BUSINESS MATHEMATICS

3.5 Equations of a straight Line with Slope “m”

3.5.1 Graphical Illustrations of Equation of a Straight
Line
3.5.2 Equation of a Line given One Point and the Slope
3.5.3 Equation of a Line given Two Points
3.5.4 Equation of a Line given Intercepts on „X‟ and „y”
axis only
3.6 Intersection of two Lines
3.7 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
3.8 Application of Straight Lines to Business
3.9 Inequalities
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment
7.0 References/Further Readings

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This is an equation of the first degree, it is an equation containing no

higher powers than the first of x and y, and is of the type y = mx+c
where m and c are both constants.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

To simplify and interpret physical, business and scientific situations in

graphical form.(i.e ordinate and abscissa).

3.0 MAIN CONTENT

3.1 Definition

A point P(x, y) means that P is in the (x, y)-plane, where x is called the
abscissa and y is the ordinate. Therefore the x and y coordinates of a
point are called the rectangular Cartesian coordinates of the point.

Ordinate

-x x

Abscissa

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3.2 Determination of a Point in (x, y) – Plane

x P(x, y)
A
C y

-x x
B
Q(x, y) D

-y

Fig. 2

P(x, y) and Q(x, y) are two points on (x, y)-plane.

Note here that:

AP is parallel to x-axis, (+ve).

BP is parallel to y-axis, (+ve).

CQ is parallel to y-axis, (-ve).

DQ is parallel to x-axis, (-ve).

A straight line is formed when two points are joined together.

Here PQ is a straight line.

P(x, y)

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-x x
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3.3 Distance Between Two Points

Q( x2,y2)
P( x1,y1)
(y2 - y1)

C
y1 ( x 2 – x 1)

x1 B x
0
x2
Fig. 4

Let P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2) be two points in the (x, y)-plane. We
calculate the distance between points P and Q.

 PCQ is a right angle triangle from Fig. 4 i.e.

Q

(y2 – y1)

C
P
(x2 – x1)

Fig. 5

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The distance QC = (y2 – y1), PC = (x2 – x1)

PQ =? is the required distance.

Therefore, using elementary Pythagoras theorem, we can see that:

 PQ2 = QC2+ PC2 = ((y2 – y1)2 + (x2 – x1)2

 PQ = ( y 2  y1 ) 2  ( x 2  x1 )2

This is the formula for finding the distance between two points.

Example 1

Let A, B, C be the points (2, 3), (3, -2) and (-1, 4).

Find the length of the following: (i) AB (ii) BC and (iii) AC.

Solution
y

C(-1, 4)
4
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A(2, 3)
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(i) Distance AB = ( 2  3) 2  (3  2) 2  ( 5) 2  (1) 2  26.

(ii) Distance BC = { 2  4}2  {3  ( 1)}2  ( 6) 2  (4) 2  52.

(iii) Distance AC = {3  4}2  {2  ( 1)}2  ( 1) 2  (3) 2  10.

Example 2

Find the distance between the following pairs of points:

a) A(5, -3) and B(3, -1)

b) A(0, 1) and B(6, 9)

c) A(6, 3) and B(11, 15)

Solution

(i) Distance AB = {1  ( 3)}2  {3  5}2  (4) 2  ( 2) 2  20  2 5.

(ii) Distance AB = (9  1}2  (6  0) 2  (8) 2  (6) 2  100  10.

(iii) Distance AB = (15  3) 2  (11  6) 2  (12) 2  (5) 2  169  13.

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3.4 Gradient or Slope of a Straight Line

y

Q(x2 – y2)

(x1 – y1) (y2 – y1)

θ
A(x2 – y2)
(x1 – x2)

X
Fig. 6

The slope of a straight line can be defied in respect to the angle of

inclination of the line with the x -axis i.e.

Slope = tangent of angle of inclination with x-axis = tanθ, where θ is the

angle of inclination.

 From Fig. 6 above, we have:

y 2  y1
tan    m, where m is the gradient/slope or rate of
x 2  x1
change

y 2  y1
  m  (y  y1 )  m( x2  x1 ).
x2  x1
2

Let (y2 – y1) = ∆y i.e. change in y, and

(x2 – x 1) = ∆x  i.e. change in x.

y
∆y = m ∆x   m.
x

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Example 3

Find the gradient of the straight lines and their angles of inclination.

a) A(2, -3) and B(4, 5)

b) A(-2, 0) and B(6, -4)

Solution

y 2  y1 5  3 2
a) Slope = m =    1.
x2  x1 4  2 2
Angle of inclination θ  tanθ = m = 1

 θ = tan-1 1  θ = 45o
sin 45 o sin 45 o
At angle of 45 , sin 45 = cos45  tan45 =
o o o o
= =
cos 45 o cos 45 o
1.
 tanθ = 1  θ = 45o.

y 2  y1  4 0  4 1
b) Slope = m =    .
x2  x1 6  ( 2) 8 2
1
Angle of inclination θ  tanθ = m =
2
 θ = tan-1 1  θ = 45o.

3.5 Equations of a Straight Line with Slope “m”

He equation of a straight line is of the form y – mx + c; where x and y

are the coordinates, m is the slope and, c is the intercept on the y-axis.
Example

P(x, y)

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( y  a) = m  y – b = m (x – a)
The equation of the line is:
( x  a)
But if the line passes through the origin i.e. O(a, b) = O(0, 0), where a =
0 and b = 0.

 y – 0= m (x – 0)  y = m x.

This is the equation of a line passing through the origin.

3.5.1 Graphical Illustrations of Equation of a Straight Line

a)
y

P(x, y)

x 73
O (0, 0)
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The equation of the line is: y= m x.

b)
y

P(x, y)

C
(0, c)

O x

The equation of the line is: y = mx + c

c)
y

(0, y1)
y1

(x1, 0)

O x
x1
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The equation of the line is: y1 = -m x1.

d)
y

(0, y1)
y1

O x
This line is parallel to the x-axis.

e)
y

y1

O x1

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(x1, 0)

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This line is parallel to the y-axis.

3.5.2 Equation of a Line given One Point and the Slope

P(2, 3)
m=5

Q(x, y)

O
x
Fig. 8

The equation of the line is: y – y1 = m (x – x1).

 y – 3 = 5 (x – 2)  y – 3 = 5x – 10

 y = 5x – 7.

Example 4

Find the equation of a line (-1, -4) whose gradient is 1.

Solution

y – y1 = m (x – x1)  y –(-4) = 1 {x -( – 0)}  y + 4 = x +1

 y = x – 3.

3.5.3 Equation of a Line given Two Points

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Q(x2, y2)

A(x1, y)

P(x1, y1)

O
x
Fig. 9

PA = AQ = PQ.

y 2  y1 y  y1 y  y2
m= = =
x 2  x1 x  x1 x  x2

Example 5

Find the equation of lines of the following given points:

a) A(2, 3) and B(4, 6)

b) A(-3, -2) and B(-1, 0)

Solution

6 3 y 3 y 6 3 y 3 3 y 6
a. m= = =  = Or =
4 2 x 2 x 4 2 x 2 2 x 4
3 3x 3x
 y – 3 = (x - 2)  y – 3 =  3 y =  33
2 2 2
3x
y= .
2
3x y  6 3 3x
Or =  y – 6 = ( x  4)  y  6   6
2 x 4 2 2
3x
y=  66
2

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3x
y= .
2
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

Solve for (b) using the same method.

3.5.4 Equation of a Line given Intercepts on „x‟ and „y” axis

only

y
Q(0, y1)

A
P(x1, y)
x1

(x1, 0)

O x1 x
B

Fig. 10
y  y1 y 0
m= , m=
x 0 x  x1
y  y1 y 0
 =  (y – y )1 (x – x )1 = (y – 0) (x -0)
x 0 x  x1
 xy – x1y – y1x + x1y1 = xy  -x1y - y1x + x1y1 = 0
 x1y1 = x1y + y1x

Dividing through by x1y1,

x1 y1 xy yx
  1 + 1
x1 y1 x1 y1 x1 y1

1= y + x
y1 x1

Example 6

Find the equation of lines, which passes through the points:

a) (0, 3) and (4, 0)

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b) (0, 1) and (-3, 0)

c) (0, -6) and (5, 0)

Solution

a) (0, 3) and (4, 0)  x1 = 4, y1 = 3

x y x y
1=  1  
x1 y1 4 3
 12 = 3x + 4y

b) (0, 1) and (-3, 0)  x1 = -3, y1 = 1

y x
 1 = y  x 1 
y1 x1 1  3
 -3 = -3y + x

c) (0, -6) and (5, 0)  x1 = 5, y1 = -6

x y
 1 = x  y 1 
x1 y1 5  6
 -30 = -6x + 5y

3.6 Intersection of Two Lines

The necessary and sufficient conditions for two lines to intercept are that
they must be consistent and independent. A good application of
intercept of two lines is the “Market Equilibrium”.

Consider a linear demand and supply functions respectively. At a point

when the demand equals the supply, it simply means that intercepts of
demand and supply functions.

Demand

C
B

P(x, y)

A D

Supply
Fig. 11

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P(x, y) represents the quantity and the price of commodity at point of

equilibrium.

Lines AB and CD can be solved simultaneously to evaluate the values of

x and y respectively.

Example 7

Find the coordinate of the point of interception of the lines:

(a) 2x + 3y = 5 (b) x + 2y = 3

Solution

2x + 3y = 5 ……………………..… …………………………. (1)

x + 2y = 3 ……………………….. ……………..……………. (2)

Equation (2) multiplies by 2 and subtract from Equation (1):

2x + 3y = 5 ……………… ……………………………..……. (3)

2x + 4y = 6 ……………… ……………………..……………. (4)

 -y = 1  y = 1

Substitute y = 1 into eqn. (1) or (2):

2x + 3y = 5  2x + 3(1) = 5  2x + 5 - 3 = 2
 x = 1.

Thus, the coordinate of the point of interception is (1, 1).

Example 8

If UAC Foods use 10 bags of flour and 5 tins of butter to produce 100
raps of gala and UTC uses 15 bags of flour and 8 tins of butter to
produce 120 raps of gala. Find how many raps of gala that can be
produced from 30 bags of flour and 15 tins of butter.

Solution

Let F represent bag of Flour and T represent tin of Butter,

 UAC: 10F + 5T = 100 …………………………………………….. (1)

 UTC: 15F + 8T = 120 …………………………………………….. (2)

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Equations (1) and (2) can be solved simultaneously,

Equation (1) divided by 5 and multiplies by 8, then subtract from

equation (2):
16F + 8T = 160 ……………………………………………..……….. (3)
15F + 8T = 120 ……………………………………………..……….. (2)

(3) – (2) F = 40 …………………………………………….. (4)

Substitute F = 40 into eqn. (1):

 10F + 15T = 100  10(40) + 5T = 100  400 + 5T = 100

 5T = 100 – 400 = -300
 300
T= = -60
5

 T = -60 ………………………………………………………. (5)

 The required equation is:

30F + 15T =? …………………………………………..……….. (6)

Substitute equations (4) and (5) into eqn. (6):

 30F + 15T =?  30(40) + 15(-60) = 1200 – 900 = 300 raps of gala.

Example 9

Find the equation of the straight line, which passes through the
interception of x + y = 3 and x +2y = 5 and has a gradient of 2.

Solution

x + y = 3…………………………..……………………………….. (1)

x +2y = 5 ………………………..………………………...………….. (2)

Equation (1) – (2):

 -y = -2  y = 2.

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Substitute y = 2 into eqn. (1):

x + y = 3  x + 2 = 3  x = 1.

 The coordinate of the point of interception is (1, 2)

y  y1
 The equation of the line of P(1, 2) and slope2 is given by: m =
x  x1
y 2
2=  y - 2 = 2(x -1)  y - 2 = 2x - 2  y = 2x.
x 1

3.7 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

a. Parallel Lines

Two lines are sad to be parallel if their gradient is the same i.e.
they have equal rate of change.

y
B

A
C

x
Fig. 12
Alternatively, if the angle between two lines is zero, it means that they
are parallel.

Recall that slope = tanθ = 0.

Let m1 and m2 be the slope of lines AB and CD

 Lines AB and CD are parallel if and only if m1 = m2.

b. Perpendicular Lines

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y
A

B
C
x
Fig. 13

The product of their gradient must be equal to -1.

 1
 m1 x m2 = -1  m1 = .
m2

Example 10

Find the equation of the lines, which are (a) parallel (b) perpendicular o

3x + 2y = 5 and passes through the point (2, -4).

Solution

To find the slope of 3x + 2y = 5:

3 5
 2y = -3x + 5  y = x
2 2
 y = mx + c
3
m= .
2

3 3
a. The equation of the line parallel to would have gradient of 
2 2
i.e. m1 = m2. The given point is (2, -4).

y  y1 3 y  ( 4) 3 y4 3
 m=      y  4   ( x  2)
x  x1 2 x 2 2 x 2 2

3
y x 3 4
2

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3
 y x  1.
2

3
b. The equation of the line perpendicular to would have gradient
2
3
of  i.e. m1 = m2. The given point is (2, -4).
2
3  1  1 2
 If m1 =   m 2  
2 m1 3 3
2
y  y1 2 y  ( 4) 2 y  4
 m=    
x  x1 3 x 2 3 x 2
2
 y  4  ( x  2).
3

3.8 Application of Straight Lines to Business

Demand: This is the amount of goods requested for by customers at

any point in time. The demand curve is the relationship between
quantity and price of goods

The demand curve can be represented in many forms such as Linear,

Quadratic, Cubic etc. Since we are concerned with straight lines in this
section, we would be giving examples of linear demand curves.

Example 11

11 boxes of Lux soap are demanded for, each box costs N300. 20 boxes
of Premier soap are also required by customers, each box costs N350.
Draw up a demand curve showing the relationship between demand for
both products.

Solution

The general demand function is given as q = mp + c; where:

q is the quantity of goods demanded for;

m is the gradient of demand function;
p is the price of goods; and
c is the constraint or intercept on demand function.

For Lux soap:

When price (p) = N300, demand (q) = 11.

The demand equation is given as;

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11 = 300m + c ………………………………………………… (1)

For Premier soap:

When price (p) = N350, demand (q) = 20.

The demand equation is given as;
20 = 350m + c ………………………………………………… (2)

Solving equations (1) and (2) simultaneously, we have:

11 = 300m + c….  c = 11 – 300m.
20 = 350m + c …………………………………………………. (2).

Substitute c in equation (2), we have:

20 = 350m + 11 – 300m

 20 = 50m + 11

 50m = 9
 m = 0.18.

Substitute m in equation (2), we have:

20 = 350(0.18) + c
 20 +63 = c
 c = -43.

From the general demand function is q = pm + c.

Hence, the demand function of customers for Lux and Premier soap is
given as: q = 0.18p - 43.

This shows the functional relationship between demands for both

products.

3.9 Inequalities

With inequalities, we can define intervals on the number scale. This

will enable graphs of functions to be easily defined. Functions of
inequalities can be Linear, Quadratic, etc.

Example 12

Solve and graph the following functions:

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i. 18x – 3x2 > 0.

ii. (x + 3)(x – 2)(x – 4) < 0.

Solution

i. 18x – 3x2 > 0.

Consider f(x) = 18x – 3x2 = 0.

 3x (6 – x) = 0.
 x = 0 or x = 6.

We determine the sign of 18x – 3x2 > 0 for the following intervals:

x < 0;
0 < x < 6; and
x > 6.

Picking numbers arbitrary for the above intervals, we fins out that x is
satisfied for all x on the interval 0 < x < 6.

x f(x) = 18x – 3x2

1 15
2 24
3 27
4 24
5 15

Graph of 18x – 3x2 > 0

f(x)

30

25

20

15
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ii. (x + 3)(x – 2)(x – 4) < 0.

Consider f(x) = (x + 3)(x – 2)(x – 4) = 0.

 x -3, 2, 4 respectively.

We consider the following intervals:

x < -3;
-3< x < 2;
2 < x > 4; and
x > 4.

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Picking numbers arbitrary for the above intervals, we fins out that x is
satisfies the following intervals x < -3 and 2 < x < 4.

x f(x) = (x + 3)(x – 2)(x – 4)

-4 -48
-5 -126
-6 -240
3 -6

Graph of (x + 3)(x – 2)(x -4)

-6 -4 -2 2 4 6

50

100

150

200

250

4.0 CONCLUSION
As in the summary

5.0 SUMMARY
Straight line graph is dealt with, both parallel and perpendicular lines
and their relationship to business problems. Demand, supply and
equilibrium conditions are also discussed. Some illustrative examples
are shown in examples 8,9and 10 above.

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