Equations of Lines
Calculating Slope
Any point on the xy-plane can be written as an ordered pair in the form (x, y). Taking two different points (x1,y1) and (x2, y2) on the line, the slope is:
Example: Find the slope of the line through the points (2, 5) and (3,7).
Solution:
Equation of a line: Point-slope form
There are two common ways to represent a line. The point-slope form of the equation of a line is given by y – y1 = m(x – x1), where the line has a slope m and passes through the point (x1, y1).
Example: Write the equation of the line using point-slope form, given that the line passes through the point (-3, 8) and has a slope of 2. Also, graph the line.
Solution:
Equation of a line: Slope-intercept form
Slope-intercept form of the equation of a line is given by y = mx + b, where the line has a slope m and a y-intercept b. The y-intercept is simply the place where the line crosses the y-axis. The corresponding ordered pair denoting the y-intercept is (0, y1).
Example: Write the equation of the line with slope -3 and y-intercept 13 using the slope-intercept form.
Solution:
y = mx + b
y = -3x +13
Example: Find the equation of the line through the point (5, 3) and (0, 0).
Solution:
First, we find the slope:
Next, we find the equation of the line:
y - y1 = m(x – x1)
y – 0 = 3/5 (x – 0)
y = 3/5x
Therefore, the equation of the line is y = 3/5x.
Equations of a Line: Given Two Points
Equations of a Line: Parallel Lines
Equation of a Line: Parallel Lines #2
Equations of a Line: Perpendicular Lines
Equation of a Line: Perpendicular Lines #2