1

BASIC CONCEPTS
Directed Line Segments, Cartesian Coordinate System,
Distance Between Two Points

Learning Objectives:

 Know the fundamental concepts associated with Cartesian coordinate system.

 Apply the fundamental concepts in solving word problems involving distance between two
points.
Subject Content:
Geometry is divided into two kinds, synthetic and analytic. Synthetic geometry employs
the straight edge and compass as its basic tools, while analytic geometry uses algebra as its main
tool. In 1637, however, a French mathematician and philosopher, Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650)
published his La Geometrie, which introduced a device that is now called analytic geometry.
The basic feature in analytic geometry is the use of coordinate system in graphical
representations of algebraic equations. Notice that algebra contribute to the study of geometry, but
geometric interpretation of algebraic equations and manipulations results in a fuller comprehension
of many phases of algebra.
A. Directed Line Segments
Euclid’s axiom, states that “the shortest distance between two points is a line” and when we
say line in mathematics, we mean that it is straight, otherwise it is curve.
A directed line is defined as the line on which one direction is chosen as positive (indicated
by arrowhead) and the opposite direction as negative. A directed line segment is a segment of the
line consisting of any two points and the part between. Notice that two directed line segments lying
in the same line or in parallel lines are said to be equal if they have the same length and are
measured in the same direction.
Examples of line segments include the sides of a triangle or square. More generally, when
both of the segment's end points are vertices of a polygon or polyhedron, the line segment is either
an edge (of that polygon or polyhedron) if they are adjacent vertices, or otherwise a diagonal. When
the end points both lie on a curve such as a circle, a line segment is called a chord (of that curve).

B. Cartesian Coordinates System

A Cartesian coordinate system is a coordinate system that
specifies each point uniquely in a plane by a set of numerical
coordinates, which are the signed distances to the point from two
fixed perpendicular oriented lines, measured in the same unit of
length. Each reference line is called a coordinate axis or just axis
(plural axes) of the system, and the point where they meet is its
origin, at ordered pair (0, 0). The coordinates can also be defined
as the positions of the perpendicular projections of the point onto
the two axes, expressed as signed distances from the origin.
The invention of Cartesian coordinates in the 17th century
by René Descartes revolutionized mathematics by providing the first
systematic link between Euclidean geometry and algebra. Using the Cartesian coordinate system,
geometric shapes (such as curves) can be described by Cartesian equations: algebraic equations
involving the coordinates of the points lying on the shape.
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The horizontal number line is called the x – axis and the vertical line is the y – axis. Points
on the Cartesian coordinate system are located by means of ordered pairs of real numbers (x, y).
An ordered pair of coordinates is a set in which the order of the elements is significant. In the ordered
pair (x, y), x is called the first coordinates (or abscissa) and y is called the second coordinates (or
ordinate) of the points. Together they are called coordinates of a point. The coordinate axes divide
the plane into four parts, called quadrants.
C. Distance Between Two Points and Midpoint of a Line segment
The distance between any two points or the length of a line segment connecting them can
be determined when we know the coordinates of the endpoints.
The distance between two points P1(x1,y1) and P2(x2,y2) is the number of units measured
along the line between two points.
 If the line is parallel to the x – axis, then y1 = y2, and the distance is given by
d  P1P2  x2  x1  x1  x2
 If the line is parallel to the y – axis, then x1 = x2, and the distance is given by
d  P1 P2  y 2  y1  y1  y 2
 If a line is not parallel to either axis as given in the next theorem, then the distance can be
found by the application of the Pythagorean Theorem. The distance between any two points
P1(x1,y1) and P2(x2,y2) is given by the formula,
d  P1P2  x2  x1 2   y2  y1 2
 The midpoint, denoted by Px, y , of the segment joining P1 x1 , y1  and P2 x2 , y2  .

x
1
x1  x2 , and y  1  y1  y2 
2 2

1. Find the distance between the points (2, -2) and (-1, -6).

d x2  x1 2   y2  y1 2
d 2   12   2   62
d  32  44
d 5

2. If (1, -2) is equidistant with (4, 4) and (x, 4), find x.

Solution: Our goal is to find the x – coordinate of the third point (x, 4) equidistant from (4, 4) and (1,
-2). First, we find the distance between (x1, y1) = (4,4) and (x2, y2) = (1, -2).

d x 2  x1 2   y 2  y1 2
d 1  42   2  42
d  45
d  6.708

Substituting (x2, y2) = (1, -2), (x3, y3) = (x, 4), and 45 into the distance formula to find x, we get,
 3

d x3  x2 2   y3  y2 2
45  x  12  4   22
45  x 2  2 x  1  36
x2  2x  8  0
x  4x  2  0
x  4 and x  2

We take x = -2, since x = 4 is the abscissa of the first point (4, 4)

3. Find the midpoint of the points (2, -2) and (-1, -6)..

x
1
x1  x2  y
1
 y1  y2 
2 2
x  2   1 y   2   6 
1 1
2 2
x  1 y   8
1 1
2 2
1
x y  4
2

Therefore the midpoint is in the point  1 ,4 

2 

4. Find the length of the radius of the circle with (-40, 4) and (59, -16) as endpoints of the diameter.

r
d 1
  40  592  4  162
2 2

1
 992  202
2
1
 9801 400
2
101
  50.5  radius
2

Supplementary Exercises No: 1

1. Using graphing paper, locate and plot the following points:
A. (0, 8), (−6, 11), (12, 2), (1, 15/2), (−3, 19/2)

B. (0, 1/2), (−1, 1), (−3, 2), (5, −2), (−2, 3/2)
Do the points lie on a straight line?
2. Find the distance and midpoint between the given pair of points.
A. (−7, −2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (8, −10)
B. (−28, −9) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−4, −2)

3. A triangle is a closed three – sided geometric figure. The perimeter of a triangle is equal to
the sum of the lengths of its three sides. Find the perimeter of the triangle with vertices
𝐴(4, −1), 𝐵(3,1), and 𝐶(−4, −2).
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DIVISION OF A LINE SEGMENT

Learning Objectives:

 Apply the fundamental concepts in solving problems involving division of a line.

 Solve real world problems involving division of a line.
Subject Content:
In the previous topic, we shown how to find the coordinates of a point midway between two points
of given coordinates. Now, we will generalized this idea by letting P(x, y) be any division point of the
line segment through P1 and P2. If the ratio of the line segments P1P and P1P2 is a number r
instead of ½, then;

P1P
r (1)
P1P2

From similar triangles, we can find the x – coordinate

of P as follows:

P1P x  x1
 (2)
P1P2 x2  x1
Equating (1) and (2), we obtain

x  x1
r (3)
x2  x1
Solving (3) for x, we get

x  x1  r x2  x1  (4)

The y – coordinate of P can be derived similarly. Notice that our notation is symmetric in x and y, so
that the formula for y can be obtained at once from (4) by merely changing each x to the
corresponding y. Hence, the y – coordinate is

y  y1  r  y2  y1  (5)

Examples:
1. Find the two trisection points of the line segment joining
the points P1(4, 2) and P2(-2, -1). Draw the line segment and
indicate the points of trisection.
Solution: Find the coordinates of the two trisection points;
P3(x3, y3), and P4(x4, y4). Let P1(x1, y1) = (4, 2) and P2(x2, y2)
= (-2, -1). Since it is trisected, the first ratio, r1 of the two line
segments P1P and P1P2 is 1/3. Hence,

P1P 1

P1P2 3
We take r1 = 1/3. Solving for the x and y coordinates of the first trisection point, we obtain

x3  x1  r  x2  x1    2  4 
1
x3  4  x3  2
3
 5

y3  y1  r  y2  y1   1  2
1
 y3  2   y3  1
3

Thus, P3(x3, y3) = (2, 1) is the first trisection point of the line segment P1P2 . Now we use r2 = 2/3 to
find the second trisection point, P4(x4, y4), and have

x4  x1  r2  x2  x1    2  4 
2
x4  4  x4  0
3

y4  y1  r2  y2  y1   1  2
2
 y4  2   y4  0
3

Therefore, P4(x4, y4) = (0, 0) is the second trisection point of the line segment P1P2 .

Supplementary Exercises No: 2

1. Divide the segment joining (−7, 4) and (6, −4) into three equal parts and find the points of
division.
2. Divide the segment joining (5, 1) and (−4, 3) into four equal parts and find the points of
division.
3. The line segment joining the points 𝑃1(−1, −3) and 𝑃2(2, −1) is extended beyond P2 so that
its length is doubled. Find the terminal point P.

SLOPE OF A LINE

Learning Objectives:

 Apply the fundamental concepts in solving problems involving slope of a line.

 Solve real world problems involving slope of a line.
Subject Content:
The angle of inclination of a line is the smallest positive angle from the positive x – axis to the line.
The slope, m of a line is the tangent of the angle of inclination
(e.g. m  tan ). A line that rises to the right has a positive
slope because the inclination is a positive acute angle; a line
that rises to the left has a negative slope. The slope of a
horizontal line is zero while the slope of a vertical line is
undefined since the tan  approaches infinity.
Notice that the slope of a line is constant. Thus, the slope of
the line through two points P1 x1 , y1  and P2 x2 , y2  is defined
as the tangent of its angle of inclination  or equivalently, as
the ratio of the directed change in vertical distance to the
corresponding directed change in horizontal distance as the
point moves along the line in either direction. Let y  y2  y1
be called the rise and x  x2  x1 be called the run; then the
slope of a line is defined as the “rise per unit of run”, that is,
rise y y2  y1
m  tan     , where x1  x2
run x x2  x1
Remarks: The inclination of a line parallel to the x – axis is zero.
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Example 1: Find the slope of the line that passes through the points
(1, 2), (3, 4).
Solution: Let P1 x1 , y1   1, 2 and P2 x 2 , y 2   3, 4 so that the slope of
the line can be computed as follows:

y2  y1 4  2 2
m   1  m 1
x2  x1 3  1 2
Notice that the line has a positive slope so that it inclines to the right.

Example 2: Find the slope of the line that passes through the
points (-1, 3) and (2, 1).
Solution: Let P1 x1 , y1   2,1 and P2 x2 , y2    1, 3 so that the slope
of the line can be computed as follows:

y2  y1 3 1 2 2
m   m
x2  x1  1  2 3 3
Notice that the line has negative slopes, so that it inclines to the left.
Example 3: Find the slope of the horizontal line y = 1. Draw the line.
Solution: y = 1 is a horizontal line that intersects the y – axis at 1. To
find the slope of the line, let P1 x1 , y1    2,1 and P2 x2 , y 2   2,1 be
the points on the line. Hence,

y2  y1 11 0
m   0 m0
x2  x1 2   2 4
Notice that the line is horizontal so that it has a zero slope.
Example 4: Find the slope of the vertical line x = -2. Draw the
line.
Solution: x = -2 is a vertical line that intersects the x – axis at -2.
To find the slope, now, let P1 x1 , y1    2,1 and P2 x2 , y2    2, 3
be the two points on the line so that,

y 2  y1 3 1 2 2
m    
x 2  x1  2   2  2  2 0

Here the line is vertical so that its slope is undefined.

Remarks: An expression which involves division by zero is said to be undefined or indeterminate
and no numerical value can meaningfully be assigned to it.
4
Example 5: if the line joining the two points (-4, 2) and (x, -6) has the slope m   . Find x.
3
Solution: find the value of x when y = -6. Let  x1 , y1   4, 2 ,  x2 , y2    x,  6 and m   . Substituting
4
3
these values into the formula of slope, yields;
 7

y2  y1
m
x2  x1
4 62
 
3 x   4 
 4 x  4   3 8
 4 x  16  24
 4 x  8
x2
Thus, the x – coordinate is x = 2.

Supplementary Exercises No: 3

I. Find the slope of the line joining the pair of points given. Draw the line using graphing paper.
1. (-1, -2) and (3, 5) 2. (-1, 1) and (4, 6) 3. (-3, -3) and (6, -2)
4. (-4, 0) and (0, 3) 5. (3, 0) and (1.5, 2)
II. Provide for what is asked.

2
1. The slope of the line passing through (4, 1) and (x, 3) is  . Find x.
5
2. The slope of the line passing through (0, 3) and (0, y) is undefined. Find y.

SLOPE OF PERPENDICULAR LINES

Learning Objectives:
 Apply the fundamental concepts in solving problems involving slope of perpendicular lines.
 Solve real world problems involving slope of perpendicular lines.
Subject Content:

Let l1 and l2 be any two perpendicular lines not parallel

to either of the coordinate axes, with inclinations of 1
and  2 where 1 >  2 , m1  tan 1 and m2  tan 2 ,
respectively.
By geometry, 1  90  2 . By trigonometry,
m1  tan 1  tan90  2   cot 2    cot2

1 1
m1   
tan  2 m2

Conversely, if l1 and l2 are two lines whose slopes m1 and m2 satisfy the relation m1   1 , it follows
m2
that, tan 1   1   cot 2 . Thus, two lines with slopes m1 and m2 are perpendicular if and only
tan  2
 8

if their slopes are negative reciprocals of each other, that is, if

1 1
m1    m2    m1m2  1
m2 m1
Provided neither slope is 0.
Remarks: Notice that the line are perpendicular if one slope is zero and the other slope is undefined.
Example 1: Prove that the triangle with vertices A (2, 1), B(6,
9), and C(-2, 3) is a right triangle and find its area. Draw the
triangle and determine which angle is 90⁰.
Solution: Find the angle whose sides have slopes that are
negative reciprocals of each other. Let m1 be the slope of side
AB , m2 be the slope of side BC , and m3 be the slope of side
AC . Let x1, y1   2,1, x2 , y2    2, 3, and x3 , y3   6, 9 .
Substituting these values into the formula for finding the slope
of a line, we get;
y2  y1 9  1 8
m1    2
x2  x1 6  2 4
y3  y2 39 6 3
m2    
x3  x2  2  6  8 4
y3  y1 3 1 2 1
m3    
x3  x1  2  2  4 2

Comparing the product of slopes: m1m2 , m2 m3 , and m1m3 , we obtain the desired results.

3 3
m1m2  2  
4 2
 3  1  3
m2 m3       
 4  2  8
 1
m3 m1  2    1
 2

Since m1m3  1 , then we conclude that A is a right angle and ABC is a right triangle

Finding its area. Using distance formula: d B, C   d  A, B  d  A, C  , we get;

2 2 2

d  A, B   6  22  9  12  16  64  80
d B, C    2  62  3  92  64  36  100
d  A, C    2  22  3  12  16  4  20

d B, C 2  d  A, B 2  d  A, C 2

 100   80    20 
2 2 2

100  80  20 100  100, as desired.

1
The formula for the area of a right triangle is A  bh . Substitute to the formula;
2
 9

1
A  bh
2
A
1
2
  
20 80

A
1
2
 
1,600

A  40
1
2
A  20 square units.

Supplementary Exercises No: 4

I. Prove that the triangle with vertices (1, -1), (-1, 7), and (-3, -2) is a right triangle. Draw the
triangle in a graphing paper and find its area.

SLOPE OF PARALLEL LINES

Learning Objectives:

 Apply the fundamental concepts in solving problems involving slope of parallel lines.
 Solve real world problems involving slope of parallel lines.
Subject Content:
Two non-vertical lines are parallel if and only if they have
the same slope. That is, if m1 is the slope of l1 and m2 is the
slope of l2 then;

m1  tan 1 and m2  tan 2

Now, if 1 =  2 then m1 = m2 and l1 is parallel to l2 .

Example 1: Show that the points A(5, 4), B(-5, 8), C(-7, 3),
and D(3, -1) are the vertices of a rectangle. Draw the
rectangle.

Solution: Let P1 x1, y1   5,4 , P2 x2 , y2    5,8, P3 x3 , y3    7,3 , and P4 x4 , y 4   3,1 . Let m1 be the
slope of P1P2 , m2 be the slope of P2 P3 , m3 be the slope of P3 P4 , and m4 be the slope of P1 P4 .

Substituting these values into the formula for finding the slope of a line, we have;
y2  y1 84 4 2
m1    
x2  x1  5  5  10 5
y3  y2 38 5 5
m2    
x3  x2  7   5  2 2
y4  y3 1  3 4 2
m3    
x4  x3 3   7  10 5
y4  y1  1  4  5 5
m4    
x4  x1 35 2 2
 10

Comparing the slopes of the opposite sides of the

rectangle, we have;

 2  5   2  5 
m1m2       1 and m3m4       1
 5  2   5  2 
2 5
m1  m3   and m2  m4 
5 2
Since the slopes of the opposite sides are equal,
we say that they parallel.

We also show that d(A,B) = d(C,D) and d(B,C) = d(A,D). thus, finding the lengths of the sides of the
rectangle, yields;

d  A, B   x2  x1 2   y2  y1 2  5  32  4  12  4  25  29

d C , D   ( x4  x3 ) 2   y4  y3   3  82   7  52  25  4  29
2

d B, C   ( x3  x2 ) 2   y3  y2    5  52  8  42  100  16  116

2

d  A, D   x4  x1 2   y4  y1 2   7  32  3  12  100  16  116

Since m1 = m3 and m2 = m4 ; d(A,B) = d(C,D) and d(B,C) = d(A,D), we conclude that the given points
are the vertices of a rectangle.

Supplementary Exercises No: 5

1. Show that the points (3, -1), (5, 4), (-5, 8), and (-7, 3) are the vertices of a rectangle. Draw
the rectangle in a graphing paper.
2. A rhombus is a parallelogram with all sides equal in length. Prove that the points (-2, 9),
(-4, -2), (1, -12), and (3, -1) are the vertices of a rhombus.

Angle Between Two Lines Whose Slopes Are Given

Learning Objectives:

 Apply the fundamental concepts in solving problems involving angle between two lines
whose slopes are given.
 Solve real world problems identifying angle between two lines whose slopes are given.
Subject Content:
We shall show how to find the measure of the
angle between two lines in terms of the slopes of the line.
Since the direction of a line is frequently given by its
slope, it is desirable to have a formula for the angle
between lines in terms of their slopes. Let  be the angle
from a line l1 to the line l 2 defined as the smallest,
nonnegative (counter clockwise) angle.
 11

Let line l1 and l 2 be two lines, neither of which is parallel to the y – axis and which are not
perpendicular to each other, so that 1 and  2 be their inclinations; m1 and m2 be their slopes. We
shall consider two cases: Case 1 (  2 > 1 ), and case 2 ( 1 >  2 ).

Case I (  2 > 1 ): By geometry, we have,

2  1      2  1  tan   tan2  1 
Case II (  2 > 1 ): By geometry, we have,

1  2  180       180  2  1 

tan   tan 180   2  1   tan   tan 2  1 
In either case, by trigonometry, we obtain
tan  2  tan 1
tan   tan 180   2  1   tan  
1  tan  2 tan 1
m2  m1
tan  
1  m1m2

Example 1: Find the angle A of the triangle whose vertices are A(3, 3), B(-3, 1), and C(-1, -3).

Solution: Sketch the triangle. Find the slopes of sides AB and AC. Let m1 and m2 be the slopes of
side AB and AC, respectively. Then,
y2  y1 1 3 2 1
m1    
x2  x1  3  3  6 3
y3  y1  3  3  6 3
m2    
x3  x1  1  3  4 2

Now finding the tangent of angle A, we get;

3 1 7

m  m1
tan   2  tan A  2 3  tan A  6
1  m1m2  1  3  3
1    
 3  2  2
7 7
tan A   A  tan 1    A  375229.4
9 9

Example 2: Find the angles of the rectangle whose vertices are A(4, 1), B(2, 4), C(-4, 0), and
D(-2, -3).
 12

Solution: Find the angles of the vertices of the rectangle. First, we find the slopes of the sides of the
rectangle. Let

m1 = slope of side AB m2 = slope of side CD

m3 = slope of side BC m4 = slope of side AD

4 1 3 30 3
m1   m2  
24 2 24 2
04 2  3 1 2
m3   m4  
42 3 24 3
Notice that m1  m2 , and m3  m4 .

Finding the angles of the vertices, we obtain

2  3 13
  
m  m1 3  2
tan A  4  tan A   6 
1  m1m4  3  2  0
1     
 2  3 
A  90

2  3 13
 
m  m1 3  2
tan B  3  tan B   6 
1  m1m3  3  2  0
1     
 2  3 
B  90
Therefore, we conclude that the angles of the vertices of the rectangle are all equal to 90⁰.
 13

Supplementary Exercises No: 6

1. Use the slopes of the sides of a triangle whose vertices are A(3, 1), B(1, 6), and C(-2, -1) to
prove that it is a right triangle. Determine which angle is 90⁰.
2. The figure below is a parallelogram whose vertices are A(4, 1), B(1, 2), C(-5, -1), and
D(-2, -2). Find the angles of the vertices of the parallelogram.

EQUATION OF A LINE (TWO – POINT FORM)

Learning Objectives:

 Differentiate two – point form formulas from other formulas in obtaining the equation of a
line.
 Apply the fundamental concepts of two – point form in obtaining the equation of a line.
Subject Content:
There are different formulas for obtaining the equations of a lines. Some conditions given for
obtaining the equation of a line which formula is most convenient to use. The two – point form and
the intercept form determine a line by two points that lie on it; the slope – point form and the slope
– intercept form determine a line by one point that lies on it and its slope. These formulas are all
equivalent to the general equation of a line,
ax  by  c  0 1
And are generally easily transformed into it and into each other. Solving (1) for y in terms of x, we
can find the slope of the line. That is
ax  by  c  0
by  ax  c

y x
a c
2
b b
m
a
3
b
A. Two – Point Form
The slope of a line is always constant and it can be determined using any two distinct points on a
line. We can use these facts to develop a formula for obtaining the equation of a non – vertical line
when the coordinates of two points on a line are known.

Let P1 x1 , y1  and P2 x2 , y2  be two distinct points on a non – vertical line, so that the slope m of the
line can be written as,
 14

y2  y1
m 1
x2  x1

Let P(x, y) be any point on the line, and P1 x1 , y1  can also be used to determine the slope m of the
line,
y  y1
m 2
x  x1

Substituting (1) into (2) or vice versa, we get the two – point form of the equation of the line, that is,

y  y1 y2  y1 y y 
  y  y1   2 1 x  x1  3
x  x1 x2  x1  x2  x1 
Example 1: Find the equation of the line passing through the points (-2, 1) and (3, 4). Draw the line.

Solution: Let P1 x1 , y1  = (-2, 1) and P2 x2 , y2  = (3, 4); substituting these values into the two – point
form of the equation of a line, we get;

y y 
y  y1   2 1 x  x1 
 x2  x1 
 4 1 
y  1   x   2
 3   2 
y 1 
3
x  2
5
5 y  5  3x  6
5 y  3 x  11  0 or 5 y  3x  11

Example 2: Find the equation of the line joining the point (2, -1) and the midpoint of the line segment
from (5, 3) to (1, -1).

Solution: First, we need to find the midpoint of the line segment from x1 , y1  = (5, 3) and x2 , y2  =
(1, -1). Find the x and y – coordinate of the midpoint, we get;

x
1
x1  x2  y
1
 y1  y2 
2 2
y  3  1
1
x  5  1
1
2 2
y  2 
1
x  6 
1
2 2
x3 y 1

Therefore, the midpoint has coordinates (3, 1).

To find the equation of the line passing through (2, -1) and (3, 1), we use the two – point formula.
Let x1 , y1  = (2, -1) and x2 , y2  = (3, 1); substitute these points, it yields;

y y 
y  y1   2 1 x  x1 
 x2  x1 
 1   1 
y   1   x  2
 32 
y  1  2x  2
y  2 x  5 or y  2x  5  0
 15

Supplementary Exercises No: 7

1. Find the slope and equation of the line passing through the points (3,1) and (-2, -4).
2. A right triangle with vertices (5, 1), (1, 4), and (1, 1) is located in the first quadrant of the
Cartesian plane. Find the equation of the hypotenuse of the right triangle.
3. Find the equation of the line through the point (4, 3) and perpendicular to the line through
the points (0, -3) and (6, 1).

EQUATION OF A LINE (INTERCEPT FORM)

Learning Objectives:

 Differentiate intercept form formula from other formulas in obtaining the equation of a line.
 Apply the fundamental concepts of intercept form in obtaining the equation of a line.
Subject Content:
There are different formulas for obtaining the equations of a lines. Some conditions given for
obtaining the equation of a line which formula is most convenient to use. The two – point form and
the intercept form determine a line by two points that lie on it; the slope – point form and the slope
– intercept form determine a line by one point that lies on it and its slope. These formulas are all
equivalent to the general equation of a line,
ax  by  c  0 1
And are generally easily transformed into it and into each other. Solving (1) for y in terms of x, we
can find the slope of the line. That is
ax  by  c  0
by  ax  c

y x
a c
2
b b
m
a
3
b
A. Intercept Form

For the special case when the point P1 x1 , y1  is the y – intercept, denoted by (0, b), where b  0 ,
and the point x2 , y2  is the x – intercept, denoted (a, 0), where a  0 then the two point form of the
equation of a line can be written into the intercept form. Hence,

y y 
y  y1   2 1  x  x1 
 x2  x1 
0b
y b  x  0
a0
y b   x
b
1
a
1
Multiplying both sides of (1) by , yields;
b
 16

y x
1  
b a
x y
 1 2
a b

Remarks: The intercepts of a line are the coordinates of the points where the line intersects the
two axes. To find the x – intercept, let y = 0 in the equation and solve for x. similarly, to find y –
intercept, let x = 0 and solve for y.
Example 1: Find the equation of the line having intercepts (-3, 0) and (0, 3). Draw the line.
Solution: Let a  3 and b  3 ; substituting these
values into the intercept form of the equation of a line,
we obtain;

x y
 1
a b
x y
 1
3 3
Multiply both sides by -3, we get;

x  y  3 or x y30
Example 2: For the right triangle with vertices (), (), and (), find the
equation of the hypotenuse, and the area of the triangle.
Solution: Draw the triangle.
a. To find the equation of the hypotenuse, let a = 4 and b = 3.
Substituting these values in the intercept form of the equation of a
line, we get;
x y
 1
a b
x y
 1
4 3
3x  4 y  12

1
b. The area of the right triangle A  bh where b = 4 units and h = 3 units. Substitute these values
2
to the formula, yields;

A
1
baseheight
2
A  43
1
2
A  6 square units

Example 3: Find the equation of the line, if the line passes through (2, 2) and the x – intercept is
twice the y – intercept.
Solution: Let a and b be the x and y – intercepts, respectively. Writing the intercept form of the
equation of the line, we get;
x y
 1
a b

For the line to pass trough (2, 2), we substitute x = 2 and y = 2, so that;
 17

2 2
 1
a b
Substituting a = 2b (since the x- intercept is twice the y - intercept), we obtain;
2 2
 1
2b b
We multiply by 2b, we get;
2  4  2b
b3
Solving for a, we have;
a  2b
a  23  6
Substituting a = 6 and b = 3, it yields;

x y
 1
6 3
x  2y  6

Supplementary Exercises No: 8

1. Find the intercept form of the equation of the line given the points.
A. (3, 0) and (0, 2) B. (0, 4) and (0, 3) C. (0, -2) and (3, 0)
2. Find the equation of the line, if the line passes through (-3, 2) and whose intercepts are
equal.
3. Find the equation of the line, if the line passes through (3, 2) with y – intercept two – thirds
the x – intercept.

EQUATION OF A LINE (SLOPE – POINT FORM)

Learning Objectives:

 Differentiate slope – point form formulas from other formulas in obtaining the equation of a
line.
 Apply the fundamental concepts of slope – point form in obtaining the equation of a line.
Subject Content:
There are different formulas for obtaining the equations of a lines. Some conditions given for
obtaining the equation of a line which formula is most convenient to use. The two – point form and
the intercept form determine a line by two points that lie on it; the slope – point form and the slope
– intercept form determine a line by one point that lies on it and its slope. These formulas are all
equivalent to the general equation of a line,
ax  by  c  0 1
 18

And are generally easily transformed into it and into each other. Solving (1) for y in terms of x, we
can find the slope of the line. That is
ax  by  c  0
by  ax  c

y x
a c
2
b b
m
a
3
b
A. Slope – Point Form

y2  y1
Since the slope of a non – vertical line is m  , the two point form of the equation of a
x2  x1
line can be transformed into the slope – point form, that is;

y y 
y  y1   2 1 x  x1 
 x2  x1 
y  y1  mx  x1 
Remarks:
 The slope point form is most convenient for determining the equation of a line when one of
the points on a line and its slope are given.
 To draw the line, we make use of the point and the slope (rise over the run). Be sure that the
slope is expressed in fractional form to emphasize the rise and the run.
 If the rise is positive, we go upward starting from the given point; but, if the rise is
negative, we go downward starting from the given point.
 If the run is positive, we run to the right starting from the given point where the rise
ends; but, if the run is negative, we run to the left where the rise ends.
Example 1: Find the equation of the line passing through the point (-2, 1) and having slope 3. Draw
the line.

Solution: Let P1 x1 , y1  = (-2, 1) and m = 3; substituting these point and slope into the slope – point
form of the equation of a line, we get;
y  y1  m x  x1 
y  1  3 x   2 
y  1  3 x  2 
y  3x  7  0

Notice that the slope is m  rise  3  3 . To draw the line, we start from the point P1(-2, 1), rise 3 units
run 1
call it P2 , and from P2 run 1 unit to the right call it P3. Then draw a line passing through P1 and P3.
 19

Example 2: Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of a line segment having endpoints
(-2, -1) and (-4, 3). Sketch the graph.
Solution: The bisector divides the segment into two parts. First we need to find the coordinates of
the midpoint of the line segment having end points of (-2, -1) and (-4, 3).

x
1
x1  x2  y
1
 y1  y2 
2 2
x   2  4
1
y   1  3
1
2 2
x   6 y  2
1 1
2 2
x  3 y 1

Hence, the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment is (-3, 1). Now, we want to find the slope
of the line containing the line segment. We have;
y2  y1
m
x2  x1
3   1
m
 4   2 
3 1
m
42
4
m
2
m  2

Therefore, the slope of the perpendicular bisector is

1
m . Substitute these values to the slope point
2
form formula, we get;
y  y1  mx  x1 

y 1 
1
x   3
2
2y  2  x  3
2y  x  5

Supplementary Exercises No: 9

1. Find the slope – point form of the equation of the line given the slope and point.

A. m  , through 1,2  B. m  2, through3,1

2
3

2. Find the equation of the line passing through (3, -3) and parallel to 4 x  2 y  8 .

3. Find the equation of the line passing through (2, -3) and perpendicular to 3 x  4 y  8 .
 20

EQUATION OF A LINE (SLOPE – INTERCEPT FORM)

Learning Objectives:

 Differentiate slope – intercept form formulas from other formulas in obtaining the equation
of a line.
 Apply the fundamental concepts of slope – intercept form in obtaining the equation of a
line.
Subject Content:
There are different formulas for obtaining the equations of a lines. Some conditions given for
obtaining the equation of a line which formula is most convenient to use. The two – point form and
the intercept form determine a line by two points that lie on it; the slope – point form and the slope
– intercept form determine a line by one point that lies on it and its slope. These formulas are all
equivalent to the general equation of a line,
ax  by  c  0 1
And are generally easily transformed into it and into each other. Solving (1) for y in terms of x, we
can find the slope of the line. That is
ax  by  c  0
by  ax  c

y x
a c
2
b b
m
a
3
b
A. Slope – Intercept Form
The slope intercept form of the equation of a line is a special case of the slope – point form of the
equation of a line. The given point in the slope – intercept form is a point on the y – axis called the y
– intercept.

For the special case when P1 x1 , y1  is the y – intercept, denoted by (0, b), the slope – point form
can be transformed into the slope – intercept form of the equation of a line. Hence,
y  y1  m x  x1 
y  b  m x  0 
y  mx  b
Now, if the equation of the line is in general form, we reduce the equation to the slope – intercept
form by solving for y in terms of x. that is,
ax  by  c  0
by  ax  c
a c
y   x
b b
b c
We have m   and y – intercept  .
a b
Example 1: Reduce the equation 3 x  4 y  12 to the slope intercept form. Draw the line.

Solution: To reduce the equation to the slope – intercept form, we solve the equation for y in terms
of x. Hence,
 21

3x  4 y  12
4 y  3x  12
3
y   x3
4

Thus, the line has m   3 and b = 3.

4

To draw the line; we start from the y – intercept (0, 3), go downward (if m   3 ) 3 units and run 4
4
units to the right. Then draw the line between the first point and the third point.

Example 2: Find the equation of the line having y – intercept (0, 3) and a slope of m   2 . Draw the
3
line.

Solution: Let b = 3 and m   2 ; substituting these values into the slope – intercept form of the
3
equation of a line , we obtain;
y  mx  b
2
y   x3 or 3y  2x  9  0
3

To draw the line, let m  rise   2 ; starting from the y – intercept b = 3, we go downward 2 units and
run 3
run 3 units to the rights. Then draw a line passing through the first point and the third point.

Example 3: Find the equation of a line having y – intercept -1.75 and slope 0.5.
5 1
Solution: Let b  1.75   and m  0.5  ; substituting these values into the slope – intercept
4 2
form of the equation of a line, we get;
 22

y  mx  b
1 5
y x or 4 y  2x  5  0
2 4

Supplementary Exercises No: 10

1. Reduce the equation to the slope intercept form then find the slope and y – intercept of the
line.
A. 2 x  5 y  10 B. 3 x  2 y  6 C. 3 x  5 y  15

2. Find the equation of the line through (0, 3) parallel to the line  x  2 y  4 .

3. Find the equation of the line perpendicular to the line joining (3, 2) and (-2, -3) and having
y – intercept of 5.

OTHER FORMS OF EQUATIONS OF LINE

Learning Objectives:
 Identify the other forms of equation of a line different from those common ones.
Subject Content:
An equation of a line parallel to the y – axis (vertical line) is x = a, where a is the x – intercept of the
line. It has the property that all x – coordinates of points on the line are the same.
A line parallel to the x – axis (horizontal) has equation y = b, where b is the y – intercept of the line.
On a horizontal line all points have the same y – coordinates.

Remarks: x = 0 is the equation of the y – axis while y = 0 is the equation of the x – axis.
Example 1: Find the equation of a vertical line which passes through point (2, 0). Draw the line.
 23

Solution: The line has x – intercept 2. Thus, the equation of the line is;

x2 or x20

Example 2: Find the equation of the horizontal line whose y – intercept is -1.
Solution: The line intersects the y – axis at y = -1. Thus, the equation of the line is;

y  1 or y 1  0

Example 3: Find the equation of the line passing through the point (0, 1) parallel to the line
2 x  3 y  6 . Draw the line.
Solution: Reduce the given into slope – intercept form, we have
2x  3y  6
2
y  x2
3

The line has slope, m  2 . To find the equation of the line passing through (0, 1) and parallel to the
3
given line can be computed in the following manner. Let m  2 and b = 1, so that;
3

y  mx  b
2
y  x 1 or 3y  2x  3
3

Example 4: Find the equation of the line passing through (-2, 2) and perpendicular to the line
x y
  1 . Draw the lines.
2 2
Solution: Writing the given line in slope intercept form, we get;
x y
 1
2 2
x y 2
y  x2
We see that it has a slope, m = 1. So that the slope of the perpendicular line is;

m  1
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Substituting m  1 and x1, y1    2,2 into the slope point form, we obtain the desired equation
of the line that is perpendicular to the given line. Hence,

y  y1  m x  x1 
y  2  1x  2
x y  0

Supplementary Exercises No: 11

1. Find the equation of the horizontal line with y – intercept 4. Draw the line in graphing paper.
2. Find the equation of the vertical line with x – intercept 2. Draw the line in graphing paper.
3. The midpoints of the side of a triangle are (1, 1), (-1, 4) and (-2, -1). Find the coordinates of
the vertices. Draw the triangle in a graphing paper.