Inclination and Slope

Definition:
The inclination of a line that intersects the x axis is the
measure of the smallest nonnegative angle which the line
makes with the positive end of the x axis.
0º< Θ < 180º or 0 < Θ <

The inclination of line parallel to the x axis is 0.

Inclination and Slope

135º = 3 /4

45º = /4
Inclination and Slope
Slope of a Line
Definition: The slope m of a line is the tangent of the
inclination, thus
m = tanΘ
The inclination of line parallel to the x axis is 0.
Inclination and Slope
Inclination and Slope
Slope of a Line
Theorem:
A line through P1 = (x1, y1) and P2 = (x2, y2), where x1 not =
x2, has slope
 Example
1. Find the slope of the line containing P1 = (1,5) and P2 = (7, -7)
2. Find the slope and inclination of the line containing P1 = (-1,4) and
P2 = (4, 2)
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Theorem:
Two non-vertical lines are parallel or coincident if and only if
their slopes are equal
m1= m2
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Theorem:
Two lines are perpendicular if and only if the slope of one is
the negative reciprocal of the slope of the other

m1= -1/m2
or m1 x m2 =-1
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Theorem:
Two non-vertical lines are parallel or coincident if and only if
, their slopes are equal
m1= m2
Two lines are perpendicular if and only if the slope of one is
the negative reciprocal of the slope of the othe
m1= -1/m2
Example
Find the slopes of l1 containing (1,5) and (3,8) and l2
containing (-4,1) and (0,7). Determine whether l1 and l2 are
parallel or perpendicular

If the line through (x, -3) and (3,1) is perpendicular to the

line through (x,-3) and (-1,-2), find x.
Angle Between Two Lines
Theorem:
If l1 and l2 are nonperpendicular lines with slopes m1 and m2, respectively, and is
any angle from l1 and l2 , then

tan α =
Example
If l1 and l2 have slopes m1 =3 and m2 =-2, find the angle
from l1 to l2.

If l1 and l2 have slopes m1 =5 and m2 =-1, find the angle

from l1 to l2.