Q. Six points in a plane be joined in all possible ways by indefinite straight lines and if no two of them be coincident or parallel, and no three pass through the same point (with the exception of the original 6 points). The number of distinct points or intersection is equal to

A) 105
B) 45
C) 51
D) None of these
Explanation

(c)
Number of lines from 6 points $=^{6}C_{2} = 15$
Points of intersection obtained from these lines $=^{15}C_{2} = 105$
Now, we find the number of times, the original 6 points come.
Consider one point say $A_{1}.$Joining $A_{1}$ to remaiming 5 points, we get 5 lines and any two lines from these 5 lines gives $A_{1}$ as the point of intersection.
$\therefore A_{1}$ is commom in $\ ^{5}C_{2} = 10$ times out of 105 points of intersections.
Similar is the case with other five points.
$\therefore$ 6 original points come 6$\times 10 = 60$ times in points of intersection.
Hence, the number of distinct points of intersection
$= 105 - 60 + 6 = 51$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.