Chapter 4-4 Parallel
and Perpendicular Lines
Parallel Lines:
2 lines that are
parallel to each other have the SAME SLOPE
Example:
y = 2x – 10
y = 2x + 4
Are parallel
because they both have a slope of 2
BE CAREFUL:
to be parallel they must have the SAME SLOPE BUT DIFFERENCE y-INTERCEPTS
to be parallel they must have the SAME SLOPE BUT DIFFERENCE y-INTERCEPTS
If they have the
same m and the same b then they are COLLINEAR ( or they COINCIDE) they are the
same line and NOT parallel
Perpendicular Lines
2 lines that are
perpendicular to each other have SLOPES that are:
Opposite signs
and
Reciprocals
and
Reciprocals
y = 2x – 10 is
perpendicular to y = (-1/2)x + 4
This is another
twist to our Mystery Line Puzzles…
If you know that
the mystery line is parallel or
perpendicular to another given line they you know the mystery line’s slope!!
EXAMPLE 1:
Your mystery line has a point of (2, -5) and
is PARALLEL to the line y = 2x + 4
So you know that
the mystery line’s slope
because it is the same as the given line (m = 2)
because it is the same as the given line (m = 2)
Substitute the
slope and the point given for the mystery line and solve for b OR use Point Slope
Form and solve easily!
This is why I like Point Slope: y + 5 = 2(x – 2)
This is why I like Point Slope: y + 5 = 2(x – 2)
y + 5 = 2x – 4
y = 2x – 9
If I used Slope
Intercept form or y = mx + b
-5 = 2(2) + b
-5 = 4 + b
b = -9
Plug everything
back in
y = 2x – 9
Same results—but I
think that it takes longer (students also tend to FORGET to put everything
together)
EXAMPLE 2:
Your mystery line
has a point of (2, -5) and is perpendicular to the line y = 2x + 4
So you know that
the mystery line’s slope is the opposite sign and the reciprocal of the given
line
(since the given line’s slope is 2, the mystery line’s slope must be –½ )
(since the given line’s slope is 2, the mystery line’s slope must be –½ )
Substitute the
slope and the point given on the mystery line and solve for b OR use Point Slope
Form and solve easily!
y + 5 = (-½)(x -2)
y + 5 = -½x + 1
y = -½x - 4
If I used Slope Intercept form or y = mx + b
-5 = (-½)(2) + b
-5 = -1 + b
-4 = b
Plug everything
back
y = -½x - 4