CHAPTER 5

The
Straight
Line

Learning Objectives
5.1 Understand the concept of gradient of
a straight line.
5.2 Understand the concept of gradient of
a straight line in Cartesian coordinates.
5.3 Understand the concept of intercept.
5.4 Understand and use equation of a
straight line.
5.5 Understand and use the concept of
parallel lines.

y2 y1
m
x2 x1

y mx c

5.1 GRADIENT OF A
STRAIGHT LINE
(A) Determine the vertical and horizontal
distances between two given points on a
F
straight line

Example of application: AN ESCALATOR.

EG - horizontal distance(how far a person goes)
GF - vertical distances(height changed)

Example 1
State the horizontal and vertical
distances for the following case.
10 m

16
m

Solution:
The horizontal distance = 16 m
The vertical distance = 10 m

(B)Determine the ratio of the

vertical distance to the horizontal
distance
10 m

16 m

Let us look at the ratio of the vertical

distance to the horizontal distances of
the slope as shown in figure.

Vertical distance
= 10 m
Horizontal distance = 16 m

Therefore,
Solution:

vertical distance
16

horizontal distance 10
1.6

5.2
GRADIENT OF THE
STRAIGHT LINE IN CARTESIAN
COORDINATES

Coordinate T = (X2,Y1)
horizontal distance
= PT
= Difference in x-coordinates
= x 2 x1
Vertical distance

y
R(x2,y2)

y2 y1

P(x1,y1)

x2
x1

T(x2,y1)
x

= RT
= Difference in y-coordinates
= y2 y 1

Solution:

vertical distance
gradient of PR
horizontal distance
RT

PT
y 2 y1

x2 x1
REMEMBER!!!
For a line passing through two points
(x1,y1) and (x2,y2),

y2 y1
m
x2 x1

where m is the gradient of a straight line

Example 2
Determine the gradient of the straight line
passing through the following pairs of
points
i) P(0,7) , Q(6,10)
ii)L(6,1) , N(9,7)
Solution:

10 7
Gradient PQ
60
3 units

6 units
1

7 1
Gradient LN
96
6 units

3 units
2

(C) Determine the relationship

between the value of the
gradient and the
(i)Steepness
(ii)Direction of inclination of a straight line

What does gradient represents??

Steepness of a line with respect to
the x-axis.

a right-angled triangle.
Line AB is a slope,
making
an angle
with the horizontal line
AC
C

vertical distance
tan
horizontal distance
gradient of AB

When gradient of When gradient of

AB is positive:
AB is negative:
inclined
upwards

tan
acute
angle

is

inclined
downwards
tan

obtuse
angle.

is

Activity:
Determine the gradient of the given
lines in figure and measure the angle
y
between the
line and the x-axis
(measured in anti-clocwise direction)
Gradie Sig
Line
nt
n

V(1,4) N(3,3)

Q(-2,4)

MN

S(-3,1)
x

0
M(-2,-2)

U(-1,-4)

R(3,-1)
P(2,-4)

PQ
RS
UV

REMEMBER!!!
The value of the gradient of a line:
Increases as the steepness increases
Is positive if it makes an acute angle
Is negative if it makes an obtuse angle

Lines

Gradient

AB

Lines

Gradient

CD

Undefine
d

y
D

Lines

Gradient

EF

Positive

Lines

Gradient

GH

Negative

y
H

Lines

Gradient

AB

CD

Undefine
d

EF

Positive

GH

Negative

y
D
H

B
G
E

C
x

5.3 Intercepts
y-intercept
x-intercept

Another way finding m, the gradient:

y - intercept
m
x - intercept

5.4 Equation of a straight

line
Slope intercept form
y = mx + c
Point-slope form
given 1 point and gradient:

y y1 m( x x1 )

given 2 point:

y y1 y 2 y1

x x1 x2 x1

5.5 Parallel lines

When the gradient of two straight
lines are equal, it can be concluded
that the two straight lines are parallel.
Example:
Is the line 2x-y=6 parallel to line 2y=4x+3?
Solution:

y=2x-6 gradient is 2.
3
y 2x
2y=4x+3
gradient is 2.
2
2x-y=6y

Since their gradient is same hence they are parallel.