Geometry

C H A P T E R
Coordinate geometry
What you will learn
1-1
Midpoint
1-2
Distance
1-3
Gradient and collinear points
1-4
Equation of a line
1-5
Gradient and angle
1-6
Parallel lines
1-7
Perpendicular lines
Anna Brookie et al. 2012

Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781107646063
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Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes was born in France in 1596.
He studied law at university, but this was not
where his passion lay and he moved on to
study mathematics, astronomy and philosophy
to which he devoted his life. Descartes
developed the Cartesian plane, the vertical and
horizontal axes that link geometry and algebra,
from which the branch of coordinate geometry
was created. He also invented the notation
that uses superscripts to show powers or
exponents, e.g. x2.
Descartes also published many works about
mathematics as well as philosophy. Some of
his quotes are still well-known, for example:
New Zealand
curriculum
Level 7 Patterns and
relationships
In a range of meaningful contexts,
students will be engaged in thinking
mathematically and statistically. They
will solve problems and model
situations that require them to:
Apply coordinate geometry
techniques to points and lines
I think, therefore I am
Each problem that I solved became a
rule, which served afterwards to solve
other problems.

ISBN: 9781107646063
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Do now
Write down equations of three different lines that have a gradient of:
1
3
a 2
b 3
c
d
2
4
Work out the answer.
1
a (3 + 4) 2
b (4 + 2) 2
c (5 + 1) 2
d (3 + 6)
2
Which equations are straight lines?
1
a y = x2 + 4
b y = (x 6)
c y 4x 5 = 0
3
d y = x
e 2x + 3y = 6
f x = 4
a Write down the gradients of these lines.
y
y
i
ii
iii
4
4
2
2
x
4 2
0 2
4 2
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5
0 2
4x
4 2
2
0 2
4 2
4x
0 2
2
0 2
4x
4 2
0 2
4x
4 2
Rearrange the equations into the form ax + by + c = 0.
a 3y = 2x 6
d 3y 4x = 1
b 4x = 5y + 25
e 3y x = 2
b y = x + 8
1
5
d y = 5 5x
e y = x
2
2
Find the negative reciprocal for each number.
1
3
a 2
b 3
c
d
2
7
0 2
4x
Rearrange these equations to make y the subject.
4x
b Find the y-intercept of each of these lines.

1
i y = 2x + 4
ii y = x 6
iii y = 4x 5
3
iv y = 5 9x
v 2x + 3y = 6
vi x = 4
Sketch these graphs.
2
a y = x 4
b y = x + 2
c y = 3
d 2y x = 5
3
Write down the equations for these lines.
y
y
y
a
b
c
4
4
4
4 2
iv
c 2x + y = 3
f 2x = 7y
a y = 2x 3
c y = 3x
2
1
f y = x
3
2
e
5

2
7

1
g 0
Prior knowledge
Acute angle
Circle
Coordinates
Equilateral triangle
Gradient
Intercept
Isosceles triangle
Midpoint
Parallel
Perpendicular
Rearrange
Reciprocal
Scalene triangle
Straight line
Mathematics for the New Zealand Curriculum Year 12 NCEA Level 2

ISBN: 9781107646063
1-1
Midpoint
The picture shows a folding chair; the diagram shows a cross section of a simplified version
of the chair. Consider what happens to the back of the chair if the front legs slide along the
floor towards or away from the back legs. How will the back of the chair move? What path
would be traced out by the top of the chair back? What about the path traced by the point at
which the legs intersect? What is special about this point? Discuss.
Front leg
Back leg
Key ideas
The Cartesian plane or graph is used to uniquely specify each point in the plane.
The horizontal axis is called the x-axis.
The vertical axis is called the y-axis.
The origin is at the intersection of the x- and y-axes.
The coordinates of a point are an ordered pair of numbers (x, y) where x is the horizontal
distance from the origin and y is the vertical distance from the origin.
The coordinates of the origin are (0, 0).

The midpoint of a line segment is halfway between the end points of the line segment.
To find the point halfway between A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) we can use the midpoint formula:
midpoint of a line = c
x1 + x2 y1 + y2
,
d
2
2
Chapter 1 Coordinate geometry

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 1
Find the midpoint of the points (4, 5) and (2, 3).
Solution
Explanation
We can find the midpoint by sketching and

using similar triangles.
Halfway between 4 and 2 is 1.
y
7
6
5
4
3 Midpoint
2
1
(4, 5)
Halfway between 5 and 3 is 1.

So the midpoint is (1, 1).
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 x
2
(2, 3)
3
4
5
6
7
Or we can use the midpoint formula.

We have to choose one point to be
(x1, y1), then the other point is (x2, y2).
Choose (x1, y1) to be (4, 5) so (x2, y2)
is (2, 3).
Does it matter which point
is (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)?
Midpoint =
(4 + 2) (2 + 3 )
,
2
2
Substitute into the formula:

x1 = 4, y1 = 5 and x2 = 2, y2 = 3.
Check that the diagram and formula give the
same answer.
= 1 1, 1 2
Example 2
The centre of a circle is (1, 12). Point A(7, 3) lies on the circle. AB is the diameter.
What are the coordinates of point B?
Solution
Explanation
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
(7, 3)
Centre
2 12
7 6 5 4 3 2 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 x
1
2 12
2
(5, 2)
3
4
5
6
7
Draw a diagram first so we can see the

problem.
We can solve this by sketching and using
similar triangles.
Similar triangles tell us that B needs to be
6 to the left of 1 and 212 down from 12.

ISBN: 9781107646063
7+x
=1
2
7+x=2
x = 5
3+y 1
=
y-value:
2
2
3+y=1
y = 2
OR we can use the midpoint formula.

Choose (x1, y1) to be (7, 3).
So (x2, y2) gives coordinates of B, which we
can call (x, y).
We know the x-coordinate at the midpoint is
1, and the y-coordinate at the midpoint is 12.
Substitute into the formula and rearrange to
find x and y.
Write as a coordinate pair.
Check that your answer makes sense on the
diagram.
x-value:
Coordinates are (5, 2).
Exercise 1A
Example
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a J odie likes to calculate midpoints without using the midpoint formula. Heidi says
the formula is more useful. Use both methods to find the midpoint between these
pairs of points.
i (1, 2) and (3, 3)
ii (1, 3) and (6, 4)
1
1
iii (6, 1) and (4, 7)
iv a2 , 4b and a 5, 3 b
2
2
b
What is the same and what is different about the two methods?
Find the midpoint between these pairs of points.

a
(3, 5) and (2, 1)
(3, 5) and (1, 0)
(3.5, 4) and (1, 3.5)
Ryan wrote out his working for this question: Find the midpoint of these two points
(4, 1) and (9, 8).
Ryans working:
4 + 8 1 + 9
,
2
2
= (2, 4)
But when he sketched a diagram of the points, his answer didnt make sense.
a Explain what Ryan has done wrong.
b Work out the correct answer.
Midpoint =
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Triangle ABC has vertices A(1, 1), B(7, 3) and C(3, 5). Triangle DEF is drawn with its
vertices at the midpoints of the sides of triangle ABC.
a
b
c
What are the coordinates of the vertices of triangle DEF ?

Triangle GHI is drawn with its vertices at the midpoints of triangle DEF. What are
the coordinates of its vertices?
Consider the three triangles (ABC, DEG and GHI). What is the same about them?
What is different about them?

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example
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The centre of a circle is (1, 4). Point A(4, 1) lies on the circle. AB is the diameter.
What are the coordinates of point B?
Points C and D have a midpoint of (2, 5).
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a
b
c
d
Find a set of possible coordinates for C and D.

Find another set of possible coordinates for C and D.
Find a different set of possible coordinates for C and D.
What is the same and what is different about your answers to parts a, b and c?
Which of these pairs of points have the same midpoint?

A
B
C
D
(6, 0), (6, 4)

(12, 2), (0, 2)
(0, 7), (8, 5)
(2, 4), (8, 6)
and
and
and
and
(8, 10), (0, 2)

(4, 3), (6, 1)
(9, 10), (17, 2)
(0, 9), (4, 1)
Two points X(6, 3) and Y(0, 5) lie on a circle at the end points of its diameter. Find the
coordinates of the centre of the circle.
Find the midpoint of the line joining the points (a, b) and (2, 8).
The midpoint of (p, q) and (2, 8) is (10, 2). Find the values of p and q.
10
Find the midpoint between the points P(4a, 2a) and Q(9a, 3a) in terms of a.
11
Mere has noticed an interesting pattern. She says that If the x- and y-coordinates are
related by a rule for two points, then the x- and y-coordinates for the midpoint will be
related in the same way.
She explains: For the two points (3, 6) and (5, 10), the y-coordinate is double the
x-coordinate. Their midpoint is (4, 8) and its y-coordinate is also double its x-coordinate.
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Sione wonders if this pattern works for any pair of points and any relationship. Investigate.
Rick was explaining something he discovered about midpoints to his friends. He said
that when the midpoints of the sides of a quadrilateral are joined the resulting shape is
always the same. What shape is formed? Does this always happen? Investigate.
Enrichment: Midpoints and quadrilaterals
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ABCD is a square. E is the midpoint of CD.

AE intersects the diagonal BD at F. Consider
the shapes formed by the lines.
a
b
Which shapes (if any) are similar?

Find the area of the following as a percentage
of the total area of the square ABCD:
i ABF
ii AFD
iii FED
iv BCEF
A
E
F

ISBN: 9781107646063
1-2
Distance
Anya found an old map of New Zealand with a grid over the top. Her Mum told her she can
find distances between cities in New Zealand using the grid. Explain how she could use this
to find the distances between:
Auckland and Nelson
Wellington and Christchurch
Gisborne and New Plymouth
Anja checks her answers by using the AA website to calculate the driving distances
between the various places. All three distances are much more than she calculated from the
map. Why might this be?
Auckland
Gisborne
New Plymouth
Nelson
Wellington
Christchurch
Queenstown
Dunedin
0
100
200
Kilometres
Key ideas
The shortest distance between two points A and B is the length of the line segment AB.
To find the length of line segment AB we can use Pythagoras theorem.
To find the distance between two points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) we can use the distance
formula:
d = "(x2 x1)2 + (y2 y1)2
Equidistant means equal distance. If two points A and B are equidistant from a third point C,
they are the same distance from C (i.e. length AC is the same as length AB).

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 3
a

b
Find the distance between the two points A(3, 5) and B(4, 4) using:
i Pythagoras theorem
ii the distance formula
Compare the two methods. What is the same and what is different about them?
Solution
Explanation
i Using Pythagoras theorem:

(3, 5)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
First draw a diagram.

A right-angled triangle is formed
by drawing horizontal and vertical
lines through the end points. Use
the diagram to work out the
lengths of the sides of the triangle.
9
x
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
3
4
(4, 4)
5 7
6
7
Distance from A to B
= "72 + 92
= "49 + 81
= 11.4 (1 dp)
ii Using the distance formula:
Distance = "(3 4)2 + (5 4)2
= "(7)2 + 92
= "49 + 81
= 11.4 (1 dp)
Be careful when working with

negative numbers in the formula.
10
The two methods do the same

thing. In Pythagoras theorem we
use the lengths of the sides of the
triangle. The formula calculates the
length of the sides but takes
account of direction so gets 7.
The negatives are lost by squaring
so we get the same value inside the
square root sign.
Because it is a right-angled
triangle, we can use Pythagoras
theorem.
When using the distance formula
we have to choose one point to be
(x1, y1) and the other point is
(x2, y2).
Let (x1, y1) be (3, 5), then (x2, y2)
is (4, 4). It does not matter which
point is which, but be careful not
to muddle the coordinates.
It is useful to draw a diagram to
check your answer is reasonable.
Compare the working for the two

methods. We had a 7 and a 9 for
the sides of the right-angled
triangle. We get a 7 and a 9 in the
distance formula.

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 4
The vertices of a triangle are (1, 2), (3, 2) and (3, 0). Prove the triangle is an isosceles
triangle.
Solution
Explanation
Start by drawing a diagram with all the

information on it. We want to prove the
triangle is isosceles so we need to show
that two sides are the same length.
From the diagram it looks as if ZY and
XY are the same.
y
(3, 2) Y
(3, 0)
Z
x
X
(1, 2)
X is (1, 2), Y is (3, 2) and Z is (3, 0).

Distance XY = " 1 1 3 2 2 + 1 2 2 2 2
= " 1 2 2 2 + 1 4 2 2
= "20
We want to prove that ZY and XY are

the same length.
We will use the distance formula to
find the length of each side of the
triangle.
Distance XZ = " 1 1 3 2 2 + 1 2 0 2 2
= " 1 4 2 2 + 1 2 2 2
= "20
Distance YZ = " 1 3 3 2 2 + 1 2 + 0 2 2
= " 1 622 + 1 222
= "40
The sides XZ and XY are the same
length.
As the triangle has two sides that are the
same length, it is an isosceles triangle.
If two sides of the triangle are the same

length, the triangle is isosceles.
Write a statement to state which two

sides are the same and answer the
question.
Exercise 1B
Example
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Three pairs of points are given.

a
(3, 4) and (7, 1)
(1, 2) and (5, 2)
(7, 3) and (5, 2)
i Find the distance between each pair of points by using Pythagoras theorem.
ii Find the distance between each pair of points by using the distance formula.
iii Compare the two methods for each pair of points and decide which method is the
easier in each case.
Find the distance between each pair of points.
a
(2, 4) and (8, 3)
(8, 6) and (5, 1)
(1, 3) and (3, 1)

ISBN: 9781107646063
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Mari is working out the answer to this question: Find the distance between the points
(5, 2) and (1, 3).
Maris working:
Distance = " 1 5 1 2 2 + 1 3 2 2 2
= "36 + 25
= 7.8 (1 dp)
Mari then drew a diagram and found that her answer didnt make sense.
a Find Maris mistake(s).
b Work out the correct distance.
Example
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Triangle ABC has vertices A(5, 8), B (7, 3) and C(1, 2). Prove that triangle ABC
is scalene.
Mike and Sue were working on a question that asked for the distance between two
points. The points given were (2, 5) and (3, 4). Mike said it doesnt matter which
point is labelled (x1, y1) and which is (x2, y2). Sue says you must always label the first
point as (x1, y1). Who is correct? Explain your answer.
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a
b
c
d
e
Find the midpoints, A and B, of the two equal sides.

Find the distance between A and B.
What is the relationship between triangles PAB and PQR?
Choose another isosceles triangle and repeat parts a and b. Does the rule you
found in part c hold for this triangle?
Is the pattern you found in part c true for any triangle? Justify your answer.
The points A(7, 3) and B(3, 2) are the end points of the diameter of a circle. Find the
centre and radius of the circle.
What is the radius of a circle that passes through the point (5, 1) and has its centre
at (2, 3)?
Two points X(6, 3) and Y(0, 5) lie on a circle at the end points of its diameter.
a Find the coordinates of the centre of the circle.
b Find another point on the circle.
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The points P(4, 4), Q(4, 1) and R(1, 4) are the vertices of an isosceles triangle.
he diagram shows a circle with

T
centre (0, 0) and a point (2, "12)
on the circumference of the circle.
i Use symmetry to find the coordinates of
three more points on the circle.
ii Use Pythagoras theorem to find the radius
of the circle.
iii Find the x- and y-intercepts of the circle.
iv Check that all seven points you have
identified as being on the circle fit
Pythagoras theorem for this radius.
6
5
4
3
2
(0, 0)
y
(2, 12)
Radius
x
6 5 4 3 2 1
1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
2
3
4
5
6

ISBN: 9781107646063
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Consider a circle with centre (0, 0) and point (3, 4) on its circumference.
i Use symmetry to find the coordinates of three more points on the circle.
ii Use Pythagoras theorem to find the radius of the circle.
iii Find the x- and y-intercepts of the circle.
iv Check that all seven points you have identified as being on the circle fit
Pythagoras theorem for the radius.
Consider a circle with centre (0, 0) and point (a, b) on its circumference.
i Use symmetry to find the coordinates of three more points on the circle.
ii Use Pythagoras theorem to find a formula for r, the radius of the circle.
iii Find the x- and y-intercepts of the circle in terms of r.
iv Use the formula for r to write an equation for any point (x, y) on the circle.
11
Triangle ABC has vertices A(0, 0), B(q, p), C(p, q). Is triangle ABC scalene, isosceles
or equilateral? Justify your answer.
12
A triangle XYZ is drawn with its vertices at the midpoints of the sides of triangle DEF.
If triangle DEF is isosceles, then triangle XYZ is also isosceles. Is this always true, sometimes true or never true? Justify your answer.
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Optical cable is being installed throughout a school. The installation company has been
given a map of the school set on a Cartesian plane. The scale for the map is
1 unit = 5 metres. The wiring box (or hub) for each block is shown on the diagram
below. The company wants to work out the most economical way to install the cable.
a
b
How much cable is needed to go between the wiring boxes of blocks B and D?
he central hub will be located in block C. All blocks will be cabled to the hub in
T
block C. What is the length of the longest section of cable the company needs
install?
The company decides to install another hub underground and halfway between
blocks F and E. Find the coordinates of
y
this hub.
Help the company decide whether the
A
B
following statements are true of false.
You must justify your decision.
C
i The hub at block C is halfway along
the cable between the hubs at blocks
x
E
D
E and A.
ii The wiring hub for block B is
closer to the hub at block F than
the hub at block D.
iii The cables between blocks C, E
and D form an isosceles triangle.
F

ISBN: 9781107646063
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Enrichment: Circles and squares
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14
a T
he diagram shows a circle centred at the point (2, 3). Point A(5, 1) is on
the circumference of the circle.
y
i Find the formula for the radius of
Radius
7
the circle.
6
5
ii Use symmetry to find the
(2, 3) 4
coordinates of three more points
3
2
on the circle.
(5, 1)
1
A
iii Use Pythagoras theorem to find
x
0
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
the radius of the circle.
2
iv Check that the points in part ii fit
3
4
Pythagoras theorem for this
5
radius.
6
7
v Use Pythagoras theorem to find a
formula relating the radius of the
circle to the coordinates (x, y) of
any point on this circle.
b Consider a circle centred at the point (p, q) with point (x, y) on the
circumference.
i Find the formula for the radius of this circle.
ii Use symmetry to find the coordinates of three more points on the circle.
iii Write a formula relating the radius of the circle to the coordinates (x, y)
of any point on this circle.
Investigate the relationship between the length of the diagonal of a square and the
length of its side.
Four circles are arranged as shown
in the diagram. The two larger
circles are identical. Their centres
are on opposite corners of a square.
The two smaller circles both have a
radius of 1 cm and are at the other
corners of the square. What is the
radius of the larger circles?

ISBN: 9781107646063
1-3
Jennifer wanted to prove that the points (3, 3), (0, 2), (3, 1), (2, 3) and (6, 0) all lie on
the same line. She first sketched a diagram of the points on a set of axes. Then she
calculated the midpoint between each pair of points. This didnt seem to help, so she worked
out the distance between each pair of points but this did not seem to help either. How could
Jennifer prove the points lie on the same line? Investigate.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
7 6 5 4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 x
2
3
4
5
6
7
Key ideas
The gradient of a line is the measure of the steepness of the line.
The gradient of a line is equal to the change in vertical distance divided by the change in
horizontal distance:
rise
Gradient =
run
Lines with positive gradients slope up from left to right.
Lines with negative gradients slope down from left to right.

The gradient of a vertical line is undefined.
A horizontal line has a gradient of zero.
The formula for finding m, the gradient of a line segment between two points (x1, y1) and
(x2, y2), is
y2 y1
m =
x2 x1
Collinear [we say co-linear] points lie on the same line.
If three points A, B and C are collinear then the gradient of AB is the same as
the gradient of BC.

ISBN: 9781107646063
15
Example 5
The line AB joins the points A(2, 3) and B(5, 1).
a
Find the gradient of AB by:

i sketching a diagram and using number sense
ii using the gradient formula
Compare the two methods used in part a.
Solution
Explanation
5
4
3
2
1
x
0
5 4 3 2 1
1 1 2 3 4 5
B
2
2
m=
2
7
3
A
7
4
5
rise 3 1 2
=
=
run
2 5
7
Using the diagram works out the
gradient using m = rise
run .
ii m =
Draw a diagram. Sketch a right-angled

triangle that has the points at the ends of its
hypotenuse.
Use your number sense to work out the
lengths of the horizontal and vertical sides of
the triangle.
Calculate the gradient using m = rise

run .
When comparing the methods we see that
they are doing exactly the same thing.
Using the formula also works out

m = rise
run but uses the coordinates.
Example 6
Prove that the points A(7, 1), B(1, 5) and C(2, 8) are collinear.
Solution
Explanation
8
7
6
C
3
Start by sketching a diagram. The points look

to be collinear. We need to find the gradients
between the points. We will do this for pairs
of neighbouring points.
6
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
A
6
2
3
4
16
Why dont we need to calculate

the gradients of the lines
between all the points?

ISBN: 9781107646063
5 1
1 7
6
=
6
=1
Gradient AB =
85
2 1
3
=
3
=1
Gradient BC =
The gradients of AB and BC are the

same, so points A, B and C must lie on
the same line, i.e. the points are
collinear.
We could calculate gradients from the

diagram.
Draw in right-angled triangles between
neighbouring points. Work out the lengths of
the horizontal and vertical sides of the
triangles. Calculate the gradients.
OR we could use the gradient formula,
letting (x1, y1) be (1, 5) and (x2, y2)
be (2, 8).
Explain what you have found.

Write a concluding statement to summarise
what you have shown.
Exercise 1C
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Example
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a A
line has a gradient of 3 and passes through the point (2, 1). Find two other
points that lie on this line.
b A line has a gradient of 12 and passes through the point (1, 5). Find two other
points that lie on this line.
c A line has an undefined gradient and passes through the point (4, 7). Find two
other points that lie on this line.
The line CD joins the points C(2, 1) and B(5, 3).
a
Find the gradient of CD by:

i sketching a diagram and using number sense
ii using the gradient formula
Compare the two methods in part a.
Each pair of points is joined by a line segment.

i A(6, 4), B(6, 4)
iii E(8, 5), F(4, 3)
v I(2, 4), J(5, 2)
vii M(7, 4), N(2, 4)
Which line segments have:
a zero gradients?
c positive gradients?
ii
iv
vi
viii
C(8, 10), D(9, 10)

G(5, 4), H(5, 2)
K(7, 5), L(7, 3)
O(2, 5), P(6, 6)
b
d
undefined gradients?
negative gradients?

ISBN: 9781107646063
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l
4
Find the gradient of the line joining each pair of points.

a
c
e
l
5
A(3, 5) and B(8, 12)

E(4, 2) and F(6, 1)
1
3
I(2 , 3) and J(3 , 0)
2
4
b
d
C(6, 4) and D(2, 3)

G(3, 7) and H(1, 9)
K(3, 4) and L(8, 2)
Mari is working out the answer to the question: Find the gradient between the points
(5, 2) and (1, 3).
Maris working:
2 (3)
Gradient =
1 (5)
5
=
6
Check Maris working. If she has made any mistakes, find her error(s) and rewrite her
working correctly.
Example
l
l
6
Do the points X(3, 2), Y(5, 4) and Z(7, 6) lie on one line?
Find three collinear points that lie on a line with a gradient of:
3
a 3
b 1
c
5
l
8
l
l
l
l
4
3
Some of these points lie on one line. Which three of these points lie on the same line?
A (2, 3)
B (1, 2)
C (1, 0)
D (2, 1)
E (4, 0)
F (3, 1)
A line with gradient of 6 passes through the points (1, 5) and (x, 7). Find the value of x.
10
The gradient of the line that passes through the points (2, 6) and (2, 4) is the same as
the gradient of another line through the points (5, 1) and (1, x). Find the value of x.
11
The vertices of a triangle are A(4, 3), B(2, 3) and C(4, 1). Find the gradient of the
line joining the midpoints of AB and BC.
12
Consider the quadrilateral ABCD with vertices A(4, 3), B(2, 3), C(4, 5) and
D(2,1).
a
b
l
l
18
Find the gradient of each side of ABCD. What do you notice?

Is ABCD a rhombus? Justify your answer.
13
Find the gradient of the line joining the points (4a, 2a) and (9a, 3a).
14
The points (4, 5), (1, 3) and (2, p) are collinear Find the value of p.

ISBN: 9781107646063
l
15
Below is a set of cards with information about midpoint in red, distance in blue, gradient
in green and pairs of points in yellow. Match up the cards.
(2, 4) and (8, 6)
(0, 0)
undefined
(6, 4) and (6, 4)
(0, 1)
14.4 (1 dp)
5
8
(9, 10) and (7, 0)
(5, 1)
3
8
(6, 4) and (2, 4)
(6, 0)
11.7 (1 dp)
(4, 6) and (4, 6)
(1, 5)
18.9 (1 dp)
3
2
(2, 4) and (2, 2)
(4, 4)
7.2 (1 dp)
3
2
Enrichment: Two angles equals one
l
16
Prove that a + b = c.
Find another way of proving this.
1
a
1
b
1
c
1

ISBN: 9781107646063
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1-4
Equation of a line
Cara and Roman are drawing some straight lines. Cara is drawing a line with a y-intercept
of 3 and a gradient of 32. Roman is drawing a line with a y-intercept of 3 and gradient
3
. Cara says that both lines are the same. Roman says that the lines are different because
of 2
the gradients are different. Who is right? Explain your answer.
Key ideas
A straight line can be drawn between any two points on a Cartesian plane.
A straight line graph represents a linear equation.
The linear relationship between two variables can be represented as a straight line or a linear
equation.
Two ways of writing the equation of a straight line are

1 the gradientintercept form: y = mx + c
2 the general form: ax + by + c = 0
Special cases of equations for straight lines

1 Vertical line: gradient is undefined. For every point on a vertical line the x-value is the
same.
x=a
2 Horizontal line: gradient is zero. For every point on a horizontal line the y-value is the
same.
y=b
To find an equation of a line given the gradient and a point we can use
the gradientintercept equation: for a line with gradient m and y-intercept (0, c), the
equation is y = mx + c
or
the gradientpoint equation: for a line with gradient m and passing through point (x1, y1),
equation is
y y1 = m(x x1)
where m is the gradient of the line and (x1, y1) is a point on the line.
20

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 7
Find the equation of the straight line with a gradient of 12 that passes through the point
(2, 3).
Solution
(2, 3)
Explanation
2
1
Draw a diagram.
Start at point (2, 3).
7
6
5
4
1
Gradient = rise
run = 2 , so go up 1 and along 2 to
get to next point. Draw a line through these two
points.
1
2
6 5 4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 x
2
(2, 3) and gradient =

1
3 = x 2 + c
2
1
2
Use the gradientintercept equation.

Substitute the point and gradient into y = mx + c
and rearrange to find c.
3 = 1 + c
c=4
1
Equation of line is y = x + 4
2
OR
y y1 = m(x x1)
1
y 3 = (x 2)
2
1
y 3 = x + 1
2
1
y = x + 4
2
OR
2y x 8 = 0
Write the equation now that we know m and c.
OR
Use the gradientpoint equation.
Substitute the gradient and point into the formula.
Expand the brackets.

The equation can be written in the form y = mx + c,
where m is the gradient of the line and c is the
y-intercept.
The equation can also be written in the general form

of ax + by + c = 0.

ISBN: 9781107646063
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Example 8
Find the equation of the straight line that passes through the points (3, 5) and (7, 1).
Solution
( 3, 5)
Explanation
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Draw a diagram.
x
0
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(7,
1)
2
3
4
5
6
7
y 2 y1
x2 x1
5 1
=
3 7
6
=
10
3
=
5
y y1 = m(x x1)
3
y 5 = (x 3)
5
3
9
y 5 = x
5
5
3
16

y = x +
5
5
Or
5y + 3x 16 = 0
m=
Find the gradient between the two points.

There are other ways of
working out this example.
Can you think of one other
way to solve this question?
3
35 is the same as 5
Use either (3, 5) or (7, 1) and the gradient
to find the equation of the line.
Equation can be written in either form.
Exercise 1D
l
1
22
Which of these are linear equations?

A y = 4x + 2
C 2x 4y = 3
E x = 4
G y = x + 3x + 1
y 2x = 8
x + y = 4
1
F y = x
2
H y = x
B
D

ISBN: 9781107646063
l
2
For each equation write down:

i
ii
a
c
e
l
3
Below is a list of points and a list of linear equations. Match each point with the line(s)
on which it lies.
a
b
c
d
e
f
Example
l
4
a
b
c
e
f
8
l
5
l
6
(1, 2)
(3, 4)
(2, 1)
(2, 2)
(5, 3)
(3, 1)
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
2y + x + 2 = 0
y + x = 4
x+y=1
3y 4x = 29
y = 3x 1
y + 2x + 3 = 0
Match each description with its appropriate linear equation.
Example
the gradient of the line

the coordinates of a point on the line
y = 5x 2

b y = 8 3x
2
y = x + 4

d x y + 4 = 0
3
x 2y + 6 = 0

f 0 = 3x 4y + 12
gradient = 2, passes through (2, 4)

3
gradient = , passes through (1, 3)
4
7
gradient = , passes through (4, 3)
3
gradient is undefined, passes through (3, 2)
i x = 3
ii 3y + 7x = 19
iii y = 2
iv y = 2x
3
9
v y = x
4
4
vi y + x 1 = 0
Each pair of points lies on at least one of these lines. Match them up.
4
13
a (3, 7) and (3, 1)
i y = x +
3
3
4
ii y = x
b (4, 7) and (7, 7)
3
c (3, 4) and (0, 0)
iii y = x + 4
d (2, 2) and (4, 3)
iv 5y + 3x = 28
e (2, 7) and (7, 5)
v 5x + 2y = 14
f (4, 8) and (6, 2)
vi 14x + 3y = 77
Examine these five equations. What is the same and what is different about them?
4
1
c y = x + 5
a 4x + 5y 2 = 0
b y = 4x +
5
2
d 5x = 3y 6
e 4y + 5x 2 = 0

ISBN: 9781107646063
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l
7
A line crosses the x-axis at 5 and the y-axis at 4.

i Sketch the graph of the line.
ii Find the equation of the line in y = mx + c form.
iii Find the equation of the line in the general form of ax + by + c = 0.
Copy and complete the table for these lines.
x-intercept
c
d
l
8
l
l
l
ii
iii
iv
vi
vii
Equation in form
of y = mx + c
Equation in form
of ax + by + c = 0
What pattern do you notice in the table?

Use the pattern to predict the equation of the line that crosses the x-axis at 5 and
the y-axis at 2.
Does this pattern hold for any x- and y-intercepts? Justify your answer.
a
b
c
d
e
f
Sketch the triangle with vertices A(1, 5), B(5, 1) and C(3, 7).
Find X, the midpoint of AB.
Find Y, the midpoint of AC.
Find the gradient of the line XY.
Which side of the triangle has the same gradient as XY?
Is this pattern true for any triangle? Justify your answer.
Two points A(3, 5) and B(9, 3) have a midpoint M. A line is drawn joining M to the
point (2, 1). Find the equation of the line.
10
The points A(4, 0), B(5, 3) and C(7, 3) are the vertices of a triangle. Find the equation
for the lines that form each side of the triangle.
11
The sides of a triangle are formed by lines with equations 2x + y = 9, 7x 5y = 11

and x 8y = 13.
a
b
c
l
12
24
y-intercept
Find the vertices of the triangle. (Hint: Use a graphic calculator to solve the
simultaneous equations.)
Find the lengths of all the sides.
Find the equations of the lines joining the midpoints of each side.
There is more than one way to write an equation of a line. Two commonly used ways
are y = mx + c and ax + by + c = 0. Cooper and Lucy are arguing about the c in the
equations. Cooper says that if you had an equation in the form y = mx + c and it is
rearranged to ax + by c = 0 the value of c is exactly the same. Lucy says it is not.
Investigate.

ISBN: 9781107646063
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13
Mrs Dee showed her class a formula to calculate the equation of a line given two points
on the line. The points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are substituted into the formula.
y y1 y 2 y1
=
x x1 x2 x1
a
l
14
Use Mrs Dees method to find the equation of the lines between these points.
i (3, 7) and (3, 1)
ii (4, 7) and (7, 7)
iii (3, 4) and (0, 0)
iv (2, 2) and (4, 3)
v (2, 7) and (7, 5)
vi (4, 8) and (6, 2)
Sarah thinks that Mrs Dees method is the same as the method using
y y1 = m(x x1). How are the methods the same? How are they different?
The line joining the midpoint of any side of a triangle to the opposite vertex is called a
median of the triangle.
7
6
C
5
4
3
2
1
Midpoint of AC
x
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
3
A
B
4
Median
5
6
7
The three medians of a triangle intersect at a point called the centroid of the triangle.
Triangle ABC has vertices A(4, 3), B(3, 3) and C(1, 5).
a Find the equations of the medians for each side of the triangle.
b Find the centroid of the triangle.
Enrichment: Triangles and lines
l
15
ABC is a right-angled triangle with A(4, 3) and B(3, 2) forming the hypotenuse.
Point C lies on the line x = 2. Find the coordinates of point C.

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1-5
Gradient and angle
There are three common ways of representing gradient: as a ratio, as a percentage or as an

angle. A ratio such as 1 in 20 means that for every 20 horizontal units travelled, the altitude
increases by 1 unit. This is the same as a gradient of 5%, meaning that whatever horizontal
distance you travel your altitude increases by 5% of that distance. This gradient can also be
expressed as 2.8624 degrees. Which representation do you think is more useful?
What would a gradient with a ratio of 1 in 2 be as a percentage? What would it be as
an angle?
1371
25%
30%
20

1500 m
Key ideas
The angle that a line makes with the x-axis can be found by
using right-angled triangles and trigonometry.
The angle between a line and the x-axis refers to the angle
between the line and the positive direction of the x-axis.
If a line makes an angle with the positive direction of the
x-axis then the gradient of the line is tan ():

tan () = gradient
If the gradient is positive then the angle that the line makes
with the positive x-axis is acute.
If the gradient is negative then the angle that the line makes
with the positive x-axis is obtuse.
It is useful to know these common values of tangent. (The

irrational values are often left as surds to avoid rounding
error.)
tan (30) =
"3
tan (45) = 1
tan (60) = "3
tan (120) = "3
26

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 9
Find the angle each of these lines makes with the positive x-axis.
3
a y = 2x + 4
b y = x 2
10
Solution
Explanation
Draw a diagram. We know the gradient is 2

and the y-intercept is 4. Start by plotting the
y-intercept at 4. From here we track the
gradient up 2 and along 1 to get another point
on the line.
The gradient is positive so the angle the line
makes with the positive x-axis is acute.
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
y = 2x + 4
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
tan 1 2 =
6
3
Use the trigonometric tan ratio for a rightangled triangle.

6
= tan1 (2)
= 63.4 (1 dp)
b
y= 3 x2
10
opposite
adjacent
This is the same as tan () = gradient.

To find the angle we use inverse tan.
4
3
2
1
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 11 0 1 x
3
Gradient of the line = .
10
3
tan 1 2 =
10
3
= tan 1 a b
10
= 16.7
= 180 16.7
tan =
Draw a diagram.
The equation is in the format y = mx + c.
The y-intercept is 2 and the gradient is 103 .
The gradient is negative so the angle the line
makes with the positive x-axis is obtuse.
Using tan () = gradient.

3
10
The calculator will work out the acute angle

associated with this triangle. We want the
obtuse angle, so subtract from 180.
= 163.3 (1 dp)
ISBN: 9781107646063
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Example 10
A line is drawn through the points (5, 3) and (1, 5).
a
b
Find the gradient of the line.

Find the angle the line makes with the positive x-axis.
Solution
Explanation
5
4
3
2
8 1
Draw a diagram.
We can work out the gradient from the
diagram:
8
4
gradient is =
6
3
5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
2
3
6
4
5
5 3
1 5
8
m=
6
4
m=
3
tan () = m
m=
or use the gradient formula: m =
y 2 y1
x2 x1
Why do we use m to represent gradients

in maths? Its debatable, but a plausible
explanation is that the gradient or slope
was once called the modulus of slope,
and m stands for modulus.
4
3
= 53.1
= 180 53.1
tan 1 2 =
= 127
28
Find inverse tan of the gradient.

As the gradient is negative, the angle the line
makes with the positive x-axis is obtuse.
Round sensibly.

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 11
A boat is travelling in a straight line. Its path is plotted on a Cartesian coordinate system.
The path cuts the y-axis at 3 and the line crosses the x-axis at an angle of 60. Find the
equation of the path of the boat.
Solution
Explanation
4
3
2
60
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
tan () = gradient
m = tan (60)
m = "3
y = "3x + 3
Draw a diagram.
As the angle the line makes with the x-axis is acute, the
gradient will be positive.
Use the relationship between the angle the line makes
with the x-axis and the gradient.
tan (60) = "3

"3 = 1.73 It is easier to write as "3 to avoid
rounding and losing accuracy.
The gradient = "3 and the y-intercept is 3, so use

y = mx + c to write the equation of the line.
Exercise 1E
l
1
The diagram shows a line intersecting the x-axis and passing through the points (0, 3)
and (4, 3).
y
a Measure angle .
is the
4
3
b Use trigonometric ratios to prove
positive angle
2
angle is 56.3 (1 dp).
the line makes
1
c Calculate the gradient of the
with the x-axis
x
0
line. Check that the gradient of
4 3 2 1
1 1 2 3 4
the line is equal to tan ().
2
d Investigate the relationship
3
gradient = tan () for other
angles.
e Investigate what happens when the angle the line makes with the positive x-axis is
greater than 90.
f Does the relationship gradient = tan () always work? Explain your answer.

ISBN: 9781107646063
29
l
2
For each line drawn:

y
4
3
2
1
d
c
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
Example
l
3
10
l
4
l
l
f
e
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
Find the angle the lines make with the positive x-axis.
a
y = 3x 1
y = 4x 1
3
y = x + 2
2
2x 5y = 2
1
y = x
4
1
y = x + 3
2
y + 2x = 1
3x 4y = 1
Consider the points L(4, 3) and M(2, 4).

a
b
Find the gradient of the line through L and M.

Find the acute angle the line through L and M makes with the x-axis.
A line joins the points (4, 2) and (6, 8). Find the angle the line makes with the
positive direction of the x-axis.
Consider the lines shown.

i
ii
a
Find the angle the line makes with the positive x-axis.
Find the equation of the line.
y

b
4
3
2
1
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
30
i Find the gradient.

ii Find the value of tan ().
iii Find the angle the line makes with the positive x-axis.
Example
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4

ISBN: 9781107646063
5
4
3
2
1
d
2
1
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
5
6
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
3
2
1
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
Example
11
l
7
a
b
c
d
l
8
4
3
2
1
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
ind the equation of the line that passes through the point (3, 2) and has a
F
gradient of "3.
Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (1, 4) and crosses the
positive x-axis at an angle of 30.
Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (35, 26) and crosses
the positive x-axis at an angle of 140.
Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (5.2, 1.8) and crosses
the positive x-axis at an angle of 120.
A hovercraft is located at (1, 10) and a trawler is located at (3, 2). The hovercraft has
received a mayday call from the trawler and is heading directly to the trawler. What is
the equation of the line the hovercraft needs to follow to get to the trawler? If the hovercraft continues on this line at what angle will it meet the positive x-axis?
Enrichment: Always true?
l
9
ecide whether each of these statements is always true, sometimes true or

D
never true. If sometimes true, identify the situations for which the statement is
true. Justify your decisions.
i If the gradient of AC is the same as the gradient of BD then points A, B,
C and D are collinear.
ii If the gradients of AC and BD are equal then AC and BD meet the x-axis
at the same angle.
iii If AC and BD meet the x-axis at the same angle then the gradients of AB
and CD are the same.
Write your own statement about the gradient that is true for only some
situations.

ISBN: 9781107646063
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1-6
Parallel lines
Jack says that he can tell if lines are parallel by looking at their equations. He says y = 6x + 5
and y = 6x 2 are parallel because the number in front of the x in both equations is 6.
Tanya is not convinced. She asks about 2y = 6x 4 and 3y + 6x + 12 = 0.
Are these two lines parallel? Does Jacks method work for these two lines? Discuss.
Key ideas
Parallel lines are always the same distance apart.
Parallel lines have the same gradient.
Example 12
A line is parallel to y = 23 x + 1 and passes through the point (1, 4). Find the equation
of the line.
Explanation
Solution
4
3
2
1
(1, 4)
Start by drawing a diagram.

The gradient of the first line can be found from the
equation because it is in the form y = mx + c.
4 3 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
2
3
4
2
3
Point = (1, 4)
y y1 = m(x x1)
2
y 4 = (x 1)
3
2
2
y 4 = x +
3
3
2
14
y = x +
3
3
m=
OR 3y + 2x 14 = 0
32
The lines are parallel so the gradients are the same.

Now we know the gradient and a point we can use
the gradientpoint formula.
Expand the brackets, working with 23 as a fraction
to avoid rounding errors.
The equation can be written in either form.

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 13
A line passes through the point (3, 1) and is parallel to a second line that passes through
the points (2, 3) and (2, 3). Find the equation of the first line.
Explanation
Solution
4
3
2
1
Start by drawing a diagram.
4 2 11 0 1 2 3 4 x
(3, 1) 2
3
4
3 3
2 2
6
=
4
3
=
2
m=
Determine the gradient between the points

(2, 3) and (2, 3) by using the formula or
from the diagram.
y y1 = m(x x1)
3
y 1 = (x 3)
2
3
9
y + 1 = x
2
2
3
11
y = x
2
2
The line has a gradient of 32 and goes

through the point (3, 1), so we can use
the gradientpoint formula.
OR 2y + 3x + 11 = 0
The equation can be written in either form.
Exercise 1F
Example
12
l
1
Sort these equations into groups of parallel lines.

a
d
g
j
y = 6
x y = 6
3x + 3y = 8
4x 24 = 0
b
e
h
k
x = 6
3x + 3y = 6
30x 30y = 80
4x = 4y 8
c
f
i
l
x+y=6
3x = 18 3y
3x = 6
8y = 48

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l
2
Lines a to f are 6 different lines. Find a parallel line for each line from the lines i to vi.
a
b
c
d
e
f
Example
13
l
3
l
4
l
l
l
l
i 2y + x + 2 = 0
ii y + x = 4
iii x + y = 1
iv 3y 4x = 29
v y = 3x 1
vi y + 2x + 3 = 0
ind the equation of the line that passes through (4, 5) and is parallel to the line
F
that passes through the points (7, 2) and (1, 8).
ind the equation of the line that passes through (5, 2) and is parallel to the line
F
that passes through the points (2, 0) and (4, 4).
What is the same about these four lines? What is different?

a
3y 9x 4 = 0, 15y + 45x + 10 = 0, 12y 36x + 1 = 0,
3x + 2y = 4, 3x = 2y, 3x + 2y 8 = 0
y
=x
3
Sam says that parallel lines do not cross or touch. Is this always true? Explain.
A line passes through the x-axis at x = 2 parallel to the line y = 14 x + 3. Find the
equation of the first line.
A rhombus is a quadrilateral with opposite sides parallel and all sides the same length.
Prove that the quadrilateral with vertices at (5, 1), (8, 5), (2, 5) and (5, 9) is a rhombus.
The points (10, 9), (11, 1), (4, 1) and (5, 7) are vertices of a quadrilateral.
l
9
l
l
a
b
Prove that the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

Find the coordinates of the centre of the parallelogram.
A triangle has vertices at X(1, 5), Y(3, 1) and Z(8, 3).

a
b
c
Find the equation for the line through X and Y.

Find the midpoint of the side YZ.
Find the equation of the line that is parallel to the side XY and passes through the
midpoint of side YZ.
10
A line is parallel to 4y + x = 4 and passes through the points (2, 4) and (0, a). Find the
value of a.
11
Karla and Graeme are designing a kite. They start drawing their design on squared paper
with x- and y-axes and using the points O(0, 0), A(13, 0) and B(5, 12) as three of the
kites vertices.
a
b
34
y = 3x + 4
y = x 5
y = 5 2x
1
y = x + 3
2
3y 4x = 1
5y + 5x 4 = 0
Show that OAB is an isosceles triangle.

arla and Grant do not know where to put the fourth vertex, but they know it will
K
be on a line that goes through the point A and is parallel to OB. Find the equation
of the line.

ISBN: 9781107646063
Enrichment: Venn diagrams
l
12
I n this Venn diagram

y-intercept = 2
each circle represents lines
that satisfy a particular condition.
Y
For example, circle G is for lines
ith a gradient of 12, circle Y

w
is for lines that have a y-intercept
of 2, and circle P is for lines
that pass through the point
P
(3, 5). Where circles overlap,
the line must satisfy each set
of conditions. For example,
Goes through
lines in the overlap between
point (3, 5)
G and P will pass through
point (3, 5) and have a gradient of 12.
Copy the diagram and write an equation into each of the regions. It might not
be possible to find an equation for every region. List the impossible region(s)
and explain why.
In this Venn diagram the circles X, Y and Z represent line segments satisfying
conditions as shown.
Gradient = 1
2
G
Distance between
two end points = 20
Gradient = 2
X
Z
Midpoint = (2, 1)

opy the diagram and add the coordinates of a pair of points that satisfies the
C
condition of the region. Is it possible to find a pair of points for each region?
Explain your answer.

ISBN: 9781107646063
35
1-7
Perpendicular lines
Rachel is investigating the gradients of perpendicular lines.

y
She draws the line segment OP from the origin to the point
P
P(3, 2). She rotates OP 90 anticlockwise around the origin
to OP.
P
What is the angle POP?
x
O
What are the coordinates of P?
What is the relationship between the gradient of OP and
the gradient of OP?
What is the relationship between the coordinates of
P and P?
Are these relationships true for any point and its image after a 90 rotation? Investigate.
Key ideas
Lines that are perpendicular intersect at right angles.
Perpendicular lines have gradients that multiply to give 1.
The perpendicular bisector of a line segment is a line that goes through the midpoint of the
line segment at right angles to it.
Example 14
Find the gradient of a line that is perpendicular to 8x + 3y + 4 = 0.
Solution
Explanation
8x + 3y + 4 = 0
3y = 8x 4
8
4
y = x
3
3
Gradient of line = 83
Gradient of perpendicular line = 38
y
m=
3
8
Gradients of perpendicular lines multiply to

give 1.
OR take the negative reciprocal, i.e. turn 83
upside down to 38 and take the opposite sign.
m = 83
x
36
We need to first find the gradient of the

given equation. Rearrange to y = mx + c
form.
Draw a diagram to check that the answer

makes sense.

ISBN: 9781107646063
Example 15
Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (1, 4) and is perpendicular to
the line y = 32 x + 1.
Explanation
Solution
Draw a diagram. We have sketched the line

3
y = x + 1.
2
(1, 4) y
4
3
2
1
6 5 4 3 2 110
1 2 3 4x
2
3
4
Gradient of given line =
3
2
Gradient of perpendicular line =
3
2
We can get the gradient of the given line

from the equation. The gradients of two
perpendicular lines multiply to give 1:
3
m = 1
2
2
m=
3
y y1 = m (x x1)
Find the equation for the line with gradient 23

that goes through the point (1, 4).
2
y 4 = (x 1)
3
2
2
y 4 = x +
3
3
2
14
y = x +
3
3
OR 3y 2x 14 = 0
Equation can be written in either form.

ISBN: 9781107646063
37
Example 16
The points A(1, 1), B(3, 5) and C(5, 1) are the vertices of a triangle. Prove that the
triangle is a right-angled triangle.
Explanation
Solution
5
4
3
2
1
Draw a diagram.
From the diagram angle BAC appears to be a
right angle, but we cant be sure.
01 2 3 4 5x
3 2
A 2
3
Find the gradient of the line AB:

1 5
Gradient AB =
1 3
=
6
2
To prove the triangle is right angled we

need to prove that two of its sides are
perpendicular. We will start with the lines
AB and AC.
= 3
Find the gradient of the line AC:
Gradient AC =
1 1
1 5
2
6
1
3
The line AB is perpendicular to the line

AC, therefore the triangle is a rightangled triangle.
Gradient AB gradient AC = 1
Remember we need to write a concluding
statement.
Another way to prove that the

triangle is right angled would be to
calculate the length of each side and
see if they fit Pythagoras theorem.
38

ISBN: 9781107646063
Exercise 1G
l
1

Example
14
l
2
l
l
3
Example
15
l
5
Find the gradient for each of these linear equations.

i y = 2x + 3 ii y + 2x + 5 = 0 iii 6x 3y = 1 iv y = 1 x
v 2x = 1 3y vi 2y 4 = x
vii 2x + 3y = 5 viii 2x = 1 3y
ix 2y = 3x
x x + 2y = 1
Which lines are parallel?
c Which lines are perpendicular?
Find the gradients of lines perpendicular to each of these lines.

a
d
y = 4x 8
4x 8y + 12 = 0
b
e
y = 2x
6y + 36x = 10
c
f
What is the same and what is different about these three equations? Explain.
a
3x + y + 5 = 0
y = 3x + 15
16
l
6
l
l
l
3y + 9x = 15
Find the equation of a line that is perpendicular to the line and passes through the given
point.
1
3
a y = 3x 3, (1, 4)
b y = x + 2, (3, 1) c y = 4 x, (2, 2)
3
4
d 4x 2y + 5 = 0, (6, 2) e x y = 2, (4, 2)
f y = 2, (3, 2)
a
b
Find the gradient of each line in the diagram.

For each line in the diagram, find the equation
of a line that is perpendicular to it and passes
through the point (0, 2).
E
Example
6
y = x + 1
7
x = 2
D 7
6
5
4
3
2
1
y
C
0
x
7 65 4 3 21
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2
3
4
5
6
7
The points (3, 0), (8, 7) and (2, 3) are the vertices of a triangle.
a
b
c
Prove the triangle is right angled.

Use a different method to prove the triangle is right angled.
Which method is better? Explain your answer.
The points (6, 1), (0, 1) and (3, 4) are the vertices of a triangle. Prove the triangle is a
right-angled isosceles triangle.
The points (5, 4), (1, 2) and (5, 2) form three of the vertices of a square. What are
the coordinates of the fourth vertex of the square?
Find the equation of the line that passes through the point (5, 1) and is:
l
10
a
b
parallel to the line 3x + 4y = 8

perpendicular to the line 3x + 4y = 8
A line is drawn through C(2, 1) and D(5, 2). Find the equation of the line that forms
the perpendicular bisector of CD.

ISBN: 9781107646063
39
l
11
l
12
The perpendicular bisector of the side of a triangle is called a mediator.

B
The point where the three mediators of a triangle
Midpoint of BC
meet is called the circumcentre of the triangle.
C
Consider the triangle X(6, 5), Y(6, 3) and Z(1, 2).
a Find the equation of the mediator of side XY.
b Find the equation of the mediator of side XZ.
c Find the equation of the mediator of side YZ.
Perpendicular bisector
A
d Find the coordinates of the circumcentre of the triangle.
An altitude of a triangle is a line that passes through a vertex
of the triangle and is perpendicular to the side opposite that vertex.
The three altitudes of a triangle intersect at a point called the orthocentre.
Triangle XYZ has vertices at X(7, 7), Y(9, 1) and Z(1, 3).
a Find the equations of the altitudes of each side.
A
b Find the coordinates of the orthocentre of the triangle.
Altitude
Enrichment: Pedal triangle
l
13
A pedal triangle for any point P inside

a triangle is formed when the point P is connected to each side of the triangle by a perpendicular line. The points where these perpendicular lines meet the sides of the triangle ABC form
the vertices of the pedal triangle EFG. In some
cases you may need to extend the sides of the
triangle ABC past its vertices before you can
find a perpendicular from P.
B
E
6
5
4
3
2
6 5 4 3 2 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
y
Pedal triangle
is EFG
F
P
0
C
G
3 4 5 6 x
The triangle ABC has vertices A(5, 4), B(3,

2) and C(5, 1). Let point P be at (1, 1).
a Find the equations of the perpendiculars through point P for the three sides of
the triangle.
b Find the point of intersection of the altitude through P and side BC, and label
this point F.
c Find the point of intersection of the altitude through P and side AC, and label
this point G.
d Find the point of intersection of the altitude through P and side AB, and label
this point E.
e Repeat the above steps to find the pedal triangle for a different triangle. What
do you notice?
f Using appropriate technology, explore the effect of moving P to different
places, such as outside the original triangle.
40

ISBN: 9781107646063
Mathematically
W O R K I N G
Solving problems? Use the PESEC cycle!
Are you are maths-problem solver?
PROBLEM
In my own words, what is being asked?
Read and reread the problem.
Sketch an initial diagram.
Explain the problem in my own words.
CONCLUDE
Finishing it up
What is my final answer?
Is my solution communicated
clearly?
What are the success criteria?
EXTEND
How do I show relational and
extended abstract thinking?
Explore the problem further.
Identify patterns, relationships
and exceptions.
Abstract to form a general
principle.
Reflect on my solution.
EXPLORE
Make sense of the problem and
connect what I have learned.
Investigate/play with what is given
in the problem.
What methods from my toolbox
can I use?
What else do I need to figure out?
SOLVE
Change the words into a maths problem
and solve it.
Organise and sort my exploration.
Construct useful diagrams or models.
Turn words into labels.
Apply methods from my toolbox.
1 The Euler line

Morgan was researching coordinate geometry on the internet and found information about
the Euler line of a triangle. Surprisingly, the centroid, circumcentre and orthocentre of any
triangle are collinear. The line on which they lie is called the Euler line of the triangle.
Use the PESEC cycle to investigate the Euler line for triangle A(5, 3), B(6, 1), C(2, 7)
by completing the questions.

ISBN: 9781107646063
41
Explore: Make sense of the problem and connect it to what I have learnt.
atch up the names with the definitions (Hint: Use the internet or a dictionary, or
M
search through this chapter to find these answers.)
Name of point
c

d
Definition
The circumcentre
The point at which the three altitudes of

a triangle intersect
The centroid
The point at which the three mediators

of a triangle intersect
The orthocentre
The point at which the three medians of

a triangle intersect
Solve: Change the words into a maths problem and solve it.
i Draw a diagram of the triangle.
ii Find the circumcentre.
iii Find the centroid.
iv Find the orthocentre.
Extend: How do I show relational, extended abstract thinking?
What do you notice about the circumcentre, the centroid and the orthocentre?
Does this happen for other triangles?
Can you find a triangle for which it doesnt work?
Do these points always lie in the same order?
Use appropriate technology to investigate what happens to the Euler line with
different types of triangles, e.g. scalene, isosceles and equilateral triangles.
Conclude: Explain what I have found.
2 Orthogonal circle
Use the PESEC cycle to solve these problems.
For any three circles that dont intersect, a straight line or another circle can be drawn that
cuts the three circles at right angles. The circle or straight line is said to be orthogonal to
the three original circles.
a Consider the three circles with centres (0, 0), (3, 0) and (9, 2) and radii 4, 5 and
6 units respectively. Find the centre and radius of the circle that cuts the three circles
at right angles.
42

ISBN: 9781107646063
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
(9, 2)
(0, 0)
(3, 0)
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Repeat for three circles with centres (0, 0), (3, 3) and (8, 8) and radii 1, 2 and 3 units
respectively.
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
(8, 8)
(3, 3)
(0, 0)
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 x
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
If you are given three circles, can you tell without calculating whether they will have
an orthogonal circle or an orthogonal straight line? How do the two diagrams differ?

ISBN: 9781107646063
43
Review
Chapter summary
Midpoint
The Cartesian plane or graph is used to uniquely specify each point in the plane.
The horizontal axis is called the x-axis.
The vertical axis is called the y-axis.
The origin is at the intersection of the x- and y-axes.
Cartesian coordinates of a point are an ordered pair of numbers. We write this (x, y), where
x is the horizontal distance from the origin and y is the vertical distance from the origin.
The coordinates of the origin are (0, 0).
The midpoint of a line segment is halfway between the end points of the line segment.
To find the point halfway between A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) we can use the midpoint
formula:

Midpoint of a line = c
x 1 + x 2 y1 + y 2
,
d
2
2
Distance
The shortest distance between two points A and B is the length of the line segment AB.
To find the length of line segment AB we can use Pythagoras theorem.
The distance formula is a quick way of finding the distance between any two points
A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2).
Distance between points AB = " 1 x2 x1 2 2 + 1 y2 y1 2 2
Equidistant means equal distance. If two points A and B are equidistant from a third
point C, they are the same distance from C (i.e. length of AC is the same as length AB).

The gradient of a line is a measure of the steepness of the line.
The gradient of a line is equal to the change in vertical distance divided by the change in
horizontal distance:
rise
Gradient =
run
Lines with positive gradients slope up from left to right.
Lines with negative gradients slope down from left to right.
The gradient of a vertical line is undefined.
A horizontal line has a gradient of zero.
The formula for finding the gradient of a line segment given two points (x1, y1) and
(x2, y2) is
y 2 y1
m=
x2 x1
Points are collinear [we say co-linear] if they lie on the same line.
If three points A, B and C are collinear then the gradient of AB is the same as the
gradient of BC.
44

ISBN: 9781107646063
Review
Equation of a line
A straight line can be drawn between any two points on a Cartesian plane.
A straight line graph represents a linear relationship between two variables. This
relationship can also be expressed as an equation or a table of values.
Two ways of writing the equation of a straight line are
1 the gradientintercept form: y = mx + c
2 the general form: ax + by + c = 0
Special cases of equations for straight lines
1 Vertical line: gradient is undefined. For every point on a vertical line the x-value is
the same.
x=a
2 Horizontal line: gradient is zero. For every point on a horizontal line the y-value is
the same.
y=b
To find an equation of a line given the gradient and a point, we can use
1 the gradientintercept equation: for a line with gradient m and y-intercept (0, c), the
equation is y = mx + c
2 the gradientpoint equation: for a line with gradient m and passing through point
(x1, y1), equation is y y1 = m(x x1), where m is the gradient of the line and (x1, y1)
is a point on the line.
Gradient and angle
The angle that a line makes with the x-axis can be found by using trigonometry and
right-angled triangles.
y
The angle between a line and the x-axis refers to the angle
between the line and the positive direction of the x-axis.
If a line makes an angle with the positive direction of the

x-axis, then the gradient of the line is tan ().

tan 1 2 = gradient
If the gradient is positive then the angle that the line makes
y
with the positive x-axis is acute.
If the gradient is negative then the angle that the line makes
with the positive x-axis is obtuse.

It is useful to know these common values of tangent. (The
irrational values are often left as surds to avoid rounding error.)
1

tan 1 30 2 =
tan 1 45 2 = 1 tan 1 60 2 = "3 tan 1 120 2 = "3
"3
Parallel lines
Parallel are always the same distance apart.
Parallel lines have the same gradient.

ISBN: 9781107646063
45
Review
Perpendicular lines
Lines that are perpendicular intersect at right angles.
Perpendicular lines have gradients that multiply to give 1.
A perpendicular bisector of a line segment is a line that passes through the midpoint of
the line segment at right angles to it.
Review questions
1 A quadrilateral has sides A(1, 2), B(2, 1), C(3, 2) and D(2, 1).
E, F, G and H are the midpoints of the sides of the quadrilateral. If the points E, F, G
and H are joined, a new quadrilateral is formed.
a What type of quadrilateral is EFGH? Does it have the same properties as ABCD?
You must show the coordinate geometry methods you used to get your answer.
b Show that for any set of points A(1, 2), B(a, b), C(c, d) and D(e, f ) joining the
midpoints of AB, BC, CD and DA always gives this type of quadrilateral.
Use appropriate mathematical statements. Clearly communicate your strategy and
method at each stage of the solution.
2 Search and Rescue (SAR) teams are coordinated by the SAR management team. They
are looking for a lost tramper and are using a map with Cartesian coordinates. The scale
is 1 unit = 10 km. SAR headquarters is located at (2, 4). Two teams are sent out.
a Team 1 leaves headquarters and heads towards a hut located at (4, 5). The searchers
stop halfway for a rest. Find the coordinates of their rest stop.
b Team 1 members decide to turn right after their rest and walk on a path at right
angles to the line they were following between the headquarters and the hut. Find the
equation of their new path.
c Team 1 members walk for 7 km after their first rest before stopping for a quick
drink. At what point did they have their second rest?
3 a From this list of linear equations, find four lines that form the sides of a rectangle.
Justify your answer.
1
4y x = 1
y+4=x
y = 2x + 8
2y + x = 1
2
1
y = 2(x 1)
2y x = 4
y + 2x + 2 = 0
y = x + 2
2
y = x + 4
2y = 4 x
b Copy and complete the graph to show the four lines (that form
the rectangle) and the x- and y-axis.
46

ISBN: 9781107646063
Properties
Equations
Review
4 Place these equations of straight lines

A to J in the table so they match the
properties a to e:
A y = 4x + 4
B 4y x = 3
C y = 8x 3
D y + 4x = 6
E 3y = 2x 8
F y + 6x 11 = 0
G 2y = 3x 8
H 2y + x = 4
I y = 6x 4
J 2y = 8x + 3
a Lines are parallel

b Lines are perpendicular
c Have the same y-intercept
d Have the same x-intercept
e Go through the point (1, 5)
Equations can be matched to more than one property.

5 The centroid of a triangle is the point at which the three medians intersect. The median
is the line that starts from a vertex of the triangle and passes through the midpoint of the
opposite side.
a Find the centroid of the triangle A(1, 2), B(3, 4) and C(5, 0).
b If you have a triangle with vertices (x1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3), prove that the formula

for the centroid is c
(x1 + x2 + x3) ( y1 + y2 + y3)

,
d
3
3
6 This orienteering map (not to IOF 50

standard) is marked for an event
Start
involving amateur radio direction
Finish
finding. The triangle marks the
Radio beacons
40
start and the closed circle marks
0 100 200 300 400 500
the finish. There are two hidden
Metres
radio beacons indicated by open
circles. Competitors must find the
(13, 33)
30
hidden radio control beacons and
N
then head for the finish.
Calculate the shortest possible
distance the competitors could
20
travel to complete the event.
7 Is the statement always true,
(4, 12)
(31, 13)
sometimes true or never true?
10
Explain your answer.
a An altitude subdivides a triangle
into two similar triangles.
(23, 3)
(0, 0)
b The centre of a circle that
0
10
20
30
40
circumscribes a triangle
lies inside the triangle.
c An altitude and median pass through the same points of the triangle.
d A pedal triangle (see Enrichment on page 40 for definition) is always inside the
original triangle.

ISBN: 9781107646063
47

Geometry

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C H A P T E R

Gradient and collinear points

Gradient and angle

Anna Brookie et al. 2012

Anna Brookie et al. 2012

Rearrange the equations into the form ax + by + c = 0.

Rearrange these equations to make y the subject.

b Find the y-intercept of each of these lines.

Mathematics for the New Zealand Curriculum Year 12 NCEA Level 2

The coordinates of the origin are (0, 0).

Chapter 1 Coordinate geometry

We can find the midpoint by sketching and

Halfway between 5 and 3 is 1.

Or we can use the midpoint formula.

Substitute into the formula:

Draw a diagram first so we can see the

Mathematics for the New Zealand Curriculum Year 12 NCEA Level 2

OR we can use the midpoint formula.

Coordinates are (5, 2).

Find the midpoint between these pairs of points.

(3, 5) and (2, 1)

(3, 5) and (1, 0)

(3.5, 4) and (1, 3.5)

What are the coordinates of the vertices of triangle DEF ?

Chapter 1 Coordinate geometry

Points C and D have a midpoint of (2, 5).

Find a set of possible coordinates for C and D.

Which of these pairs of points have the same midpoint?

(6, 0), (6, 4)

(8, 10), (0, 2)

Enrichment: Midpoints and quadrilaterals

ABCD is a square. E is the midpoint of CD.

Which shapes (if any) are similar?

Mathematics for the New Zealand Curriculum Year 12 NCEA Level 2

d = "(x2 x1)2 + (y2 y1)2

Chapter 1 Coordinate geometry

i Using Pythagoras theorem:

First draw a diagram.

Be careful when working with

The two methods do the same

Compare the working for the two

Mathematics for the New Zealand Curriculum Year 12 NCEA Level 2

Start by drawing a diagram with all the

X is (1, 2), Y is (3, 2) and Z is (3, 0).

We want to prove that ZY and XY are

If two sides of the triangle are the same

Write a statement to state which two

Three pairs of points are given.

(3, 4) and (7, 1)

(1, 2) and (5, 2)

(7, 3) and (5, 2)

(2, 4) and (8, 3)

(8, 6) and (5, 1)

(1, 3) and (3, 1)

Chapter 1 Coordinate geometry

Find the midpoints, A and B, of the two equal sides.

he diagram shows a circle with

Mathematics for the New Zealand Curriculum Year 12 NCEA Level 2

Chapter 1 Coordinate geometry

Enrichment: Circles and squares

Mathematics for the New Zealand Curriculum Year 12 NCEA Level 2

Gradient and collinear points

Lines with negative gradients slope down from left to right.

Chapter 1 Coordinate geometry