[Math] Find the equation of a line whose distance from a point is given

analytic geometry

The question is:
If the distance of a point $(1, 4)$ from a line passing through the intersection of the lines $x-2y+3=0$ and $x-y-5=0$ is $4$ units. Find its equation.

Best Answer

hint.....The point of intersection is $(13,8)$. A line of gradient $m$ through this point is $$y-8=m(x-13)\Rightarrow y-mx+13m-8=0$$

Now you can use the formula for the distance $d$ from a point $(p,q)$ to the line $ax+by+c=0$ which is $$d=\left|\frac{ap+bq+c}{\sqrt{a^2+b^2}}\right|$$ You can now form and solve a quadratic equation to find the possible values of $m$