Question:medium

A straight line makes equal negative intercepts on the coordinate axes. If the perpendicular distance from the origin to the line is 4 units, then the equation of the line is ......

Show Hint

Equal intercepts give slope -1; use the distance-from-origin formula to find the constant.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2026
  • \(x+y+4 = 0\)
  • \(x+y+4\sqrt{2} = 0\)
  • \(x-y+4 = 0\)
  • \(x-y+4\sqrt{2} = 0\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Approach
Use the normal form of a line. The line has equal intercepts on both axes, so it is perpendicular to the direction at 45 degrees.

Step 2: Normal form
The perpendicular from the origin makes an angle $225^\circ$ with the x-axis, because both intercepts are negative. With $p=4$:
\[ x\cos225^\circ+y\sin225^\circ=4 \]
\[ -\frac{x}{\sqrt2}-\frac{y}{\sqrt2}=4\Rightarrow x+y+4\sqrt2=0 \]

Step 3: Check
The intercepts are $-4\sqrt2$ on both axes, equal and negative. So the answer is (B).

Final Answer:
The line is $x+y+4\sqrt{2}=0$, option (B). \[ \boxed{x+y+4\sqrt{2}=0} \]
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