If p is the length of perpendicular from the origin to the line whose intercepts on the axes are a and b, then show that


Equation of a line whose intercepts on the axes are a and b is


bx + ay = ab


bx + ay – ab = 0 ………………..(1)


Perpendicular distance (d) of a line Ax + By + C = 0 from a point (x1, y1) is given by



Comparing equation (1) to the general equation of line i.e., Ax + By + C = 0, we obtain


A = b, B = a and C = -ab


If p is the length of the perpendicular from point (x1, y1) = (0, 0) to line (1), we obtain




Squaring both sides we get






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