SOLUTION: A line passes through the points ( p, a ) and ( p, - a ) where p and a are real numbers and p is not equal to 0. Describe each of the following. explain your reasoning. 1. Slope

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: A line passes through the points ( p, a ) and ( p, - a ) where p and a are real numbers and p is not equal to 0. Describe each of the following. explain your reasoning. 1. Slope       Log On


   

Question 1012267: A line passes through the points ( p, a ) and ( p, - a ) where p and a are real numbers and p is not equal to 0. Describe each of the following. explain your reasoning.
1. Slope of the line
2. Equation of the line
3. y-intercept
4. Slope of a line perpendicular to the given line
Answer by macston(5194) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
P%5B1%5D=( p, a ); P%5B2%5D=( p, - a )
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1. slope=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29=%28-a-a%29%2F%28p-p%29
Division by zero (p-p=0) is undefined.
Vertical lines have undefined slope.
The line is vertical.
.
2. Equation: Vertical lines have equation of form x=n
In this case, the x value is p
Equation: x=p
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3. Since p cannot be zero, there is no y-intercept.
x value must be zero to cross y axis.
(The line is parallel to the y axis)
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4. Line perpendicular to vertical line is horizontal.
Horizontal lines have slope m=0.