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Section 3.8 Horizontal, Vertical, Parallel, and Perpendicular Lines

Figure 3.8.1. Alternative Video Lessons

The equations of horizontal and vertical lines distinguish them from other line equations enough to merit a special investigation. In addition, pairs of lines that are parallel or perpendicular to each other have interesting features and properties. This section examines the geometric features of these types of lines.

the graph of a horizontal line passing through the point (0,3)
Figure 3.8.2. Horizontal Line
the graph of a vertical line passing through the point (3,0)
Figure 3.8.3. Vertical Line
the graph of two parallel slanted lines
Figure 3.8.4. Two Parallel Lines
the graph of a slanted line and the line that crosses it at a 90 degree angle
Figure 3.8.5. Two Perpendicular Lines

Subsection 3.8.1 Horizontal Lines and Vertical Lines

We learned in SectionĀ 3.7 that all lines can be written in standard formĀ (3.7.1). When either \(A\) or \(B\) equal \(0\text{,}\) we end up with a horizontal or vertical line, as we will soon see. Let's take the standard form line equation, \(Ax+Bx=C\text{,}\) and one at a time let \(A=0\) and \(B=0\) and simplify each equation.

\begin{align*} Ax+By\amp=C\amp Ax+By\amp=C\\ \substitute{0}x+By\amp=C\amp Ax+\substitute{0}y\amp=C\\ By\amp=C\amp Ax\amp=C\\ y\amp=\divideunder{C}{B}\amp x\amp=\divideunder{C}{A}\\ y\amp=k\amp x\amp=h \end{align*}

At the end we just renamed the constant numbers \(\frac{C}{B}\) and \(\frac{C}{A}\) to \(k\) and \(h\) because of tradition. What is important, is that you view \(h\) and \(k\) (as well as \(A\text{,}\) \(B\text{,}\) and \(C\)) as constants: numbers that have some specific value and don't change in the context of one problem.

Think about one of these equations: \(y=k\text{.}\) It says that the \(y\)-value is the same no matter where you are on the line. If you wanted to plot points on this line, you are free to move far to the left or far to the right on the \(x\)-axis, but then you always move up (or down) to make the \(y\)-value equal \(k\text{.}\) What does such a line look like?

Example 3.8.6.

Let's plot the line with equation \(y=3\text{.}\) (Note that this is the same as \(0x+1y=3\text{.}\)) To plot some points, it doesn't matter what \(x\)-values we use. All that matters is that \(y\) is always \(3\text{.}\)

a horizontal line at y=3
Figure 3.8.7. \(y=3\)

A line like this is horizontal, parallel to the horizontal axis. All lines with an equation in the form

\begin{equation*} y=k \end{equation*}

(or, in standard form, \(0x+By=C\)) are horizontal.

Example 3.8.8.

Let's plot the line with equation \(x=5\text{.}\) Points on the line always have \(x=5\text{,}\) so if we wanted to make a table for plotting points, we are required to make all of the \(x\)-values be \(5\text{.}\) From there, we have complete freedom to let \(y\) take any value. Here we take some random \(y\)-values.

\(x\) \(y\)
\(5\) \(-6\)
\(5\) \(-2\)
\(5\) \(1\)
\(5\) \(5\)

These points are plotted in FigureĀ 3.8.9.

a vertical line at x=5
Figure 3.8.9. \(x=5\)

Note that the equation for this line is the same as \(x+0y=5\text{.}\) An alternative for making a table is to choose our \(y\)-values first and substitute them into the equation.

\(y\) \(x+0y=5\implies x=5\) Ordered Pair
\(-6\) \(x+0(-6)=5\implies x=5\) \((5,-6)\)
\(-2\) \(x+0(-2)=5\implies x=5\) \((5,-2)\)
\(1\) \(x+0(1)=5\implies x=5\) \((5,1)\)
\(5\) \(x+0(5)=5\implies x=5\) \((5,5)\)

In each case no matter what value \(y\) is, we find that the equation tells us that \(x=5\text{.}\)

A line like this is vertical, parallel to the vertical axis. All lines with an equation in the form

\begin{equation*} x=h \end{equation*}

(or, in standard form, \(Ax+0y=C\)) are vertical.

Example 3.8.10. Zero Slope.

In CheckpointĀ 3.4.17, we learned that a horizontal line's slope is \(0\text{,}\) because the distance doesn't change as time moves on. So the numerator in the slope formulaĀ (3.4.3) is \(0\text{.}\) Now, if we know a line's slope and its \(y\)-intercept, we can use slope-intercept formĀ (3.5.1) to write its equation:

\begin{align*} y\amp=mx+b\\ y\amp=0x+b\\ y\amp=b \end{align*}

This provides us with an alternative way to think about equations of horizontal lines. They have a certain \(y\)-intercept \(b\text{,}\) and they have slope \(0\text{.}\)

We use horizontal lines to model scenarios where there is no change in \(y\)-values, like when Kato stopped for \(12\) hours (he deserved a rest)!

Checkpoint 3.8.11. Plotting Points.
Example 3.8.12. Slope of a Vertical Line.

What is the slope of a vertical line? FigureĀ 3.8.13 shows three lines passing through the origin, each steeper than the last. In each graph, you can see a slope triangle that uses a ā€œrunā€ of \(1\) unit.

Figure 3.8.13.

If we continued making the line steeper and steeper until it was vertical, the slope triangle would still have a ā€œrunā€ of \(1\text{,}\) but the ā€œriseā€ would become larger and larger with no upper limit. The slope would be \(m=\frac{\text{very large}}{1}\text{.}\) Actually if the line is vertical, the ā€œriseā€ segment we've drawn, will never intercept the line. So the slope of a vertical line can be thought of as ā€œinfinitely large.ā€ We usually say that the slope of a vertical line is undefined. Some people say that a vertical line has no slope.

Remark 3.8.15.

Be careful not to mix up ā€œno slopeā€ (which means ā€œits slope is undefinedā€) with ā€œhas slope \(0\text{.}\)ā€ If a line has slope \(0\text{,}\) it does have a slope.

If you are familiar with NBA basketball, some players wear number \(0\text{.}\) That's not the same thing as ā€œnot having a numberā€. This is similar to the situation with having slope \(0\) versus not having slope.

Checkpoint 3.8.16. Plotting Points.
Example 3.8.17.

Let \(x\) represent the price of a new \(60\)-inch television at Target on Black Friday (which was \(\$650\)), and let \(y\) be the number of hours you will watch something on this TV over its lifetime. What is the relationship between \(x\) and \(y\text{?}\)

Well, there is no getting around the fact that \(x=650\text{.}\) As for \(y\text{,}\) without any extra information about your viewing habits, it could theoretically be as low as \(0\) or it could be anything larger than that. If we graph this scenario, we have to graph the equation \(x=650\) which we now know to give a vertical line, and we get FigureĀ 3.8.18.

the vertical line x=650, starting at the point (650,0) with an arrow pointing upward
Figure 3.8.18. New TV: hours watched versus purchase price; negative \(y\)-values omitted since they make no sense in context
Horizontal Lines Vertical Lines

A line is horizontal if and only if its equation can be written

\begin{equation*} y=k \end{equation*}

for some constant \(k\text{.}\)

A line is vertical if and only if its equation can be written

\begin{equation*} x=h \end{equation*}

for some constant \(h\text{.}\)

In standard formĀ (3.7.1), any line with equation

\begin{equation*} 0x+By=C \end{equation*}

is horizontal.

In standard formĀ (3.7.1), any line with equation

\begin{equation*} Ax+0y=C \end{equation*}

is vertical.

If the line with equation \(y=k\) is horizontal, it has a \(y\)-intercept at \((0,k)\) and has slope \(0\text{.}\)

If the line with equation \(x=h\) is vertical, it has an \(x\)-intercept at \((h,0)\) and its slope is undefined. Some say it has no slope, and some say the slope is infinitely large.

In the slope-intercept formĀ (3.5.1), any line with equation

\begin{equation*} y=0x+b \end{equation*}

is horizontal.

It's impossible to write the equation of a vertical line in slope-intercept formĀ (3.5.1), because vertical lines do not have a defined slope.

Figure 3.8.19. Summary of Horizontal and Vertical Line Equations

Subsection 3.8.2 Parallel Lines

Example 3.8.20.

Two trees were planted in the same year, and their growth over time is modeled by the two lines in FigureĀ 3.8.21. Use linear equations to model each tree's growth, and interpret their meanings in this context.

We can see Tree 1's equation is \(y=\frac{2}{3}x+2\text{,}\) and Tree 2's equation is \(y=\frac{2}{3}x+5\text{.}\) Tree 1 was \(2\) feet tall when it was planted, and Tree 2 was \(5\) feet tall when it was planted. Both trees have been growing at the same rate, \(\frac{2}{3}\) feet per year, or \(2\) feet every \(3\) years.

This is a Cartesian grid with two parallel lines. Tree 1 has a slope triangle from (0,2) to (3,4) for a slope of 2/3. Tree 2 has a slope triangle from (0,5) to (3.7) for a slope of 2/3.
Figure 3.8.21. Two Trees' Growth Chart

An important observation right now is that those two lines are parallel. Why? For lines with positive slopes, the bigger a line's slope, the steeper the line is slanted. As a result, if two lines have the same slope, they are slanted at the same angle, thus they are parallel.

Checkpoint 3.8.23.
Checkpoint 3.8.24.

Subsection 3.8.3 Perpendicular Lines

The slopes of two perpendicular lines have a special relationship too.

FigureĀ 3.8.25 walks you through an explanation of this relationship.

the graph of two perpendicular lines, where one has a slope of m
(a) Two generic perpendicular lines, where one has slope \(m\text{.}\)
the previous graph with a slope triangle added; the rise is m and the run is 1
(b) Since the one slope is \(m\text{,}\) we can draw a slope triangle with ā€œrunā€ \(1\) and ā€œriseā€ \(m\text{.}\)
the previous graph with the perpendicular line and its slope triangle added; the perpendicular line has a rise of -1 and a run of m which gives a slope of -1/m
(c) A congruent slope triangle can be drawn for the perpendicular line. It's legs have the same lengths, but in different positions, and one is negative.
Figure 3.8.25. The relationship between slopes of perpendicular lines

The second line in FigureĀ 3.8.25 has slope

\begin{equation*} \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}=\frac{-1}{m}=-\frac{1}{m}\text{.} \end{equation*}

Not convinced? Here are three pairs of perpendicular lines where we can see if the pattern holds.

the graph of lines y=2x-2 and y=-1/2x+2 showing that they are perpendicular lines.
Figure 3.8.27. Graphing \(y=2x-2\) and \(y=-\frac{1}{2}x+2\text{.}\) Note the relationship between their slopes: \(2=-\frac{1}{-\sfrac{1}{2}}\)
the graph of lines y=-3x+4 and y=1/3x-3 showing that they are perpendicular.
Figure 3.8.28. Graphing \(y=-3x+4\) and \(y=\frac{1}{3}x-3\text{.}\) Note the relationship between their slopes: \(-3=-\frac{1}{\sfrac{1}{3}}\)
the graph of lines y=x and y=-x showing that they are perpendicular
Figure 3.8.29. Graphing \(y=x\) and \(y=-x\text{.}\) Note the relationship between their slopes: \(1=-\frac{1}{-1}\)
Example 3.8.30.

Line \(A\) passes through \((-2,10)\) and \((3,-10)\text{.}\) Line \(B\) passes through \((-4,-4)\) and \((8,-1)\text{.}\) Determine whether these two lines are parallel, perpendicular or neither.

Explanation

We will use the slope formula to find both lines' slopes:

\begin{align*} \text{Line }A\text{'s slope}\amp=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\amp\text{Line }B\text{'s slope}\amp=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}\\ \amp=\frac{-10-10}{3-(-2)}\amp\amp=\frac{-1-(-4)}{8-(-4)}\\ \amp=\frac{-20}{5}\amp\amp=\frac{3}{12}\\ \amp=-4\amp\amp=\frac{1}{4} \end{align*}

Their slopes are not the same, so those two lines are not parallel.

The product of their slopes is \((-4)\cdot\frac{1}{4}=-1\text{,}\) which means the two lines are perpendicular.

Checkpoint 3.8.31.

Reading Questions 3.8.4 Reading Questions

1.

Explain the difference between a line that has no slope and a line that has slope \(0\text{.}\)

2.

If you make a table of \(x\)- and \(y\)-values for either a horizontal line or a vertical line, what is going to happen in one of the two columns?

3.

If you know two points on one line, and you know two points on a second line, what could you do to determine whether or not the two lines are perpendicular?

Exercises 3.8.5 Exercises

Review and Warmup
1.

Evaluate the following expressions. If the answer is undefined, you may answer with DNE (meaning ā€œdoes not existā€).

  1. \(\displaystyle{ \frac{7}{0} = }\)

  2. \(\displaystyle{ \frac{0}{7} = }\)

2.

Evaluate the following expressions. If the answer is undefined, you may answer with DNE (meaning ā€œdoes not existā€).

  1. \(\displaystyle{ \frac{0}{8} = }\)

  2. \(\displaystyle{ \frac{8}{0} = }\)

3.

A line passes through the points \((5,8)\) and \((-3,8)\text{.}\) Find this lineā€™s slope.

4.

A line passes through the points \((3,10)\) and \((-1,10)\text{.}\) Find this lineā€™s slope.

5.

A line passes through the points \((-8,-5)\) and \((-8,3)\text{.}\) Find this lineā€™s slope.

6.

A line passes through the points \((-6,-1)\) and \((-6,5)\text{.}\) Find this lineā€™s slope.

7.

Consider the equation:

\begin{equation*} y=1 \end{equation*}

Which of the following ordered pairs are solutions to the given equation? There may be more than one correct answer.

  • \((4,1)\)

  • \((-4,1)\)

  • \((0,7)\)

  • \((1,4)\)

8.

Consider the equation:

\begin{equation*} y=1 \end{equation*}

Which of the following ordered pairs are solutions to the given equation? There may be more than one correct answer.

  • \((-6,1)\)

  • \((5,1)\)

  • \((0,9)\)

  • \((1,2)\)

9.

Consider the equation:

\begin{equation*} x+1=0 \end{equation*}

Which of the following ordered pairs are solutions to the given equation? There may be more than one correct answer.

  • \((-1,0)\)

  • \((-1,3)\)

  • \((0,-6)\)

  • \((1,-1)\)

10.

Consider the equation:

\begin{equation*} x+1=0 \end{equation*}

Which of the following ordered pairs are solutions to the given equation? There may be more than one correct answer.

  • \((1,-1)\)

  • \((-1,0)\)

  • \((0,-8)\)

  • \((-1,4)\)

Tables for Horizontal and Vertical Lines
11.

Fill out this table for the equation \(y=8\text{.}\) The first row is an example.

\(x\) \(y\) Points
\(-3\) \(8\) \(\left(-3,8\right)\)
\(-2\)
\(-1\)
\(0\)
\(1\)
\(2\)
12.

Fill out this table for the equation \(y=9\text{.}\) The first row is an example.

\(x\) \(y\) Points
\(-3\) \(9\) \(\left(-3,9\right)\)
\(-2\)
\(-1\)
\(0\)
\(1\)
\(2\)
13.

Fill out this table for the equation \(x=-1\text{.}\) The first row is an example.

\(x\) \(y\) Points
\(-1\) \(-3\) \(\left(-1,-3\right)\)
\(-2\)
\(-1\)
\(0\)
\(1\)
\(2\)
14.

Fill out this table for the equation \(x=-9\text{.}\) The first row is an example.

\(x\) \(y\) Points
\(-9\) \(-3\) \(\left(-9,-3\right)\)
\(-2\)
\(-1\)
\(0\)
\(1\)
\(2\)
Line Equations
15.

A lineā€™s graph is shown. Write an equation for the line.

16.

A lineā€™s graph is shown. Write an equation for the line.

17.

A lineā€™s graph is shown. Write an equation for the line.

18.

A lineā€™s graph is shown. Write an equation for the line.

19.

A line passes through the points \((-2,3)\) and \((-3,3)\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

An equation for this line is .

20.

A line passes through the points \((5,6)\) and \((2,6)\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

An equation for this line is .

21.

A line passes through the points \((8,1)\) and \((8,-5)\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

An equation for this line is .

22.

A line passes through the points \((10,-3)\) and \((10,0)\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

An equation for this line is .

Intercepts
23.

Find the \(y\)-intercept and \(x\)-intercept of the line given by the equation. If a particular intercept does not exist, enter none into all the answer blanks for that row.

\begin{equation*} x = -8 \end{equation*}
\(x\)-value \(y\)-value Location
\(y\)-intercept
\(x\)-intercept
24.

Find the \(y\)-intercept and \(x\)-intercept of the line given by the equation. If a particular intercept does not exist, enter none into all the answer blanks for that row.

\begin{equation*} x = -6 \end{equation*}
\(x\)-value \(y\)-value Location
\(y\)-intercept
\(x\)-intercept
25.

Find the \(y\)-intercept and \(x\)-intercept of the line given by the equation. If a particular intercept does not exist, enter none into all the answer blanks for that row.

\begin{equation*} y = -4 \end{equation*}
\(x\)-value \(y\)-value Location
\(y\)-intercept
\(x\)-intercept
26.

Find the \(y\)-intercept and \(x\)-intercept of the line given by the equation. If a particular intercept does not exist, enter none into all the answer blanks for that row.

\begin{equation*} y = -1 \end{equation*}
\(x\)-value \(y\)-value Location
\(y\)-intercept
\(x\)-intercept
Graphs of Horizontal and Vertical Lines
27.

Graph the line \(y=1\text{.}\)

28.

Graph the line \(y+5=0\text{.}\)

29.

Graph the line \(x=2\text{.}\)

30.

Graph the line \(x-3=0\text{.}\)

Parallel or Perpendicular?
31.

Line \(m\) passes points \((1,3)\) and \((-3,-9)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((5,20)\) and \((4,17)\text{.}\)

These two lines are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

32.

Line \(m\) passes points \((-21,28)\) and \((-7,16)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((-35,33)\) and \((7,-3)\text{.}\)

These two linea are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

33.

Line \(m\) passes points \((-5,8)\) and \((5,6)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((-4,-16)\) and \((2,14)\text{.}\)

These two lines are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

34.

Line \(m\) passes points \((-5,15)\) and \((5,-1)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((-16,0)\) and \((-24,-5)\text{.}\)

These two lines are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

35.

Line \(m\) passes points \((-3,-5)\) and \((-4,-4)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((-2,-9)\) and \((1,3)\text{.}\)

These two lines are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

36.

Line \(m\) passes points \((6,-8)\) and \((4,-8)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((3,7)\) and \((10,7)\text{.}\)

These two lines are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

37.

Line \(m\) passes points \((-6,-2)\) and \((-6,-9)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((1,3)\) and \((1,-1)\text{.}\)

These two lines are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

38.

Line \(m\) passes points \((-4,-9)\) and \((-4,0)\text{.}\)

Line \(n\) passes points \((3,10)\) and \((3,1)\text{.}\)

These two lines are

  • parallel

  • perpendicular

  • neither parallel nor perpendicular

.

Parallel and Perpendicular Line Equations
39.

A line passes through the point \((9,5)\text{,}\) and itā€™s parallel to the line \(y=-2\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

40.

A line passes through the point \((-3,-2)\text{,}\) and itā€™s parallel to the line \(y=1\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

41.

A line passes through the point \((-10,5)\text{,}\) and itā€™s parallel to the line \(x=3\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

42.

A line passes through the point \((4,-7)\text{,}\) and itā€™s parallel to the line \(x=5\text{.}\) Find an equation for this line.

43.

Line \(k\) has the equation \(y={4x-2}\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is parallel to line \(k\text{,}\) but passes through the point \((4,{18})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\) in both point-slope form and slope-intercept form.

An equation for \(\ell\) in point-slope form is: .

An equation for \(\ell\) in slope-intercept form is: .

44.

Line \(k\) has the equation \(y={5x+5}\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is parallel to line \(k\text{,}\) but passes through the point \((1,{-5})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\) in both point-slope form and slope-intercept form.

An equation for \(\ell\) in point-slope form is: .

An equation for \(\ell\) in slope-intercept form is: .

45.

Line \(k\) has the equation \(y={-{\frac{1}{7}}x-3}\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is parallel to line \(k\text{,}\) but passes through the point \((-2,{-{\frac{5}{7}}})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\) in both point-slope form and slope-intercept form.

An equation for \(\ell\) in point-slope form is: .

An equation for \(\ell\) in slope-intercept form is: .

46.

Line \(k\) has the equation \(y={-{\frac{2}{9}}x+10}\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is parallel to line \(k\text{,}\) but passes through the point \((3,{-{\frac{11}{3}}})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\) in both point-slope form and slope-intercept form.

An equation for \(\ell\) in point-slope form is: .

An equation for \(\ell\) in slope-intercept form is: .

47.

Line \(k\) has the equation \(y={-x+9}\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is perpendicular to line \(k\text{,}\) and passes through the point \((-1,{-4})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\text{.}\)

48.

Line \(k\) has the equation \(y={4x+2}\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is perpendicular to line \(k\) and passes through the point \((2,{{\frac{9}{2}}})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\) in both point-slope form and slope-intercept form.

An equation for \(\ell\) in point-slope form is: .

An equation for \(\ell\) in slope-intercept form is: .

49.

Line \(k\)ā€™s equation is \(y={-{\frac{6}{5}}x-3}\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is perpendicular to line \(k\) and passes through the point \((2,{{\frac{14}{3}}})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\) in both point-slope form and slope-intercept form.

An equation for \(\ell\) in point-slope form is: .

An equation for \(\ell\) in slope-intercept form is: .

50.

Line \(k\) has the equation \({x-9y}=-45\text{.}\)

Line \(\ell\) is perpendicular to line \(k\) and passes through the point \((1,{-8})\text{.}\)

Find an equation for line \(\ell\) in both point-slope form and slope-intercept form.

An equation for \(\ell\) in point-slope form is: .

An equation for \(\ell\) in slope-intercept form is: .

Challenge
51.

Prove that a triangle with vertices at the points \((1, 1)\text{,}\) \((-4, 4)\text{,}\) and \((-3, 0)\) is a right triangle.