MAT039

Lesson 2: LINES AND CIRCLES

2A: LINES

MA. CRISTINA DUYAGUIT

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, CSM
Lines
Definition 2.1: The (undirected) distance between any two points in the
plane is defined as the length of the line segment joining them.
Theorem 2.1: (Distance Formula) Let 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) be two
points in the real plane ℝ2 . If 𝑑 is the distance between these point, then
𝑑 = 𝑃𝑄 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2 .

Theorem 2.2: Let 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) be two points in the real plane
ℝ2 . If 𝑀 𝑥,ҧ 𝑦ത is the midpoint of the line segment joining the points 𝑃 and
𝑄, then
𝑥1 +𝑥2 𝑦1 +𝑦2
𝑥ҧ = and 𝑦ത =
2 2

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Let 𝐿 be a non-horizontal line. Then 𝐿 intersects the 𝑥-axis.

Denote by 𝛼 the angle formed by the line 𝐿 with the positive 𝑥-axis. The
angle 𝛼 is called the angle of inclination of 𝐿 and it has a value between 0
and 𝜋 radians.

𝜋
Remark 2.1: If 𝐿 is vertical, then its angle of inclination is radians. We
2
define the angle of inclination of any horizontal line to be equal to zero
radian.

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Definition 2.2: Let 𝐿 be a non-vertical line and let 𝛼 be its angle of

inclination. Then the slope of 𝑳, denoted by 𝑚𝐿 , is given by
𝑚𝐿 = tan 𝛼.
Theorem 2.3: Let 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) be two points in the plane with
𝑥1 ≠ 𝑥2 . Then the slope of the line 𝐿 through the points 𝑃 and 𝑄 is given
by
𝑦2 −𝑦1
𝑚𝐿 = .
𝑥2 −𝑥1

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Examples 2.1:
1. Find the distance between the points (3, −2) and (0, 2).
Solution:
Let (3, −2) be the point 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (0, 2) be the point Q(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ).
Using the distance formula,
𝑑= 0−3 2 + 2 − −2 2

= 9 + 16
= 5 units

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2. The midpoint of a line segment 𝑃𝑄 is at (−2, −1) . If the point 𝑃 has

coordinates (5, −4) , find the coordinate of point 𝑄.
Solution:
Let (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) be the coordinates of 𝑄. Then
5+𝑥2 −4+𝑦2
−2 = and −1 = .
2 2
Solving for 𝑥2 and 𝑦2 , we get 𝑥2 = −9 and 𝑦2 = 2.
Therefore, 𝑄 is the point −9, 2 .

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3𝜋
3. If a line 𝐿 has angle of inclination equal to radians, find its slope.
4

Solution:
3𝜋
Using the definition, 𝑚𝐿 = tan = −1.
4
4. Find the slope of the line 𝐿 through (−3, 4) and (2, −6).
Solution:
Let 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 = (−3, 4) and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 = (2, −6). Then
−6 − 4 10
𝑚𝐿 = =− = −2
2 − (−3) 5

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Lines
Equation of a Line
𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) – two points on line 𝐿, 𝑚 is the slope of
line 𝐿, 𝑎 is the 𝑥-intercept of 𝐿, 𝑏 is 𝑦-intercept of 𝐿
1. point-slope form (given a point on the line and the slope)
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
2. slope-intercept form (given the slope and the y-intercept of the line)
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
3. two-point form (given two points of the line)
𝑦2 −𝑦1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑥2 −𝑥1
4. Intercepts form (given the 𝑥 and 𝑦-intercept of the line)
𝑥 𝑦
+ =1
𝑎 𝑏
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Examples 2.2:

1. Find the slope and the 𝑦-intercept of the line 7𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 6 = 0.

Solution:
Transform the equation of the line 7𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 6 = 0 (which is in
general form) in the slope-intercept form, we get
7
𝑦 =− 𝑥+2.
3
7
Therefore, the slope is 𝑚 = − and the 𝑦-intercept is (0, 2).
3

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2. Find an equation f the line through the origin and the midpoint of the line
segment joining (2, 3) and (4, 1).

Solution:
First we find the midpoint 𝑀 𝑥,ҧ 𝑦ത of the line segment joining (2, 3) and
2+4 3+1
(4, 1) : 𝑥ҧ = = 3 and 𝑦ത = = 2.
2 2
Next we find the slope of the line through 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 = 0, 0 and
2−0 2
𝑥2 , 𝑦2 = 𝑀 𝑥,ҧ 𝑦ത = 3, 2 : 𝑚 = 3−0 = 3.
Using the point-slope form of an equation of a line and using the point of origin
(0, 0), the equation of the line is:
2
𝑦 − 0 = 3 (𝑥 − 0),
2
which is equivalent to 𝑦 = 𝑥 or 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 0.
3
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3. The 𝑦-intercept of line 𝐿 is (0, −3). If 𝐿 passes through the
intersection of the lines 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 1 = 0 and 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 1 = 0, find an
equation of 𝐿.
Solution:
First we find the point of intersection of the two given lines, i.e.,
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 1 = 0 (1)
we solve the system of equations ቊ :
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 1 = 0 (2)
multiply equation (2) with 2 and subtract the new equation from equation
(1), we have

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Cont’n of solution of Examples 2.2 #3

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 1 = 0
− (2𝑥 + 4𝑦 − 2 = 0)
____________________
−𝑦 + 3 = 0
or 𝑦 = 3 . Substitute 𝑦 = 3 to equation (1), we get 𝑥 = −5. Hence the
intersection point of the two given lines is (−5, 3).
Let 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 = 0, −3 and 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 = (−5, 3). Using the two-point form of
an equation of a line, the equation of line 𝐿 is:
3− −3
𝑦 − −3 = (𝑥 − 0), equivalent to 6𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 15 = 0.
−5−0

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Theorem 2.4: Let 𝐿 and 𝑙 be two lines which are not vertical. Then 𝐿 and 𝑙
are parallel if and only if 𝑚𝐿 = 𝑚𝑙 .
Theorem 2.5: Let 𝐿 and 𝑙 be two lines which are not vertical. Then 𝐿 and 𝑙
1
are perpendicular if and only if 𝑚𝐿 = − .
𝑚𝑙
Definition 2.3: Let 𝐿 be a line and 𝑃 be a point not on the line 𝐿. The
distance from 𝑷 to the line 𝑳 is the length of the perpendicular line
segment ( shortest line segment) dropped from point 𝑃 to the line 𝐿.
Theorem 2.6: Let 𝐿 be the line 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶 = 0 and 𝑃(𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) be a point
in the plane. The distance 𝑑 from the point 𝑃 to the line 𝐿 is given by
𝐴𝑥0 + 𝐵𝑦0 + 𝐶
𝑑 = 𝑑 𝑃, 𝐿 =
𝐴2 + 𝐵2
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Examples 2.3:
1. Find an equation of the line passing through the point (−4, −1) and
parallel to the line 3𝑥 − 7𝑦 + 2 = 0 .
Solution:
Let 𝑃 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 = (−4, −1) , 𝑙: 3𝑥 − 7𝑦 + 2 = 0 , and 𝐿 be the
unknown line.
3 2
Solving for 𝑦 in the equation of 𝑙: 𝑦 = 𝑥 + .
7 7
3 3
Therefore, 𝑚𝑙 = . Since 𝑙 and 𝐿 are parallel, 𝑚𝐿 = 𝑚𝑙 = .
7 7
Using the point-slope form of an equation for a line, the equation of line L
3
is : 𝑦 − −1 = (x − −4 ), equivalent to 3𝑥 − 7𝑦 + 5 = 0.
7
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2. Find an equation of the line through the (5, −3) and perpendicular to
the line through the points (−3, −1) and (1, 5).
Solution:
Let 𝐿 be the unknown line and 𝑙 be the line passing through the
5−(−1) 6 3
points (−3, −1) and (1, 5) . Then 𝑚𝑙 = = = . Since 𝐿 is
1−(−3) 4 2
1 2
perpendicular to 𝑙, we have 𝑚𝐿 = − =− .
𝑚𝑙 3
Let 𝑃 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 = (5, −3), then using the point-slope form of an equation of a
2
line, the equation of line 𝐿 is : 𝑦 − −3 = − 𝑥 − 5 , or equivalently,
3
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 1 = 0.

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3. Find the two points on the 𝑥-axis which are at a unit distance from the
line 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 5 = 0.
Solution:
Let 𝑥0 , 0 be a point on the 𝑥-axis which is at a distance
𝑑 = 1 unit from the line 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 5 = 0. From the distance formula, we
3 𝑥0 +4 0 +5 3𝑥0 +5 3𝑥0 +5
have: 1= = = .
32 +4 2 25 5
That is, 5 = 3𝑥0 + 5 . This implies that 3𝑥0 + 5 = 5 or 3𝑥0 + 5 = −5.
10
Solving for 𝑥0 : 𝑥0 = 0 or 𝑥0 = − . Therefore, the two points are 0, 0
3
10
and − ,0 .
3

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Exercises 2.1:
A. Solve as indicated:
1. The midpoint of the line segment 𝑃𝑄 is at the point (3, 4). If the abscissa
of 𝑃 is 4 and the ordinate of 𝑄 is −2 , find the points 𝑃 and 𝑄.
2. Show that the quadrilateral with vertices 𝐴(1, 4), 𝐵(1, −3), 𝐶(−6, 4) and
𝐷(−6, −3) is a square.
3. Find the distance form (1, 2) to the midpoint of the line segment whose
endpoints are (−1, −3) and (−3, −5).
4. Find 𝑎 such that the distance from (−1, 2) to 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑦 + 9 = 0 is 5 units.
5. Find the shortest distance between the two parallel line with equations
2𝑥 − 𝑦 − 2 = 0 and 2𝑥 − 𝑦 − 7 = 0.
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Exercises 2.1:
B. Find the slope and 𝑦-intercept of the following lines:
1. 𝑦=6
2. 𝑥=0
3. −7𝑥 = −6𝑦 + 5
4. 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 1 = 0
1
5. 𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 7
2

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Exercises 2.1:
C. Find an equation of the line satisfying the given conditions.
5𝜋
1. angle of inclination is radians and the ordinate of the 𝑦-intercept is
6
−4
3
2. slope is − and passes through the midpoint of the line segment
4
connecting (−4, 2) and (3, −3)
3. passes through (−2, −2) and parallel to the 𝑥-axis
4. perpendicular to 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 5 = 0 and the 𝑥-intercept is (−2, 0)
5. perpendicular to 𝐿: 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 2 = 0 and passing through the midpoint of
the line segment joining the 𝑥 and 𝑦-intercepts of line 𝐿

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References:

· Canoy, Sergio, Jr., et al. A First Course in Analytic Geometry and Calculus. Revised Edition.
Department of Mathematics, MSU-IIT. 2010.

· Leithold, I. (1996). The Calculus 7. HarpenCollins College Publishing.

· Leithold, Louis. The Calculus with Analytic Geometry, 7th edition, 1995.

· Mendelson, Elliott. 3,000 Solved Problems in Calculus. Mc-Graw Hill, 1988.

· Protter, M &Protter, P. (1988). Calculus with Analytical Geometry. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publisher.

· Protter, Murray H. and Morrey, Charles B. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Addison-Wesley
Educational Publishers Inc., 1971.

· Purcell, E. & Patterson, R. (1978). Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Prentice-Hall.