10.

1 Lines

The Inclination of a nonhorizontal line is the

positive angle theta measured counterclockwise
from the x-axis to the line.

θ
θ

Acute angle Obtuse angle

If a nonvertical line has inclination theta and slope m, then
m = tan θ

rise
m=

}
run
opp
rise or tanθ =
opp. adj
}

Run or
adj.
Find the inclination of the line given by 2x + 3y = 6

First, find the slope by solving for y.

2
m =θ Set m = tan
3
2 ⎛ 2⎞
tan θ = θ θ1
tan ⎜θ ⎟ = θ33.69 o

3 ⎝ 3⎠

-33.69o + 180o = 146.31o , the angle of

inclination.
 The angle between two lines.

If two non-perpendicular lines have slopes m1 and

m2 , then the angle between the two lines is given by

m2 θ m1
tan θ =
1 + m1m2

θ
Find the angle between the two lines.

Line 1: 2x - y - 4 = 0
Line 2: 3x + 4y -12 = 0
First, find the slope of the two lines.

m1 = 2 and m2 = -3/4 Now plug these into the

equation.
3 11
θ θ2 θ
4 4 11
tan θ = = = Now take the
⎛ 3⎞ 2 2
1 + ⎜θ ⎟(2) θ arctan of 11/2
⎝ 4⎠ 4
11
θ = arctan θ 79.70 o

2
 The Distance Between a Point and a Line.

The distance between the point (x1, y1) and the line
given by Ax + By + C is

Ax1 + By1 + C
d=
A +B
2 2
Find the distance between the point (4,1) and the line
y = 2x + 1

Note: first put the equation in general form.

-2x + y - 1 = 0

− 2(4) + 1(1) − 1
d=
(− 2) 2 2
+1

8
= θ 3.58
5
Find the area of a triangle with the points A(-3,0), B(0,4), C(5,2).

B (0, 4)

h
C (5, 2)

A (-3, 0) First, find the height.

To find the height, we need to find the equation of line AC.
So, find the slope of AC.
2 θ0 1
m= =
5 θ (θ3) 4
1
Point-slope form gives us: yθ 0 = ( x + 3)
4
Put this eq. in general form. x - 4y + 3 = 0

Now find h using this equation and the point (0,4).

1(0) θ 4(4) + 3 13
h= =
1 + (θ4)
2 2
17
 Now, using the distance formula between two points, find the
length of base AC.

b = (5 + 3) + (2 θ 0) = 68 = 2 17
2 2

Now, the area of a triangle is A = 1/2 (bh)

So go ahead and find the area.

1
A = 2 17 ⎜
2
(
⎛ 13 ⎞
⎟ = 13 )
⎝ 17 ⎠