Math Problem Statement

Consider the point and line below. Point Line

(−7, −2) x = 6 (a) Find the equation for the line through the given point and parallel to the given line.

(b) Find the equation for the line through the given point and perpendicular to the given line.

Solution

Let's go through the problem step-by-step:

Part (a): Equation of the line through the given point and parallel to the given line

The given line is x=6x = 6, which is a vertical line. Vertical lines have an undefined slope because they run straight up and down.

  • Parallel lines share the same slope. Since the line x=6x = 6 is vertical, the line parallel to it will also be vertical and will have the same form.

So, the equation of the line through the point (7,2)(-7, -2) and parallel to x=6x = 6 is simply the vertical line that passes through x=7x = -7. The equation of this line is:

x=7x = -7

Part (b): Equation of the line through the given point and perpendicular to the given line

The given line is x=6x = 6, which is vertical. Perpendicular lines to vertical lines are horizontal lines. Horizontal lines have a slope of 0.

The equation of a horizontal line passing through a point is given by the form y=cy = c, where cc is the y-coordinate of the point.

  • The point given is (7,2)(-7, -2), so the equation of the line that is perpendicular to x=6x = 6 and passes through (7,2)(-7, -2) is:

y=2y = -2

Summary of the answers:

  • (a) The equation of the line parallel to x=6x = 6 through the point (7,2)(-7, -2) is: x=7x = -7.
  • (b) The equation of the line perpendicular to x=6x = 6 through the point (7,2)(-7, -2) is: y=2y = -2.

Would you like any further explanation or details on these steps? Here's a tip for working with lines:


5 Follow-up Questions:

  1. What is the general form of the equation for a vertical line?
  2. How do we find the equation of a line parallel to a given line if it is not vertical?
  3. How do we calculate the slope of a line that is perpendicular to a given line?
  4. What does it mean for two lines to be perpendicular in terms of their slopes?
  5. How can you find the equation of a line passing through a point with a known slope?

Tip:

When working with parallel lines, remember that they share the same slope. For vertical lines, their slope is undefined, so parallel vertical lines will have the same x-value. Similarly, for horizontal lines, the slope is zero, and parallel horizontal lines will have the same y-value.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Equations
Slope of Lines
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Geometry

Formulas

Equation of a vertical line: x = a
Equation of a horizontal line: y = b

Theorems

Properties of Parallel Lines
Properties of Perpendicular Lines

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10