√x2 -2x+1+36
45=x2 -2x+1+36
x2 – 2x – 8 = 0
(x – 4)(x + 2) = 0
x = 4 and x = -2

Figure 1.0.3 below is given to present these points.

Figure 1.0.3

More Practice:
Find the distance (or coordinate) of the following line segments. Illustrate the line segments in a
Cartesian plane.

1. (2, 6), (5, -5)

2. (-2, -2), (0, -2)
3. (7, x), (4, -8), d=5
4. (1, -4), (x, -1), d=√34
5. (5, -7), (0, 0)
6. (-10, -7), (5, 3)
7. (-5, -5), (-3, 9)
8. (5, 2), (7, x), d=√85
9. x-intercept = 5, y-intercept = 6
10. (-1, 5), x-intercept = -4
1.2 MIDPOINT OF A LINE SEGMENT
The midpoint is halfway between the two endpoints of a line segment. Thus, the midpoint is
equidistant to both endpoints of a line segment.
To find the coordinates of the midpoint, let us consider the derivation of the equation below.
Let M(x̅ ,y̅ ) be the midpoint of a line segment ̅̅̅̅̅̅
P1 P2 , where the coordinates of P1 and P2 are (x1, y1)
and (x2, y2), respectively. From similar triangles (see Figure 1.0.4 below), we have:

̅̅̅̅̅̅
P1 M ̅̅̅̅̅̅
P1 P3 ̅̅̅̅̅̅
MP3 1
= = = (1)
̅̅̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅̅̅
P1 P2 P1 P4 P2 P4 2

̅̅̅̅̅̅
P1 P3 x̅ -x1 1
= = (2)
̅̅̅̅̅̅
P 1 P4 x2 -x1 2

MP3 y̅ -y1 1
̅̅̅̅̅̅
= = (3)
̅̅̅̅̅̅
P2 P4 y2 -y1 2

Solving (2) for 𝑥̅ , we get

x2 -x1 x2 +x1
2(x̅-x1 )=x2 -x1 ⇒ x̅= +x1 ⟹ x̅=
2 2

Solving (3)for 𝑦̅, we get

y2 -y1 y2 +y1
2(y̅ -y1 )=y2 -y1 ⇒ y̅ = +y1 ⟹ y̅=
2 2

Hence, the coordinates of the midpoint of a line segment are:

Midpoint Formula:
x2 +x1 y2 +y1
x̅= and y̅ =
2 2

P2
y

M
𝑦̅

y P1 P3 P4

x 𝑥̅ x
Figure 1.0.4

Example 1. Find the midpoint of the line segment with endpoints (-5,0) and (0,4).
Solution: Labeling the coordinates, we have:
x1 = -5; x2 = 0;
y1 = 0; y2 = 4

Substituting, we now have:

-5+0 0+4 -5
( , ) = ( , 2)
2 2 2
Thus, the line joining the points (-5,0) and (0,4) has
5
a coordinate at the center of (- , 2).
2

Figure 1.0.5

Example 2. Using the midpoint formula, determine the coordinates of the center of the circle below.
Solution: Based on Figure 1.0.6, a line is passing through
the center and two points on the circle at (1, 3)
and (7, 3).
To find the center of the circle, simply get the
midpoint of the coordinates.
Labeling the coordinates, we have:
x1 = 1; x2 = 7; y1 = 3;
y2 = 3

Substituting, we now have:

1+7 3+3
( , ) = (4 , 3)
2 2
Therefore, the center of the circle has
coordinates (4, 3). Figure 1.0.6

More Practice:
Find the coordinates of the midpoint md (or the value of x) of the following line segments.
1. (2, 7), (1, -7)
2. (-2, -5), (0, 0)
3. (3, -5), (6, -1)
4. (-2, 6), (x, 2), md = (3, 4)
5. (-4, -1), (4, x), md = (0, 3)
6. (0, 0), (-3, -12)
7. (4, -2), (-5, -1)
8. (0, x), (7, 1), md = (7/2, 3/2)
9. (-6, 6), (0, -7)
10. (11, -3), (4, -8)