ExamBro
ExamBro
COMEDK · Maths · 10. Straight Lines

If a straight line passing through a fixed point \((a, b)\), where \(a, b > 0\), makes positive intercepts OA and OB on the coordinate axes, then the least value of OA + OB is:

  1. A \(\left(\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b}\right)^2\)
  2. B \(a + b\)
  3. C \(\left(\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b}\right)^3\)
  4. D \(\left(\sqrt{a} - \sqrt{b}\right)^2\)
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(A) \(\left(\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b}\right)^2\)

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

Let the intercepts on the coordinate axes be \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\). The equation of the line is \(\dfrac{x}{\alpha} + \dfrac{y}{\beta} = 1\). Since the line passes through \((a, b)\), we have \(\dfrac{a}{\alpha} + \dfrac{b}{\beta} = 1\). We need to find the minimum value of…