Higher

Mathematics

IStraight Lijnes
Contents
Str.1ight Lines ,
1 The Dlsuna llln.11111 Polni:s A 1
l The Midpoint Fonnull A 3
3 Gr.adlenu A 4
•s Co!Enearity
Gndlenu of Perpencklur Una
A
A
6
7
6 The Eqwtion of a Straight line A 8
7 Medians A 11
8 Alri1udes A 12
9 Pupendic.ultr Biseaofs A 13
10 ln1meaion ofUnes A 14
11 Concumncy A 17
 Higher Mathematics Stnight Lines

Straight Lines
1 The Distance Between Points A

Points on Horizontal or Vertical Lines

h is rdarivdy straigh1forward 10 wock oul the distance bcrwccn rwo poinlS
which lie on a line p:an.llc:I 10 the x• or y-axis.

J In the diagram 10 the left, tbe points

{x,,y, ) and (x1 ,J,) lie on a line parallel
d
10 the x-axis, i.e. y, = J, .
(x, ,y, ) (x,,y, )
The distance bctwttn 1he points is simply
0 x the diffacncc in the x-coordinatcs, i.e.
d = x, -x, where x2 > x, .

J
In the diagram 10 1he left, the points
di(Xi,Ji) (x,,y, ) and (x1 ,y, ) lie on a line parallel
10 the y-axis, i.e. x, = x 1 •

(x,.y, ) The distance bctwttn 1hr points is simply

0 X
thr diffaence in the y-coordinucs, i.e.
d = J: - y, where J: > J 1 •

rf_"g:Cu1a!e 1he distance bctwttn the poinu (-7, - 3) and (16, -3).
The distance is 16- (-7)
= 16+7
= 23 uniu.

MSc Mathematics
l'ag<I
 Higl,er Mathematics Stnigl,r Lines

The Distance Formula

The di.st3nce formula gives us a method for worlcing nut the lengrh of the
5traigh1 line between""] rwo points. Ir i5 based on Pythagoras's Theorem.
J
Nolt
The • y, - y,. and
, ,- J, • x, - x, • come from che
(x,,J,), __x, -x, method above.

0 X

and (x ,Ja) is
I
The cliltuc.e dbctwccn 1he points (x,,J,) 2

d= J(x -x,}2-+ (J: - J,)' units.

2

n~ez'!•: point (-2, 4) and 8(3, I) . Calculate the length of thcdinc AB.

The length is .J(.,, - x1) ' +(J, - y,)'

= .J(3 - (- 2))
1
+(1 - 4)'
= ✓5' +(-3)'
= ,/25+9
=JJ4 units.
, 3. Calcularc the distance between the poinu { ½, - .!j) and (-1, - I) .
1
The dimmcc is .J( x, - x, )' + (J, - y, )

=J(-•-t)' +(-1+!j)'
Note
=J(-t-t)' +(-¾+¥)' You need co become
confident working with
= J(-t)' +(Jf)' fr.iaooru .ind surds - so
praaise!
=JFW
=J~•W
- /fil
-,rrr.
= -Of unlrs.

.....,
 Higl,er MatMmatic:s Smlght lines

2 The Midpoint FormuJa A

The point half-way bctwccn two points is called their midpoint. It is
calculated as follows.

• of ( XpJ, ) and ( Xz,Jz ) .as ( x, + x,· , ,. + ,, ) .

The midpomt
2 2
It may be hdpful to think of the midpoint as the "avaagc" of two points.

r . ~dj!: !ethemidpoint ofthcpoints {I, -4) and (7, 8) .

The midpoinr is ( x, ; x, , Z• ; J,) Nole

Simply wr,cmg
"The midpoinr is (4. 2)"
=(7;1. 8+~--1)) would be •ccep,~bl~ In
in ex.tm.
= (4. 2).
2. In the di.agram below, A(9, -2) lies on the drcumfcrcncc of the circle
with centre C(l7, 12). and the line AB is the diameter of the circh:. Find
the coordinates of B.

Since C is the ccnuc of the circle and AB is the diameter, C is tJic

midpoint of AB. Using the midpoint formula, we have:

(17, l2)=( 9 ;x. -i; ') where Bis the point (x,J)·

By comp:tring x- and y<oordinaccs, we have:

9 +x=l7 and -Z+ y 12
2 2
9+x=34 -2+ y=24
x=25 y=26.
So B it the point (25, 26).

MSc Mathematics
 Higl\er Mat~madcs Stnight Lines

3 Gradients A

Coruidcr a su:aigh1 line ~ing through I.be points (x1,J1 ) and (x,,y,):
y
Nore
1,-y, • 0 • is the Greek lener
·1he1a·.
It is often used to stand
for an angle.

0 X

The gndlcnt mofrhc line through (x,.y1 ) and (x1 ,Ji) is

I _ change in vertical hcl t

m- changc .1n h. orazon
•
_ J, - z,
d"istancc - x - x
1

Also, since tanO =Opposite= J, - l • we obtain:

1
r
ror x, ~ x1 •
J
Adjacent x1 - x,

I
m = tan8
where 8 is rhc angle between the line and the positive \ positive direction
directio n of the x-axis. •x

Note
As a result of the above dcllnitions:
• lines wi1h pruitivc gradients slope • lines with negative gradients slope
up, from left 10 right;
..___
down, from left ro right;

-------
• lines paralld 10 rhc x-axis have 2 • lines panlld to rhc y-axis have an
gr:idicnl of zero; undcllncd gradient.

We may :also use the f.ict thar:

Two distinct lines arc s:iid to be panlld when iliq have the same gradient
(or when borh lines arc vertical).
 Hi p Mathematia Stnight Lines

I!! I. Calculate the gradient of the maight line shown in the diagram below.
,

m=ianO
=tan32°
= 0-62 (to 2 clp.).
~ 12. Find the angle that the line joining P(-2, -2) and Q(I, 7) malccswlth
the positive din:ction of the x-axis.

The line bas gradient m _ h - Ji - 7 + 2 = 3 .

~-x, 1+ 2
And SCJ m =tanO
ran0=3
8 = ran·• (3)= 71-57° (to 2 d.p.).
I 3. Find the size of angle O shown in rbc diagram below.
J

We need ro be arcful bcausc the 6 in the question is not the 6 in

•m=nne·•
So we work out the angle " and use this to find 0 J

a= tan-' (m)
= 120· 1 (5)
= 78-690°.
So 8 = 90° - 78,6900 = 11.31° (ro 2 d.p.) •

... s
 Higl,er Mathema1ics Sualght lines

4 Collinearity A

I Points which lie on the same suaiglu line arc said to be o,Hiaar

To tcs1 if three poinis A. B and C arc collinear we an:

I. Work out mAII.

2. Work out "'ttc (or m..c>·

3. If the gradients from I. and 2. arc the same then A, Band C arc collinear.
,,
c.
, ,
B, ,'"'tte
, ,• mAII = "'ec so A. B and C arc collinear.
,,
,, ' »IAI
A•
If the gradients arc different then the points arc not collinear.

B.,,,
, "'ac
----~-- m,_. ""- "'ac so A, Band C arc not coUincar.
,,
, ,' m;.r,
A•
This 1cs1 for coUincarity can only be used in two dimensions.

r.~t;h!:7bat the points P(-6. - 1), Q(0,2) and R(S.6) arecollincar.

m,Q = 2-(-1)
0 - (- 6)
¾=½ 8- 0
"'Q• =6-2 =f= ½
Since m,.1 = mq• and Q is a common poinr, P, Q and R art collinear.

2. The points A{l,- 1) , 8(-1,.+) and C(5,7) arc collinear.

1 Find tbe value of.+.

Since the poinrs arc collinear m,.,,. = mM:.:
k-(-1) 7-(-1)
-1-1 5- 1
k+I 8
--=-
-2 4
k+l=2x(-2)
Ir= -5.

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 Higj'ter Mathematics Sualght Lines

S Gradients of Perpendicular tines A

Two lines at right-angles 10 each other arc said to be pcrpmdicular.

If perpendicular lines have gradicna m and m1 men
m xmJ. = - 1.

Convcrtely, if m x mt = - I then the lines arc perpendicular.

The simple rule ls: if you know the gndiem of one of the lines, then th.e
gradient of the other ls cJculatcd by inverting the gradiem (i.e. •flipping" d1e
fraction) and changing the sign. For =pie:

if m=f then mt =-¾,

Note 1hat 1his rule can11ot be used if 1he line is par.allc:I to the x- or y-axis.
• Ifa line is paralld 10 the x-axis (m = 0), then the perpendicular line is parallel
to the y-uis - it has an unddlncd gradienc.
• Lf a line is parallel 10 1hcy-axis then 1he perpendicular line is parallel to d1c
x-axis - i1 has a gradient of zero.

I. G iven that Tis tbc point (I , - 2) and S Is (-4, 5) , Sod the gradient of a
line perpendicular to ST.
,,,,,. -
5- ( - 2)
-4- 1
-,
7

So 1111 = t since "'s-r x m1 =-I .

2. Triangle MOP has vertices M(-3.9), O(0,0) and P(l2.4).

1 Show that the triangle is righr-anglcd.

Sketch: 9-0 9-4 4-0
.M (-3,9) 111ow= - 3-0 m,.,= - 3 - 12 Mor= 12-0

P{l2,4) =-J =-t, =t

=-t
Since lnoM x mo,= - I , OM is perpendicular 10 OP which means
~MOP is righ1-anglcd at 0.

Nore
The converse of Pythagoras's Theorem could also be used here:

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 Hig/ler Mathematics Stnight Lines

1
d0' ,= 12 l + 4·=
•
t60 d~, = (1 2- (-3)) + (4 - 9i
z
d OM ={-3Y• +9·' =90 = 15' + (- 5)'
= 250.

Since d~,+ d~M =dtir, triangle MOP is right-angled at 0.

6 The Equation of a Straight Line A

To work out the equation of a straight line, we need to know rwo things: the
gradiem of the line, and a point which lies on the line.

I
The straight line through the point (•, b) with giadient "' has the equarion
y - b = m(x - •).
Notice tb,u if we have :a point (0. r) - the _,.axis int.,rcept - then the c,quation
becomes y = mx + c. You should already be familiar wilb this form.

It is good practice 10 rearrange the equation of a straight line imo the form
.u + by +r = O
where a is posirive. This is known as the general form of the cquarion of a
smugh1 line.

Lines Parallel to Axes

J

(+-------- If a line is par.alld 10 the x-axis (i.e. m =0

), iu cqualion is J = c: .

0 X

J
X = I,
Lf a line is parallel 10 cbc ,-axis (i.e. m is
undeAncd), iu equation is x = It .
0 X

MSc Mathematics
 Higl,er Mathematics Suaight Lines

1. Find the equation of the line with gradient ¼passing through the point
(3, -4).
y-b=m(x-11)
Nott
y-(-4)=¼(x-3) (><3) It Is usually easier to
3y~l2=x-3 multiply out the fraction
before expanding the
3y= x-15 bracket~
x-3.,-15=0.
j 2. Find dicequarionofthclincpassingthrougb A(3,2) and 8(-2,J).
To work our the equation, we must first And the gradicni of d1c line AB:
m..- _1:-1,
"1 -x,
2- 1 l
= 3-(-2) ="S"·

Now we have a gradient, and can use this with one of the given points:
y - b =m(x - 11)
y - 2=½(x - 3) wingA(3,2) andm••= ½
5y-l0=x-3
5y=x+7
x-5y+ 7 = 0.

13, Findtbcequarionofthc linepassingthrough (-f,4) and (-t,5).

The gr.idient is undefined since the x-coordina1cs arc equal.
So the eqwuion of the line is x = - ~.
 Higller Mathematics Srralght lines

Extracting the Gradient

You should 2lre:idy be famili2r wirh rhc following fuct.

fThe line whh equation J = mx + c has gradlcnr m.

It is impomuu to remember mar you must rearrange the equation into chis
form beforr extracting the gradient
~f&fdiPJFW
14. Find the gradient of the line with equation 3x + 2 J + 4 = 0.

We have to re:arrange the equation:

3x+2y+4 =O
2y=-3x-4
y= -ix-2.

So rhe gradient is --¾.

I
5. The line through points A (3, -3) and B has equation Sx - J - 18 = 0.
Find the equation of the line through A which Is perpendicular co AB.
First, find the gradient of AB:
5x - y-18=0
y = 5x-18.

So mAa =5 and m1 = -½·Therefon: the equation is:

y +J=-½(x-3)
5y+15=-(x-3)
5y+15=-x+3
x+5y+l2=0.

P>ptO
 Higher M•dlema1ics ScniglnUnrs

7 Medians A

A-median of a triangle is a line through a vertex and the midpoint of the

opposice side.
B

,Lpc BM is a median of llABC.

The stand.an! process for Anding the equation of a median is shown below.
( ).AMPlf

Triangle ABC has vertices A( 4, - 9}, S1:an wlrh n 8kctdt:

8(10,2) and C(4, -4). 8

Find che equation of the median from A.

Step I
Calculate the midpoint of che Using 8(10,2) and C(4. -4):
rdcvant line.
M=(I0;•1. 2+~-4))
=(1;. ~2)
=(7. -1).
Step2
Calculate 1he gr.idient of the line Using A( 4, -9) and M(7, - I) :
berwccn d,e midpoint and rhc _,, - ,,
opposite vcnc:x. m ..., - .Yl - X1

= - 1-(-9) -J.
7-4
Step .3
.F iaJ tbc: cqu.uiun wing .hi, Using A(4, -9) and m•u =-J:
gradlcmt and other of the rwo y-b=m(x-d)
points used in Srep 2.
y+9=J(x-4) (x3)
3J+27 =8x-32
3y=8x-59
Sx-31-59=0.

P-ip 11
 Higller Mathematics Smlgllt Lines

8 Altitudes A

An altmldc of a triangle is a line through a vcncx, perpendicular to the

opposite side.

BO is an :alrirude of .6.ABC.

The standard process for finding the equation of an altirudc is shown below.
t X.AMrl (
Triangle ABC 1w vertices A(3, - 5), Start with a mcch:
8(4,3) and C(- 7,2). c ---i:or18
Find the equation of the altitude from A.

Step 1
Calculacc 1he gradient of the Using 8(4,3) and C(- 7,2):
side which is perpendicular 10 ) 1- J,
1he ahilude. "'iic =
X : - X1

= 2-3 - fr.
-7 - 4
S!tp 2
Calculare the gradient of the Using mllC x "'•o = - I:
:allirude wing m x m; =- I . m.0 =- 11.
Step 3
Find the cquarion using this Using A(3, - 5) and m,11> =-II:
gradient and the poinr char rhe y-b=m(x-11)
alrirudc pilSSCS through.
y+5=- ll (x-3)
y= - ll x+28
llx+ y - 28=0.

p... 12
 Hig~ ~d>ematics ~ightlines

9 Perpendicular Bisectors A

I
A pcrpaicliaaLu blseaor is a line which cuts through the midpoint of a
line "'Sfflcnt at right-angles.
8
In both cues, CD is the
A~--+-1-l--+----ltB perpendicular bisector of AB.
C A
The standud process fur Anding the equation of a perpendicular bisector Is
shown below.

A is the point (-2, I) and 8 is the Sran with a sketch:

poln,t ( 4, 7).
Find the equation of the
A- 1 \
perpcndicubr bis«tor of AB.
St~p I
Calculate rhc midpoint of the line Using A( - 2, I) and 8(4, 7) :
segment being bisected.
M I'dpotntAll
. ( - 2+4 1+ 7)
= 2 •2
= (1,4).
Step 2
Calculate rhc gndkni of the line Using A(- 2, I) and 8(4, 7) :
tt<ed in Su:p I, then Rnd the 7- 1
gradient of iu perpendicular ,,,.. = 4 - (-2)
bisccror wing n, x 1111 = - 1.
=t
= I.
m1 = - I since 111.., x m1 = -1.
St,p3
Find the equation of the Using (I, 4) and m1 =- I:
pccpc:nc.lialar bisector using y - b =m(x - 11)
the point &om Step I and the
y-4=-(x-l)
gradient from Step 2.
y = - x+l+4
y= - x+5
x+ y-5=0.