The equation of a straight line can be written as The gradient of a line passing through the The equation of the

he The equation of the straight line with gradient m

y = mx + c, where m is the gradient and c is the y − y1 that passes through the point ( x1 , y1 ) is
intercept with the vertical axis. points ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) is 2 .
x2 − x1 y − y1 = m( x − x1 ) .
Lines are parallel if they have the same If the gradient of a line is m, then the gradient of
gradient.
Two lines are perpendicular if the product of
Coordinate a perpendicular line is −
1
m
.
their gradients is -1. Geometry
The distance between the points with coordinates The midpoint of the line joining the points The equation of a circle centre (a, b) with radius
( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) ( x2 − x1 )
2
+ ( y 2 − y1 ) .
2
 x + x y + y2  r is ( x − a )2 + ( y − b) 2 = r 2 .
is ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) is  1 2 , 1 .
 2 2 
Example: Example: Example:
Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector Find the point of intersection of the lines: Find the centre and the radius of the circle with
of the line joining the points (3, 2) and (5, -6). 2x + y = 3  equation x 2 + 2 x + y 2 − 6 x + 6 = 0 .
and y = 3x – 1. 
Solution: Solution:
The midpoint of the line joining (3, 2) and Solution: We begin by writing x 2 + 2 x in completed
 3 + 5 2 + (−6)  To find the point of intersection we need to square form:
(5, -6) is  , , i.e. ( 4, −2 ) .
 2 2  solve the equations  and  simultaneously. x 2 + 2 x = ( x + 1) − 1 = ( x + 1) − 1 .
2 2 2

The gradient of the line joining these two points We can substitute  into equation : We then write y 2 − 6 x in completed square
−6 − 2 −8 2x + (3x – 1) = 3
is: = = −4 . form:
5−3 2 i.e. 5x – 1 = 3
y 2 − 6 x = ( y − 3) 2 − 32 = ( y − 3) 2 − 9 .
The gradient of the perpendicular bisector must i.e. x = 4/5
So we can rewrite the equation of the circle as
therefore be −1 −4 = 1 4 . Substituting this into equation :
( x + 1) 2 − 1 + ( y − 3) 2 − 9 + 6 = 0
y = 3(4/5) – 1 = 7/5.
We need the equation of the line through (4, -2) Therefore the lines intersect at the point i.e. ( x + 1) 2 + ( y − 3) 2 = 4 .
with gradient ¼ . This is (4/5, 7/5). This is a circle centre (-1, 3), radius 2.
y − ( −2) = 14 ( x − 4)
y + 2 = 14 x − 1
y = 14 x − 3