Can you find an equation parallel or perpendicular to a line when it is not in slope intercept form?

$\begingroup$

For example, if I need to find the equation of the line parallel to $$2x-3y=4$$ which passes through the point $(1,-5)$ I know how to do this by putting it into slope-intercept form first to find the slope and then plugging in the point to find the y-intercept.

Same thing for finding a line perpendicular to that point. I just wanted to know if I could do this without changing it into slope intercept form first

$\endgroup$

2 Answers

$\begingroup$

The slope of this line is ${2\over 3}$ so the slope of perpendicular is $-{3\over 2}$ so the equation of perpenicular is $$y-(-5)= -{3\over 2}(x-1)$$

and the line parallel has the same slope, so ${2\over 3}$ an thus it equation is $$y-(-5)= {2\over 3}(x-1)$$

$\endgroup$ 2 $\begingroup$

Simply substitute $x=1$ and $y=-5$ in $2x-5y$ to get $17$. Hence the equation of the line parallel to $2x-3y=4$ passing through $(1,-5)$ is $2x-5y=17$.

For the perpendicular line plug in the coordinates $(1,-5)$ in $3x+2y$ to get $3x+2y=-7$.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password

Post as a guest

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

You Might Also Like