Chapter 2the Line
Chapter 2the Line
CHAPTER 2
THE LINE
2.1 Equation of a Straight Line
A line is a locus of points which has a constant slope. Consider the staircase
illustrated in Figure 1. Each step contains exactly the same horizontal run and the
same vertical rise to the run. The ratio of the rise to the run, called slope and is
denoted by m, is the numerical measure of the steepness of the staircase. If the run is
increased and the rise remains the same, the staircase becomes less steep.
Line
the staircase becomes steeper. This important
rise characteristic of a line is best defined using the
rectangular coordinates.
Figure 1
run
Thus, if P(x, y) is any point on a line L that crosses the y- axis at (0,b) and has a
slope m as shown in Figure 2, the equation of the line is
y–b = m
x–0
y
or y = mx + b (1) L
P(x, y)
y=b
(0,b)
x= 0
x
O
Figure 2
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Prepared by: Asso.Prof. MELANIO G. ROMANO JR.
Central Luzon State University, College of Science
Department of Mathematics and Physics
2
If the given line is parallel to the y-axis and intersects the x- axis at a,
its equation would be x = a (see Figure 3),
y L where a is the directed distance of the line
P(x, y)
from the y axis. It means that all points on that
line have the abscissa a. In general, any line
parallel to the y-axis has an equation of the
(a, 0)
x form
0
x = a, (2)
Figure 3 Slope is undefined
y
L is vertical
y=3
The equation y = b (3), describes a line parallel to the x-axis and b units from it. It
is in this way which obtain the equations with zero or infinite slope. Figure 4 shows
the line x = -2 and y = 3.
In any case we observed that the equations (1), (2), and (3) are at the first degree
in x and y.
Theorem 2. The locus of an equation of the first degree is always a straight line.
However the converse of the theorem 2 is not true. For x+y=0, (x+y)² = 0 and
(x+y) (x² + y²) = 0, all represents the same. An equation of the line written or that can
be written in the form
Ax + By + C = 0 (4)
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Prepared by: Asso.Prof. MELANIO G. ROMANO JR.
Central Luzon State University, College of Science
Department of Mathematics and Physics
3
A, B, and C are real numbers is called the general form of a straight line in the
Cartesian plane. Although the general equation could be used in all problems
involving lines, it is usually convenient to use other forms in which the constant have
specific geometric meanings. We shall derive such type of equation which are called
standard forms.
1. The point – slope form. The equation of al line that passes through a fixed point
P(x,y) with a given slope m can be obtain as follows. Assuming point p(x,y) is in
general position on the line c (see figure 5), we note that
QP P (x , y)
tan = = m
P1Q α
Q
P1( x1 , y1 )
or y – y1 = m
x – x1 α
X
O R
Figure 5
Hence the equation of the line of \slope m passing through the point P(x, y) is
y – y1, = m(x – x1)
This is the point-slope form of the equation of a straight line. The point-slope form
fails in case the line is parallel to the y-axis. L is vertical and so m = tan 90° is
undefined.
Example 1. The equation of a line through the point (1,-3) with slope ⅔ is
y + 3 = ⅔(x – 1) or 2x – 3y – 11=0.
Example 2. Find the equation of the line through (3,–6) perpendicular to the line
joining. (4, 1) and (2, 5).
Solution: Using the slope formula, the slope of the line joining (4, 1) and (2, 5) is
m= 5-1/2-4 = 4/-2 = –2, whence the slope of the required line is ½. By (1) its
equation is
y + 6 = ½(x – 3) or x –2y –15 = 0
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Prepared by: Asso.Prof. MELANIO G. ROMANO JR.
Central Luzon State University, College of Science
Department of Mathematics and Physics
4
When the slope and one point of the line are known the line can be drawn,
even without writing the equation.
Example 3. Draw the line of m= 3/2 through the point (–4, –2).
Y
Solution: Starting at (–4,–2) we measure off 2 units to
the right and then 3 units upward or it could be 2 units
to the left and 3 units downward. Through the point thus
reached and (-4,-2) draw the line. (See Figure 6)
●
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 X
(- 4, -2) ● 2
3
4
Figure 6
PRACTICE EXERCISES 2.1
1. x = 0 4. 3x = 4
2. y = 5 5. y = 0
3. 2y – 3 = 0
In exercises 6-10, write the equation of the line then draw the line.
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Prepared by: Asso.Prof. MELANIO G. ROMANO JR.
Central Luzon State University, College of Science
Department of Mathematics and Physics
5
2. The slope-intercept form. The intercepts of line are the directed distances from the
origin to the point where the line crosses the coordinates axes.
Given a line L of slope m and whose y-intercept is b, let us assume a point P(x, y) on
the line then,
Y
MP y–b
m= / QM = / x–0 L
P
Where the equation of the
straight line with slope m and
α
y- intercept b is Q M
y = mx + b (2) b
O X
This is the slope-intercept form Figure 7
Example 5. Write the equation of the line having a y-intercepts -½ and a slope 5/4
Solution : y = 5 x _ 1 4y = 5x – 2 or 5x – 4y – 2 = 0
4 2
Example 6. Write the equation of the line with m = 1.7 and y-intercept – 2.3
By reduction to the slope-intercept form, it will easily be seen that the lines
Ax + By + C = 0
Ax + By + k = 0
Ax + By + C = 0
Bx – Ay + K = 0
Example 7. Write the equation of the given line L through the point (–3, 1) and
parallel to the line 3x + 2y = 6
Solution: Since the line L is parallel to 3x + 2y = 6 this means that the numerical
coefficients of x and y of the required equation will also be 3 and 2 respectively. If
new equation will be satisfied by the point (3, -1), we write the given equation in the slope
intercepts form, that is
3x + 2y = 6
2y = -3x + 6
y = -3/2x + 3
This means that the slope of the line L is also the –3/2. Using the point – slope
form and the point (–3, 1) on line L we obtain
y – 1 = -3/2(x + 3)
2y – 2 = –3x – 9
or 3x + 2y + 7 = 0 required equation of L
Alternative Solution
If the new equation will be satisfied by the point (–3, 1) and that the numerical
coefficients of x and y of line L will also be –3 and 1 to obtain right number of the new
equation we substitute –3 for x and 1 for y. hence we get
3x + 2y 3(–3) + 2(1) = –7
3x + 2y = –7
or 3x + 2y + 7 = 0
2x – 3y = 2(–3) – 3(1)
= –9
2x – 3y = –9
or 2x – 3y + 9 = 0
1. – 5y + 7 = 0
2. 3x + 6y – 2 = 0
3. x+y=9
4. 2y – 4 x + 3 = 0
5. 5x + 3y = 0
In exercises 6-10, write the equation of the line through the given point (a) parallel (b)
perpendicular to the given line
6. Line 4x – y = 5 ; point(3, 5)
7. Line 2x + 3y – 6 = 0 ; point(2, 4)
8. Line x + 3y – 7 = 0 ; point(0, 2)
9. Line 2y + 3 = 0 ; point(0 , 1)
10. Point (–1, –4); line 4x + 3y = 0
3. The two-point form. The equation of the line that passes through two distinct points
P1(x1, y1) and P2(x2, y2) is readily found by noting that its slope is
y2 – y1
m= , x2 ≠ x1
x2 – x1
Substituting this value of m using the point-slope form y – y1, = m (x – x1), we obtain
This is called the two-point slope form of the equation of a straight line. If x2 = x1, the
line is parallel to the y – axis and its equation is x = x1,
Example 8. Find the equation is of the line through the points (0, –3) and (4, 0).
Solution: First we find slope of the line through the given points, we get
P1(0 ,–3) and P2(4, 0)
0+3 3
m = 4–0 = 4
Then using the point-slope form and consider the point P1(0, –3) we
obtain the equation
y + 3 = ¾(x – 0)
4y + 12 = 3x
Example 9. Write the equation of the line through the point (–2, 1) and (3, 5).
Draw the graph of line.
Solution: y –1 = 5 – 1 (x + 2)
3+2
● (3,
5(y – 1) = 4(x +2) 3 4)
2
or (-2, 1) ● 1
4x – 5y + 13 = 0 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
Figure 8
In exercises 1– 3, find the equation of the line using the two-point form with the given
requirements.
4. Write the equation of the line in the point- slope form that passes through the
points (0, 8) and (–5, 0)
5. Write the equation of the line passing through (–7, –6) and (1, 1) in the slope-
intercept form.
4. The two-intercept form. Let the intercepts of a straight line on the axes be OA = a and
OB = b. choosing a point P(x, y) in a general position on the line, we see that triangles
CAP and OAB are similar. Thus
Y
CP CA
=
OB
= OA B (0, b )
or y a-x
b =
a
P(x, y)
Multiplying equation by ab, we have b D
ay = ab – bx
X C (a, 0)
O A X
Dividing each item by ab, we get a
ay ab bx Figure 9
ab = ab ab
Simplifying
y x
b = 1 b
or
x y
a + b = 1 (4)
This equation (4) is the two intercept form. The intercept form fails in case when the
line crosses or passes the origin or is parallel to either axis.
Example 10. The equation of the line having an x-intercept –2 and a y-intercept 3 is
x y
+ =1 or 3x – 2y + 6 = 0
-2 3
Example 11. Write the equation of the line through (3, 4) with equal intercepts.
y
y Solution:
a.) To determined the y-intercepts, we
rewr the given equation in the slope-intercepts
● form, i.e –2y = –3x – 24
hence y = 3/2 + 12
3x – 2y = -24 Thus the y-intercept is 12.
In the exercises 1-4, draw the line with the given x- and y-intercepts respectively.
Write the equation of the line.
1. 6, -4
2. -1/ 4, 2/5
3. 5, 8
4. -7/4, 3/2
In exercises 5-8, reduce the equation to the intercepts form. Draw the line.
5. x + 2y = 9
6. 7x – y = -1
7. 2x + 3y = 1
8. 3x + 5y = 30
5.The Normal Form. A definite straight-line L is determined if we know the length p (normal
intercept) of the perpendicular OM from the origin to the line, together with the
counterclockwise angle α (normal angle) which this perpendicular makes with OX (see Figure
11). To find the equation of this line, we note first to that the coordinates of M are x = p cos α
and y = p sin α, and second that the slope of OM is tan α; hence the slope of L is – 1
Since the slope and a point on L are known, its equation is given by substitution in (1)
–1
y – p sin α =
(x – p cos α )
tan α
simplifying, we obtain
x cos α + y sin α =p (5)
Even though the above derivation fails for α = 00 or 1800 , we observe that (5) gives the correct
results in cases, namely x = p and x = –p.
Example 13. The equation of a line having a normal angle 2250 and
normal intercept 2.
x cos 225 + y sin 225 = 2 y
;
x(- √2/2 )+ y(-√2/2 ) = 2
x
L
-√2 x - √2 y = 2
2
-√2 x - √2 y = 4 M
or √2 x + √2 y + 4 = 0 P
α P sin α
P cos α x
Figure 11
To reduce the general equation of a line Ax + By + C = 0 (1) to normal form, we observe that if (5)
and (1) are to represent the same line their coefficients must be in proportion. Thus if K is the
constant of proportionality, we have
Cos α = k, Sin α = k, -p = k
A B c
So that
Cos α = kA , sin α = kB , p = -kc
k²(A²+B² ) = 1 and k =1
±√A²+B²
Ax _ + _ Bx = –C_ (6)
±√A²+B² ±√A²+B² ±√A²+B²
where the sign of the radical is chosen so that the right side of (6) is positive.
Solution:
3x___ - __4 __ = -10__
±√3²+4² ±√3²+4² ±√3²+4²
3x - 4y = -10
-5 -5 -5
or -3x + 4y = 2
5 5
Example 15. Find the equation of the line through the point (3 ,–2) and perpendicular to
4x + 3y –2 =0
Solution : Writing the equation of the given line in the slope – intercept form , that is
–4 x y= 2
3 + 3
–4
We see that the slope . . Hence the slope of the required line is3 and so by point
3 4
slope form , the equation is y + 2 = ¾(x – 3)
4y + 8 = 3x – 9
or 3x – 4y – 17 = 0
Example 16. Find the distance of the line 2x – y – 5 = 0 from the origin.
2x – y – 5 = 0 or 2x – 1y = √5
√2² + (-1)² √5 √5
Write the following equations in normal form and determine the distance of the line from the
origin.
1. 5x – 12y + 26 = 0
2. x + 3y – 5 = 0
5. Find the equation of the line containing the point (3 ,–2) and perpendicular to the line
x – 5y + 5 = 0.
L1
L1 L2
L2
1 2 1 2
2 = 90 + 1
then
tan 2 = tan (90 + 1)
= cot 1
1
= .
tanα1
Therefore
1
m2 .
m1
1
On the other hand, if m 2 then tan 2 = -cot 1. Since 1 and 2 are each
m1
positive and less than 180, it follows from tan 2 = -cot 1 that they differ by 90. Hence, if
1
m2 , lines L1 and L2 are perpendicular.
m1
Example 1. Show that the line that passes through A(0, 5) and B(–1, 3) is perpendicular to the
line that passes through C(–1, 3) and D(3, 1).
Solution:
A
35 1- 3
m AB m CD
1 0 3 1 B C
2 2 D
1 4
2 1
2
Example 2. Show that the points A (–3, 3), B (–5, 6) and C (0, 5) are the vertices of a right
triangle.
Solution: Since a triangle can only be a right triangle if two sides are perpendicular, then it is
sufficient to show that the slope of one side is the negative reciprocal of the slope of another
side. Thus,
63 3
m AB B
5 (3) 2
C
A
53 2
m AC
0 ( 3) 3
We see that the slope of side AC is the negative reciprocal of the slope of side AB.
Hence, ABC is a right triangle.
The distance d from the line L to the point P1(x1, y1) as shown in figure 5, can be
determined in the following manner, if the equation of L in normal form is
x cos α + y sin α – p = 0,
the equation of a Line L through P1 and Y
parallel to L is
x cos α + y sin α – (p + d) = 0
since, however, P1(x1, y1) is a point on L, we have
x1 cos α + y sin α – p - d = 0, L
whence
d1 = x1 cos α + y1 – p, L
d
P1(x1, y1)
P d
d
0 X
Figure 5
d = Ax1 + By1 + C
±√A2 + B2
Where the sign of the radical is choose to be opposite to the sign of C. ( if C = 0, choose the
sign of the radicals to be the same as the sign of B. This will make d positive when P1, lies
above L. if C = 0 and B = 0, choose the sign of the radical to be the same as the sign of A.
This will make d positive when P1 is to be right of L ).
By definition of d in the above theorem, it should be noted that d is positive if the origin 0 and
the point P1 lies on opposite sides of the given line, and negative when 0 and P1 lie on the
same sides.
= –17
_2
5
_1
(-3, 1)
| | | | | | |
-3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
Figure 6
The negative sign indicates that the given point and the origin are on the same
sides of the line as show in figure 6.
Example: Find the equation of the line that bisects the acute angle between the lines
x – y – 1 = 0 and 7x + y – 7 = 0
Solution: In geometry we know that the bisector of the angle between two lines is the locus of
points equidistant from the two lines. Thus if P(x, y) is any point in the bisector and d on d are
the signed distances to the given lines, it follows in this example that
d = –d
However, by (1), the distances from P(x, y) to the given lines are
d = x– y – 1 and d = 7x + y – 7 _7
√2 5√2 _
Hence the equation of the bisector is _
x – y – 1 = _ 7x + y –7 _
√2 5√2
P(x, y)
or 3x – y – 3 = 0 _
s
d d
_
Have obtained the equation of the line that bisects the obtuse angle between the given
lines. | | | |
1 2 4
-1_
Prepared by: Asso.Prof. MELANIO G. ROMANO JR.
Central Luzon State University, College of Science
Department of Mathematics and Physics
18
PRACTICE EXERCISES: Find the distance between the given line and point
1. 3x + 4y – 10 = 0 (–2, –1/2)
2. 3x – y = 0 (2, –4)
3. x + y – 2 = 0 (1/2, 1/3)
4. 5x – 12y – 1 = 0 (4, 1)
5. 8x – 6y = 5 (–1, 2)
L2 L2
L1 L1
2 1 1 2
Let the lines L1 and L2 have the inclinations 1 and 2, respectively. In the first figure
2 = 1 + ,
So that
= 2 – 1.
so that the angle from a line of slope m1 to a line of slope m2 is given by the formula
m 2 m1
tan
1 m1m 2
Recall that this formula is the formula for the tangent of difference of two angles.
Example 1. Find the acute angles between the two lines that have m1 = ½ and m2 = 2 for their
slopes.
Solution:
1
2
tan 2
1
1 2
2
tan 0.75
tan 1 0.75
36 52'
To find the obtuse angle between lines L1 and L2, subtract the acute angle
between the two lines from 180.
Example 2. Find the angle between the lines joining the points A(–1,2), B(3,–5) and C(–2,3),
D(5,0).
4
While the slope of CD is L2
2
0
0-3 3
m CD tanα 2 -10 -5 0 5 10
52 7. -2
-4
-6
Hence,
3 7
tan 7 4
3 7
1
7 4
37
tan
49
37
tan 1
49
37.06
Example 3. Find the interior angles of the triangle with vertices A(1, 1), B(4, 3), C(5, 2).
Solution: Let the lines forming the triangle be denoted by L1, L2, L3 as shown. The slopes of
these lines are as follows.
23
m1 tanα1 1 L3
54 6
5 L1
1 2 1 4
m 2 tanα 2 2 L2
1 5 4 3
2 1 3
3 1 2 1
m 3 tanα 3
4 1 3 -4 -2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
-1
-2
m1 m31
tan 2
1 m1m 3
2
m m2 1 m 2 m1
tan 1 3 3 tan 3
1 m 2m3 2 1 m 2 m1
1 1
2 1
3 1
1
3 4 5 4
1
1 2
1 3 1 1
4 3 1 4
5 3 5
tan 2 5
12 4
14 2 tan 1 (5) 3
12 4
2 78.69 0 180 0
5 5
tan 1 2 101.31 tan 3
14 3
5 5
1 tan 1 3 tan 1
14 3
1 19.65 3 59.04