Mathematics short note for grade 10

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4.3. 3 Different forms of equation of line
In geometry, the equation of a line can be written in different forms and each of these representations is
useful in different ways. The equation of a straight line is written in either of the following methods:
1. Point slope form 3. Two point form
2. Slope intercept form 4. Intercept form
1. Point Slope Form Derivation
Suppose that P1(x1, y1) is a fixed point on a non-vertical line L, whose slope is m.
Let P (x, y) be an arbitrary point on the line L.

The slope of a line passing through the points (x1, y1) and (x, y) is the ratio of difference of y-
coordinates and the difference of x-coordinates.
m = (y – y1)/ (x – x1) ⇒ y – y1 = m(x – x1)….(i)
As the point, P1(x1, y1) including all points (x, y) on L satisfies the equation (i), and no other point in the
plane satisfies the above equation.
So, the equation (i) is undoubtedly the equation for the given line L.
Thus, the point (x, y) lies on the line with slope m through the fixed point (x1, y1), if and only if, its
coordinates satisfy the equation. y – y1 = m(x – x1)
Therefore, this is the point-slope form of a line equation.
Example 1:
Find the equation of the line through (–4, 7) with slope -5.
Solution: Given point is: (-4, 7) and Slope = m = -5
Let (-4, 7) = (x1, y1)
We know that the equation of a line in point slope form is: y – y1 = m(x – x1)
Substituting the values,
y – 7 = -5[x – (-4)]
y – 7 = -5(x + 4)
y – 7 = -5x – 20
5x + y – 7 + 20 = 0
5x + y + 13 = 0
Hence, this is the required equation of the line.
Example 2:
Find the equation of a line passing through the points (1, –1) and (3, 5) in point slope form.
Solution: Let the given points be:
(x1, y1) = (1, -1) and (x2, y2) = (3, 5)
Slope of the line passing through the given points is:
m = (y2 – y1)/ (x2 – x1) = [5 – (-1)]/ [3 – 1] = 6/2 = 3
The equation of a line passing through the point (1, -1) with slope 3 is given as:
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
y – (-1) = 3(x – 1)
y + 1 = 3x – 3
-3x + y + 1 + 3 = 0
-3x + y + 4 = 0
Alternatively, the equation of a line passing through the point (3, 5) with slope 3 is given as:
y – 5 = 3(x – 3)
y – 5 = 3x – 9
-3x + y – 5 + 9 = 0
-3x + y + 4 = 0
Hence, the equation of the line in point slope form is -3x + y + 4 = 0
Important notes on Point Slope Form:
 The equation of the point slope form of a line whose slope is 'm' and that passes through a point (x1,
y1) is y – y1 = m(x – x1).
 The equation of a horizontal line passing through (a, b) is of the form y = b.
 The equation of a vertical line passing through (a, b) is of the form x = a.
This is an exceptional case where the point slope form cannot be used.
2. Slope Intercept Form Equation
In this section, you will learn the derivation of the equation of a line in the slope-intercept form.
Consider a line L with slope m cuts the y-axis at a distance of c units from the origin.

Here, the distance c is called the y-intercept of the given line L.

So, the coordinate of a point where the line L meets the y-axis will be (0, c). That means, line L passes
through a fixed point (0, c) with slope m. We know that, the equation of a line in point slope form,
where (x1, y1) is the point and slope m is:
(y – y1) = m(x – x1) Here, (x1, y1) = (0, c)
Substituting these values, we get; y – c = m(x – 0)
y – c = mx
y = mx + c
Therefore, the point (x, y) on the line with slope m and y-intercept c lies on the line if and only if y = mx
+c
Note: The value of c can be positive or negative based on the intercept is made on the positive or
negative side of the y-axis, respectively.
Example: The equation of a line is 3x + 4y + 5 = 0. Determine the slope and y-intercept of the line
using the slope intercept form.
Solution: We re-arrange the equation of the line to write it in the standard form y = mx + b.
We have: 4y = -3x – 5 ⇒ y = (-3/4) x + (-5/4)
Thus, m = -3/4, b = -5/4
Answer: The slope of the given straight line, m = -3/4 and the y-intercept, b = -5/4.
Exercise Find the point-slope form of the equation of the line that passes through the points (−2, −4)
and (3, 5). Use (−2, −4) for (x1, y1).
Practice Problems
1. Find the slope of the line y = 5x + 2.
2. Find the slope of the line which crosses the line at point (-2,6) and have an intercept of 3.
3. What is the equation of the line whose angle of inclination is 45 degrees and x-intercept is -⅗?
4. Write the equation of the line passing through the point (0, 0) with slope -4.
3. Two Point Form Formula
The formula of two point form of a equation is given below:
Let (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) be the two points such that the equation of line passing through these two points
is given by the formula:

or
Let’s derive the two point form of a line equation.
Two Point Form of the Equation of a Line
Let P1 (x1, y1) and P2 (x2, y2) be the two given points on the line L.
Let P(x, y) be a general point on the line L.

From the figure, we can say that the three points P1, P2 and P are collinear.
That means,
Slope of P1P = Slope of P1P2
The ratio of difference of y-coordinates of P and P1 to the difference of x-coordinates of these points =
The ratio of difference of y-coordinates of P1 and P2 to the difference of x-coordinates of these points

or
Thus, equation of the line passing through the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given by

This is the equation of a line in two-point form.

Example 1:
Find the equation of a line passing through the points (-2, 3) and (3, 5).
Solution:
Let the given points be:
(x1, y1) = (-2, 3)
(x2, y2) = (3, 5)
The equation of a straight line passing through the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given as:

Substituting the values, we get;

y – 3 = (2/5) (x + 2)
5(y – 3) = 2(x + 2)
5y – 15 = 2x + 4
2x + 4 – 5y + 15 = 0
2x – 5y + 19 = 0
Hence, this is the required equation of a line passing through the given points.
Example 2:
What is the equation of a straight line passing through the points (2, 0) and (0, 2)?
Solution:
Let the given points be:
(x1, y1) = (2, 0)
(x2, y2) = (0, 2)
The equation of a straight line passing through the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given as:

Substituting the values, we get;

y = (-2/2) (x – 2)
y = -1(x – 2)
y = -x + 2
x+y–2=0
Therefore, the equation of a line passing through the given points (2, 0) and (0, 2) is x + y – 2 = 0.
Practice Problems
1. Write the equation of the line through the points (3, –3) and (1, 5).
2. Find the equation of a straight line passing through the points (–4, 2) and (6, -7).
3. What is the equation of the line joining the points (6, 3) and (-5, 2)?
4. Intercept Form of a Straight Line
The equation for a straight line in intercept form is given by the formula,

Where, a = x-intercept and b = y-intercept

This formula can also be derived using the
General Forms of equation of a line.
The "General Form" of the equation of a straight line is: Ax + By + C = 0
A or B can be zero, but not both at the same time.
The General Form is not always the most useful form, and you may prefer to use:
The Slope-Intercept Form of the equation of a straight line: y = mx + b or
The Point-Slope Form of the equation of a straight line: y − y1 = m(x − x1)
Example: Convert 4x − 2y − 5 = 0 to Slope-Intercept Form
We are heading for: y = mx + b
Start with: 4x − 2y − 5 = 0
Move all except y to the right: −2y = −4x + 5
Divide all by (−2): y = 2x − 5/2
And we are done! (Note: m = 2 and b = −5/2)