Week 4.1 - Equation of A Straight Line
Week 4.1 - Equation of A Straight Line
1:
Equation of a Straight Line
Learning objectives
● Find the equation of a straight line given sufficient
information.
● Interpret and use any of the forms
y = mx + c,
y - y1 = m(x - x1),
ax + by + c = 0 in solving problems.
y
Straight Line
y
x
The Equation Of A Straight Line
To find the equation of any straight line we require to know two
things:
(a) The gradient of the line. m = gradient.
(b) The y axis intercept of the line. c = y axis intercept.
The equation of a straight line is : y=mx+c
Finding The Equation of a Line
from a Coordinate and Given Gradient
Example 1
Find the equation of the line which passes through (0, 7) at a
gradient of 3.
Find the equation by using the formula y - y 1 = m(x - x1)
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
y - 7 = 3 (x - 0)
y - 7 = 3x
y = 3x + 7
Finding The Equation of a Line
from Two Coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
Example 2
Find the equation of the line which passes through (3, -3) and (9, -1).
Step 1: Find the gradient value (m)
-1-(-3) 2
m= = = 1/ 3 Gradient (m) = 1/3
9-3 6
Step 2: Find the equation by using the formula y - y 1 = m(x - x1)
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
y - (-3) = 1/3 (x - 3) → you can also use (9, -1) for the x1 and y1
y + 3 = 1/ 3x - 1 → y = 1/ 3x - 1 - 3 → y = 1/ 3x - 4
Finding The Equation of a Line That
Parallel to Another Line
Parallel Lines
Parallel Lines - lines that never intersect.
For example, the gradient
of the red line is 1/2
What is the gradient of
the blue line? 1
/ 2
2x + 6y = 12 Same gradient.
So, the lines are
6y = -2x + 12 parallel to each
other.
Example 3
Find the equation of a line which is parallel to y = 4x - 1 that passes
through (0, -3)
1. Determine the gradient value.
y = 4x - 1
m = 4 → Parallel: m = 4
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
y - (-3) = 4(x - 0) → y + 3 = 4x → y = 4x - 3
y = 4x - 1
y = 4x - 3
Finding The Equation of a Line That
Perpendicular to Another Line
Example 1
Find the equation of a line which passes through (-1, 6) and is
perpendicular to y = 4x - 3.
Step 1: Determine the negative reciprocal number of the gradient value from the
given line.
y = 4x - 3
-1/4 is the negative reciprocal number of 4.
m = - /4
1
This value will be the gradient of perpendicular line.
Step 2: Find the equation by using the formula y - y 1 = m(x - x1)
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
y - 6 = -1/4(x - (-1)) → y - 6 = - 1/ 4x - 1/ 4 → y = -1/4x + 23/4
y = -1/4x + 23/4
y = 4x - 3
Any questions?
Go to your Worksheet