Chapter 2

Coordinate geometry
and linear relations

Objectives







To find the midpoint of a line segment.





To use a parameter to describe families of straight lines.

To find the distance between two points.

To calculate the gradient of a straight line.
To calculate the angle of slope of a straight line given the gradient.
To interpret and use different forms of an equation of a straight line.
To establish and use necessary and sufficient conditions for two lines to be perpendicular
or parallel.
To apply knowledge of linear relations to solving problems.
To solve and apply simultaneous linear equations.

The number plane (Cartesian plane) is divided into four quadrants by two perpendicular axes.
These axes intersect at a point called the origin. The position of any point in the plane can be
represented by an ordered pair of numbers (x, y), called the coordinates of the point. Given
the coordinates of two points, we can find the equation of the straight line through the two
points, the distance between the two points and the midpoint of the line segment joining the
points. These are the beginning ideas of coordinate geometry. The topic of calculus, which is
introduced later in this book, builds on these ideas.
A relation is defined as a set of ordered pairs in the form (x, y). Sometimes we can give
a rule relating the x-value to the y-value of each ordered pair, such as y = 2x + 1, and this
is a more convenient way of describing the relation. A relation may also be represented
graphically on a set of axes. If the resulting graph is a straight line, then the relation is called
a linear relation.

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34

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

2A Distance and midpoints

Skillsheet

In this first section we look at the method to find the coordinates of the midpoint of a line
segment and we apply Pythagoras theorem to find the distance between two points.

 Midpoint of a line segment

Finding the midpoint of a line segment parallel to an axis is a simple special case, and it is
useful in obtaining the more general result.

A line segment parallel to an axis

y

The midpoint of the line segment AB with endpoints A(2, 3) and

B(2, 4) is the point P with coordinates (2, 12 ).
Note that 12 is the average of 3 and 4. The line through A and B is
parallel to the y-axis.

A(2, 3)

P(2, 1 )
2

B(2, 4)
y

Similarly for the line segment CD with endpoints C(1, 2)

and D(3, 2), the midpoint is the point P with coordinates
(1, 2).
Note that 1 is the average of 1 and 3. The line through C
and D is parallel to the x-axis.

D(3, 2)

C(1, 2)
P(1, 2)

A line segment not parallel to one of the axes

y

Let P(x, y) be the midpoint of the line segment

joining A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ), where the line
through A and B is not parallel to either axis.

B(x2, y2)
P(x, y)

Let points C and D be chosen so that AC and

PD are parallel to the x-axis, and PC and BD
are parallel to the y-axis.
The triangles APC and PBD are congruent
(AAS). Hence
AC = PD

x x1 = x2 x
2x = x1 + x2
x=

x1 + x2
2

and

PC = BD

A(x1, y1)

x x1

y2 y
x2 x
y y1

C
x

y y1 = y2 y
2y = y1 + y2
y=

y1 + y2
2

We have proved the following result.

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35

2A Distance and midpoints

The coordinates of the midpoint P of the line segment AB joining A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 )
are
x + x y + y 
1
2
1
2
,
2
2
That is, we take the average of the x-coordinates and the average of the y-coordinates.

Example 1
Find the midpoint of the line segment joining A(2, 6) with B(3, 4).
Solution
The midpoint of line segment AB has
coordinates
 2 + (3) 6 + (4)   1 
,
= ,1
2
2
2

Explanation
The coordinates of the midpoint of the line
segment joining A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) are
x + x y + y 
1
2
1
2
,
2
2

 The distance between two points

y

The distance between given points A(x1 , y1 ) and

B(x2 , y2 ) can be found by applying Pythagoras
theorem to the triangle ABC:

B(x2, y2)

AB2 = AC 2 + BC 2

A(x1, y1)

= (x2 x1 )2 + (y2 y1 )2
Therefore, the distance between the two points
A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) is

AB = (x2 x1 )2 + (y2 y1 )2

y2 y1
x2 x1

C
x

Example 2
Calculate the distance EF if E is (3, 2) and F is (4, 2).
Solution
EF =
=
=
=


(x2 x1 )2 + (y2 y1 )2

(4 (3))2 + (2 2)2

72 + (4)2

65

= 8.06

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(to two decimal places)

Explanation
y
E

2
1

3 2 1 0
1
2

1 2 3

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36

2A

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Section summary
 The coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment joining A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) are

x + x y + y 
1
2
1
2
,
2
2

 The distance between points A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) is

(x2 x1 )2 + (y2 y1 )2

Exercise 2A
Example 1

Find the coordinates of M, the midpoint of AB, where A and B have the following
coordinates:
a A(2, 12), B(8, 4)
c A(1.6, 3.4), B(4.8, 2)

b A(3, 5), B(4, 4)

d A(3.6, 2.8), B(5, 4.5)

Find the midpoints of each of the sides of a triangle ABC, where A is (1, 1), B is (5, 5)
and C is (11, 2).

3 The secretary of a motorcross club wants to

organise two meetings on the same weekend.
One is a hill climb starting from point A(3.1, 7.1)
and the other is a circuit event with the start at
B(8.9, 10.5), as shown on the map. Only one
ambulance can be provided. The ambulance can be
called up by radio, so it is decided to keep it at C,
halfway between A and B.
What are the coordinates of C?

km
14

N
W

12
10

1cm = 2 km
+ C

6
4
2
2

10 km

If M is the midpoint of XY, find the coordinates of Y when X and M have the following
values:
a X(4, 2), M(0, 3)
c X(6, 3), M(2, 1)

b X(1, 3), M(0.5, 1.6)

d X(4, 3), M(0, 3)

5 Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line joining (1, 4) and (a, b), in terms of a
and b. If (5, 1) is the midpoint, find the values of a and b.
Example 2

Find the distance between each of the following (correct to two decimal places):
a (3, 6) and (4, 5)
c (2, 3) and (5, 8)

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b (4, 1) and (5, 3)

d (6, 4) and (7, 4)

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37

2B The gradient of a straight line

Calculate the perimeter of a triangle with vertices (3, 4), (1, 5) and (7, 2).

The diagram shows the four points

A(6, 6), B(10, 2), C(1, 5) and
D(7, 1). If the midpoint of AB is
P and the midpoint of CD is M,
calculate the distance PM.

y
8
C

D
8

There is an off-shore oil drilling platform in Bass Strait situated at D(0, 6), where
1 unit = 5 km. Pipes for this oil drill come ashore at M(6, 1) and N(3, 1). Assuming
the pipelines are straight, which is the shorter DM or DN?

2B The gradient of a straight line

Through any two points it is only possible to draw a

single straight line. Therefore a straight line is defined
by any two points on the line.

rise

In coordinate geometry the standard way to define the

rise
A
where:
gradient of a line segment AB is
run
 rise is the change in the y-values as you move from A to B
 run is the change in the x-values as you move from A to B.
The gradient of a line is defined to be
the gradient of any segment within the
line. This definition depends on the fact
that any two segments of a line have
the same gradient. Hence given any
two points on the line, A(x1 , y1 ) and
B(x2 , y2 ), the gradient of the line can be
found. The symbol used for gradient
is m.
Gradient m =

run

y
B (x2, y2)

A (x1, y1)

rise = y2 y1

run = x2 x1
0

rise y2 y1
=
run
x2 x 1

Note that since

y1 y 2
y2 y1
=
x2 x1
x1 x 2
it does not matter which point we take as the first and which point we take as the second.
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38

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Example 3
Find the gradient of each line:
y
a

3
2

1
2

Solution

20
a Gradient m =
0 (2)
=

2
2

x
0

3
2

Let (x1 , y1 ) = (2, 0)

and (x2 , y2 ) = (0, 2).
Gradient m =

03
20

Explanation

=1
b Gradient m =

y2 y1
x2 x 1

Let (x1 , y1 ) = (0, 3)

and (x2 , y2 ) = (2, 0).
Gradient m =

y2 y1
x2 x 1

Notes:
 The gradient of a line that slopes upwards from left to right is positive, as illustrated in

Example 3a.
 The gradient of a line that slopes downwards from left to right is negative, as illustrated in
Example 3b.
 The gradient of a horizontal line (parallel to the x-axis) is zero, since y2 y1 = 0.
 The gradient of a vertical line (parallel to the y-axis) is undefined, since x2 x1 = 0.

Example 4
Find the gradient of the line that passes through the points (1, 6) and (3, 7).
Solution
m=

y2 y1
x2 x 1

76
=
3 1

1
=
4
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Explanation
The gradient can also be found using
m=
=

y1 y2
x1 x 2

1
67
=
1 (3)
4

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39

2B The gradient of a straight line

 The tangent of the angle of slope

We will look first at the case when the gradient is positive and then when the gradient is
negative.

Positive gradient
From Year 10 you will be familiar with the trigonometric
ratio
opposite
tan =
adjacent

opposite

adjacent

Consider a straight line with positive gradient. The line forms an acute angle, , with the
positive direction of the x-axis.
y

The gradient, m, of the line is given by

m=

y2 y1
x2 x 1

B(x2, y2)

(x1  x2 )

From the diagram, it follows that

A(x1, y1)

m = tan
where is the angle that the line makes with
the positive direction of the x-axis.

y2 y1

x2 x1

Example 5
Determine the gradient of the line passing through the points (3, 2) and (5, 7) and the
angle that the line makes with the positive direction of the x-axis.
Explanation
The gradient is given by

Solution
72
m=
53

m=

5
=
2

tan =

y2 y1
x2 x 1

The gradient is positive and so the angle

is acute.

5
2

= 68.1986 . . .
= 68.20

The angle can be found with a calculator

using inverse tan.

correct to two decimal places.

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40

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Negative gradient
Now consider a line with negative gradient.
The line forms an acute angle with the
negative direction of the x-axis, and an obtuse
angle with the positive direction of the x-axis.
We have = 180 .
From the diagram, we see that the gradient
satisfies
(y1 y2 )
y2 y1
=
= tan
m=
x2 x 1
x2 x 1

y
x2 x1
A(x1, y1)

y2 y1

B(x2, y2)
0

From your work on circular functions in Year 10 you may recall that
tan = tan(180 ) = tan
Thus the gradient satisfies
m = tan = tan

Example 6
Determine the gradient of the line passing through the points (5, 3) and (1, 5) and the
angle that the line makes with the positive direction of the x-axis.
Explanation
The gradient is negative and so the angle
between the line and the positive direction
of the x-axis is obtuse.

Solution
m=

5 (3)
1 5

4
3

tan =

4
3

= 180 (53.130 . . . )
= 126.87

You first use your calculator to find the

adjacent supplementary angle , which is
acute. You do this by finding the inverse
tangent of 43 . The magnitude of this angle is
53.130 . . . .
You subtract this from 180 to obtain .

correct to two decimal places.

Section summary
 The gradient of a line segment AB joining two points A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) is

y2 y1
x2 x 1

provided x1  x2

 The gradient of a line is defined as the gradient of any line segment of that line.
 A horizontal line has gradient zero.
 A vertical line does not have a gradient.

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2B

41

2B The gradient of a straight line

 Let be the angle that a line makes with the positive direction of the x-axis.
The gradient m is positive if and only if is acute.

The gradient m is negative if and only if is obtuse.

If is acute or obtuse, then m = tan .
If = 0 , then m = tan 0 = 0.

If = 90 , then the gradient is not defined.

Exercise 2B
Example 3

Calculate the gradient of each of the following lines:

y
y
a
b
3
2
1

2 1 0

2
1

6
4
2

2
1
1 0

1 2 3

h
(6, 10)

3 2 1 0

(0, 8)

5
(3, 2)

(2, 0)

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1 2 3 4

3
2
1

0
1

3
2
1

2 3

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42

Example 4

Sketch a graph of a line with gradient 1.

Sketch a graph of a line with gradient 0 which passes through the point (1, 6).

For each of the following, find the gradient of the line that passes through the two
points with the given coordinates:
a
c
e
g
i
k

(6, 3), (2, 4)

(6, 7), (11, 3)
(6, 0), (6, 0)
(3, 9), (4, 16)
(5, 25), (8, 64)
(1, 1), (10, 1000)

b
d
f
h
j
l

(3, 4), (1, 6)

(5, 8), (6, 0)
(0, 6), (6, 0)
(5, 25), (6, 36)
(1, 1), (10, 100)
(5, 125), (4, 64)

a Find the gradient of the straight line that passes through the points with coordinates
(5a, 2a) and (3a, 6a).
b Find the gradient of the straight line that passes through the points with coordinates
(5a, 2a) and (5b, 2b).

a A line has gradient 6 and passes through the points with coordinates (1, 6) and
(7, a). Find the value of a.
b A line has gradient 6 and passes through the points with coordinates (1, 6) and
(b, 7). Find the value of b.

Find the angle, correct to two decimal places, that the lines joining the given points
make with the positive direction of the x-axis:
a (0, 3), (3, 0)
c (0, 2), (4, 0)

Example 5, 6

2B

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Find the angle, correct to two decimal places, that the lines joining the given points
make with the positive direction of the x-axis:
a (4, 2), (6, 8)
c (3, 4), (6, 1)
e (3b, a), (3a, b)

b (0, 4), (4, 0)

d (0, 5), (5, 0)

b (2, 6), (2, 4)

d (4, 3), (2, 4)
f (c, b), (b, c)

Find the gradient of a straight line which is:

a
b
c
d

inclined at an angle of 45 to the positive direction of the x-axis

inclined at an angle of 135 to the positive direction of the x-axis
inclined at an angle of 60 to the positive direction of the x-axis
inclined at an angle of 120 to the positive direction of the x-axis.

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2C The equation of a straight line

43

2C The equation of a straight line

Skillsheet

In this section we discuss different ways of determining the equation of a straight line.
In general two independent pieces of information are required. The following given
information is considered:
 gradient and y-axis intercept
 gradient and a point
 two points.

Sketching straight lines given the equation is discussed in Section 2D.

 Gradientintercept form of the equation of a straight line

We first consider an example before stating the general result. The argument in the general
case is exactly the same.

The line y = 2x + 4
Consider the line with gradient 2 and y-axis intercept 4.
This line passes through the point A(0, 4). Let B(x, y) be
any other point on the line.
y4 y4
=
Gradient of line segment AB =
x0
x
We know that the gradient of the line is 2. Therefore
y4
=2
x

y
B(x, y)

A(0, 4)
0

y 4 = 2x

y = 2x + 4
So the coordinates (x, y) satisfy the equation y = 2x + 4.
Conversely, if a point B(x, y) in the plane satisfies y = 2x + 4, then
y4
=2
x
Thus we know that the gradient of the line segment joining point B to the point A(0, 4) is 2.
Therefore the line through A(0, 4) and B(x, y) has gradient 2 and y-axis intercept 4.

The line y = mx + c
In the same way as for the line y = 2x + 4, we can show that:
 The line with gradient m and y-axis intercept c has equation y = mx + c.
 Conversely, the line with equation y = mx + c has gradient m and y-axis intercept c.

This is called the gradientintercept form.

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44

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Example 7
Find the gradient and y-axis intercept of the line y = 3x 4.
Solution
The gradient is 3 and the y-axis intercept
is 4.

Explanation
m = 3 and c = 4

Example 8
Find the equation of the line with gradient 3 and y-axis intercept 5.
Explanation
y = mx + c

Solution
y = 3x + 5

Example 9
State the gradient and y-axis intercept of the line 3y + 6x = 9.
Explanation

Solution
3y + 6x = 9
3y = 9 6x
y=

Rearrange the equation 3y + 6x = 9 into

gradientintercept form.

9 6x
3

y = 3 2x
i.e.

y = 2x + 3

Therefore m = 2 and c = 3.

Now the gradient and y-axis intercept can

be read directly from the equation.

 Pointgradient form of the equation of a straight line

y

If A(x1 , y1 ) is a point on a line with gradient m and P(x, y) is

any other point on the line, then

P(x, y)

y y1
=m
x x1

A(x1, y1)

and so we have

y y1 = m(x x1 )

The pointgradient form of the equation of a straight line is

y y1 = m(x x1 )
where (x1 , y1 ) is a point on the line and m is the gradient.

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2C The equation of a straight line

45

Example 10
Find the equation of the line which passes through the point (1, 3) and has gradient 4.
Explanation

Solution
Method 1

(x1 , y1 ) = (1, 3) and m = 4.

The equation is
y 3 = 4(x (1))
y = 4(x + 1) + 3

We use the equation y y1 = m(x x1 ).

(It is not necessary to work from first
principles every time.)
Rearrange to make y the subject and write
the equation in the form y = mx + c.

= 4x + 4 + 3
= 4x + 7
Method 2

Since m = 4, the equation is of the form

y = 4x + c.

We can also use the equation y = mx + c

and find the value of c. The gradient is 4.

When x = 1, y = 3.

The point (1, 3) lies on the line.

Therefore
3 = 4 (1) + c
7=c

Solve for c.

The equation is y = 4x + 7.

Example 11
Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (3, 2) and has a gradient of 2.
Explanation

Solution

y 2 = 2(x 3)

y 2 = 2x + 6
y = 2x + 8

The equation is
y = 2x + 8
which could also be expressed as
2x + y 8 = 0

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2
1
0

(3, 2)
1 2 3 4

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46

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

 A line through two points

y

To find the equation of the line through two given

points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ), first find the gradient
m=

y2 y1
x2 x 1

P(x, y)

B(x2, y2)

A(x1, y1)

and then use the pointgradient form

y y1 = m(x x1 )

We can also find the equation directly by taking the point P(x, y) and noting that
y y1
=m
x x1

Example 12
Find the equation of the straight line passing through the points (1, 2) and (3, 2).
Solution
m=

y2 y1
x2 x 1

2 (2)
31
4
=
2
=

=2
y (2)
2=
x1

2x 2 = y + 2

y = 2x 4

Explanation
First find the gradient m and then use
y y1
=m
x x1

Choose (x1 , y1 ) = (1, 2).

y
2

(3, 2)

P(x, y)
0
2

(1, 2)

Example 13
Find the equation of the straight line with y-axis intercept 3 which passes through the
point with coordinates (1, 10).
Solution
The gradient is
m=

10 (3)
= 13
10

Therefore the equation is y = 13x 3.

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Explanation
Find the gradient using (x1 , y1 ) = (0, 3)
and (x2 , y2 ) = (1, 10).
The general equation of a line with y-axis
intercept 3 is y = mx 3.

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2C The equation of a straight line

47

Two intercepts
A special case of finding the equation of a line given the coordinates of two points is when
the intercept with each axis is known, that is, finding the line through (a, 0) and (0, b), where
a, b  0.
In this case, the gradient is
b
b0
=
m=
0a
a
Thus the equation of the line is
b
y 0 = (x a)
a
Multiplying both sides of the equation by a gives

(0, b)

ay + bx = ab
Dividing both sides of the equation by ab gives the
following:

(a, 0)

The intercept form of the equation of a straight line is

x y
+ =1
a b
where a and b are the x-axis intercept and y-axis intercept respectively.

Example 14

Find the equation of the line shown in the graph.

4 A
3
2
1
B
0

Solution
The intercept form of the equation is
x y
+ =1
2 4

Explanation
The coordinates of A and B are (0, 4) and
(2, 0).

Multiply both sides by 4:

2x + y = 4
The equation of the line is y = 2x + 4.
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48

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

 Vertical and horizontal lines

If a line is horizontal, then its gradient m = 0 and its equation is simply y = c, where c is the
y-axis intercept.
If a line is vertical, then its gradient is undefined and its equation is x = a, where a is the
x-axis intercept.
y

Equation y = 2

Equation x = 3

x=3

3
2

y=2
1
0

Note that the equation of a vertical line is not of the form y = mx + c.

 General form of the equation of a straight line

We have seen that all points on the line through two given points satisfy an equation of
the form mx + ny + p = 0, with m and n not both 0. Conversely, any linear equation
mx + ny + p = 0 is the equation of a (straight) line. This is called the general form of the
equation of a line.

Section summary
 Gradientintercept form: The line with gradient m and y-axis intercept c has equation

y = mx + c. Conversely, the line with equation y = mx + c has gradient m and y-axis

intercept c.
 Pointgradient form: If (x1 , y1 ) is a point on a line with gradient m and (x, y) is any
other point on the line, then
y y1
=m
x x1

which can be written as

y y1 = m(x x1 )
 Two points: To find the equation of the line through two given points (x1 , y1 ) and

(x2 , y2 ), first find the gradient

m=

y2 y1
x2 x 1

and then use the pointgradient form

y y1 = m(x x1 )

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2C

2C The equation of a straight line

49

 Intercept form: If a line has x-axis intercept a and y-axis intercept b, the equation of

the line is
x y
+ =1
a b
 Horizontal line: A line parallel to the x-axis through the point (a, c) has equation y = c.
 Vertical line: A line parallel to the y-axis through the point (a, c) has equation x = a.
 General form: Every straight line satisfies an equation of the form mx + ny + p = 0,

with m and n not both 0. Conversely, any linear equation mx + ny + p = 0 is the

equation of a straight line.

Exercise 2C
Example 7

State the gradient and y-axis intercept of the graph of each equation:
a y = 3x + 6

b y = 6x + 7

c y = 3x 6

d y = x 4

Example 8

a Find the equation of the straight line with gradient 3 and y-axis intercept 5.
b Find the equation of the straight line with gradient 4 and y-axis intercept 6.
c Find the equation of the straight line with gradient 3 and y-axis intercept 4.

Example 9

State the gradient and y-axis intercept of the graph of each equation:
a 3x y = 6

b 4x 2y = 8

b 3x + 4y = 10

d 5x 2y = 4

a Find the equation of the straight line that has gradient 3 and passes through the point
with coordinates (6, 7).
b Find the equation of the straight line that has gradient 2 and passes through the
point with coordinates (1, 7).

Find the equations of the straight lines passing through the following pairs of points.
(Express your answer in gradientintercept form.)
a (1, 4), (2, 3)

Example 13

c x 3y = 6

Example 11

Example 12

d 2x 6y = 10

Express in gradientintercept form and hence state the gradient and y-axis intercept of
each of the following linear relations:
a 2x y = 9

Example 10

c 5x 10y = 20

c (3, 2), (4, 4)

d (5, 2), (8, 9)

For the straight line that has y-axis intercept 6 and passes through the point with
coordinates (1, 8), find:
a the gradient

b (0, 4), (5, 3)

b the equation

Find the equation of the straight line that passes through the point (1, 6) and has
gradient:
a 2

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50

Write, in the form y = mx + c, the equations of the lines which have the given gradient
and pass through the given point:
a m = 2;

Example 14

2C

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

b m = 2;

(1, 4)

c m = 5;

(0, 4)

(3, 0)

10 Find equations defining the lines which pass through the following pairs of points:
b (3, 0), (0, 6)
d (2, 0), (0, 3)

a (0, 4), (6, 0)

c (0, 4), (4, 0)

11 Find the equations, in the form y = mx + c, of the lines which pass through the
following pairs of points:
a (0, 4), (3, 6)
c (3, 0), (3, 3)
e (1.5, 2), (4.5, 8)
12

Find the equation of each of the following lines:

y
y
a
b
3
2
1

4
3
2
1
2 1 0

1 2

2
1
1 0
1
2

1 2 3

1 2

1 2

4
3
2
1
2 1 0

2 110
2

c
2
1

3 2 1 0

13

b (1, 0), (4, 2)

d (2, 3), (4, 0)
f (3, 1.75), (4.5, 2)

4
3
2
1
2 1 0

1 2

Do the points P(1, 3), Q(2, 1) and R(2 12 , 3) lie on the same straight line?

14 For which of the following does the line pass through the origin?
a y+x=1
15

b y + 2x = 2(x + 1)

c x+y=0

d xy=1

a Find the equation of the line that is parallel to the y-axis and passes through the point
with coordinates (4, 7).
b Find the equation of the line that is parallel to the x-axis and passes through the
point with coordinates (4, 11).
c Find the equation of the line that is parallel to the y-axis and passes through the point
with coordinates (11, 7).
d Find the equation of the line that is parallel to the x-axis and passes through the
point with coordinates (5, 1).

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2D Graphing straight lines

51

2D Graphing straight lines

In the previous section we discussed methods of finding the equation of a straight line given
suitable information. In this section we look at sketching a straight line from an equation. To
sketch the graph we need to derive the coordinates of two points on the line. A convenient
way to sketch graphs of straight lines is to plot the two axis intercepts.

Example 15
Sketch the graph of 2x + 4y = 10.
Solution

x-axis intercept (y = 0): 2x + 4(0) = 10

x=5

2.5

y-axis intercept (x = 0): 2(0) + 4y = 10

5

y = 2.5
1

Example 16
Sketch the graph of y = 2x 6 by first finding the intercepts.
Solution
x-axis intercept (y = 0): 0 = 2x 6

x=3
y-axis intercept (x = 0):

y = 2(0) 6
y = 6

Note: You can also obtain the y-axis intercept

directly from the equation.

Using the TI-Nspire

To sketch the graph of 6x + 3y = 9:
 Open a Graphs application: press c
on and
select the Graphs icon, or use ctrl I and
select Add Graphs.
 Equations of the form ax + by = c can
be entered directly using menu > Graph
Entry/Edit > Equation > Line. Enter as

6x + 3y = 9.

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52

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Note: The window settings ( menu >
Window/Zoom > Window Settings)

will have to be changed if the axis

intercepts do not appear on the screen.
 The axis intercepts can be found using menu
> Geometry > Points & Lines > Intersection
Point(s). Select the x-axis and the graph to

display the x-axis intercept. Select the y-axis

and the graph to display the y-axis intercept.
 To show the coordinates of these points,
use menu > Actions > Coordinates and
Equations and double click on each of the
points.
 Press esc to exit the Coordinates and
Equations tool.

Using the Casio ClassPad

 Type the equation 3y + 6x = 9 in the main screen M. Tap on the graph icon $ to

display the graph screen.

 Using your stylus, highlight the equation and drag it down into the graph screen. Lift
the stylus off the screen for the graph to appear.

 The graph window setting can be adjusted using the window setting icon 6.
 Ensure the graph window is selected and the intercepts are visible on the graph.

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2D Graphing straight lines

53

 To find the intercepts, go to Analysis > G-Solve. Select y-Intercept for the y-axis
intercept and select Root for the x-axis intercept.

Note: The equation is displayed in gradientintercept form in the top-left corner of the

graph screen.
From Section 2B we know that the gradient of a line is the tangent of the angle of slope (that
is, the angle formed by the line with the positive direction of the x-axis).

Example 17
For each of the following lines, find the magnitude of the angle (correct to two decimal
places) that the line makes with the positive direction of the x-axis:
b 3y = 3x 6

a y = 2x + 3
c y = 0.3x + 1.5
Solution
a

3y = 3x 6

y = 2x + 3

y= x2

Gradient = 2
tan = 2

Hence
Therefore

Gradient = 1

= 63.43

Hence

correct to two decimal places

tan = 1

Therefore

= 45

y = 0.3x + 1.5

Gradient = 0.3
Hence
Therefore

tan = 0.3

= (180 16.699 . . . )
= 163.30

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54

2D

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Section summary
 The most practical way to sketch a straight line is to plot two points known to be on the

required line and draw the line through them.

Two important points are the intercept with the x-axis and the intercept with the

y-axis. These are the best two points to use in order to sketch a line that does not
pass through the origin and is not parallel to one of the axes.
To sketch a line with equation of the form y = mx, plot one other point on the line
besides the origin.
 The gradient m of a line y = mx + c is equal to tan , where is the angle of slope

measured between the line and the positive direction of the x-axis.

Exercise 2D
1

For each of the following, give the coordinates of the axis intercepts:
a x+y=4

Example 15

b xy=4

b y= x+2

b y = 3x 9

b y = x + 2

b xy=1

d y = 2x + 10

c y = 2x + 1

d y = 2x + 1

c yx=1

d x y = 1

c y = 4 12 x
g 4y 6x = 24

d y = 3x 2
h 8x 3y = 24

c y = 2

d x=5

Sketch the graphs of each of the following:

a y= x+3
e 4y + 2x = 12

c y = 5x + 10

Sketch the graphs of each of the following:

a x+y=1

c y = 2x 4

Sketch the graphs of each of the following:

a y= x+2

c 3x + 4y = 24
f 7x 2y = 15

Sketch the graphs of each of the following by first determining the axis intercepts:
a y = 2x 10

b x 4y = 8
e 4x 3y = 15

For each of the following, sketch the graph by first finding the axis intercepts:
a y= x1

d yx=8

Sketch the graphs of each of the following linear relations:

a 2x 3y = 12
d 5x + 2y = 20

Example 16

c x y = 6

b y = 3x + 1
f 3x + 6y = 12

Sketch the graphs of each of the following:

a y=3

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2E Parallel and perpendicular lines

Example 17

55

Find the magnitude of the angle, correct to two decimal places, made by each of the
following with the positive direction of the x-axis:
b y = x
e y = 2x

a y=x
d x+y=1

c y= x+1
f y = 2x

10 Find the magnitude of the angle, correct to two decimal places, made by each of the
following with the positive direction of the x-axis:
b 2y = 2x + 1

a y = 3x + 2

c 2y 2x = 6

d 3y + x = 7

11 A straight line has equation y = 3x 4. The points with coordinates (0, a), (b, 0), (1, d)
and (e, 10) lie on the line. Find the values of a, b, d and e.

2E Parallel and perpendicular lines

Skillsheet

 Parallel lines
 Two non-vertical lines are parallel if they have the same gradient.
 Conversely, two non-vertical lines with the same gradient are parallel.

This is easily proved through considering the angles of inclination of such lines to the
positive direction of the x-axis and using the following two results:
y

1 Two non-vertical lines are parallel if and only if the corresponding angles 1 and 2 formed
by the lines and the positive direction of the x-axis are equal.
2 If 1 and 2 are two angles which are acute, obtuse or zero, then tan 1 = tan 2 implies
1 = 2 .
y
For example, consider the lines
y = 2x + 3
y = 2x + 3
4
y = 2x 4
3
y = 2x 4
2
Both lines have gradient 2, and so they are parallel.
1
x
2 1 0
1
2
2
3
4
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56

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

 Perpendicular lines
We prove that two lines are perpendicular if and only if the product of their gradients is 1
(or if one is horizontal and the other vertical).
Two lines with gradients m1 and m2 (both non-zero) are perpendicular if and only if
m1 m2 = 1.
Proof Initially we consider the case where the two lines intersect at the origin.
Step 1 Draw two lines passing through the origin with one of the lines having

positive gradient, m1 , and the other negative gradient, m2 . Form right-angled triangles
OPQ and OAB with OQ = OB.
y
AB
Gradient m1 =
gradient
BO
m2
gradient
m1
Q
OQ
P
Gradient m2 =
A
PQ
Product m1 m2 =

OQ AB

PQ BO

OQ AB

PQ OQ

AB
PQ

Step 2 We now prove: If two lines passing through the origin are perpendicular, then

the product of their gradients is 1.

If the lines are perpendicular, then POQ =
AOB. Therefore triangles OPQ and OAB
are congruent. So PQ = AB and therefore the
product of the gradients is

y
Q

90

AB
AB
=
= 1
m 1 m2 =
PQ
AB
O

Step 3 We next prove the converse: If for two lines passing through the origin the

product of their gradients is 1, then the lines are perpendicular.

If the product m1 m2 = 1, then AB = PQ, which implies that the triangles OAB and
OPQ are congruent. Therefore POQ = AOB and so AOP = 90 .
Step 4 If we are given two lines anywhere in the plane, we can draw lines through the

origin parallel to the original two lines. The slopes of the new lines are the same. So
the result holds for lines that do not necessarily pass through the origin.

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2E Parallel and perpendicular lines

57

Example 18
Find the equation of the straight line which passes through (1, 2) and is:
a parallel to the line with equation 2x y = 4
b perpendicular to the line with equation 2x y = 4.
Solution
The equation 2x y = 4 is equivalent
to y = 2x 4. The line y = 2x 4 has
gradient 2.

Explanation

a The required line passes through (1, 2)

and has gradient 2. Hence

A line parallel to y = 2x 4 has gradient 2.

y 2 = 2(x 1)

We use y y1 = m(x x1 ) where

(x1 , y1 ) = (1, 2) and m = 2.

Therefore the line has equation y = 2x.

b The required line passes through (1, 2)
and has gradient 21 . Hence
1
y 2 = (x 1)
2
Therefore 2y 4 = x + 1 and
equivalently 2y + x = 5.

A line perpendicular to a line with

gradient m has gradient m1 (provided
m , 0).
We use y y1 = m(x x1 ) where
(x1 , y1 ) = (1, 2) and m = 21 .

The line has equation 2y + x = 5.

Example 19
The coordinates of the vertices of a triangle ABC are A(0, 1), B(2, 3) and C(3, 2 12 ).
Show that the side AB is perpendicular to the side AC.
Solution
Let m1 be the gradient of the line AB and
let m2 be the gradient of the line AC.
m1 =

3 (1)
20

We show the product of the gradients is 1.

Hence the lines are perpendicular.

=2
m2 =
=

Explanation
We use the fact that two lines with
gradients m1 and m2 (both non-zero) are
perpendicular if and only if m1 m2 = 1.

2 12 (1)
30
1 12
3

1
2

Since m1 m2 = 2 ( 12 ) = 1, the lines

AB and AC are perpendicular to each other.
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58

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

2E

Section summary
 Two non-vertical lines are parallel if they have the same gradient. Conversely, if two

non-vertical lines are parallel, then they have the same gradient.
 Two lines are perpendicular if the product of their gradients is 1 (or if one is
horizontal and the other vertical). Conversely, if two lines are perpendicular, then the
product of their gradients is 1 (or one is horizontal and the other vertical).

Exercise 2E
Example 18

Find the equation of the straight line which passes through (4, 2) and is:
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h

parallel to the line with equation y = 2x + 1

perpendicular to the line with equation y = 2x + 1
parallel to the line with equation y = 2x + 1
perpendicular to the line with equation y = 2x + 1
parallel to the line with equation 2x 3y = 4
perpendicular to the line with equation 2x 3y = 4
parallel to the line with equation x + 3y = 5
perpendicular to the line with equation x + 3y = 4.

For which of the following pairs of equations are the corresponding lines parallel to
each other? Sketch graphs to show the pairs of non-parallel lines.
a 2y = 6x + 4; y = 3x + 4
c 3y 2x = 12; y + 13 = 23 x

Find the equation of the line:

a
b
c
d

Example 19

b x = 4 y; 2x + 2y = 6
d 4y 3x = 4; 3y = 4x 3

perpendicular to the line x = 3 and which passes through the point (3, 4)
perpendicular to the line y = 3 and which passes through the point (2, 3)
perpendicular to the line x = 2 and which passes through the point (2, 4)
perpendicular to the line y = 4 and which passes through the point (3, 4).

Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (1, 4) and is
perpendicular to the line with equation y = 12 x + 6.

Points A and B have coordinates (1, 5) and (3, 7) respectively. Find the coordinates of
the midpoint M of the line segment AB and find the equation of the line which passes
through the point M and is perpendicular to the line AB.

If the points A, B and C have the coordinates A(5, 2), B(2, 3) and C(8, 3), show that
the triangle ABC is a right-angled triangle.

Given the points A(3, 7), B(6, 1) and C(20, 8), prove that AB is perpendicular to BC.

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2F Families of straight lines

59

Show that RS T U is a rectangle if the coordinates of the vertices are respectively

R(2, 6), S (6, 4), T (2, 4) and U(2, 2).

Given that the lines 4x 3y = 10 and 4x y = m are perpendicular and intersect at the
point (4, 2), find the values of  and m.

10 The line y = 2x + 3 intersects the y-axis at A. The points B and C on this line are
such that AB = BC. The line through B perpendicular to AC passes through the point
D(1, 6). Find:
a the equation of BD
b the coordinates of B
c the coordinates of C.

2F Families of straight lines

Skillsheet

Here are three families of straight lines:

 y = mx, where the gradient m of the lines varies the graphs are the straight lines through

the origin.
 y = 3x + c, where the y-axis intercept c of the lines varies the graphs are the straight lines

with gradient 3.
 y = mx + 2, where the gradient m of the lines varies the graphs are the straight lines with

y-axis intercept 2. Some graphs in this family are illustrated below.

y

y = 3x + 2

y = 3x + 2
y = x + 2

y =

y=x+2

1
x+2
2

y=
(0, 2)

1
x+2
2

The variable m is called a parameter. We will consider other families of graphs in later
chapters of this book.

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60

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Example 20
Find the value of m if the line y = mx + 2 passes through the point (3, 11).
Solution
We can write
11 = 3m + 2
Therefore 3m = 9 and hence m = 3. It is the line y = 3x + 2.

Example 21
A family of lines have equations of the form y = mx + 2, where m is a negative number.
a Find the x-axis intercept of a line in this family in terms of m.
b For which values of m is the x-axis intercept greater than 3?
c Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line y = mx + 2 at the point (0, 2).
Explanation

Solution
a When y = 0:

To find the x-axis intercept put y = 0.

mx + 2 = 0
mx = 2
x=

2
m

The x-axis intercept is m2 .

b

2
>3
m

Multiply both sides of the inequality by m.

Since m is negative, the inequality sign is
reversed. Then divide both sides by 3.

2 < 3m

2
<m
3

Therefore the x-axis intercept is greater

than 3 for 32 < m < 0.
c The equation is y 2 = m1 x and the
gradientintercept form is y = m1 x + 2.

The perpendicular line has gradient m1 and

passes through (0, 2).

Section summary
Families of straight lines can be described through the use of a parameter. For example:
 All the non-vertical lines passing through (0, 2) have equation of the form y = mx + 2,

where m is a real number. (If m = 0, the line is horizontal.)

 All the lines with gradient 3 have equation of the form y = 3x + c, where c is a real
number.
x y
 All the lines with x-axis intercept 4 have equation of the form + = 1, where b is a
4 b
non-zero real number.

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2F

2F Families of straight lines

61

Exercise 2F
Example 20

The line with equation y = mx 3, where m is a positive number, passes through the
point (2, 7). Find the value of m.

The line with equation y = 2x + c, where c is a number, passes through the point (3, 11).
Find the value of c.

A line has equation y = mx + 3, where m , 0. A second line is perpendicular to this line

and passes through the point (0, 3).
a Find the equation of the second line in terms of m.
b Find the value of m if the second line passes through the point (1, 4).

Example 21

The line with equation y = mx + 2, where m is a positive number, passes through the
point (3, 8). Find the value of m.

A family of lines have equations of the form y = mx 3, where m is a positive number.

a
b
c
d

Find the x-axis intercept of a line in this family in terms of m.

Find the value of m if the line passes through the point (5, 6).
For which values of m is the x-axis intercept less than or equal to 1?
Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line y = mx 3 at the point (0, 3).

A family of lines have equations of the form y = 2x + c, where c is a number.

a
b
c
d

Find the x-axis intercept of a line in this family in terms of c.

Find the value of c if the line passes through the point (5, 6).
For which values of c is the x-axis intercept less than or equal to 1?
Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line y = 2x + c at the point (0, c).
y
x
= 4, where a is a non-zero number.
A family of lines have equations of the form
a 12
a Find the x-axis intercept of a line in this family in terms of a.
b Find the gradient of the line in terms of a.
c Find the value of a if the gradient is
i 2

ii 2

A family of lines have equations of the form y = 2x + c, where c is a positive number.

a
b
c
d
e

Find the x-axis intercept of a line in this family in terms of c.

Find the value of c if the line passes through the point (1, 7).
For which values of c is the x-axis intercept less than or equal to 1?
Find the equation of the line perpendicular to y = 2x + c at the point (0, c).
Let O denote the origin, and let A and B be the x-axis and y-axis intercepts of
y = 2x + c.
i If the midpoint M of the line segment AB is (3, 6), find the value of c.
ii If the triangle AOB has area 4, find the value of c.

iii If the midpoint M of AB is such that OM = 2 5, find the value of c.

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62

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

A family of lines have equations of the form 3x + by = 12, where b is a non-zero

number.
a Find the y-axis intercept of a line in this family in terms of b.
b Find the gradient of the line in terms of b.
c Find the value of b if the gradient is
i 1
ii 2

d Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line 3x + by = 12 at the point (4, 0).

2G Linear models
Skillsheet

There are many practical situations where a linear relation can be used.

Example 22
Austcoms rates for local calls from private telephones consist of a quarterly rental fee of
$50 plus 25c for every call. Construct a cost function that describes the quarterly telephone
bill and sketch the linear graph for this.
Solution
Let

C = cost ($) of quarterly telephone bill

n = number of calls
Then

100
80
60

C = 0.25n + 50
The number of calls is counted in whole numbers
including zero.
Draw the graph of the function C = 0.25n + 50 where
n is a whole number including zero.

40
20
50 100 150 200 n

Note: The graph should be a series of discrete points rather than a continuous line,

because n is a whole number. With the scale used it is not practical to show it
correctly.
An important linear relation is the relation between distance travelled and time taken when an
object is travelling with constant speed. If a car travels at 40 km/h, the relationship between
distance travelled (s kilometres) and time taken (t hours) is
s = 40t

(for t 0)

The graph of s against t is a straight-line graph through the origin. The gradient of this graph
is 40.

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2G

2G Linear models

63

Example 23
A car starts from point A on a highway 10 kilometres past the Wangaratta post office. The
car travels at a constant speed of 90 km/h towards picnic stop B, which is 120 kilometres
further on from A. Let t hours be the time after the car leaves point A.
a Find an expression for the distance d1 of the car from the post office at time t hours.
b Find an expression for the distance d2 of the car from point B at time t hours.
c On separate sets of axes sketch the graphs of d1 against t and d2 against t and state the
gradient of each graph.
Solution
a At time t the distance of the car from the post office is 10 + 90t kilometres.
b At time t the distance of the car from B is 120 90t kilometres.
c
d2
d1
4
, 130
3

10
O

Gradient = 90

120

4
3

Gradient = 90

Exercise 2G
Example 22

The weekly wage, $w, of a vacuum cleaner salesperson consists of a fixed sum of $350
plus $20 for each cleaner sold. If n cleaners are sold per week, construct a rule that
describes the weekly wage of the salesperson.

Example 23

a A train moves at 50 km/h in a straight line away from a town. Give a rule for the
distance, d1 km, from the town at time t hours after leaving the town.
b A train has stopped at a siding 80 km from the town and then moves at 40 km/h in
a straight line away from the siding towards the town. Give a rule for the distance,
d2 km, from the town at time t hours after leaving the siding.
c On separate sets of axes sketch the graphs of d1 against t (0 t 4) and d2 against t
and state the gradient of each graph.

a An initially empty container is being filled with water at a rate of 5 litres per minute.
Give a rule for the volume, V litres, of water in the container at time t minutes after
the filling of the container starts.
b A container contains 10 litres of water. Water is then poured in at a rate of 5 litres
per minute. Give a rule for the volume, V litres, of water in the container at time
t minutes after the pouring starts.

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2G

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

The reservoir feeding an intravenous drip contains 500 mL of a saline solution. The
drip releases the solution into a patient at the rate of 2.5 mL/minute.
a Construct a rule which relates the amount of solution left in the reservoir, v mL, to
time, t minutes.
b State the possible values of t and v.
c Sketch the graph of the relation.

The cost ($C) of hiring a taxi consists of two elements, a fixed flagfall and an amount
that varies with the number (n) of kilometres travelled. If the flagfall is $2.60 and the
cost per kilometre is $1.50, determine a rule which gives C in terms of n.

A car rental company charges $85, plus an additional amount of 24c per kilometre.
a Write a rule to determine the total charge $C for hiring a car and travelling
x kilometres.
b What would be the cost to travel 250 kilometres?

Two towns A and B are 200 km apart. A man leaves town A and walks at a speed of
5 km/h towards town B. Find the distance of the man from town B at time t hours after
leaving town A.

The following table shows the extension of a spring when weights are attached to it.
x, extension (cm)

w, weight (g)

50

50.2

50.4

50.6

50.8

51.0

51.2

a Sketch a graph to show the relationship between x and w.

b Write a rule that describes the graph.
c What will be the extension if w = 52.5 g?
9

A printing firm charges $35 for printing 600 sheets of headed notepaper and $47 for
printing 800 sheets.
a Find a formula, assuming the relationship is linear, for the charge, $C, in terms of
number of sheets printed, n.
b How much would they charge for printing 1000 sheets?

10

An electronic bank teller registered $775 after it had counted 120 notes and $975 after it
had counted 160 notes.
a Find a formula for the sum registered ($C) in terms of the number of notes (n)
counted.
b Was there a sum already on the register when counting began?
c If so, how much?

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2H Simultaneous linear equations

Skillsheet

In this section we revisit the geometry of simultaneous equations, first introduced in

Section 1C, and also make use of parameters to explore these properties. Finally we consider
some of the many applications of simultaneous equations.

I The geometry of simultaneous equations

There are three possible outcomes when considering a system of two simultaneous linear
equations in two unknowns:
 There is a unique solution. (Lines intersect at a point.)
 There are infinitely many solutions. (Lines coincide.)
 There is no solution. (Lines are parallel.)

Example 24
Explain why the simultaneous equations 2x + 3y = 6 and 4x + 6y = 24 have no solution.
Solution
First write the equations in the form y = mx + c. They become
2
2
y= x+2
and
y= x+4
3
3
Each of the lines has gradient 23 . The y-axis intercepts are 2 and 4 respectively. The
equations have no solution as they correspond to parallel lines and they are different lines.

Example 25
The simultaneous equations 2x + 3y = 6 and 4x + 6y = 12 have infinitely many solutions.
Describe these solutions through the use of a parameter.
Solution
The two lines coincide, and so the solutions are all points on this line. We make use of a
6 3
third variable as the parameter. If y = , then x =
. The points on the line are all
 6 3 
2
points of the form
, .
2

Using the TI-Nspire

Simultaneous equations can be solved in a
Calculator application.
 Use menu > Algebra > Solve System of
Equations > Solve System of Equations.
 Complete the pop-up screen.

The solution to this system of equations is given by the calculator as shown. The variable
c1 takes the place of .

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Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Using the Casio ClassPad

To solve the simultaneous equations 2x + 3y = 6 and
4x + 6y = 12:
 Open the

keyboard.
 Select the simultaneous equations icon ~.
 Enter the two equations into the two lines and
type x, y in the bottom-right square to indicate
the variables.
 Select EXE .
6 3
, y = where is any real number.
Choose y = to obtain the solution x =
2
Math1

Example 26
The family of lines y = mx + 2 with varying gradient m all pass through the point (0, 2).
a For what values of m does the line y = mx + 2 not intersect the line y = 5x 3?
b For what values of m does the line y = mx + 2 intersect the line y = 5x 3?
c If the line y = mx + 2 intersects the line y = 5x 3 at the point (5, 22), find the value
of m.
Solution
a The y-axis intercept of y = mx + 2 is 2 and the y-axis intercept of y = 5x 3 is 3. The
lines will not intersect if they are parallel, that is, if they have the same gradient. So
m = 5.
b The lines intersect when m  5.
c If (5, 22) lies on the line y = mx + 2, then
22 = 5m + 2
20 = 5m
m=4
Thus the lines intersect at (5, 22) when m = 4.

Example 27
The lines y = x + k and y = mx + 4 intersect at (1, 3). Find the values of m and k.
Solution
When x = 1, y = 3.
So 3 = 1 + k and 3 = m + 4.
Hence k = 2 and m = 1.

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2H Simultaneous linear equations

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Example 28
The lines (m 2)x + y = 2 and mx + 2y = k intersect at (2, 8). Find the values of m and k.
Solution
(m 2)x + y = 2

(1)

mx + 2y = k

(2)

When x = 2, y = 8. Substituting these values into equations (1) and (2), we have the
equations
2(m 2) + 8 = 2

(3)

2m + 16 = k

(4)

From (3), we have 2m 4 + 8 = 2. Therefore m = 1.

From (4), we have 2(1) + 16 = k. Therefore k = 14.

Example 29
Consider the simultaneous linear equations (m 2)x + y = 2 and mx + 2y = k. Find the
values of m and k such that the system of equations has:
a no solution

b infinitely many solutions

c a unique solution.

Solution
(m 2)x + y = 2

(1)

mx + 2y = k

(2)

We know that for no solution or infinitely many solutions, the corresponding lines are
parallel or coincide. If the corresponding lines are parallel or coincide, the gradients are
the same.
Gradient of line (1) = 2 m
m
Gradient of line (2) =
2
m
Hence
2m=
2
4 2m = m
m=4
Substitute m = 4 in equations (1) and (2). We have
2x + y = 2
4x + 2y = k
a There is no solution if m = 4 and k , 4.
b If m = 4 and k = 4, there are infinitely many solutions as the equations are equivalent.
c The solution is unique if m , 4 and k is any real number.

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Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

 Applications of simultaneous equations

Example 30
There are two possible methods for paying gas bills:
Method A

A fixed charge of $25 per quarter + 50c per unit of gas used
Method B A fixed charge of $50 per quarter + 25c per unit of gas used
Determine the number of units which must be used before method B becomes cheaper
than method A.
Solution
Let

C1 = charge ($) using method A

C2 = charge ($) using method B

C ($)

C1 = 0.5x + 25

100

C2 = 0.25x + 50

x = number of units of gas used

Then

C1 = 25 + 0.5x

50

C2 = 50 + 0.25x

25

From the graph we see that method B is

cheaper if the number of units exceeds 100.

25 50 75 100 125 150 x (units)

The solution can be obtained by solving simultaneous linear equations:

C1 = C2
25 + 0.5x = 50 + 0.25x
0.25x = 25
x = 100

Example 31
Robyn and Cheryl race over 100 metres. Robyn runs so that it takes a seconds to run
1 metre, and Cheryl runs so that it takes b seconds to run 1 metre. Cheryl wins the race by
1 second. The next day they again race over 100 metres but Cheryl gives Robyn a 5-metre
start so that Robyn runs 95 metres. Cheryl wins this race by 0.4 seconds. Find the values
of a and b and the speed at which Robyn runs.
Solution
For the first race: Time for Robyn time for Cheryl = 1 s.
100a 100b = 1

(1)

For the second race: Time for Robyn time for Cheryl = 0.4 s.
95a 100b = 0.4

(2)

Subtract (2) from (1). This gives 5a = 0.6 and therefore a = 0.12.
Substitute in (1) to find b = 0.11.
25
1
=
m/s.
Robyns speed =
0.12
3
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Section summary
 There are three cases for a system of two linear equations with two variables:
unique solution (lines intersect at a point), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and y = 3x + 3
infinitely many solutions (lines coincide), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and 2y = 4x + 6
no solution (lines are parallel), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and y = 2x + 4.
 There are many applications of simultaneous linear equations with two variables. The

problems often arise by working with two quantities both changing at a constant but
often different rate.

Exercise 2H
Example 24

Explain why the simultaneous equations x + y = 6 and 2x + 2y = 13 have no solution.

Example 25

The simultaneous equations x + y = 6 and 2x + 2y = 12 have infinitely many solutions.

Describe these solutions through the use of a parameter.

Example 26

The family of lines y = mx + 6 with varying gradient m all pass through the point (0, 6).
a For what values of m does the line y = mx + 6 not intersect the line y = 4x 5?
b For what values of m does the line y = mx + 6 intersect the line y = 4x 5?
c If the line y = mx + 6 intersects the line y = 4x 5 at the point (5, 15), find the value
of m.

Example 27

The lines y = 2x + k and y = mx 4 intersect at (2, 6). Find the values of m and k.

Example 28

The lines (m 2)x + y = 4 and mx + 3y = k intersect at (2, 8). Find the values of m
and k.

Example 29

Find the value of m for which the simultaneous equations mx y = 5 and 3x + y = 6

have no solution.

Find the value of m for which the pair of simultaneous equations 3x + my = 5 and
(m + 2)x + 5y = m have:
a infinitely many solutions
b no solutions.

Example 30

Two bicycle hire companies have different charges. Company A charges $C, according
to the rule C = 10t + 20, where t is the time in hours for which a bicycle is hired.
Company B charges $C, according to the rule C = 8t + 30.
a Sketch each of the graphs on the same set of axes.
b Find the time, t, for which the charge of both companies is the same.

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Example 31

2H

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

John and Michael race over 50 metres. John runs so that it takes at a seconds to run
1 metre and Michael runs so that it takes b seconds to run 1 metre. Michael wins the
race by 1 second. The next day they again race over 50 metres but Michael gives John a
3-metre start so that John runs 47 metres. Michael wins this race by 0.1 seconds. Find
the values of a and b and the speed at which Michael runs.

10 The distances, dA km and dB km, of cyclists A and B travelling along a straight road
from a town hall step are given respectively by dA = 10t + 15 and dB = 20t + 5, where t
is the time in hours after 1 p.m.
a Sketch each of the graphs on the one set of axes.
b Find the time in hours at which the two cyclists are at the same distance from the
town hall step.
11 A helicopter can be hired for $210 per day plus a distance charge of $1.60 per km or,
alternatively, at a fixed charge of $330 per day for an unlimited distance.
a For each of the methods of hiring, find an expression for cost, $C, in terms of the
distance travelled, x km.
b On one set of axes, draw the graph of cost versus distance travelled for each of the
methods.
c Determine for what distances the fixed-charge method is cheaper.
12

Three power boats in a 500 km handicap race leave at 5 hourly intervals. Boat A leaves
first and has a speed for the race of 20 km/h. Boat B leaves 5 hours later and travels at
an average speed of 25 km/h. Boat C leaves last, 5 hours after B, and completes the race
at a speed of 40 km/h.
a
b
c
d

13

Draw a graph of each boats journey on the same set of axes.

Use your graphs to find the winner of the race.
Check your answer algebraically.
Write a short description of what happened to each boat in the race.
y

If the line OT has the equation y = 34 x

and the line HT has the equation
y = 32 x 12, determine the point over
which both craft would pass.

10
O

T Trawler

10

H Hovercraft

Scale: 1 unit = 1 nautical mile

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2H Simultaneous linear equations

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71

A school wishes to take some of its students on an excursion. If they travel by tram it
will cost the school $2.80 per student. Alternatively, the school can hire a bus at a cost
of $54 for the day plus a charge of $1 per student.
a For each mode of transport, write an expression for the cost ($C) of transport in
terms of the number of students (x).
b On one set of axes, draw the graph of cost, $C, versus number of students, x, for
each mode of transport.
c Determine for how many students it will be more economical to hire the bus.

15

Anne and Maureen live in towns that are 57 km apart. Anne sets out at 9 a.m. one day
to ride her bike to Maureens town at a constant speed of 20 km/h. At the same time
Maureen sets out to ride to Annes town at a constant speed of 18 km/h.
a Write down a rule for the distance, d km, that each of them is from Annes place at a
time t minutes after 9 a.m.
b On the same set of axes, draw graphs of the distance, d km, versus time, t minutes
after 9 a.m., for each cyclist.
c Find the time at which they will meet.
d How far has each of them travelled when they meet?

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Review

72

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

Chapter summary
 The midpoint of the line segment joining (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) is the point with coordinates

x + x y + y 
1
2
1
2
,
2
2

AS
Nrich

 The distance between two points A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 )

is
AB =

(x2 x1 )2 + (y2 y1 )2

B(x2, y2)
x

0
A(x1, y1)
y

 The gradient of a straight line joining two points:

y2 y 1
Gradient m =
x2 x 1

B(x2, y2)
A(x1, y1)
0

 For a line with gradient m, the angle of slope () can be found using

m = tan
where is the angle the line makes with the positive direction of the x-axis.
 The gradientintercept form of the equation of a straight line is
y = mx + c
where m is the gradient and c is the y-axis intercept.
 The equation of a line passing through a given point
(x1 , y1 ) and having gradient m is

y
P(x, y)

y y1 = m(x x1 )
A(x1, y1)
0
y

 The equation of a line passing through two given

points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) is

y y1 = m(x x1 )

where

B(x2, y2)
(x, y)

y2 y 1
m=
x2 x 1

A(x1, y1)
0

 Two straight lines are perpendicular to each other if and only if the product of their

gradients is 1 (or if one is horizontal and the other vertical):

m1 m2 = 1

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Chapter 2 review

73

Find the length and the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment joining each of
the following pairs of points:
a A(1, 2) and B(5, 2)

c A(3, 4) and B(7, 1)

Find the gradients of the lines joining each of the following pairs of points:
a (4, 3) and (8, 12)
d (0, a) and (a, 0)

b A(4, 2) and B(3, 7)

Review

Technology-free questions

b (3, 4) and (8, 6)

e (0, 0) and (a, b)

c (2, 1) and (2, 9)

f (0, b) and (a, 0)

Find the equation of the straight line of gradient 4 which passes through the point with
coordinates:
a (0, 0)

b (0, 5)

c (1, 6)

d (3, 7)

a The point (1, a) lies on the line with equation y = 3x 5. Find the value of a.
b The point (b, 15) lies on the line with equation y = 3x 5. Find the value of b.

Find the equation of the straight line joining the points (5, 2) and (3, 4).

Find the equation of the straight line of gradient 23 which passes through (4, 1).

Write down the equation of the straight line that:

a passes through (5, 11) and is parallel to the x-axis
b passes through (0, 10) and is parallel to the line with equation y = 6x + 3
c passes through the point (0, 1) and is perpendicular to the line with equation
3x 2y + 5 = 0.

Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (2, 3) and is
inclined at 30 to the positive direction of the x-axis.

Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (2, 3) and makes
an angle of 135 with the positive direction of the x-axis.

10

Find the equation of the straight line passing through the point (4, 8) and which is
perpendicular to the line with equation y = 3x + 2.

11

A straight line has equation y = 2x + 1. The points with coordinates (0, a), (b, 0), (2, d)
and (e, 7) lie on this line. Find the values of a, b, d and e.

12

Sketch the graph of each of the following by first determining axis intercepts. Clearly
label each axis intercept.
a y = 2x 8
d y 2x 8 = 0

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b 3x + y = 6
e y = 6x + 6

c 3x + y + 6 = 0
f 2x + 5y + 10 = 0

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Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

13

a Find the equation of the line parallel to the x-axis passing through the point (8, 9).
Sketch the graph.
b Find the equation of the line parallel to the y-axis passing through the point (8, 9).
Sketch the graph.
c Find the equation of the straight line that passes through the origin and has gradient:
i 3
ii 3
Sketch the graphs of each of these.

14

A car travels at a constant 60 km/h.

a Write down the formula for the distance d km travelled by the car in t hours.
b What is the gradient of the graph of d against t?

15

The weekly wage $S of a car salesperson consists of a fixed sum of $800 plus $500 for
each car sold. If n cars are sold in a week, construct a formula that describes the weekly
wage of the salesperson in terms of n.

16

A family of straight lines satisfy the rule y = ax + 2.

a Find the equation of the straight line in this family for which y = 6 when x = 2.
b i Find the x-axis intercept of the line with equation y = ax + 2.
ii If a < 0, find the values of a for which the x-axis intercept is greater than 1.
c Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of the line with equation y = x + 3
and the line with equation y = ax + 2, given that a , 1.

Multiple-choice questions
1

The coordinates of the midpoint of AB, where A has coordinates (4, 12) and B has
coordinates (6, 2), are
A (4, 8)

B (4.5, 8)

C (5, 8)

D (5, 7)

E (1, 5)

If (6, 3) is the midpoint of the line segment joining the points (4, y) and (x, 6), then
the value of x + y is
A 0

B 16

C 20

D 10

E 28

The gradient of the line passing through the points (5, 8) and (6, 10) is
1
1
3
1
B
C
D
E
A 2
2
2
18
2

The gradient of the line passing through points (4a, 2a) and (9a, 3a) is
A a

B 5a

C 1

D 5

E 1

The equation of the straight line with gradient 3 that passes through the point (1, 9) is
A y= x+9
D y = 13 x + 1

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B y = 3x + 9
E y = 13 x + 6

C y = 3x + 6

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Chapter 2 review

A straight line passes through the points (2, 6) and (2, 14). The equation of the
line is
B y = 21 x 7
E y = 12 x 8

A y= x8
D y = 2x 10
7

C y = 12 x 10

The line with equation y = 2x 6 passes through the point (a, 2). The value of a is
A 2

Review

75

B 4

C 5

D 4

E 2

The relation with graph as shown has rule

B y = 13 x 3
E y = 3x 3

A y = 3x 3
D y = 3x + 3

C y = 13 x 3

If two lines 5x y + 7 = 0 and ax + 2y 11 = 0 are parallel, then a equals

A 5

B 5

C 10

D 10

E 12

10 The cost ($C) of hiring a car is given by the formula C = 2.5x + 65, where x is the
number of kilometres travelled. A person is charged $750 for the hire of the car. The
number of kilometres travelled was
A 65

B 145

C 160

D 200

E 274

11 The solution of the two simultaneous equations 2ax + 2by = 3 and 3ax 2by = 7 for x
and y is
3 4a
3 4a2
A x = 2a, y =
B x = 2, y =
2b
2b
1
2
C x= , y=
D x = 0, y = 0
a
2b
E x = 3a, y = 7b

Extended-response questions
1

The cost of hiring a motor cruiser consists of a down payment of $500 and a running
charge of $100 per day, or part of a day. The cost of fuel is $27.50 per day. There is
also a charge of $50 for filling the freshwater tanks and charging the batteries. Food for
a cruise of n days costs $62.50 per day.
a Give a formula for C, the total cost in dollars of hiring the cruiser for n days (all
costs to be included).
b For how many days can a cruiser be hired if the cost of a cruise is to be no more
than $3000?
c A rival company has a fixed rate of $300 per day. For how many days would it be
cheaper to hire from this company?

Cambridge Senior Maths AC/VCE

Mathematical Methods 1&2

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ISBN 978-1-107-52013-4
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Review

76

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

The cost of fitting a new plug and cable for an electric drill is $C, when the length of
the cable is x metres and C = 4.5 + 1.8x.
a
b
c
d

What meaning could be given for the constant term 4.5?

What could be the meaning of the coefficient 1.8?
What would be the gradient of the graph of C against x?
What length of cable would give a total cost of $24.50?

The profit made on a single journey of an Easyride bus tour is $P, when there are x
empty seats and P = 1020 24x.

a What do you think is the meaning of the constant term 1020?

b What is the least number of empty seats which would result in a loss on a single
journey?
c Suggest a meaning for the coefficient 24.
4

A quarterly electricity bill shows the following charges:

 For the first 50 kWh (kilowatt hours): 9.10c per kWh
 For the next 150 kWh: 5.80c per kWh
 Thereafter: 3.56c per kWh

a Write down a formula relating cost, $C, to n, the number of kWh of electricity used:
i for the first 50 kWh
ii for the next 150 kWh
iii for more than 200 kWh.
b Draw a graph of C against n. Use the graph, or otherwise, to determine the
charges for:
i 30 kWh
ii 90 kWh
iii 300 kWh
c How much electricity could be used for a cost of $20?
5

O is the position of the air traffic control tower at an

airport. An aircraft travelling in a straight line is identified
at A(2, 10) and again at B(8, 4).

a What is the equation that describes the flight path of the

aircraft?
b How far south of O is the aircraft when x = 15 km?

Cambridge Senior Maths AC/VCE

Mathematical Methods 1&2

y
10

Scale:
1 unit = 1 km

N
W

E
S

O 2
Sea 4

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Chapter 2 review

Review

77

A construction company estimates that for every 1% of air left in concrete as it is

being laid the strength of the hardened concrete decreases by 7%. Let x represent
the percentage of air in the concrete (by volume), and the strength of the concrete be
s units, where s = 100 when x = 0.
a Write a formula for s in terms of x.
b Sketch a graph of s against x.
c Calculate how much air can be allowed to remain in the concrete for a strength of at
least 95%.
d Estimate how much air the concrete will contain at 0% strength.
e Is the model sensible at 0% strength?
f State the possible values of x.
y

7 The diagram shows a plan view of a paddock

over which a Cartesian framework has been
superimposed. From an observation point O,
a rabbit has been spotted first at A(0, 2) and
then at B(4, 6). A fox is seen at C(3, 0) and
later at D(5, 4).

Scale:
1 unit = 10 m

irrigation channel
10

a Find the equations of the lines AB and CD.

b Assuming that both the rabbit and the fox
were running along straight lines, calculate
whether the foxs path would cross the
rabbits track before the irrigation channel.

The diagram shows the side view of a

rough, uncut diamond fixed in position on
a computer-controlled cutting machine.
The diamond is held at the points
A(4.5, 2), B(0.25, 7), C(5, 1.5) and
D(1.5, 0).

B
5

A
O

C 4

8B

Scale:
1 unit = 2 mm

4
a If a straight cut is made joining A
and B, find the y-coordinate of the
2
A
C
point V at which the cut will cross the
D
vertical axis.
b Find the equation of the line joining V
5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5
and C.
c Would the cuts AB and VC be equally inclined to the vertical axis? Explain your
answer.

Cambridge Senior Maths AC/VCE

Mathematical Methods 1&2

Cambridge University Press

ISBN 978-1-107-52013-4
Evans et al. 2016
Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

Review

78

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

A new light beacon is proposed at P(4, 75) for air

traffic flying into an airport located at O(0, 0). It is
intended that the aircraft should follow a course over
beacons at P and Q(36, 4), turning at Q towards the
runway at O.

20

a Would a direct line from P to Q pass directly over

a hospital located at H(20, 36)?
b If not, state how far east or west of H the aircraft
would be when the y-coordinate of an aircrafts
flight path is 36.

N
W

E
S

60

Scale:
1 unit = 1 km

Scale: 1 unit = 1 km

40

N
W

30

20

10
0

40

80

10 The map shows an area where it is

proposed to construct a new airport. It
is thought that the main runway of the
airport will have one end of its centre line
at A(48, 10), but the position of the other
end of this line, B, has not been decided.
There is a light aircraft airport at E(68, 35)
and a radio beacon at C(88, 10).

20 Q 40

30 40 50 60 70 80 90

a What is the equation that will define

10
C
the new runway if aircraft coming in
20
to land from the east must be on the
extended central line of the new runway when they are 5 km due south of E?

b If B is to be 8 km to the east of A, what will be its coordinates?

c A marker beacon is to be built at D(68, 30) and it is proposed that several auxiliary
beacons should be placed on the line CD. What is the equation of the line CD?
d If one of the auxiliary beacons is to be placed due east of A, what are the coordinates
of its position?
11

The diagram shows a quadrilateral. Angle BAD

is a right angle and C lies on the perpendicular
bisector of AB. The equation of the line
through points B and C is 3y = 4x 14. Find:

a the equation of the line AD

b the coordinates of D
c the equation of the perpendicular
bisector of AB
d the coordinates of C
e the area of triangle ADC
f the area of the quadrilateral ABCD.

A(2, 8)
B(8, 6)

3y = 4x 14

0
C

Cambridge Senior Maths AC/VCE

Mathematical Methods 1&2

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ISBN 978-1-107-52013-4
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Chapter 2 review

Wheelrite, a small company that manufactures garden wheelbarrows, has overhead expenses of $30 000 per year. In addition, it costs $40 to manufacture each
wheelbarrow.
a Write a rule which determines the total cost, $C, of manufacturing x wheelbarrows
per year.
b If the annual production is 6000 wheelbarrows, what is the overall cost per
wheelbarrow?
c How many wheelbarrows must be made so that the overall cost is $46 per
wheelbarrow?
d Wheelrite sells wheelbarrows to retailers for $80 each. Write a rule which
determines the revenue, $R, from the sale of x wheelbarrows to retailers.
e Sketch the graphs for C and R against x on the same axes.
f What is the minimum number of wheelbarrows that must be produced for Wheelrite
to make a profit each year?
g Write a rule which determines the profit, $P, from the manufacture and sale of x
number of wheelbarrows.

13

Review

12

79

An electricity supply authority is offering customers a choice of two methods of paying

electricity bills. Method 1 involves payment annually and method 2 involves payment
each quarter (that is, every three months). The charges for each method are as follows:
Method 1 per year

Method 2 per quarter

Fixed charge
Price per unit

Fixed charge
Price per unit

$100
$0.08125

$27.50
$0.075

a Suppose a customer used 1560 units of electricity in a year. Calculate which is the
cheaper method of payment.
b Copy and then complete the following table:
Number of units of electricity

1000

2000

3000

Cost ($) calculated by method 1

Cost ($) calculated by method 2
c Use these values to plot graphs of the costs for each method of paying for electricity.
Clearly indicate the approximate number of units of electricity for which the cost is
the same for both methods of payment.
d If C1 is the cost by method 1, C2 is the cost by method 2, and x is the number of
units of electricity used in a year, write down the two formulas which show the cost
of x units calculated by each method. Use these formulas to calculate the exact
number of units for which the cost is the same for both methods.

Cambridge Senior Maths AC/VCE

Mathematical Methods 1&2

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Review

80

Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry and linear relations

y (m)

B
14 In a metal fabricating yard which has been
flooded by overflow from a local river, a
C
A
large steel frame has been partly submerged.
D
The ends A, B, C and D are the only parts
M
visible above the level of the flood water. The
coordinates of the ends relative to an overhead
y (m)
crane are A(10, 16), B(16, 20), C(24, 8) and
B
B
20
D(18, 4). The overhead crane moves eastwest
A
C
15
along its rail, and Athe distance east from a
10
D
point O(0, 0) is denoted by x. The cranes
hook
C
5
moves northsouth across the frame
M and the
D
distance to the north of the south rail is denoted
0
5 10 15 20 25 x (m)
by y. Units are in metres. The steel frame is to
be raised out of the water by lifting it at the midpoint, M, of its middle section.

20
10
5
0

a Find the coordinates, x and y, of the point to which the hook must be moved so that
it will be directly above the midpoint, M, of the steel frame.
b In order to minimise the risk of the hook slipping, the hook will be moved slowly
along a line parallel to AB. Find the equation of the line along which the hook will
be moved.
15 The diagram below shows part of a micro-electronics circuit, as seen through a
magnifying glass; the circuit has been etched onto a chip of plated silica.
The four points A, B, C and D stand away from the chip itself. A is (100, 60), B is
1
mm.
(200, 100), C is (160, 200) and D is (60, 160). Units are in 25
The unit S is a moveable micro-soldering unit, its tip being at P(0, 120). It is desired
to program the tip of the soldering iron, P, to solder wires to the points A, B, C and D,
moving along the dashed lines as shown in the graph.
a Find equations for the lines defining each section of the path along which P must be
programmed to move.
b Will any of the turns be through right angles? Explain.
y

C
S
120

D
P

120

P
B

B
A
100

A
100
Scale: 1 unit =

Cambridge Senior Maths AC/VCE

Mathematical Methods 1&2

x
1
25

15

mm

Cambridge University Press

ISBN 978-1-107-52013-4
Evans et al. 2016
Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.