If the length of the intercept made on the line \(y=a x\) by the lines \(y=2\) and \(y=6\) is less than 5

If the length of the intercept made on the line \(y=a x\) by the lines \(y=2\) and \(y=6\) is less than 5
  1. \(a \in(-\infty, \infty)\)
  2. \(a \in\left(\frac{-4}{3}, \frac{4}{3}\right)\)
  3. \(a \in\left(\frac{-3}{4}, \frac{4}{3}\right)\)
  4. \(a < \frac{-4}{3}\) or \(a>\frac{4}{3}\)

Solution

The point of intersection of lines \(y=a x\) and \(y=2\) is \(A\left(\frac{2}{a}, 2\right)\) and of the lines \(y=a x\) and \(y=6\) is \(B\left(\frac{6}{a}, 6\right)\), so \(\begin{aligned} & A B=\sqrt{\left(\frac{6}{a}-\frac{2}{a}\right)^2+(6-2)^2} < 5 \quad \text{(given)} \\ & \Rightarrow \quad \frac{16}{a^2}+16 < 25 \\ & \Rightarrow \quad a^2 > \frac{16}{9} \Rightarrow a \in\left(-\infty,-\frac{4}{3}\right) \cup\left(\frac{4}{3}, \infty\right) \\ \end{aligned}\) (given) Hence, option (d) is correct.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2020 (21 Sep Shift 2)

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