SOLUTION: find the equation of the line through (7,-4) passing at a distance 1 from the point (2,1)

Algebra.Com
Question 829415: find the equation of the line through (7,-4) passing at a distance 1 from the point (2,1)
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20059)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We will use the point-to-line formula:

The perpendicular distance from the point (x1,y1)
to the line Ax+By+C=0 is
d = 

Suppose the required line has the equation

    y = mx+b

Since it passes through (7,-4)

   -4 = m(7)+b
   -4 = 7m + b
-4-7m = b 

So y = mx+b becomes

   y = mx-4-7m

Let's get it in the form Ax+By+C=0 so we can use
the point-to-line formula above.

       mx-4-7m = y

     mx-y-4-7m = 0

where A = m, B=-1, C=-4-7m

Using the point-to-line formula

d = 

Since we want d to equal 1, and (x1,y1) = (2,1)

1 = 

1 = 

1 = 

Multiply both sides by 



Square both sides

m²+1 = (-5m-5)²

m²+1 = (-5m-5)(-5m-5)

m²+1 = 25m²+25m+25m+25

m²+1 = 25m²+50m+25

   0 = 24m²+50m+24

Divide through by 2

   0 = 12m²+25m+12

   0 = (4m+3)(3m+4)

Use the zero-factor property:

      4m+3=0  3m+4=0
        4m=-3   3m=-4       
         m=   m=

So we have two solutions.  From above we have
-4-7m = b

Using m=

-4-7() = b

-4+() = b

Clear of fractions:

-16+21 = 4b
     5 = 4b
      = b

Substituting in y = mx+b

   

That's one solution.

Using m=

-4-7() = b

-4+() = b

Clear of fractions:

-12+28 = 3b
    16 = 3b
      = b

Substituting in y = mx+b

   

Now let's draw the graphs and see if it looks right.  We plot the points
(2,1) and (7,-4) and the lines

   
   



Those lines both pass through (7,-4) and they look like they are both
1 unit from the point (2,1).  So that must be correct

Edwin



RELATED QUESTIONS

Find the equations of the lines through (7,-4) passing at a distance 1 from the point... (answered by josgarithmetic)
Find the equation that passes through (7,-4) at a distance of 1 unit from point... (answered by addingup,Alan3354)
find the equation of a line with slope 1/2 and passing through the point (-4,3) (answered by checkley77)
Find the equation of the line passing through the point (2, 1) and perpendicular to the (answered by solver91311,Alan3354)
Find the equation of the line passing through the point (2, 1) and perpendicular to the... (answered by josgarithmetic)
Find the equation of the line passing through the point (2, 1) and perpendicular to the... (answered by josgarithmetic)
Find the equation of the line passing through the point (2, 1) and perpendicular to the... (answered by stanbon)
Find the equation of the line perpendicular to y=7x+1 and passing at a distance of... (answered by robertb)
Find the equation of the line with slope 1/2 passing through the point... (answered by MathLover1)