NOTE

M A T H E M A T I C S

STRAIGHT LINES
EQUATION OF A STRAIGHT LINE IN REFERENCE
TO A GIVEN STRAIGHT LINE

What you already know What you will learn

• General form of a straight line • Equation of a line parallel to a given line

• Ways of finding slope • Equation of a line perpendicular to a given line
• Angle between two lines • Equation of lines passing through a fixed point and
• Various forms of equation of a making an angle with a line
straight line • Equation of line equally inclined with two lines

Equation of a line parallel to a given line

Y
l1 : ax + by + λ = 0

Equation of a line parallel to a given line l : ax + by + c = 0

l : ax + by + c = 0 is l1 : ax + by + λ = 0
(where λ is a constant and λ ∈ R)

X
O

Proof: Given, l : ax + by + c = 0
Consider, l || l1 ⇒ m = m1
coeff. of x -a Y
m = slope = - = = m1 l1
coeff. of y b
Let, c1 be the Y-intercept of l1
By slope intercept form, equation of line l1 is as l : ax + by + c = 0
follows:
y = m1 x + c1
-a X
⇒ y = x + c1 O
b
⇒ ax + by - bc1 = 0 ⇒ ax + by + λ = 0 (λ = -bc1)
⇒ ax + by + λ = 0; λ ∈ R

Note

Equation of a line parallel to ax + by + c = 0 and passing through (x1, y1) is as follows:

a(x - x1) + b(y - y1) = 0.

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Proof:
Let equation of given line l: ax + by + c = 0
Y
Now let line l1 is parallel to l
)
So equation of line l1: ax + by + λ = 0 .................(1) P (x 1, y 1 l1

l1 passes through point P (x1, y1) l : ax + by + c = 0

So, ax1 + by1 + λ = 0
⇒ λ = - (ax1 + by1)
Putting this value of λ in equation (1): X
ax + by -(ax1 + by1) = 0 O
⇒ a(x - x1) + b(y - y1) = 0
So, equation of line l1 is:
a(x - x1) + b(y - y1) = 0

Find the equation of line parallel to 3x + 4y + 5 = 0 and passing through (1, -1).

Solution:
Step I: Step II:
Given, l : 3x + 4y + 5 = 0 l1 passes through (1, -1)
Let l1 be parallel to l ⇒ 3 (1) + 4 (-1) + λ = 0
So, l1 : 3x + 4y + λ = 0 ⇒λ=1
So, equation of the line l1 : 3x + 4y + 1 = 0

Equation of a line perpendicular to a given line

The equation of a line perpendicular to a given line l : ax + by + c = 0 is l1 : bx - ay + λ = 0

(where λ is a constant and λ ∈ R)
Proof: Given line, l : ax +by + c = 0
Consider, l ⊥ l1 ⇒ m × m1 = -1 l1
Y
coeff. of x -a
m = slope = - =
coeff. of y b
b
by + c=0
⇒ m1 =
a l : ax +
Let c1 be the Y-intercept of l1
By slope intercept form, equation of line l1 is as follows:
y = m1x + c1
b
⇒ y = x + c1
a X
⇒ bx - ay + ac1 = 0 O
⇒ bx - ay + λ = 0: λ ∈ R

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Note
Equation of a line perpendicular to ax + by + c = 0 passing through (x1, y1) is as follows:
b (x - x1) - a (y - y1) = 0

Proof: l1
Let equation of given line l: ax + by + c = 0 Y
P (x1, y1)
Now let line l1 is perpendicular to l
=0
So equation of line l1 : bx - ay + λ = 0 .................(1) by+c
l : ax +
l1 passes through point P (x1, y1)
So, bx1 - ay1 + λ = 0
⇒ λ = ay1 - bx1
Putting this value of λ in equation (1):
bx - ay + ay1 - bx1 = 0 X
O
⇒ b(x - x1) - a(y - y1) = 0
So, equation of line l1 is:
b(x - x1) - a(y - y1) = 0

Find the equation of line perpendicular to 3x + 4y + 5 = 0 and passing through (1, 1)

Solution:
Step I: Step II:
Given line, l : 3x + 4y + 5 = 0 l1 passes through (1, 1)
Let l1 be perpendicular to l ⇒4×1-3×1+λ=0
So, l1 : 4x - 3y + λ = 0 ⇒ λ = -1
So, equation of the line l1 : 4x - 3y - 1 = 0

Concept Check

1. Let PS be the median of the triangle with vertices P(2, 2), Q(6, -1), and R(7, 3). Find equation of
the line passing through (1, -1) and parallel to PS.
2. Find equation of perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining the points A(2,3) and B(6,-5).

Equation of lines passing through a fixed point and making an angle with a line

The equations of the straight lines which pass through a given point (x1, y1) and make an angle α
with the given line y = mx + c are y - y1 = tan (ϴ ± α) (x - x1) (where tanϴ is the slope of y = mx + c)

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Proof:
Here, slope = m = tan ϴ
Now equation of l1 and l2
y - y1 = tan ϴ1 (x - x1)

y - y1 = tan ϴ2 (x - x1)
Now, ϴ1 = ϴ + α
and ϴ2 = ϴ - α
Y l1
l2 l : y = mx + c
Where ϴ1 is the angle of inclination of line l1 and ϴ2
is the angle of inclination of line l2 P(x1, y1)
Now, applying exterior angle property for
△MLR, ϴ1 = ϴ + α α N
α
⇒ tan ϴ1 = tan (ϴ + α) = m1 = slope of l1 M
Where ϴ is the angle of inclination of the given ϴ1 ϴ2
ϴ
line l and α is the angle b
­ etween lines l and X
L O R S
l1 or l and l2.
Similarly, applying exterior angle property for △RPS,
ϴ2 = ϴ + (π - α)
ϴ2 = π + (ϴ - α)
⇒ tan ϴ2 = tan (π + ϴ - α)
⇒ tan ϴ2 = tan (ϴ - α) = m2 = slope of l2 (∵ tan (π + θ) = tan θ)

By point slope form, equation of one of the line l1 is y - y1 = tan (ϴ + α) (x - x1)

And equation of the other line l2 is y - y1 = tan (ϴ - α) (x - x1)

Find equations of the line passing through the point (2,3) and inclined at 45° to the line
2x + 3y = 5

Solution:
π
Method I: Case II: Slope of the second line is tan (ϴ + 4 )
Step I:
Given, l : 2x + 3y = 5 π
tan θ +tan
Let tan ϴ be the slope of l.  π 4
tan  θ +  =
π  4  1- tan θ ×tan π
Now, two lines make an angle of Φ = 4 with l
4
π -2
Slope of these two lines are tan (ϴ ± 4 ) +1
m = tan ϴ = - 2 = 3
3 -2
1- 1×
3
1
=
5

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Step II:
π
Case I: Slope of the first line is tan (ϴ - 4 )
π
tan θ - tan
 π 4
tan  θ -  =
 4  1+tan θ ×tan π
4
-2
-1
= 3
-2
1+1×
3
= -5

Step III:
π 1 π
Hence, tan (ϴ + 4 ) = 5 and tan (ϴ - 4 ) = -5
The two lines pass through (2, 3)
Using point slope form, equation of line l1 and l2 is as follows:
π
l1 : y - 3 = tan(ϴ + 4 ) (x - 2)
1
⇒ y - 3 = 5 (x - 2)
⇒ 5y - 15 = x - 2
⇒ x - 5y + 13 = 0
π
l2 : y - 3 = tan(ϴ - 4 ) (x - 2)
⇒ y - 3 = -5 (x - 2)
⇒ y - 3 = -5x + 10
⇒ 5x + y = 13

Method II:
Step I: l1
Let the slope of l1 = m A(2, 3)
π
Angle between l and l1 = 4 .

2
m+
π 3
⇒ tan = π
4  -2 
1+m   4
3 l
 3m+2  2x + 3y = 5
⇒ 1= ±  
 3 - 2m 

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Step II:
 3m+2   3m+2 
Case I: 1=   Case II: 1= -  
 3 - 2m   3 - 2m 
⇒ 3 - 2m = 3m+2 ⇒ 3 - 2m = -3m- 2
⇒ 1= 5m ⇒ m = -2 - 3
1 ⇒ m = -5
⇒m=
5 This line passes through (2, 3)
This line passes through (2, 3) Using point slope form,
Using point slope form, y -3
y -3 1 Equation of line l1 : = -5
Equation of line l1 : = x -2
x -2 5 ⇒ y - 3 = -5x +10
5y - 15 = x - 2
⇒ 5x + y = 13
x -5y +13 = 0

Concept Check 3

The straight lines 3x + 4y = 5 and 4x - 3y = 15 intersect at a point A. On these lines, the point
B, C are chosen in such a way that AB = AC. Find the possible equations of line BC passing
through the point (1, 2).

Equation of line equally inclined with two lines

If two lines with slopes m1 and m2 are equally inclined to a line with slope m, then

 m1 -m   m2 -m 
  = - 
 1+m.m1   1+m.m2 
Proof:
From figure,
Let two lines l1 and l2 make an angle θ with the given line l in clockwise and anticlockwise sense,
­respectively.
l2
m2 -m
tan θ =
1+m.m2
Where m, m1, and m2 are slope of lines l, l1, and l2,
respectively. ϴ
However, m2 > m l
 m -m ................................(1) P ϴ
⇒ tan θ =  2 
 1+m.m2 
m-m1
Also, tan θ =
1+m.m1 l1

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However, m > m1

 m-m1 
⇒ tan θ =   ................................(2)
 1+m.m 1

From equations (1) and (2),

   
We get,  m1 − m  = -  m2 − m 
 1+m.m1   1+m.m2 

Two equal sides of an isosceles triangle are given by the equations 7x - y + 3 = 0 and x + y = 3,
and its third side passes through the point (1, -10). Find the equation of the third side.

Solution:
Let m be the slope of BC.
Since AB = AC
So, BC makes equal angle with AB and AC
Where slope of AB = m1 = 7
And slope of AC = m2 = -1
 m − m   m2 − m 
Applying formula:  1  = - 
 1+m.m1   1+m.m2 

 7 -m   -1-m  A
⇒  = - 
 1+m.7   1+m. ( -1) 
⇒ 6m2 +16m- 6 = 0
=0

⇒ 3m2 +8m- 3 = 0
x+
+3

y-

⇒ ( 3m- 1)(m+3 ) = 0
-y

3=

1
7x

⇒ m = ,-3
3
By point slope from, equation of BC, ϴ
ϴ
1
y +10 = -3 ( x - 1) or y +10 = ( x - 1) B C
3 (1, -10)
⇒ x - 3y - 31= 0 or 3x + y +7 = 0

Concept Check 4

Find the equation of straight lines passing through the point (2, 3), and equally inclined to the
lines 3x - 4y = 7 and 12x - 5y + 6 = 0

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Summary

Key Takeaways

1. Equation of a line parallel to a given line ax + by + c = 0 is ax + by + λ = 0

2. Equation of a line parallel to ax + by + c = 0 and passing through (x1, y1) is a(x - x1) + b(y - y1) = 0
3. The equation of a line perpendicular to a given line ax + by + c = 0 is bx - ay + λ = 0
4. Equation of a line perpendicular to ax + by + c = 0 passing through (x1, y1) is b (x - x1) - a (y - y1) = 0
5. The equations of the straight lines which pass through a given point (x1, y1) and make an angle α
with the given line y = mx + c are y - y1 = tan (ϴ ± α) (x - x1) such that m = tan θ.
6. If two lines with slopes m1 and m2 are equally inclined to a line with slope m, then
 m1 − m   m2 − m 
  = - 
 1+m.m1   1+m.m2 

Mind map

Equation of a line passing through a fixed Equation of a line ­perpendicular

point and making an angle with a given line to a given line

Equation of a straight line in

reference to other straight line

Equation of a line equally Equation of a line parallel

inclined with two lines to a given line

Self-Assessment

1. Find the coordinates of the foot of the perpendicular drawn from the point (1, -2) on the line
y = 2x + 1
2. For what value of a is the line y = ax perpendicular to the line 2y - 6x = 3?

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Answers

Concept Check: 1 P(2, 2)

Step I:
PS is the median.
⇒ S is midpoint of Q and R
 6 +7 -1+3 
⇒ S≡  , 
 2 2 
 13  Q(6, -1)
⇒ S ≡  ,1 S ( 13, 1) R(7, 3)
2  2

Step II: Step III:

y -y
Now, slope of PS = 2 1 By point slope form, equation of l
x2 - x 1
is as follows:
2 - 1 -1 2
= = ×2 = - y - ( -1) 2
13 9 9 =-
2-
2 x-1 9
Let l be the line parallel to PS passing through (1, -1) ⇒ 9y +9 = -2x +2
⇒ slope of l = - 2 ⇒ 2x +9y +7 = 0
9

Concept Check: 2
Step I:
Given, A ≡ (2, 3) and B ≡ (6, -5)
Let PQ be the perpendicular bisector, which bisects AB at R.
P
 2 +6 3 -5 
⇒ R≡  , 
 2 2 
⇒ R ≡ ( 4,-1)
Step II:
3 - ( -5 ) 3 +5
Slope of AB =mAB = = = -2
2 -6 -4
A(2, 3) R B(6, -5)
PQ is a line perpendicular to AB.
1 1 1
⇒ mPQ = - =- =
mAB -2 2
1
R ≡ ( 4,-1) and mPQ = Q
2

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Step III:
Equation of PQ using point slope form
y - ( -1) 1
=
x -4 2
⇒ 2y +2 = x - 4
⇒ 2y - x = -6
⇒ x - 2y = 6

Concept Check: 3
Step I: Y
Consider l1 : 3x + 4y = 5
(1, 2)
Slope of l1 = m = tan ϴ = - 3
4 15
=
So, possible equations of l are: B 3 y
y - 2 = tan ( θ ± α )( x - 1) x-
:4
45° l2
 tan θ ± tan α  X
⇒ y -2 =  ( x - 1) 0
0° A
 1 tan θ ×tan α  9
l1 :
 -3  45° 3x
 ±1  +
4y
⇒ y -2 = 4  ( x - 1) (∵ tan α = tan 45° = 1)
C =
 1  -3  1 5
 4 
   
 -3 ± 4 
⇒ y - 2 =   ( x - 1)
 4  ( -3 ) 

Step II:
 -3 +4 
Case I : y - 2 =   ( x - 1)
 4 - ( -3 ) 
1
⇒ y - 2 = ( x - 1)
7
⇒ x - 7y +13 = 0
 -3 - 4 
Case II : y - 2 =   ( x - 1)
 4 + ( -3 ) 
⇒ y - 2 = -7 ( x - 1)
⇒ 7x + y - 9 = 0

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Concept Check: 4
Step I:
Let m be slope of line l.
By the point slope form,
Equation of l : y - 3 = m (x - 2) l2
However, l is equally inclined with l1 and l2 =7
y
Where m1 = 3 and m2 = 12 4
4 5 x-
:3
l2
Step II: ϴ
(2, 3)
 11   π 11  l
⇒ sin  cost  = sin  - sint 
 10   2 10  P ϴ

3  12  l2 : 12x - 5y + 6 = 0
-m  -m 
Hence, 4 = - 5
3 12  l1
1+ m  1+ m 
4  5 
 3 - 4m   12 -5m 
⇒  = - 
 4 +3m   5 +12m 
⇒ 63m2 - 32m- 63 = 0
⇒ ( 7m- 9 )( 9m+7) = 0
9 -7
⇒m= ,
7 9
Step III:
By point slope form,
Equations of l are:
9x - 7y + 3 = 0 and 7x + 9y - 41 = 0

Self-Assessment 1
Step I:
Equation of the given line,
2x - y + 1 = 0 .........................(1)
Let M be the foot of the perpendicular drawn
from P(1, -2) on the line y = 2x + 1
Then M be the point of intersection of
y = 2x + 1, and the line passing through P(1,-2) and ­perpendicular to y = 2x + 1
The equation of line perpendicular to y = 2x + 1 or 2x - y + 1 = 0 is as follows:
x + 2y + λ = 0 ............................(2)
This line passes through P(1,-2), therefore, we get,
1-4+λ=0
⇒λ=3

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Step II: P(1, -2)

Putting ⇒ λ = 3 in equation (2), we get,
x + 2y + 3 = 0 ..........................(3)
Point M is the point of intersection of
2x - y + 1 = 0 and x + 2y + 3 = 0

Step III:
By solving equations (1) and (3), A B
M
x = -1 and y = -1
Hence, the coordinates of foot of perpendicular are (-1, -1).

Self-Assessment 2
Step I:
Let line l1 : y = ax ⇒ y - ax = 0
coeff. of x
Slope of line l1 = m1 = - =a
coeff. of y
Line l2 : 2y - 6x - 3 = 0
coeff. of x
Slope of line l2 = m2 = - =3
coeff. of y

Step II:
l1 ⊥ l2 ⇒ m1 × m2= -1
⇒ a × 3 = -1
⇒a=-1
3

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