Thomas' Calculus 13th Edition

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32187-896-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-32187-896-0

Appendices - Section A.3 - Lines, Circles, and Parabolas - Exercises A.3 - Page AP-17: 6

Answer

The line through A and B is horizontal and has slope $m_{1}=0$. Any perpendicular line to it has undefined slope.

Work Step by Step

$A=(x_{1},y_{1})=(2, \ 3)$ $B=(x_{2},y_{2})=(-1, \ 3)$ The increments in the coordinates are calculated as $\left\{\begin{array}{l} \Delta x=x_{2}-x_{1}\\ \Delta y=y_{2}-y_{1} \end{array}\right.$ $\left\{\begin{array}{l} \Delta x=-1-2=-3\\ \\ \Delta y=3-3=0 \end{array}\right.$ The slope of the line that passes through A and B, if the line is nonvertical, ($\Delta x\neq 0)$ is calculated as $m_{1}=\displaystyle \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}=\frac{0}{-3}=0$, The line is horizontal. Any line perpendicular to the line that passes through A and B is vertical, so its slope is undefined.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.