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8.2 Distance between two points
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8.4 Mid-point of a line
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The gradient of a line is determined by the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change.
Gradient (\(m\)) describes the slope or steepness of the line joining two points. In the figure below, line \(OQ\) is the least steep and line \(OT\) is the steepest.
To derive the formula for gradient, we consider any right-angled triangle formed from \(A \left(x_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and \(B \left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\) with hypotenuse \(AB\) as shown in the diagram below. The gradient is determined by the ratio of the length of the vertical side of the triangle to the length of the horizontal side of the triangle. The length of the vertical side of the triangle is the difference in \(y\)-values of points \(A\) and \(B\). The length of the horizontal side of the triangle is the difference in \(x\)-values of points \(A\) and \(B\).
Therefore, gradient is determined using the following formula:
Gradient \(\left(m\right)=\dfrac{{y}_{2}-{y}_{1}}{{x}_{2}-{x}_{1}}\) or \(\dfrac{{y}_{1}-{y}_{2}}{{x}_{1}-{x}_{2}}\)
Remember to be consistent: \(m\ne \dfrac{{y}_{1}-{y}_{2}}{{x}_{2}-{x}_{1}}\)
To learn more about determining the gradient you can watch the following video.
Find the gradient of the line between points \(E \left(2;5\right)\) and \(F\left(-3;9\right)\).
Let the coordinates of \(E\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(F\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\).
\[{x}_{1} = 2 \quad {y}_{1} = 5 \quad {x}_{2} = -3 \quad {y}_{2} = 9\]The gradient of \(EF=-\frac{4}{5}\)
Given \(G\left(7;-9\right)\) and \(H\left(x;0\right)\), with \({m}_{GH}=3\), find \(x\).
Let the coordinates of \(G\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(H\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = 7 \quad {y}_{1} = -9 \quad {x}_{2} = x \quad {y}_{2} = 0\]The coordinates of \(H\) are \(\left(10;0\right)\).
Therefore \(x = 10\).
Find the gradient of \(AB\) if:
\(A(7;10)\) and \(B(-4;1)\)
Let the coordinates of \(A\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(B\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = 7 \quad {y}_{1} = 10 \quad {x}_{2} = -4 \quad {y}_{2} = 1\] \begin{align*} m_{AB} &= \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\\ & = \frac{1 - 10}{-4 - 7}\\ & = \frac{9}{11} \end{align*}\(A(-5;-9)\) and \(B(3;2)\)
Let the coordinates of \(A\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(B\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = -5 \quad {y}_{1} = -9 \quad {x}_{2} = 3 \quad {y}_{2} = 2\] \begin{align*} m_{AB} & = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\\ & = \frac{2 - (-9)}{3 - (-5)}\\ & = \frac{11}{8} \end{align*}\(A(x-3;y)\) and \(B(x;y+4)\)
Let the coordinates of \(A\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(B\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = x - 3 \quad {y}_{1} = y \quad {x}_{2} = x \quad {y}_{2} = y + 4\] \begin{align*} m_{AB} &= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ & = \frac{y + 4 - y}{x - (x - 3)}\\ & = \frac{4}{3} \end{align*}You are given the following diagram:
Calculate the gradient (\(m\)) of line \(AB\).
Let the coordinates of \(A\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(B\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = -1 \quad {y}_{1} = 2 \quad {x}_{2} = 2 \quad {y}_{2} = \text{0,5}\] \begin{align*} m & = \frac{y_B - y_A}{x_B - x_A} \\ & = \frac{(\text{0,5}) - (\text{2})}{(\text{2}) - (-\text{1})} \\ & = \frac{-\text{1,5}}{3} \\ & = -\text{0,5} \end{align*}Therefore the gradient \(m\) of the line \(AB\) is \(-\text{0,5}\).
You are given the following diagram:
Calculate the gradient (\(m\)) of line \(AB\).
Let the coordinates of \(A\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(B\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = -2 \quad {y}_{1} = -\text{1,5} \quad {x}_{2} = 1 \quad {y}_{2} = 3\] \begin{align*} m & = \frac{y_B - y_A}{x_B - x_A} \\ & = \frac{(\text{3}) - (-\text{1,5})}{(\text{1}) - (-\text{2})} \\ & = \frac{\text{4,5}}{\text{3}} \\ & = \text{1,5} \end{align*}Therefore the gradient \(m\) of the line \(AB\) is \(\text{1,5}\).
If the gradient of \(CD = \frac{2}{3}\), find \(p\) given:
\(C(16;2)\) and \(D(8;p)\).
Let the coordinates of \(C\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(D\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = 16 \quad {y}_{1} = 2 \quad {x}_{2} = 8 \quad {y}_{2} = p\] \begin{align*} m_{CD} &= \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \\ \frac{2}{3} &= \frac{p - 2}{8 - 16} \\ \frac{2}{3} \times (-8)&= p - 2 \\ \frac{-16}{3} + 2 & = p \\ \frac{-16 + 6}{3} &= p \\ \frac{-10}{3} &= p \end{align*}\(C(3;2p)\) and \(D(9;14)\).
Let the coordinates of \(C\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(D\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = 3 \quad {y}_{1} = 2p \quad {x}_{2} = 9 \quad {y}_{2} = 14\] \begin{align*} m_{CD} &= \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\\ \frac{2}{3} &= \frac{14 - 2p}{9 - 3}\\ \frac{2}{3} \times (6)&= 14 - 2p\\ 4 & = 14 - 2p \\ 2p & = 14 - 4 \\ p & = \frac{10}{2} \\ & = 5 \end{align*}You are given the following diagram:
You are also told that line \(AB\) has a gradient (\(m\)) of \(\text{2}\).
Calculate the missing co-ordinate of point \(B\).
Let the coordinates of \(A\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(B\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = -1 \quad {y}_{1} = 0 \quad {x}_{2} = 1 \quad {y}_{2} = y\] \begin{align*} m_{AB} &= \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\\ 2 &= \frac{y - 0}{1 - (-1)}\\ 2 & = \frac{y}{2} \\ 4 &= y \end{align*}You are given the following diagram:
You are also told that line \(AB\) has a gradient (\(m\)) of \(-\text{1,5}\).
Calculate the missing co-ordinate of point \(B\).
Let the coordinates of \(A\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(B\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\)
\[{x}_{1} = -1 \quad {y}_{1} = 3 \quad {x}_{2} = x \quad {y}_{2} = -3\] \begin{align*} m_{AB} &= \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\\ -\text{1,5} &= \frac{-3 - 3}{x - (-1)}\\ -\text{1,5} & = \frac{-6}{x + 1} \\ -\text{1,5}(x + 1) & = -6 \\ -\text{1,5}x - \text{1,5} & = -6 \\ \text{1,5}x & = \text{4,5} \\ x &= 3 \end{align*}A straight line is a set of points with a constant gradient between any two of the points.
Consider the diagram below with points \(A\left(x;y\right)\), \(B\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\) and \(C\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\).
We have \({m}_{AB} = {m}_{BC} = {m}_{AC}\) and \(m = \dfrac{{y}_{2} - {y}_{1}}{{x}_{2} - {x}_{1}} = \dfrac{{y}_{1} - {y}_{2}}{{x}_{1} - {x}_{2}}\)
The general formula for finding the equation of a straight line is \(\dfrac{y - {y}_{1}}{x - {x}_{1}} = \dfrac{{y}_{2} - {y}_{1}}{{x}_{2} - {x}_{1}}\) where \(\left(x;y\right)\) is any point on the line.
This formula can also be written as \(y - {y}_{1} = m\left(x - {x}_{1}\right)\).
The standard form of the straight line equation is \(y = mx + c\) where \(m\) is the gradient and \(c\) is the \(y\)-intercept.
The worked example below shows one method of determining the equation of a straight line. The equation of a straight line can also be determined by first finding the gradient and then substituting one of the given points into \(y = mx + c\).
Find the equation of the straight line through \(P\left(-1;-5\right)\) and \(Q\left(5;4\right)\).
Let the coordinates of \(P\) be \(\left({x}_{1};{y}_{1}\right)\) and the coordinates of \(Q\) be \(\left({x}_{2};{y}_{2}\right)\).
\[{x}_{1} = -1 \quad {y}_{1} = -5 \quad {x}_{2} = 5 \quad {y}_{2} = 4\]The equation of the straight line is \(y=\frac{3}{2}x-\frac{7}{2}\).
Two lines that run parallel to each other are always the same distance apart and have equal gradients.
If two lines intersect perpendicularly, then the product of their gradients is equal to \(-\text{1}\).
If line \(WX \perp YZ\), then \({m}_{WX}\times {m}_{YZ} = -1\). Perpendicular lines have gradients that are the negative inverses of each other.
The following video shows some examples of calculating the slope of a line and determining if two lines are perpendicular or parallel.
Prove that line \(AB\) with \(A\left(0;2\right)\) and \(B\left(2;6\right)\) is parallel to line \(CD\) with equation \(2x-y=2\).
(Be careful - some lines may look parallel but are not!)
therefore line \(AB\) is parallel to line \(CD\).
Line \(AB\) is perpendicular to line \(CD\). Find \(y\) given \(A\left(2;-3\right)\), \(B\left(-2;6\right)\), \(C\left(4;3\right)\) and \(D\left(7;y\right)\).
Therefore the coordinates of \(D\) are \(\left(7;4\frac{1}{3}\right)\).
A line that runs parallel to the \(x\)-axis is called a horizontal line and has a gradient of zero. This is because there is no vertical change:
\[m = \frac{\text{change in } y}{\text{change in } x} = \frac{0}{\text{change in } x} = 0\]A line that runs parallel to the \(y\)-axis is called a vertical line and its gradient is undefined. This is because there is no horizontal change:
\[m = \frac{\text{change in } y}{\text{change in } x } = \frac{\text{change in } y}{0} = \text{ undefined}\]A straight line is a set of points with a constant gradient between any of the two points. There are two methods to prove that points lie on the same line: the gradient method and a method using the distance formula.
If two points lie on the same line then the two points are said to be collinear.
Prove that \(A\left(-3;3\right)\), \(B\left(0;5\right)\) and \(C\left(3;7\right)\) are on a straight line.
and
\[{m}_{BC} = \frac{7 - 5}{3 - 0} = \frac{2}{3}\]OR
\[{m}_{AC} = \frac{3-7}{3-3} = \frac{-4}{-6} = \frac{2}{3}\]and
\[{m}_{BC} = \frac{7-5}{3-0} = \frac{2}{3}\]Therefore the points \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are on a straight line.
To prove that three points are on a straight line using the distance formula, we must calculate the distances between each pair of points and then prove that the sum of the two smaller distances equals the longest distance.
Prove that \(A\left(-3;3\right)\), \(B\left(0;5\right)\) and \(C\left(3;7\right)\) are on a straight line.
therefore points \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) lie on the same straight line.
Determine whether \(AB\) and \(CD\) are parallel, perpendicular or neither if:
\(A(3;-4)\), \(B(5;2)\), \(C(-1;-1)\), \(D(7;23)\)
We need to calculate the gradients of lines \(AB\) and \(CD\). Then we can compare the gradients to determine if the lines are parallel (the gradients are equal), perpendicular (the gradients are the negative inverses of each other) or neither.
\begin{align*} m_{AB} &= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ & = \frac{2-(-4)}{5-3}\\ & = \frac{6}{2}\\ & = 3 \end{align*}And:
\begin{align*} m_{CD} &= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ & = \frac{23-(-1)}{7-(-1)}\\ & = \frac{24}{8}\\ & = 3 \end{align*}Therefore:
\begin{align*} m_{AB} & = m_{CD}\\ \therefore AB & \parallel CD \end{align*}Lines \(AB\) and \(CD\) are parallel.
\(A(3;-4)\), \(B(5;2)\), \(C(-1;-1)\), \(D(0;-4)\)
We need to calculate the gradients of lines \(AB\) and \(CD\). Then we can compare the gradients to determine if the lines are parallel (the gradients are equal), perpendicular (the gradients are the negative inverses of each other) or neither.
\begin{align*} m_{AB} & = \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ & = \frac{2 - (-4)}{5 - 3}\\ & = \frac{6}{2}\\ & = 3 \end{align*}And:
\begin{align*} m_{CD} & = \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ & = \frac{-4-(-1)}{0-(-1)}\\ & = \frac{-3}{1}\\ & = -3 \end{align*}So \(m_{AB}\ne m_{CD}\). Therefore \(AB\) is not parallel to \(CD\).
And \(m_{AB}\times\frac{1}{m_{CD}} \ne -1\). Therefore \(AB\) and \(CD\) are not perpendicular.
Lines \(AB\) and \(CD\) are neither parallel nor perpendicular.
\(A(3;-4)\), \(B(5;2)\), \(C(-1;3)\), \(D(-2;2)\)
We need to calculate the gradients of lines \(AB\) and \(CD\). Then we can compare the gradients to determine if the lines are parallel (the gradients are equal), perpendicular (the gradients are the negative inverses of each other) or neither.
\begin{align*} m_{AB} & = \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ & = \frac{2 - (-4)}{5 - 3}\\ & = \frac{6}{2}\\ & = 3 \end{align*}And:
\begin{align*} m_{CD} &= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ &= \frac{2 - 3}{1 - (-2)}\\ &= \frac{-1}{3} \end{align*}So \(m_{AB}\ne m_{CD}\). Therefore \(AB\) is not parallel to \(CD\).
And \(m_{AB} \times \frac{1}{m_{CD}} = -1\). Therefore \(AB\) and \(CD\) are perpendicular.
Determine whether the following points lie on the same straight line:
\(E(0;3)\), \(F(-2;5)\), \(G(2;1)\)
And,
\begin{align*} m_{FG} &=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ &= \frac{1-5}{2-(-2)}\\ &= \frac{-4}{4}\\ &= -1 \end{align*}So \(m_{EF} = m_{FG}\) and \(F\) is a common point. Therefore \(E\), \(F\) and \(G\) are collinear (they lie on the same line).
\(H(-3;-5)\), \(I(0;0)\), \(J(6;10)\)
And,
\begin{align*} m_{IJ} &= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ &= \frac{10-0}{6-0}\\ &= \frac{10}{6}\\ &= \frac{5}{3} \end{align*}So \(m_{HI} = m_{IJ}\) and \(I\) is a common point. Therefore \(H\), \(I\) and \(J\) are collinear (they lie on the same line).
\(K(-6;2)\), \(L(-3;1)\), \(M(1;-1)\)
And,
\begin{align*} m_{LM} &= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ &= \frac{-1-1}{1-(-3)}\\ &= \frac{-2}{4}\\ &= -\frac{1}{2} \end{align*}So \(m_{KL} \ne m_{LM}\). Therefore \(K\), \(L\) and \(M\) are not collinear (they do not lie on the same line).
You are given the following diagram:
Calculate the equation of the line \(AB\).
To calculate the equation of the straight line, we first calculate the gradient (\(m\)) of the line \(AB\):
\(\begin{aligned} m & = \frac{y_B - y_A}{x_B - x_A} \\ m & = \frac{(-\text{3,5}) - (\text{2,5})}{(\text{2}) - (-\text{1})} \\ m & = -\text{2} \\ \end{aligned}\)
Secondly, we calculate the value of the \(y\)-intercept (\(c\)) of the line \(AB\). We do this by substituting either point \(A\) or \(B\) into the general form for a straight line. We will use point \(A\).
\(\begin{aligned} y & = mx + c \\ (\text{2,5}) & = (-\text{2}) \times (-\text{1}) + c \\ c & = \text{0,5} \\ \end{aligned}\)
Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is as follows:
\(\begin{aligned} y & = -\text{2} x + \text{0,5} \end{aligned}\)
You are given the following diagram:
Calculate the equation of the line \(AB\).
To calculate the equation of the straight line, we first calculate the gradient (\(m\)) of the line \(AB\):
\(\begin{aligned} m & = \frac{y_B - y_A}{x_B - x_A} \\ m & = \frac{(\text{1,5}) - (-\text{1})}{(\text{4}) - (-\text{1})} \\ m & = \text{0,5} \\ \end{aligned}\)
Secondly, we calculate the value of the \(y\)-intercept (\(c\)) of the line \(AB\). We do this by substituting either point \(A\) or \(B\) into the general form for a straight line. We will use point \(A\).
\(\begin{aligned} y & = mx + c \\ (-\text{1}) & = (\text{0,5}) \times (-\text{1}) + c \\ c & = -\text{0,5} \\ \end{aligned}\)
Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is as follows:
\(\begin{aligned} y & = \text{0,5} x -\text{0,5} \end{aligned}\)
Points \(P(-6;2)\), \(Q(2;-2)\) and \(R(-3;r)\) lie on a straight line. Find the value of \(r\).
Since the three points lie on a straight line we can use the fact that the gradient of \(PQ\) is equal to the gradient of \(QR\) to find \(r\).
The gradient of \(PQ\) is:
\begin{align*} m_{PQ} & = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \\ & = \frac{-2 - 2}{2 - (-6)} \\ & = \frac{-4}{8} \\ & = -\frac{1}{2} \end{align*}And the gradient of \(QR\) in terms of \(r\) is:
\begin{align*} m_{QR} & = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \\ & = \frac{r - (-2)}{-3 - 2} \\ & = \frac{r + 2}{-5} \end{align*}Now we let \(m_{PR} = m_{QR} = -\frac{1}{2}\) and solve for \(r\):
\begin{align*} -\frac{1}{2} & = \frac{r + 2}{-5} \\ (-1)\times(-5) & = 2(r + 2) \\ 5 & = 2r + 4 \\ 5 - 4 & = 2r \\ 1 & = 2r \\ r & = \frac{1}{2} \end{align*}Line \(PQ\) with \(P(-1;-7)\) and \(Q(q;0)\) has a gradient of \(\text{1}\). Find \(q\).
You are given the following diagram:
You are also told that line \(AB\) runs parallel to the following line: \(y = x - \text{5}\). Point \(A\) is at \(\left(-2 ; -4 \right)\).
Find the equation of the line \(AB\).
We are told that line \(AB\) is parallel to \(y = x - 5\), so the gradient of line \(AB\) is equal to the gradient of \(y = x - 5\). The gradient of \(y = x - 5\) is 1.
Now we can use point \(A\) and the gradient of the line to find the \(y\)-intercept of the line:
\(\begin{aligned} y & = mx + c \\ (-\text{4}) & = (\text{1})(-\text{2}) + c \\ c & = -\text{2} \\ \end{aligned}\)Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is: \(y = x - 2\).
You are given the following diagram:
You are also told that line \(AB\) runs parallel to the following line: \(y = -x + \text{4,5}\). Point \(A\) is at \(\left(-1 ; \text{2,5}\right)\).
Find the equation of the line \(AB\).
We are told that line \(AB\) is parallel to \(y = -x + \text{4,5}\), so the gradient of line \(AB\) is equal to the gradient of \(y = -x + \text{4,5}\). The gradient of \(y = -x + \text{4,5}\) is \(-\text{1}\).
Now we can use point \(A\) and the gradient of the line to find the \(y\)-intercept of the line:
\(\begin{aligned} y & = mx + c \\ (\text{2,5}) & = (-\text{1}) \times (-\text{1}) + c \\ c & = \text{1,5} \\ \end{aligned}\)Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is: \(y = -x + \text{1,5}\).
Given line \(AB\) which runs parallel to \(y = \text{0,5}x - \text{6}\). Points \(A(-1;-\text{2,5})\) and \(B(x;0)\) are also given.
Calculate the missing co-ordinate of point \(B\).
We are told that line \(AB\) is parallel to \(y = \text{0,5}x - 6\), so the gradient of line \(AB\) is equal to the gradient of \(y = \text{0,5}x - 6\). The gradient of \(y = \text{0,5}x - 6\) is \(\text{0,5}\).
Now we can use point \(A\) and the gradient of the line to find the \(y\)-intercept of the line:
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ (-\text{2,5}) & = (\text{0,5})(-\text{1}) + c \\ c & = -\text{2} \\ \end{align*}Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is: \(y = \text{0,5}x - 2\).
Now we can substitute point \(B\) into the equation of line \(AB\) to solve for \(x\):
\begin{align*} y & = \text{0,5}x - 2 \\ 0 & = \text{0,5}x - 2 \\ 4 & = x \end{align*}Therefore the coordinates of point \(B\) are \((0;4)\).
Given line \(AB\) which runs parallel to \(y = -\text{1,5} x + \text{4}\). Points \(A(-\text{2};\text{4})\) and \(B(2;y)\) are also given.
Calculate the missing co-ordinate of point \(B(2;y)\).
We are told that line \(AB\) is parallel to \(y = -\text{1,5}x + 4\), so the gradient of line \(AB\) is equal to the gradient of \(y = -\text{1,5}x + 4\). The gradient of \(y = -\text{1,5}x + 4\) is \(-\text{1,5}\).
Now we can use point \(A\) and the gradient of the line to find the \(y\)-intercept of the line:
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ (\text{4}) & = (-\text{1,5})(-\text{2}) + c \\ c & = \text{1} \\ \end{align*}Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is: \(y = -\text{1,5}x + 1\).
Now we can substitute point \(B\) into the equation of line \(AB\) to solve for \(x\):
\begin{align*} y & = -\text{1,5}x + 1 \\ y & = -\text{1,5}(2) + 1 \\ y & = -2 \end{align*}Therefore the coordinates of point \(B\) are \((2;-2)\).
The graph here shows line \(AB\). The blue dashed line is perpendicular to \(AB\).
The equation of the blue dashed line is \(y = x + 1\). Point \(A\) is at \((-2; 4)\).
Determine the equation of line \(AB\).
The general form of a straight line is: \(y = mx + c\).
Line \(AB\) is perpendicular to the blue dashed line and so \(m_{AB} = \dfrac{-1}{m_{\text{blue line}}}\).
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ y & = \left( \frac{-1}{m_{\text{blue line}}} \right) x + c \\ y & = \left( \frac{-1}{\text{1}} \right) x + c \\ y & = -x + c \end{align*}Now we can substitute in the coordinates of point \(A\) to find the \(y\)-intercept:
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ (\text{4}) & = (-\text{1}) (-\text{2}) + c \\ c & = \text{2} \\ \end{align*}Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is: \(y = -x + 2\).
The graph here shows line \(AB\). The blue dashed line is perpendicular to \(AB\).
The equation of the blue dashed line is \(y = -\text{0,5} x - \text{0,5}\). Point \(A\) is at \((-\text{1}; -\text{3,5})\).
Determine the equation of line \(AB\).
The general form of a straight line is: \(y = mx + c\).
Line \(AB\) is perpendicular to the blue dashed line and so \(m_{AB} = \dfrac{-1}{m_{\text{blue line}}}\).
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ y & = \left( \frac{-1}{m_{\text{blue line}}} \right) x + c \\ y & = \left( \frac{-1}{-\text{0,5}} \right) x + c \\ y & = 2x + c \end{align*}Now we can substitute in the coordinates of point \(A\) to find the \(y\)-intercept:
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ (-\text{3,5}) & = (\text{2}) (-\text{1}) + c \\ c & = -\text{1,5} \\ \end{align*}Therefore, the equation of the line \(AB\) is: \(y = 2x - \text{1,5}\).
Given line \(AB\) which runs perpendicular to line \(CD\) with equation \(y = -2x + 1\). Points \(A(-5;-1)\) and \(B(3;a)\) are also given.
Calculate the missing co-ordinate of point \(B\).
The general form of a straight line is: \(y = mx + c\).
Line \(AB\) is perpendicular to line \(CD\) and so \(m_{AB} = \dfrac{-1}{m_{CD}}\).
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ y & = \left(\frac{-1}{m_{CD}}\right)x + c \\ y & = \left(\frac{-1}{-\text{2}}\right)x + c \\ y & = \text{0,5} x + c \end{align*}Now we can substitute point \(A\) into the equation to find the \(y\)-intercept:
\begin{align*} y & = \text{0,5}x + c \\ -\text{1} & = (\text{0,5})(-\text{5}) + c \\ c & = \text{1,5} \end{align*}Next we can substitute in point \(B\) to find the missing coordinate:
\begin{align*} y & = \text{0,5}x + \text{1,5} \\ a & = (\text{0,5})(\text{3}) + \text{1,5} \\ & = \text{3} \end{align*}Therefore the missing coordinate is \(B(3;3)\).
Given line \(AB\) which runs perpendicular to line \(CD\) with equation \(y = 2x - \text{0,75}\). Points \(A(-5;1)\) and \(B(a;-\text{2,5})\) are also given.
Calculate the missing co-ordinate of point \(B\).
The general form of a straight line is: \(y = mx + c\).
Line \(AB\) is perpendicular to line \(CD\) and so \(m_{AB} = \dfrac{-1}{m_{CD}}\).
\begin{align*} y & = mx + c \\ y & = \left(\frac{-1}{m_{CD}}\right)x + c \\ y & = \left(\frac{-1}{2}\right)x + c \\ y & = -\text{0,5}x + c \end{align*}Now we can substitute point \(A\) into the equation to find the \(y\)-intercept:
\begin{align*} y & = -\text{0,5}x + c \\ \text{1} & = (\text{0,5})(-\text{5}) + c \\ c & = -\text{1,5} \end{align*}Next we can substitute in point \(B\) to find the missing coordinate:
\begin{align*} y & = \text{0,5}x - \text{1,5} \\ -\text{2,5} & = \text{0,5}a - \text{1,5} \\ a & = -\text{2} \end{align*}Therefore the missing coordinate is \(B(-2;-\text{2,5})\).
You are given the following diagram:
You are also told that line \(AB\) has the following equation: \(y = -\text{0,5} x + \text{1,5}\).
Calculate the missing co-ordinate of point \(B\).
We substitute the known value for point \(B\) into the equation and solve for the unknown value:
\(\begin{aligned} y & = (-\text{0,5})x + \text{1,5} \\ a & = (-\text{0,5})(\text{2}) + \text{1,5} \\ & = \text{0,5} \end{aligned}\)
You are given the following diagram:
You are also told that line \(AB\) has the following equation: \(y = \text{0,5}x - \text{1}\).
Calculate the missing coordinate of point \(B\).
We substitute the known value for point \(B\) into the equation and solve for the unknown value:
\(\begin{aligned} y & = (\text{0,5})x - \text{1} \\ a & = (\text{0,5})(\text{1}) - \text{1} \\ & = -\text{0,5} \end{aligned}\)
\(A\) is the point \((-3;-5)\) and \(B\) is the point \((n;-11)\). \(AB\) is perpendicular to line \(CD\) with equation \(y = \frac{3}{2}x - 5\). Find the value of \(n\).
Line \(AB\) is perpendicular to line \(CD\) and so \(m_{AB} = \dfrac{-1}{m_{CD}}\).
\begin{align*} m_{AB} & = -1 \div \frac{3}{2} \\ & = \frac{-2}{3} \end{align*}Therefore:
\begin{align*} \frac{-2}{3} & = \frac{-11 - (-5)}{n - (-3)} \\ \frac{-2}{3} & = \frac{-6}{n + 3} \\ \frac{-2}{3}(n + 3) & = -6 \\ -2(n + 3) & = -18 \\ n + 3 & = 9 \\ n & = 6 \end{align*}The points \(A(4;-3)\), \(B(-5;0)\) and \(C(-3;p)\) are given. Determine the value of \(p\) if \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are collinear.
We are told that \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are collinear, therefore \(m_{AB} = m_{BC}\).
\begin{align*} \frac{0 + 3}{-5 - 4} & = \frac{p}{-3 + 5} \\ \frac{3}{-9} & = \frac{p}{2} \\ \therefore p & = \frac{6}{-9} \\ & = \frac{-2}{3} \end{align*}Refer to the diagram below:
Show that \(\triangle ABC\) is right-angled. Show your working.
To show that \(\triangle ABC\) is right angled we need to show that \(AB \perp AC\) or that \(AC \perp BC\) or \(AB \perp BC\). We can do this by calculating the gradients of \(AB\), \(AC\) and \(BC\) and then seeing if any of these gradients is the negative inverse of any of the other two gradients.
\begin{align*} m_{AB} & = \frac{-4 - 2}{2 - (-5)} \\ & = \frac{-6}{7} \\\\ m_{BC} & = \frac{-4 - 3}{2 - 8} \\ & = \frac{-7}{-6} \\ & = \frac{7}{6} \\\\ m_{AC} & = \frac{3 - 2}{8 - (-5)} \\ & = \frac{1}{13} \end{align*}Now we note that:
\begin{align*} m_{AB} \times m_{BC} & = \frac{-6}{7} \times \frac{7}{6} = -1 \\ \therefore AB \perp BC \\ \therefore \triangle ABC \text{ is right-angled} \end{align*}Find the area of \(\triangle ABC\).
This is a right-angled triangle (with right-angle \(A\hat{B}C\)) and so the perpendicular height is the length of one of the sides. We will use side \(BC\) as the perpendicular height and side \(AB\) as the base.
Note that we cannot use side \(AC\) for either the base or the height as we would then need to construct a new perpendicular height from \(A\) to \(B\) and calculate the length of that line.
The length of \(BC\) is:
\begin{align*} d & = \sqrt{(-5-2)^{2} + (2+4)^{2}} \\ & = \sqrt{49 + 36} \\ & = \sqrt{85} \end{align*}The length of \(AB\) is:
\begin{align*} d & = \sqrt{(8-2)^{2} + (3+4)^{2}} \\ & = \sqrt{36 + 49} \\ & = \sqrt{85} \end{align*}Therefore the area of \(\triangle ABC\) is:
\begin{align*} A & = \frac{1}{2}bh \\ & = \frac{1}{2}(AB)(BC) \\ & = \frac{1}{2}\left(\sqrt{85}\right)\left(\sqrt{85}\right) \\ & = \frac{1}{2}\left(85\right) \\ & = \text{42,5} \end{align*}The points \(A(-3;1)\), \(B(3;-2)\) and \(C(9;10)\) are given.
Prove that triangle \(ABC\) is a right-angled triangle.
We first draw a sketch:
To show that \(\triangle ABC\) is right angled we need to show that \(AB \perp AC\) or that \(AC \perp BC\) or \(AB \perp BC\). We can do this by calculating the gradients of \(AB\), \(AC\) and \(BC\) and then seeing if any of these gradients is the negative inverse of any of the other two gradients.
\begin{align*} m_{AB} & = \frac{-2 - 1}{3 - (-3)} \\ & = \frac{-3}{6} \\ & = \frac{-1}{2} \\\\ m_{BC} & = \frac{10 - (-2)}{9 - 3} \\ & = \frac{12}{6} \\ & = 2 \\\\ m_{AC} & = \frac{10 - 1}{9 - (-3)} \\ & = \frac{9}{12} \\ & = \frac{3}{4} \end{align*}Now we note that:
\begin{align*} m_{AB} \times m_{BC} & = \frac{-1}{2} \times 2 = -1 \\ \therefore AB \perp BC \\ \therefore \triangle ABC \text{ is right-angled} \end{align*}Find the coordinates of \(D\), if \(ABCD\) is a parallelogram.
A parallelogram has both sides equal in length and parallel. Therefore \(CD \parallel AB\) and \(AD \parallel BC\). Also \(CD = AB\) and \(AD = BC\).
Let the coordinates of \(D\) be \((x;y)\).
Since \(AD \parallel BC\), \(m_{AD} = m_{BC}\).
From the previous question we know that \(m_{BC} = 2\). Therefore the gradient of \(AD\) is:
\begin{align*} m_{AD} & = \frac{y_{2} - y_{1}}{x_{2} - x_{1}} \\ 2 & = \frac{y - 1}{x - (-3)} \\ 2(x + 3) & = y - 1 \\ 2x + 6 & = y - 1 \\ 2x + 7 & = y \end{align*}Since \(CD \parallel AB\), \(m_{CD} = m_{AB}\).
From the previous question we know that \(m_{AB} = \frac{-1}{2}\). Therefore the gradient of \(CD\) is:
\begin{align*} m_{CD} & = \frac{y_{2} - y_{1}}{x_{2} - x_{1}} \\ \frac{-1}{2} & = \frac{y - 10}{x - 9} \\ \frac{-1}{2}(x - 9) & = y - 10 \\ -x + 9 & = 2y - 20 \\ -x + 29 & = 2y \end{align*}Now we have two equations with two unknowns. We can equate the two equations and solve for \(x\):
\begin{align*} 4x + 14 & = -x + 29 \\ 5x & = 15 \\ x & = 3 \end{align*}Now we can solve for \(y\):
\begin{align*} 2x + 7 & = y \\ 2(3) + 7 & = y \\ 13 & = y \end{align*}Therefore the coordinates of \(D\) are \((3;13)\).
Find the equation of a line parallel to the line \(BC\), which passes through the point \(A\).
We know from the first question that the gradient of line \(BC\) is 2. We also know that point \(A\) is at \((-3;1)\).
The line parallel to \(BC\) will have the same gradient as \(BC\) so we can write the equation of this line as: \(y = 2x + c\).
Now we can use point \(A\) to find the \(y\)-intercept of the line:
\begin{align*} 2 & = 2(-5) + c \\ 2 & = -10 + c \\ 12 & = c \end{align*}Therefore the equation of the line parallel to \(BC\) and passing through \(A\) is \(y = 2x + 12\).
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8.2 Distance between two points
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8.4 Mid-point of a line
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