Coordinate

geometry
5
 5 Coordinate geometry

KEY CONCEPTS

Form

RELATED CONCEPTS

Change, Representation, Space

GLOBAL CONTEXTS

Orientation in space and time

Statement of inquiry
Forms in space help us to understand changes in representation of objects.

Factual

• What is an ordered pair in a coordinate system?

• What is the gradient of a straight line?

Conceptual

• How can you determine the equation of a straight line?

• How do you know whether two lines will intersect?

Debatable

• Can all straight lines be described in gradient-intercept form?

• Can two lines intersect at more than one point?

2
Do you recall?
y
• Do you remember how to represent a point
6
with coordinates (x, y) in the number plane? 5
Copy the number plane and plot these points: 4
A(3, 4), B(−2, 3), C( −2, 0), D(5, −1). 3
2
1

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
1
2
3
4
5
6

5.1 Points in the number plane

Explore Hint

Look at the lines drawn in this diagram. x2 Ordered pairs are used
y
to describe points in the
List all the information that the diagram shows. 4 coordinate plane. For
A
Include the coordinates of the intersection point, A. 3 example, the point (4, 3)
y3
2 has x-coordinate 4 and
y-coordinate 3.
1

2 1 0 1 2 3 4 x
1

Worked Example 5.1 Fact

Plot the points A(3, 4), B(−2, 3), C(−2, 0) and D(5, −1) on the coordinate The x-axis can be
plane. described as the line y = 0
and the y-axis as the line
x3 x = 0.
Solution y
6
Point A is the point of intersection
5
of the lines x = 3 and y = 4. You can A  (3, 4)
y4 4
find points B, C and D in a similar B
3
way. 2
1
C
2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
1 D

3
 5 Coordinate geometry

Exercise 5.1
y
7
A
6
K
5
B
4
3
J
Coordinates are used to 2
pinpoint locations on maps
G E F
1

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
1 D
C H
2
I
3
L
4
5

1 Use the diagram to write the coordinates of each of these points.

a A b B c C d D e E f F
g G h H i I j J k K

2 Using the diagram in question 1, name the points with:

a x-coordinate −2 b y-coordinate 1.

3 Draw a coordinate plane with x- and y-axes from −6 to 6. Plot each

set of points and join them in the order given. Name each geometrical
shape that you make.
a (−2, 2), (2, 2), (2, −2), (−2, −2),(−2, 2)
b (−5, 1), (−2, 1), (0, −1), (−6 ,−1), (−5, 1)
c (0, 1), (2, −2),(−3, −1), (0, 1)
d (−3, 4), (−1, 4), (−2, 2), (−4, 2), (−3, 4)
Hint 4a

Plot the points and count 4 Find the distance between each pair of points.
the number of units
between them. a (2, 5) and (−3, 5)
b (−1, 4) and (−7, 4)
Hint 4e

Use Pythagoras’ theorem

c (−3, 4) and (−3, −5)
a2 + b2 = c2.
d (4, 9) and (4, −1)
Challenge e e (2, −2) and (5, 2)

4
5 Complete the tables by filling in the missing x- or y-coordinates on each
of these lines.
Line AB
x −3 3
y 3 1

Line CD
y
x −3 −1 5
A
y 2 6 4 I
B
3
Line EF C 2
1 E
x 1 −3 D F J
y 2 −5 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
G 1
H
2
Line GH
3
x −4 0 4
5
y −1 −1

Line IJ
x 2 2
y 0 −4

y
6 Match each of the lines in the   Challenge
5
grid below with the correct rule.
4 G
B
The x-coordinate is half of the 3
I
y-coordinate. 2
F
1
The sum of the x- and H E A
y-coordinates is −1. 5 4 3 2 1 C 1 2 3 4 5 x
0
1
The y-coordinate is three 2
D
times the x-coordinate. 3
4
The x-coordinate is 1 less
5
than double the y-coordinate.

5
 5 Coordinate geometry

  Connections
Fun with the number plane: sinking battleships!
This is a game for two players /groups.
1. Each player draws their fleet of ships on a coordinate grid by plotting points at the
intersection of the gridlines. Agree on the size of the coordinate grid in advance − the
bigger it is, the longer the game is likely to take. Each ship must be represented by a
continuous row of points along either a horizontal, vertical or sloping line. Each person’s
fleet should consist of ships with 5, 4, 3, 2 and 2 plotted points.
2. The aim of the game is to ‘sink’ each other’s ships by guessing where they are positioned
on the grid.
3. Players take turns to play. Each player is given 2 ‘shots’ on each turn. For each shot you
should guess a pair of coordinates where you think your opponent has positioned a ship.
The coordinates you try must consist of all combinations of sign, that is, one each of
(+, +), (−, +), (−, −), and (+, −). A player who violates this rule forfeits the rest of the
turn. You should record the shots that both you and your opponent make on separate
charts so you know what has been hit.
4. If a shot misses, your opponent declares ‘miss’ and you both place an open circle in the
appropriate position on your chart.
5. If a shot hits, your opponent declares ‘hit’ and you both place an X in the appropriate
position.
6. Your opponent should tell you when you have found all the coordinates of an entire ship,
by saying, for example, ‘You sank a ship of size 3.’
7. Continue taking turns to play until one of you has sunk the other’s entire fleet.
Here is an example of how to y
draw a fleet of ships. 6
Guessing (1, −2) is a hit and 5
(0, 0) is a miss! 4
3
2
1

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
1
2

  Explore 3
4
Imagine you are a 5
carpenter. You have a
6
straight edge, a pencil and
a piece of wood. Before
cutting the wood, you
need to draw a line so that

5.2 Graphing straight lines

you can see where to use
your saw. What do you
need to know/do?

The points on a straight line are linked by an equation. To graph a straight

 Hint line, you need to plot at least two points on the line that satisfy this equation.
You need at least two Two points that can easily be found are the x-intercept, where the straight
points to draw a straight line crosses the x-axis, and the y-intercept, where the straight line crosses the
line.
y-axis.

6
 Worked Example 5.2
A straight line has equation x + y = 4. The table shows the x- and
y-coordinates of the line.
x 1 3 5
Fill in the missing values in the
table. y 2 5

Plot the points on a coordinate plane and join them to draw the graph of
the line.

Solution
Understand the problem
A straight line is a set of points on coordinate plane. Identify each missing
x- or y- coordinate. Plot the points and join them to draw the graph.
Make a plan
We need to substitute the given x- or y- coordinate into the equation of
the line to figure out the missing ordered pair. When we have found all five
ordered pairs on the line, we can plot and join them to graph the line.
Carry out the plan
To find the missing coordinate, substitute the known part of each ordered
pair into the equation of the line.
When x = 1, 1+y=4
y=4−1=3
The first point is (1, 3).
When y = 2, x+2=4
x=4−2=2
The second point is (2, 2).
When x = 3, 3+y=4
y=4−3=1
The third point is (3, 1).
When y = 5, x+5=4
x = 4 − 5 = −1
The fourth point is (−1, 5).
When x = 5, 5+y=4
y = 4 − 5 = −1
The fifth point is (5, −1).

7
 5 Coordinate geometry

Now, plot these points A(1, 3), B(2, 2), C(3, 1), D(−1, 5) and E(5, −1) on
the coordinate plane and join them with a straight line. The line could be
drawn by using any two of the points.
y y
D 5 D 5
4 4
A A
3 3
B B
2 2
1 C 1 C

1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
1 E 1 E

Look back
Is the solution true? Yes. When you add the x- and y-coordinates of the
points A, B, C, D, E you get 4.
A: 1 + 3 = 4, B: 2 + 2 = 4, C: 3 + 1 = 4, D: −1 + 5 = 4, E: 5 +(−1) = 4

Worked Example 5.3

A straight line has the equation x − y = −3.
Identify 5 different points on the line. Plot and join the points to draw the
graph of the line.

Solution
A straight line is a set of points on coordinate plane. We are asked to find
5 different points on the line x − y = −3.
The plan is to find 5 ordered pairs or points by using the equation of
the line. We can select any 5 x-coordinates and find corresponding
y-coordinates from the equation of the line. Then plot the points on the
plane and connect them with a straight line.
To find the points, substitute selected x values into the equation and work
out the corresponding y values.
When x = 1, 1 − y = −3
1 − y + (−1) = −3 + (− 1) = −4
y=4
The first point is (1, 4).

8
When x = 2, 2 − y = −3
2 − y + (−2) = −3 + (− 2) = −5
y=5
The second point is (2, 5).
When x = 3, 3 − y = −3
3 − y + (−3) = −3 + (−3)
−y = −6
y=6
The third point on the line is (3, 6).
When x = 4, 4 − y = −3
4 − y + (−4) = −3 + (−4)
−y = −7
y=7
So, the fourth point is (4, 7).
When x = 5, 5 − y = −3
5 − y + (−5) = −3 + (−5)
−y = −8
y=8
The fifth point is (5, 8).
Plot the points A(1, 4), B(2, 5), C(3, 6), D(4, 7) and E(5, 8) on the
coordinate plane and join them with a straight line.
y y
E E
8 8
D D
7 7
C C
6 6
B B
5 5
A A
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1

3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
  
Does the answer fit the equation? Yes. When you subtract the y-coordinates
from the x-coordinates of the points A, B, C, D you get −3.
A: 1 − 4 = −3, B: 2 − 5 = −3, C: 3 − 6 = −3, D: 4 − 7 = −3 and E: 5 − 8 = −3

9
 5 Coordinate geometry

Reflect
Think about each of these questions:
• Could you drawn the lines in Examples 5.2 and 5.3 differently?
• Is there a simpler method?
• Which method do you prefer?

Hint

You only need to plot two points to draw a straight line. y

The x- and y-intercepts are easy to find because one of 5
the coordinates is 0 at each of these points. E
4
For Example 5.2, a simple way of drawing the line with 3
equation x + y = 4 is to plot the x-intercept (4, 0) and the 2
y-intercept (0, 4) and connect these points on the coordinate plane.
1
D
21 0 1 2 3 4 x
21

y
For Example 5.3, a simple way of drawing the line with
equation x − y = −3 is to plot the x-intercept (−3, 0) 4
and the y-intercept (0, 3) and connect these points on the 3 B
coordinate plane. 2
1
A
24 23 22 21 0 1 2 x
21

Challenge If you are given the equation of a straight line, how can you tell whether a
point lies on that line? For example, how could you tell whether the point
Hint (1, 3) lies on the straight line with equation y = 3x + 2?
If a point is on a line,
then the coordinates of Worked Example 5.4
the point must satisfy the
equation of the line. Does the point (1, 3) lie on the straight line with equation y = 3x + 2?

Solution
You want to know whether the point (1, 3) is on the straight line with
equation y = 3x + 2.
You can substitute the coordinates of the point (1, 3) into the equation to
see if it satisfies the rule.

10
Now, substituting x = 1 into y = 3x + 2 gives
y=3×1+2
y=5
The y-coordinate of the point (1, 3) is 3. Since 3 ≠ 5, the point (1, 3) is not
on the line y = 3x + 2.
y
By looking back at the x- and y- intercepts of the y  3x  2
4
line with equation y = 3x + 2 are (0, 2) and (− __, 0)
2 3
3
2
respectively. If you draw the line y = 3x + 2 and 1
plot the point (1, 3) on a coordinate plane, you
can see that this point is not on the line. 2 1 0 1 2 x
1

Exercise 5.2
1 Copy and complete the table for each of these equations.
a y = 2x b y = 3x + 1

x 0 1 2 x 0 1 2
y y

c y = 2x − 1 d y = 2 − 3x

x 0 1 2 x 0 1 2
y y

2 On separate coordinate grids, draw the graphs of each of the equations

in question 1.

3 Find the x and y-intercept of the graph of each of these equations.

a y = 2x b y = 3x + 1

x 0 x 0
y 0 y 0

c y = 2x − 1 d y = 2 − 3x

x 0 x 0
y 0 y 0

11
 5 Coordinate geometry

4 On separate coordinate grids, plot the x and y-intercept for each

equation given in question 3. Then join these points to graph each line.
5 Draw the graph of each of these equations by plotting the x and
y-intercepts only.
a x + 2y = 4 b y = 2x − 1
x
c y = __ d 2x + y − 4 = 0
2
6 On which of these equations does the point (1, −2) lie? Show how you
work out your answer.
a x+y=1 b 2x − 3y = 6
c x − 2y − 5 = 0 d y = −2x
y
7 Match each of these equations to its graph.
4
1 Z
a y = __ x + 1 3 X
2
2
b y = 2x − 1
W Y 1
c y = −2x + 2
3 2 1 0 1 2 x
1 1
d y = − __ x − 1
2 2

8 Write the x-intercept and the y-intercept of each of the straight lines
(a, b, c and d) in question 7.
9 Which of the points (1, 4) and (−2,−2) lies on the line 2x − y + 2 = 0?
Show how you work out your answer.

5.3 Horizontal and vertical lines

Explore
• Plot the following points on a coordinate plane. Join them with a line.
What do you notice?
Table 1 Table 2
x 2 2 2 2 x 0 1 2 3
y 0 1 2 3 y 3 3 3 3
• How would you describe horizontal and vertical lines?

12
Vertical lines are described as Horizontal lines are described as
Fact
x = a, where a is the intersection y = b, where b is the intersection
of the vertical line and x-axis. of the horizontal line and y-axis. The x-axis and the y-axis
can be represented as
x2 horizontal and vertical
y y
lines respectively.
4 4
3 3 y3
2 2
1 1

1 0 1 2 3 4 x 1 0 1 2 3 4 x
1 1

Vertical line Horizontal line

Worked Example 5.5

Draw the lines x = 4 and y = −2 on a coordinate plane. State whether the
lines are horizontal or vertical.

Solution
Horizontal and vertical lines
We need to draw both the lines x = 4 and y = −2 on a coordinate plane by
plotting points on the lines and connecting them.
The plan is to plot a minimum of two points on each line and graph the
lines by connecting these two points. We can use the definition of vertical
and horizontal lines to identify them.
Now, (4, 0) and (4, 1) are two points on the line x = 4. (0, −2) and (1, −2)
are two points on the line y = −2.
The line x = 4 has the form x = a, so it is a vertical line.
The line y = −2 has the form y = b, so it is a horizontal line.
Here are the graphs of the lines.
y
x4
2
1

2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
1
y 2 2
3

Looking back, x = 4 is a vertical line; the x-coordinate of all the points on

the line is 4 and the line cuts the x-axis at 4.
y = −2 is a horizontal line; all the points on the line have y-coordinate −2
and the line cuts the y-axis at −2.

13
 5 Coordinate geometry

Reflect
Discuss whether Worked example 5.5 could have been answered
differently? If so, how?

Exercise 5.3
1 Write down the equation of each of these vertical or horizontal lines.
y y
a b
3 5
2 4
1 3
2
3 2 1 0 1 x
1 1
2
1 0 1 2 3 x
3 1

c y d y
3 2
2 1
1
2 1 0 1 2 x
0 1
1 2 3 4 x
1 2
2 3

2 Write down the equation of each of the lines A to G.

y
C D B A
4
E 3
2
G 1

4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
1
F 2
3

3 Draw these vertical and horizontal lines on the same coordinate plane.
x=3 x = −1 y = −3 y = −1
What does the enclosed shape look like?
4 Write the coordinates of the points of intersection of all the lines A to
G in question 2. How many intersection points did you count?
5 What would you call a line:
a parallel to the x-axis b parallel to the y-axis?

14
6 Does the point (4, 2) lie on the line x = 4? What about y = 3?
Explain how you know.

7 Find the point of intersection of each pair of lines.

a x = 2 and y = 5 b x = −3 and y = 5
c x = −4 and y = −3 d x = 5 and y = −1
e x = 0 and y = 2 f x = −5 and y = 0
1 1
g x = 0 and y = 0 h x = − __ and y = __
3 2
8 Find the point of intersection of each pair of lines. Challenge

a x + y + 1 = 0 and x = 2 b y = 3x − 4 and y = 2
2
c y = − __ x and x = 6 d 2x − y + 3 = 0 and y = 1
3
1
e x = 0 and y = −x − 4 f y = 0 and y = __ x − 3
2

5.4 Gradient and equation of a line

5.4.1 Gradient
Fact
Investigate
The gradient of a line is
The diagram shows part y also called slope of the
of a map. The letters 6 line.
D E
represent towns. Jason 5
and Kaan are travelling 4
B C F
from A to G. Investigate 3
A G
2
the following questions
1
in pairs or in small groups.
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 x

1 Find out which line segment out of each pair is the steepest.
Road sign showing a gradient
a BC or DE b AB or CD c EF or FG
2 Identify if the path is sloping up, sloping down or not sloping for each
of these routes.
a A to B b B to C c C to D
d D to E e E to F f F to G
3 Describe a rule for giving the steepness of any part of a route (AB, BC,
etc.). Justify your rule.

15
 5 Coordinate geometry

The gradient or slope measures the steepness of a line.

Gradient can be defined as the ratio of rise and run.

rise (change in y)
Gradient = _______________
run (change in x)

Fact

• If a line is horizontal, then there is no change in y and so the gradient is zero.

• If a line is vertical, then there is no change in x and therefore the gradient cannot be
defined.
• A line sloping upwards from left to right has a positive gradient.
B
Line AB has a positive gradient.

• A line that slopes downward from left to right has a negative

C
gradient. Line CD has a negative gradient.

Worked Example 5.
Find the gradients of these lines.
y
4 y
B
3 3
A C D
2 2
1 1

1 0 1 2 3 4 x 1 0 1 2 3 x

y y
4 3
G
3 E 2
2 1
1 0
F 1 2 x
1 H
2 1 0 1 2 x
1 2

Solution
We need to calculate the gradient of the lines AB, CD, EF and GH. We
know the coordinates of two points on each line.

16
 We use the formula for the gradient using the coordinates we know on
each line. Apply the formula from left to right.
change in y 1 up 1
Gradient of AB = __________ = ______ = __
change in x 2 right 2
change in y 0
Gradient of CD = __________ = ______ = 0
change in x 3 right
change in y 3 down − 3
Gradient of EF = __________ = _______ = ___ = − 3
change in x 1 right 1

change in y 3 down
Gradient of GH = __________ = _______ = undefined
change in x 0

Check that the calculated gradients make sense. Line AB has a positive
gradient and ratio of rise: run is 1 : 2. Line CD is a horizontal line so you
know the gradient is zero. Line EF has a negative gradient and the ratio of
Architectural design often
rise: run is −3 : 1. Line GH is a vertical line and the gradient of a vertical requires an understanding
line cannot be defined. of gradients (slopes)

Reflect
Can you find another, more direct way of calculating the gradient?

Fact

• The gradient or slope of a line is usually denoted by a lower-case letter m.

• If the coordinates of two points on a line are A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2), then the gradient of
y2 − y1 y1 − y2
the straight line AB can be described as mAB = ______ ______
x2 − x1 or mAB = x1 − x2

5.4.2 Equation of a straight line: the gradient–intercept form

Investigate Hint

(Use available software or a GDC for this investigation) Go to

https://www.geogebra.org
1 On the same coordinate plane, sketch the lines with equation and click on the start
y = mx + c for each pair of values for m and c given in Table 1. calculator button. Then
you can enter the equation
Table 1 y = mx + c for each pair
of m and c values and you
m 2 2 2 2 will be able to draw the
graphs.
c 0 1 2 3

17
 5 Coordinate geometry

2 What do you notice about the graphs you drew in question 1?

3 Now use a new page to draw, on the same coordinate plane, the lines with
equation y = mx + c for each pair of values for m and c given in Table 2.
Table 2
m 0 1 2 3
c 1 1 1 1

4 What do you notice about the graphs you drew in question 3?

5 Sketch the straight lines given by each of the equations in Table 3.
Identify the gradient and y-intercept for each line.
Table 3
Equation Gradient y-intercept
y=x+1
y = 2x − 1
y=x−1
y = 2x + 1
1
y = __ x −2
2
y = −3x + 4

6 Suggest a way to describe the relationship between the values of m and

c and the graph of the equation y = mx + c. Justify your suggestion.

When the equation of a line is written in the form y = mx + c:

Fact
• m is the gradient • c is the y-intercept.
y = mx + c is also called
the slope-intercept form. y = mx + c is called the gradient–intercept form of the equation of a straight
line.

Worked Example 5.7

a For the line given in the diagram, find:
i the gradient ii the y-intercept.
b Write the equation of the line y
in gradient–intercept form. 3
2
1

2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 x
1

18
Solution
We need to identify the gradient and y-intercept of the graph. Notice that
the line has a negative gradient.
The plan is to use the gradient formula with any two points on the line to
find the gradient, m. We can find the y-intercept by looking at where the
graph cuts the y-axis.
a i Two points on the line are the y-intercept (where the graph cuts the
y-axis) (0, 2) and the x-intercept (where the graph cuts the x-axis)
(6, 0). We can substitute these values into the gradient formula to
find m:
2−0 2 2 1
m = _____ = ___ = − __ = − __
0 − 6 −6 6 3
ii The y-intercept has coordinates (0, 2).
1
b In y = mx + c, m is − __ and c is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept,
3
which is 2.
1
So the equation of the line is y = − __ x + 2.
3
To check our solution, we can find the x-intercept by substituting
in y = 0:
1
0 = − __ x + 2
3
_1_ x = 2
3
x=6
This gives (6, 0) as the x-intercept, as required.
The y-intercept is where x = 0:
1
y = − __ × 0 + 2
3
y=0+2
y=2
This gives (0, 2) as the y-intercept. So both points satisfy the given graph.

Reflect
Can the equation be found by a different method?

19
 5 Coordinate geometry

Exercise 5.4
1 Find the gradient of each line AB.
y y
a b
5 6
B A
4 5
3 4
2 3
A B
1 2
1
2 1 0 1 2 3 4 x
1 0
0 1 2 3 4 x

y y
Fact c d
1 2
B A
The equation of a straight 1
line can be represented in 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 x B
different forms: A1 1 0 1 2 3 4 x
2 1
• gradient–intercept
form: for example,
y = 2x + 3
• general form: for y y
e f
example, 2x − y + 3 = 0 4 3
B
or y − 2x = 3 3 2 A
Both of these forms 2 1
represent the same graph. A B
1
2 1 0 1 2 x
1
Connections 2 1 0 1 2 x

See Chapter 6 for how

to write an equation in 2 Find the gradient of the line passing through each pair of given points.
different forms.
a A(1, 1) and B(2, 3) b C(−1, 0) and D( 0, −1)
c E(3, 1) and F(2, 4) d G(0, 1.5) and I(−1.5, 3)
y
Hint 3 Find the gradients of the lines AB and CD.
4
Parallel lines have the Are the lines parallel?
3
same gradient. A
2
1
C B
2 1 0 1 2 3 x
1 D
2

20
4 Identify the gradient (m) and the y-intercept (c) of each line.  Hint

a y = 2x + 5 b y = x − 1 c y = −x + 3 Use the gradient-intercept

form y = mx + c.
d y = 5x − 1 e y = 3x f x = 3
g y = 4 h 3x − 2y = 4 i x−y+1=0   Challenge g
− 1 2
j ​​ ___ ​​  x − __
​​   ​​  y = 2
2 3
5 Draw the graph of each of these straight lines, given the gradient (m)
and y-intercept (c).
a Gradient is −2 and y-intercept is 2
b Gradient is 3 and y-intercept is −2
c m = 2 and c = 0
d m = −1 and c = 5
1
e Gradient is __
​​   ​​  and y-intercept is 1
2
6 Lines are parallel if they have the same gradient. Which of these pairs
of lines are parallel?
a y = 2x − 5 and y = 2x +1
b y = −x + 3 and y = 1 − x
c y = 3x − 2 and y = 2x − 3
d x + y = 2 and −2x − 2y − 4 = 0   Challenge d

7 Match each equation with the y

correct graph. U T 6 Y
5
a y = 2x + 1 S
V 4
b y = 3x 3
2
c y = −x +1 1
W
d y = 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 x
1
e y = 2 − 2x
X 2
3
Z

21
 5 Coordinate geometry

5.5 Intersection of two lines

Explore
Can you answer the following questions?
1 In a coordinate plane, how do you know whether or not two lines will
intersect?
2 At how many different points can two lines intersect?

There are three different possibilities to describe whether two lines intersect.

1 Two lines intersect at a point. For example, the lines y = −2x + 4 and
y = x + 1 intersect at A(1, 2).
y yx1
5
4
3
2 A  (1, 2)
1

1 0 1 2 3 4 x
1
y  2x  4

2 Two lines intersect at every point: that is, they are the same line.
For example, y = x − 1 and 2x − 2y − 2 = 0 are the same line and they
intersect at every point.
Fact y
yx1
If two lines are 3
perpendicular (they cross 2
at right angles), then the 1 2x 2y  2  0
product of their gradients
is −1. 1 0 1 2 3 4 x
y 1
3
y  2x A
2 y1x
2
1
3 Two lines do not intersect at any y
C y  3x  1
point: that is, they are parallel lines. 3
2 1 0 1 2 x
1 For example, y = 3x − 1 and y = 3x + 2 2
2 have no points of intersection because 1
3 they are parallel. 2 1 0 1 2 x
1
Product of the gradients y  3x  2 2
1 3
of the lines is __ × − 2 = − 1
2

22
 Worked Example 5.8
Find the point(s) of intersection of each pair of lines.
a y = x + 1 and y = 1 − x
b y = 3 and y = 2x + 1
c x + y = 2 and y = x

Solution
For each pair of lines, we need to work out if there are any intersection
points. We know how to draw the graph of a straight line from its
equation.

To find the points of intersection, we can graph the lines using their
equations and see if they intersect.
a The tables give three points on each line.

y=x+1

x −1 0 1 y
y 0 1 2 3
2
y=1−x 1 (0, 1)

x −1 0 1 2 1 0 1 2 x
1
y 2 1 0
Intersecting airport runways

We can see from the table that (0, 1) is the point of intersection of the
lines. The graphs of the lines y = x + 1 and y = 1 − x are shown in the
diagram.

b y=3

x −1 0 1 y
y 3 3 3 4
(1, 3)
3
y = 2x + 1 2
1
x −1 0 1
2 1 0 1 2 x
y −1 1 3 1

The tables show that (1, 3) is the point of intersection.

The graphs y = 3 and y = 2x + 1 are shown in the diagram.

23
 5 Coordinate geometry

c 3x + y = 2

x −1 0 1 y
3
y 3 2 1 2
1 (1, 1)
y=x
1 0 1 2 x
x −1 0 1 1

y −1 0 1

The tables show that (1, 1) is the point of intersection.

The graphs of x + y = 2 and y = x are shown in the diagram.
The last step is to check whether our solutions make sense.
We can substitute the coordinates of each point of intersection into the
equations of each pair of lines to see if the solutions are correct.

For y = x + 1 and y = 1 − x, substitute (0, 1):

y = x + 1, 1 = 0 + 1, 1 = 1 (true)

y = 1 − x, 1 = 1 − 0, 1 = 1 (true)

For y = 3 and y = 2x + 1, substitute (1, 3):

y = 3, 3 = 3 (true)
Connections y = 2x + 1, 3 = 2.1 + 1, 3 =3 (true)
We can also find the
points of intersection of
For x + y = 2 and y = x, substitute (1, 1):
two lines algebraically. We
call this solving a system x + y = 2, 1 + 1 = 2, 2 = 2 (true)
of equations or solving
simultaneous equations. y = x, 1 = 1 (true)

Exercise 5.5
1 Find the point of intersection of each pair of straight-line graphs.
a y b y
3 2
2 1
1
1 0 1 2 3 x
1
1 0 1 2 x
1 2
3

24
 c y d y
3 3
2 2
1 1

3 2 1 0 1 x 3 2 1 0 1 2 x
1 1
2 2

2 Find the intersection points of each pair of lines.

a x + y = −2 and y = x
− 1
b 2x − 3y − 6 = 0 and y = ​​ ___ ​​  x + 1
3
c y = −x + 2 and x − 2y − 2 = 0
d y = 2x +2 and y = 2x − 1

3 The graphs of four straight lines are shown in the diagram.

y
7
6
A B
5
4
3
2
C D
1

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
1

a Find the point of intersection of each pair of lines.

i AB and AC ii AB and BD
iii CD and AC iv CD and BD
b What geometrical shape is ABCD? How do you know?   Challenge b

c Will AC and BD ever meet? Explain your answer.   Challenge c

4 Show that the lines 2x − 3y + 9 = 0 and −2x − 3y − 9 = 0 intersect at

(−4.5, 0).

5 Find the points of intersection of the line 2x + y = 6 with the x-axis

and the y-axis.

6 Show that x − 2y = 1 and y = 2x + 1 are perpendicular lines.

7 Show that 2x − 4y + 6 = 0 and y = 1/2 x − 1 are parallel lines.

25
 5 Coordinate geometry

Self assessment

I can identify ordered pairs on a coordinate plane I can identify a horizontal line
I can graph points on a coordinate plane I can identify a vertical line
I can find the distance between two points I can represent the x-axis and y-axis as vertical and
horizontal lines
I can draw a straight-line graph on a coordinate plane
I can find the gradient of a straight line
I can find the x-intercept of a straight-line graph
I can identify positive and negative gradients and
I can find the y-intercept of a straight-line graph
describe them
I can determine whether or not a point lies on a
I can explain the steepness of a straight line
straight line
I know that gradient and slope are the same thing
I can use the gradient formula
I can explain whether or not two lines are
I can use a GDC or available software to draw
parallel
straight lines
I can explain whether or not two lines are
I can write the equation of a straight line in the
perpendicular
form y = mx + c
I can find the points of intersection of two lines
I can explain what is meant by the gradient–
geometrically
intercept form of the equation of a straight line
I can determine whether or not two lines will
I can use different forms of the equation of a
intersect
straight line to draw its graph

? Check your knowledge questions

Questions 1 to 3 refer to this diagram.

y
6
A
5
4 M
B C
3
K L
D 2 F
N O G
E 1

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
H 1 P J
2 I
3

1 Name the points whose coordinates are given by each of these

ordered pairs.
a (0, 4) b (−2, 1) c (2, −1) d (2, 3)

26
2 Write down the coordinates of each of these points.
a N b H c F d B 

3 Find the distance between each pair of points.

a M and P b D and F
c H and J d B and H
e A and F   Challenge e

4 Graph the straight line given by each of these equations.

a y = 3x − 1 b y = −2x + 1
c y = 2x −2 d x + y = 3

Questions 5 to 8 refer to this diagram.

y
5
4
3
2 C
A 1
B D
5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
1 H
F
2
E
3 G
4
5

5 Find the equation of each line.

a AE b AD c BC d EF e FG

6 Find the gradient of each line.

a AB b AC c CD d BD e FG f EF

7 Find the equation of each line in gradient–intercept form.

a AG b AB c BD d CD e ED

8 Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of each pair of lines.

a AG and EF b AB and BD c AD and BC d AB and ED
e AG and CD

27
 5 Coordinate geometry

 9 State the x-intercept and the y-intercept of each of these lines.

a y = 3x − 5 b y = −x + 1
c x − y − 3 = 2 d 2x + 3y = 12

10 Find the equation of the straight line passing through points A(1, 2)
and B(0, 3).

11 The graph shows the line AB.

y
4
3 B
2
1

2 1 0 1 2 x
A1
2

Find:
a the x-intercept b the y-intercept
c the equation of the line in gradient–intercept form.

12 The diagram shows the lines AB and AC.

y
3
2
1 A

2 1 0 1 2 3 4 x
1 B
C2

a Find:
i the equation of the line AB
ii the equation of the line AC.

  Challenge b b What do you observe about the lines AB and AC?

13 Determine whether each point lies on the given line.

a A(1, 2) and y = 2x −1 b B( −1, 1) and x + y = 0
c C(2, −1) and x − 2y + 5 = 0 d D(0, 1) and 2x − 5y = −5

28