SOLUTION: Line L, passes through points P(n, 4) and Q(1 2), Line L, passes through points R(4, 3) and S (1, 5). a) What is the value of n if the lines are parallel? b) If the lines are perpe

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Line L, passes through points P(n, 4) and Q(1 2), Line L, passes through points R(4, 3) and S (1, 5). a) What is the value of n if the lines are parallel? b) If the lines are perpe      Log On


   



Question 1106028: Line L, passes through points P(n, 4) and Q(1 2), Line L, passes through points R(4, 3) and S (1, 5). a) What is the value of n if the lines are parallel? b) If the lines are perpendicular, what is the value of n?
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, greenestamps:
Answer by ikleyn(52884) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
In your post, in the first phrase, you mention the Line L twice, which is a MISTAKE, obviously.

Fix the error and re-post.



Answer by greenestamps(13209) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Obviously you are talking about two different lines., The line through points R and S is fixed, so let's call that the "original" line L. Then let's make M the line through P and Q parallel to line L and N the line through P and Q perpendicular to line L.

The slope of the fixed line L is %285-3%29%2F%281-4%29+=+-2%2F3.

The slope of the first line is %282-4%29%2F%281-n%29+=+-2%2F%281-n%29+=+2%2F%28n-1%29.

For the lines to be parallel, the slope of the first line has to be -2/3 -- the same as the slope of line L:
2%2F%28n-1%29+=+-2%2F3
6+=+-2n%2B2
4+=+-2n
n+=+-2

The lines are parallel when n is -2; line M passes through the points (-2,4) and (1,2).

For the lines to be perpendicular, the slope of the first line has to be 3/2 -- the negative reciprocal of the slope of line L:
2%2F%28n-1%29+=+3%2F2
4+=+3n-3
7+=+3n
n+=+7%2F3

The lines are perpendicular when n is 7/3; line N passes through the points (7/3,4) and (1,2).

The graph shows the original line L (red), passing through (1,5) and (4,3); line M which is parallel to L (green), passing through (-2,4) and (1,2); and line N which is perpendicular to L, passing through (1,2) and (7/3,4).