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Slope criteria for parallel and perpendicular

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51885310
Points \(C(120, 450)\) and \(D(120, 800)\) lie on line \(g\). Explain why line \(g\) is parallel to the y-axis.

Hints

- Compare the x-coordinates of the two points. - Think about the direction of a line whose x-coordinate never changes. - Recall how vertical lines relate to the y-axis.

Solution

1. Points \(C\) and \(D\) have the same x-coordinate, \(120\). 2. A line through two distinct points with the same x-coordinate is vertical and has equation \(x=120\). 3. Every vertical line is parallel to the y-axis.

Answer

Line \(g\) is parallel to the y-axis because both points have x-coordinate \(120\), so \(g\) is the vertical line \(x=120\).
51885410
Consider points \(P(15, 30)\), \(Q(45, 30)\), and \(R(45, 60)\). A line through two of these points is parallel to the x-axis. Identify the pair of points and justify your answer using their coordinates.

Hints

- Compare the y-coordinates of each pair of points. - A horizontal line has a constant y-coordinate. - Determine which two points lie at the same height.

Solution

1. Points \(P\) and \(Q\) have the same y-coordinate, \(30\). 2. A line through two distinct points with the same y-coordinate is horizontal. 3. Therefore, \(\overleftrightarrow{PQ}\) is parallel to the x-axis.

Answer

The pair is \(P\) and \(Q\). Both have y-coordinate \(30\), so \(\overleftrightarrow{PQ}\) is horizontal and parallel to the x-axis.
51302410
Four lines are given: \(g_1: y=0.5x+3\) \(g_2: y=0.5x-2\) \(g_3: y=-2\) \(g_4: y=2\) What type of quadrilateral is enclosed by these four lines? Justify your answer using their slopes.

Hints

- Compare the slopes of the four boundary lines. - Equal slopes tell you that two distinct lines are parallel, and horizontal lines have slope \(0\). - Identify the quadrilateral property determined by two pairs of parallel opposite sides.

Solution

1. Lines \(g_1\) and \(g_2\) both have slope \(0.5\), so they are parallel. 2. Lines \(g_3\) and \(g_4\) are horizontal, so both have slope \(0\) and are parallel. 3. The enclosed quadrilateral therefore has two pairs of opposite sides that are parallel, so it is a parallelogram.

Answer

A parallelogram. The lines form two pairs of parallel sides: \(g_1\parallel g_2\) and \(g_3\parallel g_4\).
51368910
Two lines are described as follows: Line \(g\) passes through the origin \((0, 0)\) and \(P(2, 5)\). Line \(h\) is given by \(3x - y = 4\). Determine whether the lines are parallel. Justify your answer by comparing their slopes.

Hints

- How do you calculate the slope of a line from two known points? - What must be true about the slopes of two parallel lines? - Can you rewrite the equation of \(h\) so its slope is visible directly? - What coordinates does the origin have?

Solution

1. The slope of \(g\) is \(m_g = \frac{5 - 0}{2 - 0} = \frac{5}{2} = 2.5\). 2. Rewrite \(3x - y = 4\) as \(y = 3x - 4\), so \(m_h = 3\). 3. Since \(2.5 \neq 3\), the slopes are different, so the lines are not parallel.

Answer

The lines are not parallel because their slopes are \(2.5\) and \(3\).
51877510
Points \(A(2, 2)\), \(B(9, 2)\), \(C(9, 7)\), and \(D(2, 7)\) determine lines \(\overleftrightarrow{AB}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{BC}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{CD}\), and \(\overleftrightarrow{DA}\). Identify all parallel pairs and all perpendicular pairs among these four lines. Justify your answer using slopes.

Hints

- Find the slope of each line. - Lines with equal slopes are parallel. - Horizontal and vertical lines are perpendicular.

Solution

1. Lines \(\overleftrightarrow{AB}\) and \(\overleftrightarrow{CD}\) are horizontal, so both have slope \(0\). Therefore, \(\overleftrightarrow{AB} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{CD}\). 2. Lines \(\overleftrightarrow{BC}\) and \(\overleftrightarrow{DA}\) are vertical, so both have undefined slope. Therefore, \(\overleftrightarrow{BC} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{DA}\). 3. Every horizontal line is perpendicular to every vertical line. Thus, \(\overleftrightarrow{AB} \perp \overleftrightarrow{BC}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{BC} \perp \overleftrightarrow{CD}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{CD} \perp \overleftrightarrow{DA}\), and \(\overleftrightarrow{DA} \perp \overleftrightarrow{AB}\).

Answer

Parallel: \(\overleftrightarrow{AB} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{CD}\) and \(\overleftrightarrow{BC} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{DA}\). Perpendicular: \(\overleftrightarrow{AB} \perp \overleftrightarrow{BC}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{BC} \perp \overleftrightarrow{CD}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{CD} \perp \overleftrightarrow{DA}\), and \(\overleftrightarrow{DA} \perp \overleftrightarrow{AB}\).
51877610
Points \(P(1, 1)\), \(Q(8, 1)\), \(R(10, 5)\), and \(S(3, 5)\) determine lines \(\overleftrightarrow{PQ}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{QR}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{RS}\), and \(\overleftrightarrow{SP}\). Identify all parallel pairs and determine whether any pair of lines is perpendicular. Justify your answer using slopes.

Hints

- Find the slope of each line. - Lines with equal slopes are parallel. - Perpendicular nonvertical lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals.

Solution

1. The slope of \(\overleftrightarrow{PQ}\) is \(\frac{1-1}{8-1}=0\), and the slope of \(\overleftrightarrow{RS}\) is \(\frac{5-5}{3-10}=0\). Therefore, \(\overleftrightarrow{PQ} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{RS}\). 2. The slope of \(\overleftrightarrow{QR}\) is \(\frac{5-1}{10-8}=2\), and the slope of \(\overleftrightarrow{SP}\) is \(\frac{1-5}{1-3}=2\). Therefore, \(\overleftrightarrow{QR} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{SP}\). 3. Perpendicular nonvertical lines have slopes whose product is \(-1\). The only slopes here are \(0\) and \(2\), and there are no vertical lines. Therefore, no pair is perpendicular.

Answer

Parallel: \(\overleftrightarrow{PQ} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{RS}\) and \(\overleftrightarrow{QR} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{SP}\). No pair of lines is perpendicular.
52546010
Line \(g\) passes through \(U(1, 2)\) and \(V(5, 4)\). Another line, \(h\), is parallel to \(g\) and passes through \(A(6, -1)\). Write an equation of the form \(f(x)=mx+b\) whose graph is line \(h\).

Hints

- Find the slope of \(g\) from its two given points. - What must be true about the slopes of parallel lines? - Use the point on \(h\) to determine its y-intercept.

Solution

1. The slope of \(g\) is \(m=\frac{4-2}{5-1}=\frac{1}{2}\). 2. Parallel lines have the same slope, so line \(h\) has slope \(\frac{1}{2}\). 3. Substitute \(A(6, -1)\) into \(y=\frac{1}{2}x+b\): \(-1=\frac{1}{2}\cdot 6+b\), so \(b=-4\). 4. Therefore, \(f(x)=\frac{1}{2}x-4\).

Answer

\(f(x)=\frac{1}{2}x-4\)
52882110
A line \(g\) passes through \(P(2, -3)\) and \(Q(5, 6)\). Find the slope \(m_h\) of any line \(h\) perpendicular to \(g\).

Hints

- First use the two points to find the slope of \(g\). - Perpendicular nonvertical lines have slopes whose product is \(-1\). - Take the negative reciprocal of the original slope.

Solution

1. Find the slope of \(g\): \(m_g=\frac{6-(-3)}{5-2}=\frac{9}{3}=3\). 2. Slopes of nonvertical perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals, so \(m_h=-\frac{1}{m_g}=-\frac{1}{3}\).

Answer

\(m_h=-\frac{1}{3}\)
52882210
The lines \(g:y=\frac{3}{4}x-2\) and \(h:y=ax+5\) are perpendicular. Find \(a\).

Hints

- Read each slope from slope-intercept form. - The product of the slopes of perpendicular nonvertical lines is \(-1\). - Solve the resulting equation for \(a\).

Solution

1. The slope of \(g\) is \(\frac{3}{4}\), and the slope of \(h\) is \(a\). 2. Perpendicular slopes satisfy \(\frac{3}{4}a=-1\). 3. Solving gives \(a=-\frac{4}{3}\).

Answer

\(a=-\frac{4}{3}\)
52882910
The line \(f(x)=\frac{3}{7}x+4\) is perpendicular to a line \(g\) that passes through \(P(6, -2)\). Write \(g(x)\) in slope-intercept form.

Hints

- Perpendicular nonvertical lines have negative-reciprocal slopes. - Substitute the given point into \(y=mx+b\) to find the intercept. - Write the final equation in slope-intercept form.

Solution

1. The slope of \(f\) is \(\frac{3}{7}\). A perpendicular line has slope \(-\frac{7}{3}\). 2. Substitute \(P(6, -2)\) into \(y=-\frac{7}{3}x+b\): \(-2=-\frac{7}{3}\cdot 6+b=-14+b\). Thus, \(b=12\). 3. Therefore, \(g(x)=-\frac{7}{3}x+12\).

Answer

\(g(x)=-\frac{7}{3}x+12\)
52883010
A line \(\ell\) passes through \(Q(0.5, 3)\) and \(R(2, 0)\). Write the equation \(y=mx+b\) of the line \(k\) that is parallel to \(\ell\) and passes through \(S(-4, 5)\).

Hints

- Use the two points to find the slope of \(\ell\). - Parallel lines have the same slope. - Substitute the given point on \(k\) to find its y-intercept.

Solution

1. Find the slope of \(\ell\): \(m_\ell=\frac{0-3}{2-0.5}=\frac{-3}{1.5}=-2\). 2. Parallel lines have equal slopes, so \(m_k=-2\). 3. Substitute \(S(-4, 5)\) into \(y=-2x+b\): \(5=-2\cdot(-4)+b\), so \(b=-3\). 4. Therefore, \(k\) has equation \(y=-2x-3\).

Answer

\(y=-2x-3\)
52884410
The line \(k\) has equation \(y=\frac{2}{3}x-5\). A line \(h\) is parallel to \(k\) and passes through \(P(6, 1)\). Write an equation for \(h\), and find its x-intercept.

Hints

- Parallel lines have equal slopes. - Use the given point to find the y-intercept. - Set \(y=0\) to find the x-intercept.

Solution

1. Because \(h\) is parallel to \(k\), its slope is \(\frac{2}{3}\). 2. Substitute \(P(6, 1)\) into \(y=\frac{2}{3}x+b\): \(1=4+b\), so \(b=-3\). Thus, \(h(x)=\frac{2}{3}x-3\). 3. Set \(h(x)=0\): \(0=\frac{2}{3}x-3\), so \(x=\frac{9}{2}=4.5\). The x-intercept is \((4.5, 0)\).

Answer

Equation: \(h(x)=\frac{2}{3}x-3\) x-intercept: \((4.5, 0)\)
55491010
Line \(v\) has equation \(x=4\), and point \(P=(-2,3)\) is given. a) Write an equation of the line through \(P\) parallel to \(v\). b) Write an equation of the line through \(P\) perpendicular to \(v\). c) Explain why the negative-reciprocal slope rule is not the right starting point for line \(v\).

Hints

- Classify \(v\) from the form of its equation before thinking about slopes. - Ask what must stay constant on a line parallel to a vertical line. - Recall which direction is perpendicular to vertical.

Solution

1. Line \(v\) is vertical. A parallel line through \(P(-2,3)\) is therefore the vertical line \(x=-2\). 2. A line perpendicular to a vertical line is horizontal. The horizontal line through \(P\) is \(y=3\). 3. A vertical line has undefined slope, so there is no numerical slope for which a negative reciprocal can be taken.

Answer

a) \(x=-2\) b) \(y=3\) c) Line \(v\) has undefined slope, so the negative-reciprocal rule for two finite nonzero slopes does not apply directly.
55492710
Line \(v\) has equation \(x=4\), and point \(P=(-2,3)\) is given. a) Write an equation of the line through \(P\) parallel to \(v\). b) Write an equation of the line through \(P\) perpendicular to \(v\). c) Explain why the negative-reciprocal slope rule is not the right starting point for line \(v\).

Hints

- Classify \(v\) from the form of its equation before thinking about slopes. - Ask what must stay constant on a line parallel to a vertical line. - Recall which direction is perpendicular to vertical.

Solution

1. Line \(v\) is vertical. A parallel line through \(P(-2,3)\) is therefore the vertical line \(x=-2\). 2. A line perpendicular to a vertical line is horizontal. The horizontal line through \(P\) is \(y=3\). 3. A vertical line has undefined slope, so there is no numerical slope for which a negative reciprocal can be taken.

Answer

a) \(x=-2\) b) \(y=3\) c) Line \(v\) has undefined slope, so the negative-reciprocal rule for two finite nonzero slopes does not apply directly.
51877710
Points \(K(1, 1)\), \(L(5, 3)\), \(M(3, 7)\), and \(N(1, 6)\) determine lines \(\overleftrightarrow{KL}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{LM}\), \(\overleftrightarrow{MN}\), and \(\overleftrightarrow{NK}\). Identify all parallel and perpendicular pairs among these four lines. Justify your answer using slopes.

Hints

- Find the slope of each nonvertical line. - Equal slopes indicate parallel lines. - Slopes that are negative reciprocals indicate perpendicular lines.

Solution

1. The slope of \(\overleftrightarrow{KL}\) is \(\frac{3-1}{5-1}=\frac{1}{2}\). 2. The slope of \(\overleftrightarrow{LM}\) is \(\frac{7-3}{3-5}=-2\). 3. The slope of \(\overleftrightarrow{MN}\) is \(\frac{6-7}{1-3}=\frac{1}{2}\). Since \(\overleftrightarrow{KL}\) and \(\overleftrightarrow{MN}\) have equal slopes, \(\overleftrightarrow{KL} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{MN}\). 4. Because \(\frac{1}{2} \cdot (-2)=-1\), \(\overleftrightarrow{LM}\) is perpendicular to both \(\overleftrightarrow{KL}\) and \(\overleftrightarrow{MN}\). 5. Line \(\overleftrightarrow{NK}\) is vertical. None of the other lines is vertical or horizontal, so it is neither parallel nor perpendicular to any of them.

Answer

Parallel: \(\overleftrightarrow{KL} \parallel \overleftrightarrow{MN}\). Perpendicular: \(\overleftrightarrow{KL} \perp \overleftrightarrow{LM}\) and \(\overleftrightarrow{LM} \perp \overleftrightarrow{MN}\).
52884710
Consider three lines. The first is \(f(x)=1.5x-4\). The line \(g\) passes through \(P(1, 2)\) and \(Q(3, 5)\). The line \(h\) passes through \(R(-1, 6)\) and \(S(2, 4)\). Determine which pairs of lines are parallel or perpendicular.

Hints

- Find the slope of each line. - Parallel distinct lines have equal slopes. - Perpendicular nonvertical lines have slopes whose product is \(-1\).

Solution

1. The slope of \(f\) is \(m_f=1.5=\frac{3}{2}\). 2. The slope of \(g\) is \(m_g=\frac{5-2}{3-1}=\frac{3}{2}\). Since \(g\) passes through \((1, 2)\), its y-intercept is \(0.5\), so \(g\) is distinct from \(f\). 3. The slope of \(h\) is \(m_h=\frac{4-6}{2-(-1)}=-\frac{2}{3}\). 4. Lines \(f\) and \(g\) have equal slopes and different intercepts, so they are parallel. Also, \(\frac{3}{2}\cdot\left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)=-1\), so \(h\) is perpendicular to both \(f\) and \(g\).

Answer

Lines \(f\) and \(g\) are parallel. Line \(h\) is perpendicular to both \(f\) and \(g\).
52884810
Let \(f_k(x)=(2k-1)x+3\), where \(k\) is real, and let \(g(x)=-\frac{1}{3}x-2\). a) Find \(k\) so that the graphs are parallel. b) Find \(k\) so that the graphs are perpendicular. c) For the value of \(k\) from part b), find the intersection point.

Hints

- Parallel lines have equal slopes. - Perpendicular nonvertical lines have negative-reciprocal slopes. - At an intersection, the two function values are equal.

Solution

a) For parallel lines, set the slopes equal: \(2k-1=-\frac{1}{3}\). Then \(2k=\frac{2}{3}\), so \(k=\frac{1}{3}\). b) For perpendicular lines, the slope of \(f_k\) must be the negative reciprocal of \(-\frac{1}{3}\), which is \(3\). Thus, \(2k-1=3\), so \(k=2\). c) When \(k=2\), \(f_2(x)=3x+3\). Solve \(3x+3=-\frac{1}{3}x-2\). Multiplying by \(3\) gives \(9x+9=-x-6\), so \(x=-1.5\). Then \(y=3\cdot(-1.5)+3=-1.5\). The intersection is \((-1.5, -1.5)\).

Answer

a) \(k=\frac{1}{3}\) b) \(k=2\) c) \((-1.5, -1.5)\)
52884910
A line \(f\) passes through \(A(-2, 5)\) and \(B(4, 2)\). 1. Write an equation for \(f\). 2. A line \(g\) is parallel to \(f\) and has y-intercept \(-1\). Write an equation for \(g\). 3. A line \(h\) is perpendicular to \(g\) and passes through \(B\). Write an equation for \(h\).

Hints

- Use the two points to find the slope of \(f\). - Parallel lines have equal slopes. - Perpendicular lines have negative-reciprocal slopes. - Use a known point to determine an unknown intercept.

Solution

1. The slope of \(f\) is \(m_f=\frac{2-5}{4-(-2)}=-\frac{1}{2}\). Substitute \(B(4, 2)\): \(2=-\frac{1}{2}\cdot 4+b\), so \(b=4\). Thus, \(f(x)=-\frac{1}{2}x+4\). 2. A parallel line has the same slope, and the given intercept is \(-1\). Therefore, \(g(x)=-\frac{1}{2}x-1\). 3. The negative reciprocal of \(-\frac{1}{2}\) is \(2\), so \(h\) has slope \(2\). Substitute \(B(4, 2)\): \(2=2\cdot 4+b\), so \(b=-6\). Therefore, \(h(x)=2x-6\).

Answer

1. \(f(x)=-\frac{1}{2}x+4\) 2. \(g(x)=-\frac{1}{2}x-1\) 3. \(h(x)=2x-6\)
52885010
Consider \(k:y=0.5x+3\). 1. Write an equation for a line \(p\) parallel to \(k\) with x-intercept \((4, 0)\). 2. A line \(q\) is perpendicular to \(p\) and passes through the origin. Write an equation for \(q\). 3. Find the intersection of \(k\) and \(q\).

Hints

- An x-intercept has y-coordinate \(0\). - A line through the origin has y-intercept \(0\). - Set two function equations equal to find their intersection.

Solution

1. Line \(p\) has slope \(0.5\). Substitute \((4, 0)\) into \(y=0.5x+b\): \(0=2+b\), so \(b=-2\). Thus, \(p(x)=0.5x-2\). 2. A perpendicular line has slope \(-2\). Since \(q\) passes through the origin, \(q(x)=-2x\). 3. Set the equations equal: \(0.5x+3=-2x\). Then \(2.5x=-3\), so \(x=-1.2\). Substituting into \(q\) gives \(y=2.4\). The intersection is \((-1.2, 2.4)\).

Answer

1. \(p(x)=0.5x-2\) 2. \(q(x)=-2x\) 3. \((-1.2, 2.4)\)
55092310
The graph shows quadrilateral \(ABCD\). Use slopes to prove that \(ABCD\) is a rectangle.
Figure for problem 550923

Hints

- Read all four vertex coordinates from the graph before comparing sides. - Compare the slopes of each pair of opposite sides. - After establishing a parallelogram, check whether one pair of adjacent sides is perpendicular.

Solution

1. From the graph, \(A=(1, 1)\), \(B=(7, 3)\), \(C=(6, 6)\), and \(D=(0, 4)\). 2. \(m_{AB}=\frac{3-1}{7-1}=\frac{1}{3}\) and \(m_{CD}=\frac{4-6}{0-6}=\frac{1}{3}\), so \(AB\parallel CD\). 3. \(m_{BC}=\frac{6-3}{6-7}=-3\) and \(m_{DA}=\frac{1-4}{1-0}=-3\), so \(BC\parallel AD\). Thus, \(ABCD\) is a parallelogram. 4. The slopes \(\frac{1}{3}\) and \(-3\) are negative reciprocals, so adjacent sides are perpendicular. A parallelogram with a right angle is a rectangle.

Answer

\(ABCD\) is a rectangle because both pairs of opposite sides have equal slopes, and adjacent sides have negative-reciprocal slopes.
55491110
A student wants the equation of the line through \(P=(6,1)\) perpendicular to \(g:y=\frac{2}{3}x-5\). The student says, “I only need to change the sign, so the perpendicular slope is \(-\frac{2}{3}\).” Explain the error and write the correct perpendicular line in slope-intercept form.

Hints

- Check the condition that the product of two perpendicular nonvertical slopes must satisfy. - Compare the student's proposed slope with the reciprocal as well as the sign change. - After fixing the slope, use the given point to determine the intercept.

Solution

1. Perpendicular nonvertical lines have slopes whose product is \(-1\), so the perpendicular slope must be the negative reciprocal of \(\frac{2}{3}\), which is \(-\frac{3}{2}\), not \(-\frac{2}{3}\). 2. Use \(P=(6,1)\) in \(y=-\frac{3}{2}x+b\): \(1=-\frac{3}{2}\cdot6+b=-9+b\), so \(b=10\). 3. The correct perpendicular line is \(y=-\frac{3}{2}x+10\).

Answer

The student changed the sign but did not take the reciprocal. The correct line is \(y=-\frac{3}{2}x+10\).
55492810
A student wants the equation of the line through \(P=(6,1)\) perpendicular to \(g:y=\frac{2}{3}x-5\). The student says, “I only need to change the sign, so the perpendicular slope is \(-\frac{2}{3}\).” Explain the error and write the correct perpendicular line in slope-intercept form.

Hints

- Check the condition that the product of two perpendicular nonvertical slopes must satisfy. - Compare the student's proposed slope with the reciprocal as well as the sign change. - After fixing the slope, use the given point to determine the intercept.

Solution

1. Perpendicular nonvertical lines have slopes whose product is \(-1\), so the perpendicular slope must be the negative reciprocal of \(\frac{2}{3}\), which is \(-\frac{3}{2}\), not \(-\frac{2}{3}\). 2. Use \(P=(6,1)\) in \(y=-\frac{3}{2}x+b\): \(1=-\frac{3}{2}\cdot6+b=-9+b\), so \(b=10\). 3. The correct perpendicular line is \(y=-\frac{3}{2}x+10\).

Answer

The student changed the sign but did not take the reciprocal. The correct line is \(y=-\frac{3}{2}x+10\).
51302610
Four lines enclose a square centered at the origin \(O(0, 0)\). Two sides lie on \(y=x+4\) and \(y=x-4\). a) Find equations for the other two lines that complete the square. b) Find the area of the square.

Hints

- Compare the slope of an adjacent side with the slope of either given side. - Use the fact that the square is centered at the origin to constrain where the missing parallel pair can lie. - Once all four side equations are known, think about a convenient length that determines the area of this rotated square.

Solution

1. The given sides have slope \(1\). Adjacent sides of a square are perpendicular, so the missing sides have slope \(-1\). 2. Because the square is centered at the origin, the missing parallel pair is symmetric about the origin. The two lines are \(y=-x+4\) and \(y=-x-4\). 3. The four vertices are \((0, 4)\), \((4, 0)\), \((0, -4)\), and \((-4, 0)\), so each diagonal has length \(8\). 4. Using \(A=\frac{1}{2}d_1d_2\), \(A=\frac{1}{2}\cdot 8\cdot 8=32\) square units.

Answer

a) \(y=-x+4\) and \(y=-x-4\) b) \(32\) square units
51883710
Points \(P(1, 2)\), \(Q(9, 2)\), and \(R(5, 5)\) are given in the coordinate plane. One coordinate unit represents \(1\,\text{cm}\). a) Line \(g\) passes through \(P\) and \(Q\). Find the distance from \(R\) to \(g\). b) Line \(h\) passes through \(Q\) and \(R\). Find the equation of the line through \(P\) that is perpendicular to \(h\). Then find the distance from \(P\) to \(h\), to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.

Hints

- The distance from a point to a line is measured along a perpendicular segment. - Find the slope of \(h\), then use the negative reciprocal for the perpendicular slope. - Find the intersection of the two lines before using the distance formula.

Solution

a) Line \(g\) is horizontal with equation \(y=2\). The distance from \(R(5, 5)\) to \(g\) is \(5-2=3\,\text{cm}\). b) The slope of \(h\) is \(\frac{5-2}{5-9}=-\frac{3}{4}\), so a perpendicular line has slope \(\frac{4}{3}\). The perpendicular line through \(P(1, 2)\) is \(y-2=\frac{4}{3}(x-1)\), or \(4x-3y+2=0\). Line \(h\) has equation \(3x+4y-35=0\). Solving the two line equations gives \(F\left(\frac{97}{25},\frac{146}{25}\right)\), and \(PF=\sqrt{\left(\frac{97}{25}-1\right)^2+\left(\frac{146}{25}-2\right)^2}=\frac{24}{5}\,\text{cm}=4.8\,\text{cm}\).

Answer

a) \(3\,\text{cm}\) b) The perpendicular line is \(y-2=\frac{4}{3}(x-1)\), and the distance from \(P\) to \(h\) is \(4.8\,\text{cm}\).

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