A line passes through (9 ,2 ) and ( 4, 5 ). A second line passes through ( 4, 1 ). What is one other point that the second line may pass through if it is parallel to the first line?

1 Answer
Feb 13, 2017

(-6,7)

Explanation:

Two parallel lines have the same gradient.

When we calculate the gradient of the first line,

gradient = (y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)

(5-2)/(4-9)=-3/5

The gradient of the second line will also be -3/5
We already have the coordinates (4,1) for the second line,

Now let's say that it passes through the point (x_2,y_2).
We can take y_2= 7.

This is to simplify later, we can take any number for y_2 because there are infinitely many points on the line.

So
gradient = -3/5 = (7-1)/(x_2-4)

5(7-1) = -3(x_2-4)

30=-3x_2+12

30-12=-3x_2

x_2=18/-3

x_2 =-6

So the coordinates of a second point are (-6,7)