Writing Equations of Lines

There are many forms of writing the equations of the line. Here, we are going to
discuss each.

A straight line on the coordinate plane can be described by the equation y = mx+b where m
is the slope of the line and b is the intercept.

What is a line?

A line is defined as the shortest distance between two points. The following are the
equations of the lines:

a) General Equation: Ax+By+C=0

b) Slope-Intercept Form: y=mx+b

c) Point-Slope Form: y-y1 = m(x-x1)

y2 y1
d) Two-Point Form: y y1 ( x x1 )
x2 x1

x y
e) Intercept Form of a Line: 1
a b

Slope Intercept Form

An equation in the slope-intercept form is written as

y=mx+b

y=mx+b

Where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept. You can use this equation to write
an equation if you know the slope and the y-intercept.

Example 1: Finding the Slope and y-intercept

How do we rewrite the equation 3x-5y=10 in the form y=mx+b? Determine its slope and
y-intercept.
3x 5 y 10
3x 5 y (3x) 10 (3x)
5 y 3x 10
1 1
(5 y ) (3x 10)
5 5
3
y x2
5
3
The slope is and the y-intercept is -2.
5

Example 2: Writing the equation of the line

3
Write the equation of the line with the slope and y-intercept (0,-3)
4
3
We all know the m= and b=-3
4
3
y= -3
4
This is the desired equation.

Example 3: Graphing a line

2
Graph the line with slope and y-intercept (0, 2)
3
Because the y-intercept is (0, 2), we begin by plotting the point (0, 2). Because the
horizontal change (or run) is 3, we move 3 units to the right from that y intercept. Then
because the vertical change (or rise) is 2, we move 2 units up to locate another point on
the desired graph. Note that we will have located that second point at (3, 4). The final step
is to simply draw a line through that point and the y-intercept.
Step by Step: Graphing by Using the Slope-Intercept Form
Step 1:Write the original equation of the line in slope-intercept form.
Step 2:Determine the slope m and the y intercept (0, b).
Step 3:Plot the y-intercept at (0, b).
Step 4:Use m (the change in y over the change in x) to determine a second point on the
desired line.
Step 5:Draw a line through the two points determined above to complete the graph.

Point-Slope Form of a line

Often in mathematics it is useful to be able to write the equation of a line, given its
slope and any point on the line Suppose that a line has slope m and that it passes through
the known point P(x1, y1). Let Q(x, y) be any other point on the line. Once again we can
use the definition of slope and write

y2 y1
m
x2 x1

Multiplying both sides of equation by x-x1, we have

m(x-x1)=y-y1 (1)
or
y-y1=m(x-x1) (2)

Equation (2) is called the point-slope form for the equation of a line, and all points lying
on the line [including (x1, y1)] will satisfy this equation. We can state the following
general result.

Example 1: Finding the Equation of the line

Write the equation for the line that passes through point (3,-1) with a slope of 3. Letting
(x1, y1) (3,-1) and m = 3 in point-slope form, we have
y -(-1) = 3(x-3)
or
y + 1 = 3x-9
We can write the final result in slope-intercept form as
y = 3x-10.

Example 2: Finding the Equation of the line

Write the equation of the line passing through (2, 4) and (4, 7). First, we find m, the slope
of the line. Here
74 3
m
42 2

3
Now we apply the point-slope form with m = and ( x1 , y1 ) = (2,4):
2
 3
y4 ( x 2)
2
3
y 4 x3
2
3
y x 1
2

Example 3: Finding the Equation of the line

(a) Find the equation of a line passing through (7,-2) with a slope of zero.
We could find the equation by letting m =0. Substituting the ordered pair (7,-2)
into the slope-intercept form, we can solve for b.

y mx b
2 0(7) b
2 b

or y = -2

The value for b will always be the y coordinate for the given point.
(b) Find the equation of a line with undefined slope passing through (4, -5). A line with
undefined slope is vertical. It will always be of the form x = a, in which a is the x -
coordinate for the given point. The equation is x = 4.

Two-point Form of a Line

The two-point form of a line in the Cartesian plane passing through the
points and is given

y2 y1
y y1 ( x x1 )
x2 x1

Or equivalently,
 y2 y1
y y2 ( x x2 )
x2 x1

Example 1: Determine the equation of a straight line passing through the points (3, -4)
and (2, 5).
Solution: Let us assume that
x1=3,y1=-4,x2=2, y2=5

Linear equation passing through two point is:

y2 y1
y y1 ( x x1 )
x2 x1

54
y (4) ( x 3)
23
5 4
y4 ( x 3)
23
9
y 4 ( x 3)
1
y 4 9 x 27
9 x y 23

Example 2: Find the linear equation that passes through the points (1, 2) and (-2, 4).
Solution: Let
x1=1,y1=2,x2=-2, y2=4

y2 y1
y y1 ( x x1 )
x2 x1
 42
y2 ( x 1)
2 1
2
y 1 ( x 1)
3
3y 6 2x 2
2x 3y 8

Example 3: If two points lying on a straight line are (4, -5) and (-3, -2), determine the
slope-intercept form of the line. Also, find the slope and y-intercept of the line.
Solution: Here, x1=4,y1=-5,x2=-3, y2=-2

y2 y1
y y1 ( x x1 )
x2 x1

2 (5)
y (5) ( x 4)
3 4
3
y ( x 4)
7
7 y 35 3x 12
7 y 3x 23
3 23
y x
7 7

which is the required slope-intercept form (y = mx + b).

Intercepts Form of a Line

The x-intercept and y-intercept could represent two points, which are (a,0) and (0,b).
Thus, the intercepts are enough to write the equation.
x y
1
a b

Example 1:
The equation of the line that intercepts the x-axis at the x=4 and the y-axis at y=-6 is?
Let (4,0) and (0.-6)
x y
1
a b
x y
1
4 6
6 x 4 y 24
3 x 2 y 12

Example 2:
Find the equation of the line if the x-intercept and y-intercept are -2 and 4, respectively

x y
1
a b
x y
1
2 4
2x y 4
y 2x 4 0

Example 3:

What is the equation of the line passing through (-2,6) with the x-intercept half the
y-intercept?
1
a b
2
b 2a
Using the intercept form
x y
1
a b
Substitute: x=-2, y=6 and b=2a
2 6
1
a 2a
46
1
2a
a 1
b2

Substitute:
x y
1
a b
x y
1
1 2
2x y 2
2x y 2 0

Horizontal Lines

Horizontal lines have a slope of 0 . Thus, in the slope-intercept equation y = mx + b , m =

0 . The equation becomes y = b , where b is the y -coordinate of the y -intercept.

Example 1: Write an equation for the following line:

 Graph of a Line
Since y always takes the value -1 , an equation for the line is y = - 1 .

Example 2: Write an equation for the horizontal line that passes through (6, 2) .

Since the line is horizontal, y is constant--that is, y always takes the same value.
Since y takes a value of 2 at the point (6, 2) , y always takes the value 2 . Thus, the
equation is y = 2 .

Vertical Lines

Similarly, in the graph of a vertical line, x only takes one value. Thus, the equation for a
vertical line is x = a , where a is the value that x takes.

Example 2: Write an equation for the following line:

 Graph of a Line

Since x always takes the value 2 = , the equation for the line is x = .

Example 4: Write an equation for the vertical line that passes through(6, 2) .

Since the line is vertical, x is constant--that is, x always takes the same value.
Since x takes a value of 6 at the point (6, 2) , x always takes the value 6 . Thus, the
equation is x = 6 .

Systems of Linear Equations

A "system" of equations is a set or collection of equations that you deal with all
together at once. Linear equations (ones that graph as straight lines) are simpler than
non-linear equations, and the simplest linear system is one with two equations and two
variables.
Solving Systems of Linear Equations By Substitution

Step by Step: To Solve a System of Linear Equations by Substitution

Step 1: Solve one of the given equations for x or y. If this is already done, go on to step 2.

Step 2: Substitute this expression for x or for y into the other equation.

Step 3: Solve the resulting equation for the remaining variable.

Step 4: Substitute the known value into either of the original equations to find the value
of the second variable.

Step 5: Check your solution in both of the original equations.

Example 1:

Solve by substitution.

x + y = 12 (1)

Y = 3x (2)

Notice that equation (2) says that y and 3x name the same quantity. So we may substitute
3x for y in equation (1). We then have

Replace y with 3x in equation (1).

x + 3x=12

4x =12

x =3
We can now substitute 3 for x in equation (1) to find the corresponding y coordinate of the
solution.

3+ y =12

y =9

So (3, 9) is the solution. You can substitute the known coordinate value back into either of
the original equations to find the value of the remaining variable. The check is also
identical.

Example 3:
Solve by Substitution.
x 2y 5
3x y 8

Neither equation is solved for a variable. That is easily handled in this case. Solving for x
in equation (1), we have
x 2y 5

Now substitute 2y+5 for x in the equation (2).

3(2 y 5) y 8
6 y 15 y 8
7 y 7
y 1

Substituting -1 for y in the equation (2) yields

3x (1) 8
3x 9
x3
So
(3,-1) is the solution.

Example 3: Solving an Inconsistent or Dependent System

Solve the following systems by substitution.
 4x 2 y 6
(a)
y 2x 3

From equation (2) we can substitute 2x-3 for y in equation (1).

4 x 2(2 x 3) 6
4x 4x 6 6
66
Both variables have been eliminated, and we have the true statement 6=6.

Recall from the last section that a true statement tells us that the lines coincide. We call
this system dependent. There are an infinite number of solutions.

3x 6 y 9
(b) x 2 y 2

Substitute 2y+2 for x in equation (1)

3(2 y 2) 6 y 9
6y 6 6y 9
69

This is a false statement.

This means that the system is inconsistent and that the graphs of the two equations are
parallel lines. There is no solution.

Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing

A system of equations is when you have two or more equations using the same
variables.
The solution to the system is the point that satisfies ALL of the equations. This
point will be an ordered pair.
When graphing, you will encounter three possibilities.

Three Possibilities:
Intersecting Lines
The point where the lines intersect is your solution.
The solution of this graph is (1, 2)

Parallel Lines
These lines never intersect!
Since the lines never cross, there is
NO SOLUTION!
Parallel lines have the same slope with different y-intercepts.
Coinciding Lines
These lines are the same!
Since the lines are on top of each other, there are
INFINITELY MANY SOLUTIONS!
Coinciding lines have the same slope and
y-intercepts.

Example 1:
Find the solution to the following system:2x + y = 4
x-y=2
Graph both equations. I will graph using
x- and y-intercepts (plug in zeros).
2x y 4
(0,4)and (2,0)
x y 2
(0,2)and (2,0)

Graph the ordered pairs.

2x + y = 4
(0, 4) and (2, 0)
x-y=2
(0, -2) and (2, 0)

Where do the lines intersect?

(2, 0)

To check your answer, plug the point back into both equations.

2x + y = 4
2(2) + (0) = 4

x-y=2
(2) (0) = 2

Example 2:
Find the solution to the following system:
y = 2x 3
-2x + y = 1
Graph both equations. Put both equations in slope-intercept or standard form. Ill do
slope-intercept form on this one!
y = 2x 3
y = 2x + 1
Graph using slope and y-intercept
Solution:
Graph the equation
y = 2x 3
m = 2 and b = -3

y = 2x + 1
m = 2 and b = 1

Where do the lines intersect?

No solution!

Notice that the slopes are the same with different y-intercepts. If you recognize this early,
you dont have to graph them!

Example 3:
 Solve the following system by graphing.

7x + 2y = 16
21x 6y = 24

As usual, I'll first solve each

equation for "y =":
ADVERTISEMENT
7x + 2y = 16
2y = 7x + 16
y = ( 7/2 )x + 8

21x 6y = 24
21x 24 = 6y
( 21/6 )x 4 = y
( 7/2 )x 4 = y

These lines have the same

slope
namely, m = 7/2 but
different y-intercepts, so they
are parallel. Since parallel
lines never cross, the algebra
tells me that this is an
inconsistent system; that is, there is no solution. But this is a "solving by graphing" problem, so I still
have to draw the picture.

solution: no solution (inconsistent system)

Warning: When the algebra tells you that you have two parallel lines, for heaven's sake, draw the lines on
your graph so they look parallel!
Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination

Steps:

1. Place both equations in Standard Form, Ax + By = C.

2. Determine which variable to eliminate with Addition or Subtraction.

3. Solve for the variable left.

4. Go back and use the found variable in step 3 to find second variable.

5. Check the solution in both equations of the system.

Example 1:

5x + 3y = 11

5x = 2y + 1

STEP 1:

Write both equations in Ax + By = C form.

5x + 3y =1

5x - 2y =1

STEP 2:

Use subtraction to eliminate 5x.

STEP 3: Solve for the variable.

5 x 3 y 11
5 x 2 y 1

5y =10

y=2

STEP 4: Solve for the other variable by substituting into either equation.

5x + 3y =11
5x + 3(2) =11

5x + 6 =11

5x = 5

x=1

The solution to the system is (1,2).

Example 2:

Solve the following system using addition.

x 2y = 9
x + 3y = 16

Note that the x-terms would cancel out if only they'd had opposite signs. I can create this
cancellation by multiplying either one of the equations by 1, and then adding down as usual. It
doesn't matter which equation I choose, as long as I am careful to multiply the 1 through the entire
equation. (That means both sides of the "equals" sign!)

I'll multiply the second equation.

The "1R2" notation over the arrow indicates that I multiplied row 2 by 1. Now I can solve the
equation "5y = 25" to get y = 5. Back-solving in the first equation, I get:

x 2(5) = 9
x 10 = 9
x=1

Then the solution is (x, y) = (1, 5).

Example 3:

Solve the following system using addition.

4x 3y = 25
3x + 8y = 10

I will multiply the first row by 3 and the second row by 4; then I'll add down and solve.
 y=5

4x 3(5) = 25
4x 15 = 25
4x = 40
x = 10

Remembering to put the x-coordinate first in the solution, I get:

(x, y) = (10, 5)
http://www.mhhe.com/math/devmath/streeter/ba/graphics/streeter5ba/ch07/others/stre_7.
3.pdf
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Two-PointForm.html
http://www.hanlonmath.com/pdfFiles/643EquationsofLines-Derive.pdf
http://math.tutorvista.com/geometry/two-point-form.html
Solved Problem in Engineering mathematics- Excel Academic Council.
http://www.sparknotes.com/math/algebra1/writingequations/section4.rhtml
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/systlin1.htm
http://www.mhhe.com/math/devmath/streeter/ba/graphics/streeter5ba/ch08/others/stre_8.
3.pdf
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/systlin2.htm
http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/math/hcpsalgebra2/Documents/3-2/3-2SolvSysElimAdd
Sub.ppt