Question:medium

The perpendicular from the origin to the line  \(y = mx + c\)  meets it at the point \((-1, 2)\). Find the values of m and c.

Updated On: Jan 22, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

The given equation of line is  \(y = mx + c.\)
It is given that the perpendicular from the origin meets the given line at \((-1, 2). \)
Therefore, the line joining the points\( (0, 0)\) and \((-1, 2)\) is perpendicular to the given line.

∴ Slope of the line joining\( (0, 0)\) and \((-1, 2)=\frac{2}{-1}=-2\)
The slope of the given line is m.

\(∴ m\times-2=-1\)       [The two lines are perpendicular]

\(⇒m=\frac{1}{2}\)
Since point \( (-1, 2)\) lies on the given line, it satisfies the equation \(y = mx + c.\)
\(∴ 2=m(-1)+c\)

\(⇒ 2=\frac{1}{2}(-1)+c\)

\(⇒ c = 2+\frac{1}{2} =\frac{ 5}{2}\)

Thus, the respective values of m and c are \(\frac{1}{2}\) and \(\frac{5}{2}\), respectively.

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