Final answer:
To find the coordinates of point P along the directed line segment AB so that the ratio of AP to PB is 3 to 1, you can use the section formula. The coordinates of point P are (6, 2).
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the coordinates of point P along the directed line segment AB so that the ratio of AP to PB is 3 to 1, we can use the section formula.
The section formula states that if A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) are the endpoints of a line segment, and P(x, y) divides the line segment in the ratio m:n, then the coordinates of P can be found using the formula:
x = (nx2 + mx1)/(m + n) and y = (ny2 + my1)/(m + n).
Using this formula, we can plug in the values: x1 = 4, y1 = 1, x2 = 8, y2 = 7, m = 3, and n = 1.
x = (1 * 8 + 3 * 4)/(3 + 1) = 6 and y = (1 * 7 + 3 * 1)/(3 + 1) = 2.
Therefore, the coordinates of point P are (6, 2).