Objectives:

1. To find the position of the boy’s friend that at right between the radio and point
S.
2. To find the furthest distance that the sound of the radio can be heard.
3. To find the equation of the straight line that the student walks perpendicularly
towards the radio.
Problem Statement:

S (14,8)

R (2,3)

A student walks along the straight line, starting from the radio, at point R (2,3) and
stops at point S (14,8), where the sound from the radio can last be heard.
Methodology/ Theory:
Cartesian coordinate system is a system that in two dimensions and it also consist of
four quadrants. Each point in the system correspond to a pair of coordinates (𝑥, 𝑦).
Linear Equation
Linear equation also known as Linear Function is an algebraic equation in which each
term is either constant or the product of a constant and a variable. It is a “linear” function
due to the reason of the set of solutions of such an equation forms a straight line in the
plane. It can be written in three forms:

 Gradient Form: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
 General Form: 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0
𝑥 𝑦
 Intercept Form: 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 1

𝑚 is the gradient of the straight line and 𝑐 is the 𝑦-intercept of the straight line. If the
gradient 𝑚 of a straight line is known and the 𝑦-intercept, 𝑐 with coordinates (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )
is unknown, then it can be found by using formula 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
We know that, 𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥1 + 𝑐
Then, 𝑐 = 𝑦1 − 𝑚𝑥1
We obtain 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 and
If substitute 𝑐 = 𝑦1 − 𝑚𝑥1 , will obtain 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑚𝑥1 + 𝑦1
Then rearrange to give 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 ( 𝑥 − 𝑥1 )

Gradient
𝑚 is the gradient of the straight line. If there is two known points ( 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and
( 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) that pass through a line with unknown gradient, 𝑚 and intercept 𝑐.
𝑦1 = 𝑚𝑥1 + 𝑐 as the 1st equation.
𝑦2 = 𝑚𝑥2 + 𝑐 as the 2nd equation.
By subtracting the 1st equation from the 2nd equation gives:
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 ( 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
Therefore, 𝑚 = .
𝑥2 − 𝑥1

Intercept point
The 𝑥-intercept is the point at which the straight line intersects at 𝑥-axis.
The 𝑦-intercept is the point at which the straight line intersects at 𝑦-axis.
Derivation of Linear Equation
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝑚=
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 ( 𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
If we have a straight line connecting two points A( 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and B( 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ).
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = ( 𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
𝑦 − 𝑦1 𝑦2 − 𝑦1
=
𝑥 − 𝑥1 𝑥2 − 𝑥1

Parallel and Perpendicular

 Parallel
In two straight and non-vertical lines that are in the same plane which both have the
same slope which are same gradients are said to be parallel. Two parallel lines will
never intersect.

Two straight line AB and PQ are said to be parallel if and only if both gradients are
equal:
𝐴𝐵‖ 𝑃𝑄 , 𝑚𝐴𝐵 = 𝑚𝑃𝑄

 Perpendicular
If two straight and non-vertical lines in the same plane intersect at a right angle, 90°
then they are said to be perpendicular. Two lines AB and PQ are perpendicular to each
other so:
𝐴𝐵 ⊥ 𝑃𝑄 , 𝑚𝐴𝐵 ≠ 𝑚𝑃𝑄
 −3 − 2
𝑚1 = = −1
2 − (−3)
2 − (−2)
𝑚2 = =1
3 − (−1)
Shows that:
𝑚1 ∙ 𝑚2 = −1
Then,
1
𝑚1 = −
𝑚2

Distance between two points in a Straight Line

𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2
The formula is derived from Pythagoras theorem.

We know that 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 from Pythagoras Theorem.

 𝑎 = (𝑥𝐴 − 𝑥𝐵 )
𝑏 = (𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐵 )
So,

𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2
𝑐 2 = (𝑥𝐴 − 𝑥𝐵 )2 + (𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝑩 )2

𝑐 = √(𝑥𝐴 − 𝑥𝐵 )2 + (𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝑩 )2
Hence the formula,
𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2

Mid-Point Coordinate of a Line Segment

Midpoint is halfway between two end points of a straight line. Its 𝑥 value is halfway
between the two 𝑥 values while its 𝑦 value is halfway between two 𝑦 values. Hence
the formula:
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 + 𝑦2
𝑀(𝑥, 𝑦) = ( , )
2 2
Solution:
2+14 3+8
a. (𝑥, 𝑦) = ( , )
2 2
16 11
=(2 , )
2
11
= (8 , 2 )
11
The position of the boy’s friend is at (8, 2 )

b. 𝑑 = √(14 − 2)2 + (8 − 3)2

= √144 + 25
= √169
= 13 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

c. 𝑚1 𝑚2 = −1
(3−8)
𝑚1 = (2−14)
−5
= −12
5
= 12

5
𝑚2 (12) = −1
5
𝑚2 = −1 ÷ (12)
12
𝑚2 = − 5

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
12
𝑦 = (− 5 ) 𝑥 + 𝑐
12
3 = (− 5 ) (2) + 𝑐
24
𝑐 =3+ 5
39
𝑐= 5
12 39
The equation of the straight line is 𝑦 = − 5𝑥 + 5
Conclusion:
Linear equation is applicable for our daily life as the equation allow us to find a specific
position, for example: y-intercept and it could be the coordinates of a house or a
building that we are looking for. Other than that, midpoint help us to find the position
right in the middle of two points in our life. The distance formula helps us to find how
far away two points are separated away from each other that allow us to find the actual
distance between two buildings or two targeted position. Lastly, the perpendicular
concept that allow us to find the gradient of a straight line perpendicular to another line.
Hence, we could get the equation for the straight line and get other coordinates of other
points on that line.