The ratio in which the line segment joining P (x₁, y₁) and Q (x₂, y₂) is divided by x-axis is

(a) y₁ : y₂

(b) −y₁ : y₂

(c) x₁ : x₂

(d) −x₁ : x₂

Let C be the point of intersection of x-axis with the line segment joining and which divides the line segment PQ in the ratio.

Now according to the section formula if point a point P divides a line segment joining andin the ratio m:n internally than,

Now we will use section formula as,

Now equate the y component on both the sides,

On further simplification,

So the answer is (b)