Lesson 3 - Normal Equation of a Line

ANALYTICGEOMETRY
III. NORMAL EQUATION OF A LINE
3.1 REDUCTION TO NORMAL FORM

A normal to a line is a line segment drawn from a point
perpendicular to the given line. (see Figure 3.1)
Let p be the length of the normal drawn from the original

to a line, which subtends an angle ∅ with the positive
direction of x-axis as shown in Figure 3.2.
Then, we can have Cos∅ =pa and a=pCos∅ .
Also Sin∅ =pb and b=pSin∅ .
The equation of the line in intercept form is xa+yb=1.
xpCos∅ +ypSin∅ =1
xCos∅ p+y Sin∅ p=1
This form is known as the normal form of equation of the given line making the angle ∅ with
the positive direction of x-axis and whose perpendicular distance from the origin is p.
If Ax+By+C=0 is the general equation of the line and 𝒙 𝑪 𝒐 𝒔 ∅ + 𝒚 𝑺 𝒊 𝒏 ∅ =𝒑 is the

normal form of the equation of the line, then the coefficients of the two equations are equal or
proportional. Hence, the normal form of Ax+By+C=0 is
where the sign before the radical is chosen to that opposite of C. If C=0,the sign before the
radical sign is the same as that of B.
Example 1: Find the equation of the straight line which is at a of distance 5 units from the origin and the
perpendicular from the origin to the line makes an angle 45° with the positive direction of x-axis.
Solution: We know that the equation of the straight line upon which the length of the perpendicular from
the origin is p and this perpendicular makes an angle ∅ with x-axis is 𝒙 𝑪 𝒐 𝒔 ∅ + 𝒚 𝑺 𝒊 𝒏 ∅ =𝒑 .
Here p = 5 and ∅ = 45°. Therefore, the equation of the straight line in normal form is
Example 2: Reduce the equation 2x-3y-4=0 to the normal form.
Solution: Transpose the constant term to the right side and divide all the terms by -22+-32=-13.
We get
2x13+3y13=413
3.2 DIRECTED DISTANCE FROM A LINE TO A POINT
Let us take Ax+By+k=0 as the equation of the first line l1 and then the second equation l2 that
passes through P1x1,y1 parallel to l1, so that the equation of l2 is
Ax+By=Ax1+By1.
Using Figure 3.3, d=OR-OQ, where OR and OQ are the
respective distances of these lines from the origin. Reducing the
equations of l1and l2 to normal form, we obtain
Ax+By±A2+ B2=-k±A2+ B2 and Ax+By±A2+B2=Ax1+By1±A2+
B2
By substitution,
is the formula for finding the directed distance of any point P1x1,y1 to the line
Ax+By+k=0. We follow the sign of B if C=0, if B=0, we follow the sign of A.
Example: Find the distance of the line 2x-7y=10 to the point 2,3.
Solution: Using the formula, d=Ax1+By1+k±A2+ B2
d=22-73-10 -22+ 72=-2753
3.3 DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO LINES

The distance between two parallel lines is determined by the
length of the perpendicular segment between them. You may pick
any perpendicular lines but choose the one with endpoints that
are integers.
Example 1: What is the shortest distance between
y=2x+4 and y=2x−1?
Solution:
Graph the two lines and determine the perpendicular slope.
2
Find a point on y=2x+4, let’s say -1,2, then use the slope of the perpendicular line, m=-12, to find
the corresponding point on y=2x-1. You will hit y=2x-1 at 1,1 if you move down 1 from 2, and
over to the right 2 from -1. Use the points, -1,2 and 1,1 to determine the distance between the
two lines.
d=-1-12+2-12=-22+12 =4+1=5≈2.24 units
Example 2: Find the distance betweenx=6 and x=2.

Solution: These are vertical lines, so we can just count the squares between the two lines. The
two lines are 6-2=4 units apart, or 4 units.
Example 3: Find the distance between y=-5 and y=7.

Solution: These are horizontal lines, so we can just count the squares between the two lines.
The two lines are -5-7=12 units apart, or 12 units.
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REFERENCES:
ck12. (18 July 2012). Distance between two lines. Retrieved from
https://www.ck12.org/geometry/Distance-Between-Parallel-Lines/lesson/Distance-Between-Par
allel-Lines-GEOM/
Math Open Reference. (2011). Slope of a line. Retrieved from

https://www.mathopenref.com/coordslope.html
Bix, Robert Alan. (6 June 2016). Analytic geometry . Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/science/analytic-geometry
School Tutoring Academy. (16 November 2012). Equation of a line-normal line. Retrieved from
https://schooltutoring.com/help/equation-of-a-line-normal-form/
VIDEOS:
Ortiz, Oliver. (11 June 2020). Equation of a Line - Two Point Form [Made EASY - Taglish version]
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf7J7TmgENY
The Organic Chemistry Tutor. (8 January 2018). Distance Between a Point and a Line In 2D &
3D – Geometry. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BDrdI3rdQY
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ANALYTICGEOMETRY

III. NORMAL EQUATION OF A LINE

3.1 REDUCTION TO NORMAL FORM

Let p be the length of the normal drawn from the original

xCos∅ p+y Sin∅ p=1

If Ax+By+C=0 is the general equation of the line and 𝒙 𝑪 𝒐 𝒔 ∅ + 𝒚 𝑺 𝒊 𝒏 ∅ =𝒑 is the

3.3 DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO LINES

Example 2: Find the distance betweenx=6 and x=2.

Example 3: Find the distance between y=-5 and y=7.

Math Open Reference. (2011). Slope of a line. Retrieved from

Bix, Robert Alan. (6 June 2016). Analytic geometry . Retrieved from

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