6.4 Equation of Straight Lines (Part 2)


6.4.2 Equation of Straight Lines

Case 1
1. The gradient and coordinates of a point are given.
2. The equation of a straight line with gradient m passes through the point (x1, y1) is:


Example 1:
A straight line with gradient –3 passes through the point (–1, 5). Find the equation of this line.

Solution:
yy1 = m (xx1)
y – 5 = – 3 (x – (–1))
y – 5 = – 3x – 3
y = – 3x + 2


Case 2
1. The coordinates of two points are given.
2. The equation of a straight line joining the points (x1y1)
 and (x2, y2) is:
Example 2: 
Find the equation of the straight line joining the points (2, 4) and (5, 6).

Solution:
y y 1 x x 1 = y 2 y 1 x 2 x 1 Let  ( x 1 , y 1 ) = ( 2 ,   4 )  and  ( x 2 , y 2 )  =  ( 5 ,   6 ) y 4 x 2 = 6 4 5 2 y 4 x 2 = 2 3 3 y 12 = 2 x 4 3 y = 2 x + 8


Case 3
1. The equation of a straight line with x–intercept “a” and y–intercept“b” is:


Example 3: 
Find the equation of the straight line joining the points (5, 0) and (0, –6).

Solution:
x–intercept, a = 5, y–intercept, b = –6
Equation of the straight line
x a + y b = 1 x 5 + y ( 6 ) = 1 x 5 y 6 = 1


The equation of a straight line can be expressed in three forms:

(a)



(b)



(c)