Source: Fundamentals of Engineering FE Civil All-in-One Exam Guide, 2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781266161117
Authors: Indranil Goswami Ph.D. P.E.
1.1. Analytic Geometry
1.1.1. Straight Line
The equation of a straight line in the x-y plane can be described in various ways.
1.1.1.1. Slope-Intercept Form
The line is represented as
y = mx + b
(1.1)
where m is the slope ("rise over run," or Δy over Δx) and b is the y intercept (the y coordinate of the point where the line
crosses the y axis).
In the example shown above, the "rise-over-run" is (−1)/(+2) = −0.5. The line crosses the y axis at (0, 1). Therefore, the y
intercept is +1.
The equation of the line is
y = −0.5x + 1 ⇒ x + 2y = 2
1.1.1.2. Double-Intercept Form
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1.1.1.2. Double-Intercept Form
The straight line equation can also be expressed in the double-intercept form
x y
+ =1
a b
(1.2)
where a and b are the x and y intercepts, respectively
The equation of the line shown above (x intercept = +3, y intercept = −2) is
x y
+ = 1 ⇒ 2x − 3y = 6
3 −2
1.1.1.3. Two-Point Form
A straight line may be defined using two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2). The slope is given by
y2 − y1
m=
x2 − x1
(1.3)
and the y intercept is given by
y1x2 − y2x1
b=
x2 − x1
(1.4)
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For the line shown below, the slope can be calculated as
4 − (−3) 7
m= =
4 − (−1) 5
and the y intercept is calculated as
(−3) × 4 − 4 × (−1) 8
b= =−
4 − (−1) 5
The equation of the line is
7 8
y= x − ⇒ 7x − 5y = 8
5 5
1.1.1.4. Slope and One Point Form
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1.1.1.4. Slope and One Point Form
When the slope m and one point (x1, y1) are known, the equation of the line is
y − y1 = m(x − x1)
(1.5)
For a line with slope = −0.8 and passing through the point (5, 3), the equation is
y − 3 = −0.8(x − 5) = −0.8x + 4 ⇒ 0.8x + y = 7 ⇒ 4x + 5y = 35
1.1.1.5. Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Two lines which are parallel have the same slope:
m1 = m2
Two lines that are perpendicular have slopes m1 and m2 such that
m1m2 = −1
1
m1 = −
m2
1.1.1.6. Angle between Two Straight Lines
Angle α between two lines with slope m1 and m2 is calculated as
m1 − m2
α = tan− 1 ( )
1 + m1m2
(1.6)
Example
Example 1.1
Which of the following is a line which is perpendicular to the line 3x + 7y + 2 = 0?
A. 7x + 3y + 8 = 0
B. 3x − 7y + 1 = 0
C. 7x − 3y + 5 = 0
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D. 3x + 7y + 1 = 0
Solution The coefficients A and B in the general form of the equation yield the slope m = −A/B.
For two lines which are perpendicular, the slopes are negative reciprocal of each other (m1 = −1/m2).
This means that the A:B relationship will be reversed and undergo a change in sign.
The original equation has A = 3 and B = 7.
The perpendicular line will have A = +7 and B = −3 (or any scalar multiple).
Answer is C.
Example
Example 1.2
What is the equation of the line shown in the figure?
A. 8x + 5y − 25 = 0
B. 8x − 5y = 0
C. 5x + 8y + 25 = 0
D. 5x + 8y − 40 = 0
Solution The double-intercept form of a straight line can be used here:
x y
+ = 1 ⇒ 5x + 8y = 40
8 5
The slope-intercept form of the straight line can also be used. The y intercept is 5 and the slope can be computed using m
= Δy/Δx = −5/8.
5
Therefore, the equation is y = mx + b = − x + 5 ⇒ 8y = −5x + 40 ⇒ 5x + 8y = 40
8
Answer is D.
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1.1.2. Distance Formula
In the two-dimensional x-y plane, the distance between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given by
d = √(x2 − x1)2 + (y2 − y1)2
(1.7)
In three dimensions, the analogous formula is
d = √(x2 − x1)2 + (y2 − y1)2 + (z2 − z1)2
(1.8)
1.1.3. Quadratic Equation
The quadratic equation, if expressed in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0 has the roots
−b ± √b2 − 4ac
x1,x2 =
2a
(1.9)
When b2 − 4ac = 0, this results in two identical real roots.
When b2 − 4ac < 0, this results in two complex roots, which are conjugates. For the special case when b = 0, the two roots are
pure imaginary.
When b2 − 4ac > 0, this results in two distinct real roots.
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