NCERT Solutions
Class 11 Maths
Straight Lines

Ex.Misc. Q.8
Find the area of the triangle formed by the lines y – x = 0, x + y = 0 and x – k = 0.
The equations of the given lines are
y – x = 0 .............. (1)
x + y = 0 .............. (2)
x – k = 0 .............. (3)
The point of intersection of lines (1) and (2) is given by
x = 0 and y = 0
The point of intersection of lines (2) and (3) is given by
x = k and y = –k
The point of intersection of lines (1) and (3) is given by
x = k and y = k
Thus, the vertices of the triangle formed by the three given lines are (0, 0), (k, –k), and (k, k).
We know that the area of a triangle whose vertices are (x1, y1), (x2, y2), and (x3, y3) is
(1 ÷ 2) |x1(y2 – y3) + x2(y3 – y1) + x3(y1 – y2) |
Therefore, area of the triangle formed by the three given lines
= (1 ÷ 2) |0(-k – k) + k (k – 0) + k (0 + k) |
= (1 ÷ 2) |k2 + k2|
= (1 ÷ 2) |2k2|
= k2 square units