Equation of the Parallel Line

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 126 views

Introduction

In mathematics, the concept of parallel lines is a fundamental idea in geometry and algebra. Two lines are said to be parallel if they lie in the same plane and never intersect, no matter how far they are extended. In this article, we will explore the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a specific point. We will use the point-slope form of a linear equation to find the equation of the parallel line.

Point-Slope Form of a Linear Equation

The point-slope form of a linear equation is given by:

y - y1 = m(x - x1)

where (x1, y1) is a point on the line, and m is the slope of the line. The slope of a line is a measure of how steep it is, and it is calculated as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between two points on the line.

Given Line and Point

The given line has a slope of -2, and it passes through the point (4, 1). We need to find the equation of a line that is parallel to this given line and passes through the point (4, 1).

Parallel Lines

Two lines are parallel if they have the same slope. Since the given line has a slope of -2, the parallel line will also have a slope of -2.

Equation of the Parallel Line

To find the equation of the parallel line, we can use the point-slope form of a linear equation. We know that the slope of the parallel line is -2, and it passes through the point (4, 1). Plugging these values into the point-slope form, we get:

y - 1 = -2(x - 4)

Simplifying this equation, we get:

y - 1 = -2x + 8

Adding 1 to both sides, we get:

y = -2x + 9

This is the equation of the line that is parallel to the given line and passes through the point (4, 1).

Comparison with Answer Choices

Now, let's compare our answer with the answer choices given in the problem. We have:

A. y - 1 = -2(x - 4) B. y - 1 = -\frac{1}{2}(x - 4) C. y - 1 = \frac{1}{2}(x - 4)

Our answer is:

y - 1 = -2(x - 4)

This matches answer choice A.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a specific point. We used the point-slope form of a linear equation to find the equation of the parallel line. We compared our answer with the answer choices given in the problem and found that our answer matches answer choice A.

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. y - 1 = -2(x - 4)

Additional Information

The point-slope form of a linear equation is a powerful tool for finding the equation of a line that passes through a specific point and has a given slope.
Two lines are parallel if they have the same slope.
The equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a specific point can be found using the point-slope form of a linear equation.

References

[1] "Point-Slope Form of a Linear Equation." Math Open Reference, mathopenref.com/coordgraph/point-slope.html.
[2] "Parallel Lines." Math Is Fun, mathisfun.com/geometry/parallel-lines.html.
What is the Equation of a Line Parallel to a Given Line and Passing Through a Point? - Q&A ====================================================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a specific point. We used the point-slope form of a linear equation to find the equation of the parallel line. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to the equation of a line parallel to a given line and passing through a point.

Q&A

Q: What is the point-slope form of a linear equation?

A: The point-slope form of a linear equation is given by:

y - y1 = m(x - x1)

where (x1, y1) is a point on the line, and m is the slope of the line.

Q: What is the slope of a line?

A: The slope of a line is a measure of how steep it is, and it is calculated as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between two points on the line.

Q: How do I find the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a specific point?

A: To find the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a specific point, you can use the point-slope form of a linear equation. You need to know the slope of the given line and the coordinates of the point through which the parallel line passes.

Q: What is the relationship between the slope of a line and the equation of a line that is parallel to it?

A: Two lines are parallel if they have the same slope. Therefore, the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line will have the same slope as the given line.

Q: Can I use the point-slope form of a linear equation to find the equation of a line that is perpendicular to a given line?

A: No, the point-slope form of a linear equation is used to find the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line, not perpendicular to it. To find the equation of a line that is perpendicular to a given line, you need to use the slope-intercept form of a linear equation.

Q: What is the equation of a line that is parallel to the line y = 2x + 3 and passes through the point (4, 1)?

A: To find the equation of a line that is parallel to the line y = 2x + 3 and passes through the point (4, 1), you need to use the point-slope form of a linear equation. The slope of the given line is 2, and the coordinates of the point through which the parallel line passes are (4, 1). Plugging these values into the point-slope form, you get:

y - 1 = 2(x - 4)

Simplifying this equation, you get:

y - 1 = 2x - 8

Adding 1 to both sides, you get:

y = 2x - 7

This is the equation of the line that is parallel to the given line and passes through the point (4, 1).

Q: Can I use the point-slope form of a linear equation to find the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a point that is not on the given line?

A: Yes, you can use the point-slope form of a linear equation to find the equation of a line that is parallel to a given line and passes through a point that is not on the given line. You need to know the slope of the given line and the coordinates of the point through which the parallel line passes.