The equation of straight line is generally written as y = mx + b
Graphical Representation
where, m= slope or gradient of the straight line equation
b = the y-intercept
Suppose we want to find equation of a straight line that passes through a known point and has a known slope. Let (x ,y) represent the co-ordinates of any point on the line and let (x1 ,y1) represent the co-ordinates of other point. The slope of the straight line equation is given as,
m = (y-y_1)/(x-x_1)
After finding the slope m as we are given the co-ordinates of the point (x1 ,y1) in the equation y= mx + b Then, the constant 'b' can also be found so that finally the straight line equation is obtained.
Other Forms of straight Line Equations
Different Forms of Straight Line Equations:
There are many other forms of Straight Line Equations.
1. Straight Line Equation through two points:
The line through two different points ( x1 ,y1) and ( x2 ,y2) is given by
y-y1 = [(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)] . (x - x1)
2. Straight Line Equation in general form:
A straight line is defined by a linear equation as
Ax+By+C=0 where A , B are not both 0
3. Straight Line Equation in Intercept-intercept form:
Let us consider that a straight line intersects x-axis at (a , 0) and y-axis at (0 , b). Then it is defined by equation
(x/a) +(y/b) = 1
4. Straight Line Equation in Point-Slope Form:
The equation of straight line through the point (a , b) with slope m is
y = m ( x - a ) + b
Solved Examples on equations of straight line
Ex:1 Find the equation of a line passing through (2 , 3) and having a slope of 3?
sol: step 1: Compare the given point(2 , 3) with the general point (x1 , y1)
Now x1=2 and y1=3
step 2: we have the straight line equation as y-y1=m(x-x1)
now substitute the given point in the above equation
y-3=3(x-2)
y-3=3x-6
3x-y=6-3
3x-y-3=0
The straight line equation is 3x-y-3=0
Ex:2 Find out the straight line equation of the line passing through the points (1,2) and (2,4).
Sol: Given points are compared with (x1 , y1) and (x2 , y2) and substitute the points in the equation
y-y1 = [(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1) ] . (x-x1)
y-2 = [(4-2)/(2-1)] . (x-1)
y-2 = 2(x-1)
y-2 = 2x-2
2x - y = 0
The straight line equation is 2x-y=0.
Practice Problems on equations of straight line
Pro:1 Find the equation of the line passing through the points (-3,4) and (4,-2)
Ans: we have
m = (y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)
=(-2-4)/(4+3)
=(-6/7)
let (x,y) be compared to (-3,4)
y-4 = (-6/7) . (x-(-3))
7(y-4) = -6(x+3)
7y-28 = -6x-18
7y-28 = -6x-18
7y+6x = 10
Pro:2 Write equation of line having points and slopes as follows;
P(3,3) , m=-2
P(-2,-1) , m=1/3
P1(2,2) and P2(-4,-1)
y-intercept = 2 , m=3
Ans: The answers to the above given practice problems are
y+2x=11
3y-x=-1
2y-x=2
y-3x=2