SOLUTION: Could someone please help me with this vectors question? True or False: If v(1)= < a,b >, and L(1) is a line incident with v(1), then L(1) has a slope equal to b/a. Thank

Algebra ->  Vectors -> SOLUTION: Could someone please help me with this vectors question? True or False: If v(1)= < a,b >, and L(1) is a line incident with v(1), then L(1) has a slope equal to b/a. Thank       Log On


   

Question 980932: Could someone please help me with this vectors question?
True or False:
If v(1)= < a,b >, and L(1) is a line incident with v(1), then L(1) has a slope equal to b/a.
Thank you in advanced.
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
No sure what you mean by incident.
Vectors typically have a starting point (0,0) in the coordinate system and in your case an endpoint at (a,b).
The angle (theta) that the vector makes with the x-axis can be found using a and b since
tan%28theta%29=b%2Fa.
Similarly, the slope of a line and the angle that the line makes with the x-axis are similarly related.
m=tan%28theta%29
So you can say that if the line is parallel to the vector then the slope of the line is equal to b%2Fa.