Math Problem Statement

Line Upper L 1 contains the points ​(negative 4​,2​) and ​(negative 4​,negative 1​). Line Upper L 2 contains ​(0,negative 5​) and ​(2,1​). Find the smallest positive angle from Upper L 1 to Upper L 2.

Solution

We are tasked with finding the smallest positive angle between two lines, L1L_1 and L2L_2, with given points.

Step 1: Find the slopes of the lines.

  1. Slope of L1L_1:
    The points on L1L_1 are (4,2)(-4, 2) and (4,1)(-4, -1).
    The slope formula is: m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} Since the x-coordinates are the same (x1=x2=4x_1 = x_2 = -4), the line is vertical, so the slope is undefined.

  2. Slope of L2L_2:
    The points on L2L_2 are (0,5)(0, -5) and (2,1)(2, 1).
    Using the slope formula: m=1(5)20=62=3m = \frac{1 - (-5)}{2 - 0} = \frac{6}{2} = 3 So, the slope of L2L_2 is m2=3m_2 = 3.

Step 2: Calculate the angle between the lines.

To find the angle θ\theta between two lines, we use the formula: tan(θ)=m2m11+m1m2\tan(\theta) = \left| \frac{m_2 - m_1}{1 + m_1 m_2} \right| Where m1m_1 is the slope of the first line, and m2m_2 is the slope of the second line.

Since L1L_1 is vertical, its slope m1m_1 is undefined, which means the angle between L1L_1 and L2L_2 is a right angle. The angle between a vertical line and any non-vertical line is always 9090^\circ.

Thus, the smallest positive angle between L1L_1 and L2L_2 is 90 degrees.

Summary:

The smallest positive angle from L1L_1 to L2L_2 is 90 degrees.


Would you like a more detailed breakdown of any part of this solution? Here are some related questions you might find helpful:

  1. How do you calculate the slope of a line using two points?
  2. What does it mean when a line has an undefined slope?
  3. How can you find the angle between two non-parallel lines?
  4. What are the properties of a vertical line?
  5. How does the formula for the angle between two lines work for non-vertical lines?

Tip: When you have a vertical line, remember that its slope is undefined, and it will always form a right angle (90°) with any line that isn't vertical.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Slope
Angle between lines

Formulas

Slope formula: m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Angle formula: tan(θ) = |(m2 - m1) / (1 + m1 * m2)|

Theorems

The angle between a vertical line and any non-vertical line is 90 degrees

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11