Worked example 2 Find the equation of each of following lines. Give your answer in the form ax + by + c = 0 . (i) Point on the line (−1, 5 ) , slope = − 5
__ 4
Solution (i)
x1 y1 y1 x1
(ii) Points on the line ( 4, −2 ) and ( 1, 4 )
x1
y1 x y
_ x2
y2
− y1 − x1
y1
x1
When using the formula y − y1
we substitute for m and (x1
Remember to write the fi nal equation in the form ax + by + c = 0 .
Do not substitute for x and y .
=m(x − x1) , , y1
) only.
Parallel and perpendicular slopes Recall from Unit 9: If two lines are parallel, their slopes are equal.
If l1 y
4 5 6
3 –1
2 1 0
∥ l2 then m1 Slope = 3 l1
__ 1
l2 = m2
If two lines are perpendicular, when we multiply their slopes, we get −1. That is, the product of their slopes is −1.