Chapter 7: Problem 40
Contains the point \((-4,7)\) and is perpendicular to the \(x\) axis
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation of the line is
x = -4.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Key Condition
The line needs to be perpendicular to the x-axis. A line perpendicular to the x-axis is a vertical line.
02
Understand the Characteristics of Vertical Lines
Vertical lines have a constant x-coordinate, which means that the x-value is the same for all points on the line.
03
Determine the Equation of the Line
Since the line is vertical and contains the point
(-4,7), it must have the x-coordinate of -4 for all its points. Therefore, the equation of the line is
x = -4.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vertical Lines
Vertical lines are a special type of line in coordinate geometry. They have a unique characteristic where all points along the line share the same x-coordinate. This means the line does not have a slope like diagonal lines do. Since there is no change in the x-values, vertical lines run parallel to the y-axis. In simpler terms, imagine drawing a straight line that goes up and down without tilting to the sides.
Here are some key points about vertical lines:
Here are some key points about vertical lines:
- A vertical line has an undefined slope. This is because slope is calculated as the rise over the run (change in y over change in x), and in a vertical line, the change in x is zero, which makes the slope undefined.
- The equation of a vertical line can always be represented as \(x = a\), where "a" is the constant x-coordinate for every point on the line.
- Vertical lines are always perpendicular to horizontal lines, which run parallel to the x-axis.
Equation of a Line
An equation of a line is a mathematical way to represent all the points along a line on a coordinate plane. It provides a rule that every point on the line follows. The most common form is the slope-intercept form, \(y = mx + b\), where \(m\) is the slope and \(b\) is the y-intercept.
However, vertical lines do not fit into this form because their slopes are undefined. For a vertical line, the equation is different:
However, vertical lines do not fit into this form because their slopes are undefined. For a vertical line, the equation is different:
- For vertical lines, the equation is simply \(x = a\), where "a" is the constant value of the x-coordinate for the line. In this case, if a line passes through the point \((-4, 7)\), the equation is \(x = -4\).
Coordinate Geometry
Coordinate geometry, also known as analytic geometry, merges algebra with geometry using a coordinate system. It allows us to express geometric properties through algebraic equations and vice versa.
Coordinate geometry involves:
Coordinate geometry involves:
- Points, which are represented by pairs of numbers (x, y), showing their position on the Cartesian plane.
- Lines, which are defined by equations showing the relation between x and y coordinates of any point lying on the line.
- Shapes, which can be graphically represented and analyzed using equations, often revealing deeper properties like sizes and angles.