CBSE Class 10 Maths Notes: Coordinate Geometry (Chapter 7)

These notes for CBSE Class 10 Maths Chapter 7, Coordinate Geometry, introduce the Cartesian coordinate system with x-axis, y-axis, and origin. It explains how the axes divide the plane into four quadrants. Key formulas covered include the distance formula to find the distance between two points, and the distance from the origin. The section formula for internal division of a line segment is detailed, along with a special case for the midpoint. The notes also provide the formula for the area of a triangle formed by three points, emphasizing that area cannot be negative and that zero area indicates collinear points. Finally, the concept of the centroid of a triangle and its coordinates are explained. These notes are designed to aid students in revising the fundamental concepts of coordinate geometry for their exams.

Last optimized 10 Aug 2026

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NCERT Notes For Class 10 Maths

Chapter 7 : Coordinate Geometry

THE CARTESIAN CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM

Let X‘OX and YOY‘ be two perpendicular straight lines meeting at fixed point 0 then X‘OX is

called the x—axis and Y‘OY is called the axis of y or y axis. Point

?0‘ is called the origin. x axis is known as abscissa and y—axis is known as ordinate.

NOTE : The x- axis and y— axis are mutually perpendicular to each,other that is why, this

system of coordinates is also called Rectangular cartesian coordinate system.

QUADRANTS

The coordinate axes X‘OX and Y‘OY devide the plane into four parts, called quadrants,

numbered I, II, III and IV anti-clockwise from OX.

NOTE : The coordinates of a point on the x-axis are of the form (x, 0), and of a point on

they— axis are of the from (0,y).

DISTANCE FORMULA

The distance between two points whose co—ordinates are P (x1, y1) and Q (x2, y2) given by the formula ?(x2 — x1)2 + (y2 — y1 )2

DISTANCE FROM ORIGIN

?(x — 0)2 + (y — 0)2 = ?x2 + y2

NOTE : Since, distance is always non-negative (Positive), we take only the positive square

root.

SECTION FORMULA

The coordinates of the point p (x, y) which divides the line segment joining the points A (x1,

y1) and B (x2, y2)

internally in the ratio m1 : m2 are x = m1x2 +m2x1 / m1 + m2

and y = m1y2 +m2y1 / m1 + m2

m1 m2 / A(x1. , yx1) P(x, y) B(x2, y2)

NOTE : If the ratio in which P (x, y) divides AB is K : 1, then the coordinates of the point P

will be

(kx2/k + 1 , ky2 + y1 / k + 1)

COORDINATES OF MID-POINT

(Special case of section formula)

The mid-point of a line segment divides the line segment in the ratio 1 : 1

* The coordinates of the mid-point P of the join of the points A (x1, y1) and B (x2, y2) is

(1.x1 + 1.x2 / 1 + 1 , 1.y1 + 1.y2 / 1 + 1) =

(x1 + x2 / 2 , y1 + y2 / 2)

(using section- formula m1= 1, m2 = 1)

AREA OF A TRIANGLE

Area of AABC, formed by the points A(x1 , y1), B(x2,y2), C(x3, y3) is given by the numerical

value of the expression

1/2 [x1(y2 – y3 + x2(y3 – y1) + x3(y1 – y2)]

NOTE

(1) Area cannot be negative so, we shall ignore negative sign if it occurs in a problem.

(2) To find the area of quadrilateral we shall divide it into two triangles by joining two opposite

vertices, find their areas and add them.

(3) If the area of triangle is zero sq. units then the vertices of triangle are collinear.

CENIROID OF A TRIANGLE

The point where the medians of a triangle meet is called the centroid of the triangle.

?If AD is a mediam of the triangle ABC and G is its centroid, then AG/GD = 2/1.?

The coordinates of the point G are (x1 + x2 + x3 / 3 ,y1 + y2 + y3 / 3)

REMARKS:

(I) Four points will form :

(a) a parallelogram if its opposite sides are equal, but diagonals are unequal.

(b) a rectangle if opposite sides are equal and two diagonals are also equal.

(c) a rhombus if all the four sides are equal, but diagonals unequal,

(d) a square if all sides are equal and diagonals are also equal.

(II) Three points will form:

(a) an equilateral triangle if all the three sides are equal.

(b) an isosceles triangle if any two sides are equal.

(c) a right angled triangle if sum of square of any two sides is equal to square of the third side.

(d) a triangle if sum of any two sides (distances) is greater than the third side (distance).

(III) Three points A, B and C are collinear or lie on a line if one of the following holds

(i) AB + BC — AC

(ii) AC + CB AB

(iii) CA + AB CB.


Notes Coordinate Geometry Download PDF

Frequently asked questions

What is the Cartesian coordinate system?

The Cartesian coordinate system uses two perpendicular lines, the x-axis and y-axis, intersecting at the origin, to define the position of any point in a plane.

How is the distance between two points calculated?

The distance between two points P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) is calculated using the distance formula: sqrt((x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2).

What is the section formula?

The section formula helps find the coordinates of a point that divides a line segment joining two points internally in a given ratio m1:m2.

How do you find the midpoint of a line segment?

The midpoint of a line segment joining A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) has coordinates ((x1 + x2)/2, (y1 + y2)/2).

What is the formula for the area of a triangle?

The area of a triangle with vertices A(x1, y1), B(x2, y2), and C(x3, y3) is 1/2 |x1(y2 – y3) + x2(y3 – y1) + x3(y1 – y2)|.

What does it mean if the area of a triangle is zero?

If the area of a triangle formed by three points is zero, it means the three points are collinear, i.e., they lie on the same straight line.

What are the coordinates of the centroid of a triangle?

The centroid of a triangle with vertices (x1, y1), (x2, y2), and (x3, y3) has coordinates ((x1 + x2 + x3)/3, (y1 + y2 + y3)/3).

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