Introduction

• This Chapter focuses on coordinate

geometry, mainly involving straight line
graphs

• We will be looking at working out

equations of graphs based on various
sets of information
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane
y
Equation of a straight line
y-intercept gradient
The equation of a straight line is
usually written in one of 2 forms. 1
One you will have seen before;
x
y = mx + c
Where m is the gradient and c is
the y-intercept.

Or, the general form:

ax + by + c = 0
Where a, b and c are integers.

5A
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Equation of a straight line Example 1

Write down the gradient and y-
intercept of the following graphs
The equation of a straight line is
usually written in one of 2 forms. a) y = −3x + 2
One you will have seen before;
→ Gradient = -3
y = mx + c → y-intercept = (0,2)

Where m is the gradient and c is

the y-intercept.
b) 4x − 2 y + 5 = 0 Rearrange to
get ‘y’ on one
4x + 5 = 2 y side
Or, the general form: Divide by 2
5
ax + by + c = 0 2x + = y
2
Where a, b and c are integers. → Gradient = 2
→ y-intercept = (0, 5/2)

5A
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Equation of a straight line Example 2

Write each equation in the form
ax + by + c = 0
The equation of a straight line is
usually written in one of 2 forms. a) y = 4x + 3 -y
One you will have seen before;
0 = 4x + 3 − y Correct
y = mx + c form
4x − y + 3 = 0
Where m is the gradient and c is 1
the y-intercept. b) y = − x+5
2 +1/2x and
1 -5
Or, the general form: y+ x−5 = 0 x2 (to
2 remove
ax + by + c = 0 fraction)
2 y + x − 10 = 0 Correct
Where a, b and c are integers. form
x + 2 y − 10 = 0
5A
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Equation of a straight line Example 3

A line is parallel to the line y = 3x + 2
and passes through (0,-1). Write the
The equation of a straight line is equation of the line.
usually written in one of 2 forms.
One you will have seen before;
y = mx + c y = 3x + 2 Parallel so the
gradient will be
the same
Where m is the gradient and c is y = 3x + c
the y-intercept. Crosses through
(0,-1), which is on
the y-axis
Or, the general form: y = 3x − 1
ax + by + c = 0
2

Where a, b and c are integers.

-1

5A
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Equation of a straight line Example 4

A line is parallel to the line 6x + 3y – 2 = 0
and passes through (0,3). Write the
The equation of a straight line is equation of the line.
usually written in one of 2 forms.
One you will have seen before;
y = mx + c 6x + 3 y − 2 = 0
Rearrange to the
form y = mx + c
Where m is the gradient and c is
the y-intercept. 3 y = −6 x + 2
Divide by 3
2
Or, the general form: y = −2 x + The new line has
3 the same
ax + by + c = 0 gradient, but
intercepts the y-
Where a, b and c are integers. y = −2 x + 3 axis at 3

5A
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Equation of a straight line Example 5

The line y = 4x + 8 crosses the y-axis
at 8. It crosses the x-axis at P. Work
The equation of a straight line is out the coordinates of P.
usually written in one of 2 forms.
One you will have seen before;
y = mx + c y = 4x + 8
Crosses the x-
axis where y=0
Where m is the gradient and c is 0 = 4x + 8
the y-intercept.
-8
−8 = 4x
Or, the general form:
Divide by 4
ax + by + c = 0 −2 = x
Where a, b and c are integers. So the line crosses the x-axis at (-2,0)

5A
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

The gradient of a line

y (x2,y2)
You can work out the gradient of
a line if you know 2 points on it. (x1,y1) y2 - y1

x2 - x1
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The x
following formula gives the
gradient:

y2 − y1
m=
x2 − x1

‘The change in the y values,

divided by the change in the x
values’

5B
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

The gradient of a line Example 1

Calculate the gradient of the line
You can work out the gradient of which passes through (2,3) and (5,7)
a line if you know 2 points on it.
(x1, y1) = (2, 3)
(x2, y2) = (5, 7)
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The
following formula gives the y2 − y1
m=
gradient: x2 − x1 Substitute
numbers in
y2 − y1
m=
x2 − x1
Work out
or leave as
‘The change in the y values, 4 a fraction
divided by the change in the x m=
values’ 3

5B
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

The gradient of a line Example 2

Calculate the gradient of the line
You can work out the gradient of which passes through (-2,7) and (4,5)
a line if you know 2 points on it.
(x1, y1) = (-2, 7)
(x2, y2) = (4, 5)
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The y2 − y1
following formula gives the m=
gradient: x2 − x1 Substitute
numbers in
y −y 5−7
m= 2 1 m=
x2 − x1 4 − (−2)
Work out
or leave as
‘The change in the y values, −2 a fraction
m=
divided by the change in the x 6
values’ Simplify if
possible
1
m=−
3 5B
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

The gradient of a line Example 3

Calculate the gradient of the line which
You can work out the gradient of passes through (2d,-5d) and (6d,3d)
a line if you know 2 points on it.
(x1, y1) = (2d, -5d)
(x2, y2) = (6d, 3d)
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The y2 − y1
following formula gives the m=
gradient: x2 − x1 Substitute
numbers in
y2 − y1 3d − (−5d )
m= m=
x2 − x1 6d − 2d Work out
or leave as
8d a fraction
‘The change in the y values, m=
divided by the change in the x 4d Simplify if
values’ possible
(the d’s
cancel out)
m=2
5B
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

The gradient of a line Example 4

The line joining (2, -5) to (4, a) has a
You can work out the gradient of gradient of -1. Calculate the value of a.
a line if you know 2 points on it.
(x1, y1) = (2, -5)
(x2, y2) = (4, a)
Let the first point be (x1,y1) and
the second be (x2,y2). The y2 − y1
following formula gives the m=
gradient: x2 − x1 Substitute
numbers in
y −y a − (−5)
m= 2 1 −1 =
x2 − x1 4−2 Simplify
a+5
‘The change in the y values,
−1 =
2 Multiply by
divided by the change in the x 2
values’ −2 = a + 5
Subtract 5
−7 = a 5B
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Equation of a line Example 1

Find the equation of the line with gradient
5 that passes through the point (3,2)
You can find the equation of the
line with gradient m, and (x1, y1) = (3, 2)
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the
m=5
following formula:

y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) Substitute the
numbers in
y − 2 = 5( x − 3)
Expand the
bracket
y − 2 = 5 x − 15
Add 2
y = 5 x − 13

5C
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Equation of a line Example 2

Find the equation of the line with gradient
-1/2 that passes through the point (4,-6)
You can find the equation of the
line with gradient m, and (x1, y1) = (4, -6)
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the
m = -1/2
following formula:

y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
Substitute the
numbers in
1
y − (−6) = − ( x − 4)
2 Expand the
brackets
1
y+6= − x+2
2 Subtract 6
1
y = − x−4
2
5C
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Equation of a line Example 3

The line y = 3x – 9 crosses the x-axis at
You can find the equation of the coordinate A. Find the equation of the line
line with gradient m, and with gradient 2/3 that passes through A.
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the Give your answer in the form ax + by + c = 0
where a, b and c are integers.
following formula:
y = 3x − 9
y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) At point A, y = 0
0 = 3x − 9
Subtract 9
Thought Process 9 = 3x
‘To find the equation of the line, I Divide by 3
need point A’ 3= x
‘Point A is on the x-axis, so will have a
y-coordinate of 0’
‘As the equation I have already,
A = (3,0)
crosses A as well, I can put y=0 into it
to find out the x value at A’

5C
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Equation of a line Example 3 A = (3,0)

The line y = 3x – 9 crosses the x-axis at
You can find the equation of the coordinate A. Find the equation of the line
line with gradient m, and with gradient 2/3 that passes through A.
coordinate (x1, y1) by using the Give your answer in the form ax + by + c = 0
where a, b and c are integers.
following formula:
(x1, y1) = (3, 0)
y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) m = 2/3

y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
Thought Process Substitute in
2 values
‘To find the equation of the line, I y − 0 = ( x − 3)
need point A’ 3 Multiply out
‘Point A is on the x-axis, so will have a 2 bracket
y-coordinate of 0’ y = x−2
‘As the equation I have already, 3
crosses A as well, I can put y=0 into it Subtract y
to find out the x value at A’ 2
0= x− y−2
3 Multiply by 3
5C
0 = 2x − 3 y − 6
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Equation of a line Example 1

Work out the equation of the line that goes
through points (3,-1) and (5, 7). Give your
You can find the equation of a answer in the form y = mx + c.
line from 2 points by using the
(x1, y1) = (3, -1)
following formula:
(x2, y2) = (5, 7)
y − y1 x − x1 y − y1 x − x1
= =
y2 − y1 x2 − x1 y2 − y1 x2 − x1
Substitute in
values
y − (−1) x − 3
=
7 − (−1) 5 − 3 Work out any
sums
y +1 x − 3
=
8 2 Multiply the right
side by 4 to make
y + 1 4 x − 12 fractions the same
=
8 8
Multiply by 8
y + 1 = 4 x − 12
Subtract 1
y = 4 x − 13 5D
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Equation of a line Example 1

The lines y = 4x – 7 and 2x + 3y – 21 = 0
You can find the equation of a intersect at point A. Point B has co-
line from 2 points by using the ordinates (-2, 8). Find the equation of the
following formula: line that passes through A and B

y − y1 x − x1 y = 4x − 7 2 x + 3 y − 21 = 0
=
y2 − y1 x2 − x1 2 x + 3 y − 21 = 0
Replace y with
‘4x - 7’
Thought Process 2 x + 3(4 x − 7) − 21 = 0
‘We need to find point A’ Expand the
bracket
‘If the equations intersect at A, 2 x + 12 x − 21 − 21 = 0 Group x’s and
they have the same value for y add 42
(and x)’ 14 x = 42
Divide by 14
If I can write one of the
equations in terms of y, I can x=3 Sub x into one
of the first
replace the y in the second A = (3,5) y =5 equations to get
equation and solve it’ y
5D
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Equation of a line Example 1 A = (3,5)

The lines y = 4x – 7 and 2x + 3y – 21 = 0
You can find the equation of a intersect at point A. Point B has co-
line from 2 points by using the ordinates (-2, 8). Find the equation of the
following formula: line that passes through A and B
(x1, y1) = (3, 5) (x2, y2) = (-2, 8)
y − y1 x − x1
= y − y1
=
x − x1
y2 − y1 x2 − x1 y2 − y1 x2 − x1 Substitute in
values
y −5 x−3
Thought Process =
8 − 5 −2 − 3 Work out the
‘We need to find point A’ y −5 x −3
denominators
‘If the equations intersect at A, = Multiply all of left by -5
3 −5
they have the same value for y and all of right by 3
(makes denominators
(and x)’ −5 y + 25 3x − 9 equal)
=
If I can write one of the −15 −15
Multiply by -15
equations in terms of y, I can −5 y + 25 = 3x − 9 Rearrange, keeping
replace the y in the second x positive
equation and solve it’ 3x + 5 y − 34 = 0
5D
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Perpendicular to a line Example 1

Work out the gradient of the line that is
You need to be able to work out the perpendicular to the lines with the
gradient of a line which is following gradients.
Perpendicular to another.
→ Perpendicular means ‘intersects at
a right angle… Line gradient Perpendicular
These lines are
perpendicular 3 -1/3
1/ -2
2

-2/5 5/
2

→ If a line has a gradient of m, the 2x -1/2x

line perpendicular has gradient -1/m

→ Two perpendicular lines have

gradients that multiply to give -1

5E
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Perpendicular to a line Example 2

Is the line y = 3x + 4 perpendicular to the
You need to be able to work out the line x + 3y – 3 = 0?
gradient of a line which is
Perpendicular to another.
→ Perpendicular means ‘intersects at
y = 3x + 4 x + 3y − 3 = 0
a right angle… Gradient = 3 3y = 3 − x
These lines are
perpendicular
x
y = 1−
3
Gradient = -1/3
→ If a line has a gradient of m, the
line perpendicular has gradient -1/m
The lines are perpendicular since their
gradients multiply to give -1
→ Two perpendicular lines have
gradients that multiply to give -1

5E
 Coordinate Geometry in the (x,y) plane

Finding the Perpendicular to a line Example 3

Find an equation for the line that passes
You need to be able to work out the through (3,-1) and is perpendicular to the
gradient of a line which is line y = 2x - 4
Perpendicular to another. y = 2x − 4
→ Perpendicular means ‘intersects at Gradient = 2
a right angle…
These lines are Gradient of the perpendicular = -1/2
perpendicular
(x1, y1) = (3, -1) m = -1/2

y − y1 = m( x − x1 )
Substitute in
1 values
→ If a line has a gradient of m, the y − (−1) = − ( x − 3)
line perpendicular has gradient -1/m 2 Expand brackets
1
→ Two perpendicular lines have y + 1 = − x + 1.5
gradients that multiply to give -1
2 Subtract 1
1 1
y =− x+
2 2 5E