SOLUTION: find k if the line through (5,11) and (-3,7) is parallel to the line through (-2,k) and (2,5).

Algebra ->  Points-lines-and-rays -> SOLUTION: find k if the line through (5,11) and (-3,7) is parallel to the line through (-2,k) and (2,5).      Log On


   



Question 916844: find k if the line through (5,11) and (-3,7) is parallel to the line through (-2,k) and (2,5).
Found 2 solutions by MathLover1, DrBeeee:
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solved by pluggable solver: Find the equation of line going through points
hahaWe are trying to find equation of form y=ax+b, where a is slope, and b is intercept, which passes through points (x1, y1) = (5, 11) and (x2, y2) = (-3, 7).
Slope a is a+=+%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29+=+%287-11%29%2F%28-3-5%29+=+0.5.
Intercept is found from equation a%2Ax%5B1%5D%2Bb+=+y%5B1%5D, or 0.5%2A5+%2Bb+=+8.5. From that,
intercept b is b=y%5B1%5D-a%2Ax%5B1%5D, or b=11-0.5%2A5+=+8.5.

y=(0.5)x + (8.5)

Your graph:



if lines are parallel, they have same slope;
0.5 will be a slope of the line through (-2,k) and (2,5)
y=0.5x%2Bb
use (2,5) to find b

5=0.5%2A2%2Bb
5=1%2Bb
b=5-1
b=4

now we have: y=0.5x%2B4
use (-2,k) to find k
k=0.5%28-2%29%2B4
k=-1%2B4
k=3
so, y=0.5x+%2B8.5 is parallel to y=0.5x%2B4


Answer by DrBeeee(684) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Two lines are parallel if their SLOPES are equal.
The slope of a line is (difference in the y coordinates}/(difference in the x coordinates).
The slope of the first line is (11-7)/(5-(-3)) or 4/8 or 1/2
The slope of the second line is (k-5)/(-2-2) or (k-5)(-4).
Now set the slopes equal to each other to get
(k-5)(-4) = 1/2 or
(k-5) =(-4)/2 or
k = 5 - 2 or
k = 3
Let's check this.
Is ((3-5)/(-4) = 1/2)?
Is (-2/(-4) = 1/2)?
Is (1/2 = 1/2)? Yes
Answer: When k = 3 the lines are parallel.