Math Problem Statement

Find the angle between the line 2x +3y +5=0 and x + 3y -2 =0

Solution

To find the angle between two lines, we use the formula for the tangent of the angle between the lines. If the slopes of the two lines are m1m_1 and m2m_2, then the tangent of the angle θ\theta between the lines is given by:

tanθ=m2m11+m1m2\tan\theta = \left| \frac{m_2 - m_1}{1 + m_1 m_2} \right|

Step 1: Find the slopes of the lines

The equation of a line in general form is ax+by+c=0ax + by + c = 0. The slope mm is given by m=abm = -\frac{a}{b}.

  1. First line: 2x+3y+5=02x + 3y + 5 = 0

    • Slope m1=23m_1 = -\frac{2}{3}
  2. Second line: x+3y2=0x + 3y - 2 = 0

    • Slope m2=13m_2 = -\frac{1}{3}

Step 2: Substitute into the formula

tanθ=m2m11+m1m2\tan\theta = \left| \frac{m_2 - m_1}{1 + m_1 m_2} \right|

Substitute m1=23m_1 = -\frac{2}{3} and m2=13m_2 = -\frac{1}{3}:

tanθ=13(23)1+(23)(13)\tan\theta = \left| \frac{-\frac{1}{3} - \left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)}{1 + \left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right)} \right|

Simplify the numerator and denominator: tanθ=13+231+29\tan\theta = \left| \frac{-\frac{1}{3} + \frac{2}{3}}{1 + \frac{2}{9}} \right|

tanθ=1399+29\tan\theta = \left| \frac{\frac{1}{3}}{\frac{9}{9} + \frac{2}{9}} \right|

tanθ=13119\tan\theta = \left| \frac{\frac{1}{3}}{\frac{11}{9}} \right|

tanθ=13×911\tan\theta = \left| \frac{1}{3} \times \frac{9}{11} \right|

tanθ=311\tan\theta = \frac{3}{11}

Step 3: Find the angle

The angle θ\theta is given by: θ=arctan(311)\theta = \arctan\left(\frac{3}{11}\right)

Using a calculator or approximation: θ15.26\theta \approx 15.26^\circ

Final Answer:

The angle between the two lines is approximately 15.26 degrees.


Would you like additional clarification or a step-by-step explanation? Here are related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How do we derive the slope-intercept form from a general equation of a line?
  2. How would the calculation change if the lines were parallel?
  3. How do we interpret the angle if it’s obtuse instead of acute?
  4. What happens to the formula if m1×m2=1m_1 \times m_2 = -1 (perpendicular lines)?
  5. How can we calculate the angle between lines in 3D space?

Tip: Always ensure to simplify fractions completely when working with tangent and slopes to minimize errors.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Analytic Geometry
Slopes of Lines
Angles Between Lines

Formulas

Slope of a line: m = -a/b for a line ax + by + c = 0
Tangent of the angle between two lines: tan(θ) = |(m2 - m1) / (1 + m1 * m2)|

Theorems

Properties of slopes to determine angles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12