THE STRAIGHT

STRAIGHT LINES
LINES
THE

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Chapter 5

THE STRAIGHT LINE

5.1 Gradient of Straight Line

5.2 Gradient of Straight Line in
Cartesian Coordinates
5.3 Intercept
5.4 Equation of A Straight Line
5.5 Parallel Lines

5.1Gradient of Straight Line

A

Vertical Distance and Horizontal Distance

Given a straight line that passes through points A and B
as shown.
B

OB is known as the vertical distance and OA is known as the

the horizontal distance.

Vertical Distance and Horizontal Distance

P
5 units

horizontal

DIAGRAM 1

vertical

e
l
p
m
a
x
E

4 units

Vertical Distance and Horizontal Distance

Example 1
B

4 units

Vertical distance
4 units
= _____________
Horizontal distance
5 units
= _____________

A
5 units

Vertical Distance and Horizontal Distance

Example 2

Q(2,3)

3 (-2)

Vertical distance
3 (-2) = 5
= _________________
Horizontal distance
2 (- 4) = 6
= _________________

A(-4,-2)
2 (- 4)

Vertical Distance and Horizontal Distance

Example 3

Q(3,5)

5 (-4)

A(-5,-4)

3 (- 5)

Vertical distance
5 (-4) = 9
= _________________
Horizontal distance
3 (- 5) = 8
= _________________

Determining The Gradient of A Straight Line

Gradient
= Vertical Distance
Horizontal Distance

e
l
p
m
a
x
E

P
5 units

For straight line PQ,

horizontal

Gradient of PQ = 4
5
DIAGRAM 1

vertical

The gradient of a straight

line is the ratio of the
vertical distance to the
horizontal distance between
two points on that line.

4 units

B Determining The Gradient of A Straight Line

Find the gradient of the
line MN

6
3
=

DIAGRAM 2

Determining The Gradient of A Straight Line

Note that the gradient of a

straight line is equals to tan ,
where is the angle that is
measured from the positive
direction of the x-axis to the
straight line.

A
Gradient of AB
= Vertical Distance
Horizontal Distance
= BC
AC

Thus,
Gradient of a straight line = Tan

Tan = BC
AC
C
x

Determining The Gradient of A Straight Line

Example
y

(a)

(b)

420
0

60

1200
x

Gradient of straight line AB

= Tan 420

Gradient of straight line MN

= Tan 1200

= 0. 9004

= - Tan 600
= -1.732

The x-coordinate and y-coordinate

The x-coordinate and

y-coordinate

E (4,4)
x

A (-3,2)
x
C(2,0)
x
F (-7,-2)
x

B (4,-3)
x
xD (0,-4)

5.2
A
y

Gradient of Straight Line in

Cartesian Coordinates

Calculating The Gradient of A Straight Line

Passing Through Two Points
B(x2,y2)

y2

y2 y1

y1

= y1 y2
x1 x2

A(x1,y1)
x2 x1

x1

Gradient of AB, m
= y2 y1
x2 x1

x2

Calculating The Gradient of A Straight Line

Passing Through Two Points

Example 1
Based on the graph,
Gradient of PQ, m
5-1
=
6-1
____________
4
=
5
____________

y
Q(6,5)

5
4
3
2
1

P(1,1)
1

Calculating The Gradient of A Straight Line

Passing Through Two Points

Example 2
Based on the graph,
Gradient of PQ, m
5-1
=
1-6
____________
4
=
-5
____________
=

-4
5
____________

y
5

Q(1,5)

4
3
2
1

P(6,1)
1

Calculating The Gradient of A Straight Line

Passing Through Two Points

Example 3
POINT P

POINT Q

GRADIENT

(2,-5)

(-1,3)

3-(-5) = -8
-1-2
3

(-1,0)

(3,3)

3O =3
3 (-1) 4

(7,8)

(5,2)

28
57

(-1,-5)

(-8,-12)

= -6 = 3
-2

-12 (-5) = -7 = 1
-8 (-1)
-7

5.3
A

Intercept

The x-intercept and The y-intercept of

A Straight Line
y

The x-intercept of a straight line

is the x-coordinate at which that
line cuts the x-axis

(0,b)

The y-intercept of a straight line

is the y-coordinate at which that
line cuts the y-axis

y-intercept = b
x-intercept = a
(a,0)
0

The x-intercept and The y-intercept of

A Straight Line

Example 1

y
Q(0,5)

y-intercept = 5
x-intercept = 6
P(6,0)

The x-intercept and The y-intercept of

A Straight Line

Example 2

y
x
0

Q(5,0)

y-intercept = -4
x-intercept = 5
P(0,-4)

Calculating The Gradient of A Straight Line

Given The x-Intercept and y-Intercept

The gradient of a straight

line can also be calculated
If we know the x-intercept
and y-intercept of the line.

Gradient, m
= - y-intercept
x-intercept

y-intercept = -4
x-intercept = 5
Gradient = =4
5

-4
5

Example 1

-4
P

Performing Calculations Involving Gradient,

x-intercept and y-intercept
Based on the formula

Gradient, m = - y-intercept
x-intercept

We can find the value of the intercept if we know the gradient and of
the intercepts. That is;
x-intercept = -

y-intercept
m

y-intercept = - (m x x-intercept)

EXAMPLE 1
(a) If a straight line has a ground of -1 and y-intercept of 3,
2
find the x-intercept of the line.
SOLUTION
y-intercept = 3, Gradient = -1
2
x-intercept = -

= -

y-intercept
m
3
-1
2

=3x2=6

EXAMPLE 2
(b) A straight line passes through the points(-8,0) and y-intercept (0,p).
If the line has a gradient of 5 , find the value of p.
4
SOLUTION
x-intercept = -8, Gradient = 5 , p = y-intercept
4
p = - (m x x-intercept)
p= = 10

5 x (-8)
4

5.4
A

Equation of A Straight Line

Drawing The Graph of A Straight Line Given

An Equation of The Form y = mx + c

To draw the graph of an equation in the form y = mx + c, it is sufficient

to find two points that satisfy the equation.
Note that graph that is obtained is a straight line.
Steps in drawing the graph with equation y = mx + c:
find the x-intercept
find the y-intercept
plot the two points on the Cartesian plane
using a ruler, draw a straight line joining these two points
label the graph

Drawing The Graph of A Straight Line Given

An Equation of The Form y = mx + c

Exampley = 2x + 4
find the x-intercept of
y = 2x + 4.
Let y = 0
2x + 4 = 0
2x = -4
x = -2
Thus, x-intercept = -2

find the y-intercept of

y = 2x + 4.
Let y = 0
y = 2(0) + 4
y=4
Thus, y-intercept = 4

plot two points on the

Cartesian Plane
draw a straight line that
passes these points

y
5
4
y = 2x + 4

3
2
1

-3

-2

-1

Writing The Equation of The Straight Line

Given
The Gradient and y-Intercept

If we are given the gradient and y-intercept of a straight line, we

can find the equation of the line by substituting in the given
values into the general equation y = mx + c.

Example

Find the equation of the line with gradient 4 and y-intercept = -2.
7

Solution

Gradient, m = 4 , y-intercept, c = -2
7
Substitute m = 4 and c = -2 into the equation y = mx + c.
7
y=

4 x + ( -2 )
7

= 4x - 2
7

Thus, the equation of the line is y= 4x - 2

7

Gradient, m

y-intercept

-2

Equation,
y = mx + c
y = 3 x + ( -2 )

y = 3x -2
2
5

-8

y = 2 x + ( -8 )
5
y = 2x -8
5

-5

-3

y = -5 x + ( -3 )
y = -5x -3

Determining The Gradient and y-Intercept of

A
Straight
Line from Its Equation
Given an equation of the form y = mx + c, we can easily
determine its gradient and y-intercept by looking at the values
of m and c.
If an equation of the form ax + by = c is given, we can determine
its gradient and y-intercept by simply writing the equation in the
form y = mx + c.
ax + by = c
by = -ax + c
y= -a x+

c
b

Determining The Gradient and y-Intercept of

A
Straight Line from Its Equation

SPM Clone

Given an equation of a straight line is 4x + 2y = 7. Find

(a) the gradient,
(b) the x-intercept of the straight line.

Solution
a

4x + 2y = 7
2y = -4x + 7
y = -4x + 7
2
2
y = -2x + 7
2
The gradient of the line is -2

Let y = 0
4x + 2y = 7
4x + 2(0) = 7
4x = 7
x= 7
4
The x-intercept of the line is 7
4

D (i) Finding The Equations of A Straight Line

Which
y
Is Parallel to The x-Axis
or y-Axis

In general, a line that is parallel

to x-axis and has y-intercept
a has an equation of the form
y=a

y=a
x

0
y
In general, a line that is parallel
to y-axis and has x-intercept
b has an equation of the form
y=b

x=b
0

D (i) Finding The Equations of A Straight Line

Which
Is Parallel to The x-Axis or y-Axis
y
5

y=4

4
3
2
1

-3

-2

-1

3 x

D (i)

Finding The Equations of A Straight Line

Which
Is Parallel to The x-Axis or y-Axis
y
5
4

P x=2

3
2
1
-3

-2

-1

3 x

Example 1
The straight line MN is a parallel to the x-axis and passes through the point (5,7).
Write the equation of line MN.

Solution
y

(5,7)

y-intercept = 7
Thus, the equation of line MN is y = 7

D (ii)

Finding The Equations of A Straight Line

Given
The Gradient and A Point On The Line

Example 2

Find the equation of the straight line which has a gradient of 1 and passes through
2
The point (-4,6)

Solution
Substitute m = , x = -4 and y = 6 into the equation y = mx + c
y = mx + c
6 = ( -4 ) + c
c=8
Thus, the equation of the straight line is y = x + 8

D (iii)

Finding The Equations of A Straight Line

Given
Two Points

Example 3

Find the equation of the straight line that passes through the points (-3,1) and
(2,6).

Solution
Let the equation of a straight line be y = mx + c.
Let (x1,y1) = (-3,1) and (x2,y2) = (2,6).
Gradient, m = 6 -1 = 1
2-(-3)
Substitute m = 1 x = 2 and y = 6 into the equation y = mx + c
y = mx + c
6=1(2)+c
c=4
Thus, the equation of the straight line is y = x + 4

5.5

Parallel Lines

Gradient, m
= - y-intercept
x-intercept

y
5

3
Gradient PQ = -3
=1

1
Gradient KL =
-1
=1
-1
Gradient MN =
1
=1

-2

-3

-1

0
-1

K
M

3 x

5.5
A

Parallel Lines

Determining Whether Two Straight Lines

Are
Parallel Given The Equations

Example 1

y = 3x + 2

y = 3x

2
3

-4

4
3

Given two lines with

the equations l1 = m1x + c
and l2 = m2x + c;
If two lines are parallel,
then m1 = m2

If m1 = m2, then
y = 3x - 4
two lines are parallel.
x

All the three lines above are parallel and they

all have a gradient of 3.

Finding The Equation of A Straight Line Which

Passes
Through A Given Point and Is Parallel to Another
Straight Line.

Example 1

Find the equation of the straight line that is parallel to the straight line
2x + 3y = 27 and passes through the point (-1,6).

Solution
Let the equation of a straight line be y = mx + c.
2x + 3y = 27
3y = -2x + 27
Thus, m = -2
y = -2x + 9
3
3
Substitute m = -2 and the point (-1,6) into y = mx + c.
3
y = mx + c
6 = -2 ( -1 ) + c
c = 16
3
3
Thus, the equation of the straight line is y = -2x + 16
3
3

PM2003:No.5
2003:No.5
PM

In Diagram 1, the graph shows that PQ, QR, and RS are straight lines. P is on the
y-axis. OP is parallel to QR and PQ is parallel to RS.
y
R
P

S (8,-7)
DIAGRAM 1
The equation of PQ is 2x + y = 5.
(a) State the equation of the straight line QR.
(b) Find the equation of the straight line RS and hence, state its y-intercept.

Soluti
on:

y
R
P

2x + y =5
0

y=0
2x + 0 = 5
x = 5/2
(a) x = 5
2

x
S (8,-7)

Solutio
yn:
2x + y =5

(b)

MRS = MPQ = -2
-2
y = mx +c
= ( ) +C
C=9
y = -2x + 9
y-intercept = 9
x
8 -7
S (8,-7)

MARKINGSCHEME
SCHEME
MARKING

5
(a) x
2
(b) M RS M PQ 2
7 2(8) C
C 9
y 2 x 9
y int ercept 9

P1
P1
K1
N1
P1

MTRIAL
TRIAL2010:No.7
2010:No.7
M
Diagram 7 shows a trapezium PQRT drawn on a Cartesian plane. PQ is
parallel to RT and QR is parallel to x-axis. The equation of straight line PQ is
y 2x 6 = 0.
y
Q

>

>

y 2x 6 = 0
0

T
DIAGRAM 7
Find
(a) the equation of the straight line QR,
(b) the equation of the straight line RT,
(c) the y-intercept of the line PT.

o
i
y
t
lu
Q 6

> 6
=
0

o
S
:
n

(a) the equation of the straight line QR,

>

2x

y 2(0) 6 = 0
y=6

Answer:
T

(a) y = 6

P1

o
i
y
t
lu

mRT mPQ 2

Q 6

>

2x

> 6
=
0

o
S
:
n

: of the straight line RT,

(b) the equation

(3,0)
3

P1
K1

0 = 2(3) + C
C = -6
y = 2x 6 N1

y = 2x + 6
m=2
(c) y-intercept of line PT,
x
6
P1

loned SPM
The diagram below shows the straight lines PQ
and SRT are parallel.
Find
(a) the gradient of the line PQ.
(b) the equation of the line SRT.
(c) the x- intercept of the line SRT.

loned SPM
The diagram below shows the straight lines PQ
and SRT are parallel.
Find
(a) the gradient of the line PQ.

Solutio
(a
) 12 2
n:
3 (2)
10

5
2

loned SPM
The diagram below shows the straight lines PQ
and SRT are parallel.
(b) the equation of the line SRT.
(c) the x- intercept of the line SRT.

Solutio
(b
) m PQ mSRT 2
n:
5 2(5) c
c 5
y 2x 5

(c) 2 x 5 0

5
x
2
5
x int ercept
2

loned SPM
The diagram below shows that the straight line
EF and GH are parallel.
Find
(a) the equation of EF.
(b) the y - intercept and
x - intercept of EF.

loned SPM
The diagram below shows that the straight line
EF and GH are parallel.
Find
(a) the equation of EF.

Solutio
(a
) m m
n:
GH

EF

2 (5) 7

4 (1) 5
7
5 ( 1) c
5
18
c
5
7
18
y x
5
5

loned SPM
The diagram below shows that the straight line
EF and GH are parallel.
(b) the y - intercept and
x - intercept of EF.

Solutio
n: 5 y 7 x 18

7 x 18 0
18
x
7
18
x int ercept
7

Cloned SPM
The diagram below shows STUV is a trapezium.
Given that gradient of TU is -3, find
(a) the coordinates of point T.
(b) the equation of straight line TU.
(c) the value of p, if the equation
1
2
y

x6
of straight line TU is
3

Cloned SPM
The diagram below shows STUV is a trapezium.
Given that gradient of TU is -3, find
(a) the coordinates of point T.

Solutio
p2
n:
3
06
p 2 18
p 20
T (0,20)

Cloned SPM
The diagram below shows STUV is a trapezium.
(b) the equation of straight line TU.

Solutio
mTU 3
n:
c 20
y 3 x 20

Cloned SPM
The diagram below shows STUV is a trapezium.
(c) the value of p, if the equation
1
2
y

x6
of straight line TU is
3

Solutio
1
n:
2y x 6

3
1
2 y ( 0) 6
3
2y 6
y3
p3