1. Parallel and Perpendicular
Lines (Equations)
Section 5.5
P. 319

2. Key Concept (and its converse)
If two nonvertical lines in the same plane
have the same slope, then they are
parallel. (from Chpt.4)
If two nonvertical lines in the same plane
are parallel, then they have the same
slope.

3. EXAMPLE 1 Write an equation of a parallel line
Write an equation of the line that passes through (–3,–5)
and is parallel to the line y = 3x – 1.
SOLUTION
STEP 1
Identify the slope. The graph of the given equation
has a slope of 3. So, the parallel line through (– 3, – 5)
has a slope of 3.
STEP 2
Find the y-intercept. Use the slope and the given point.

4. EXAMPLE 1 Write an equation of a parallel line
y = mx + b Write slope-intercept form.
– 5 = 3(– 3) + b Substitute 3 for m, 23 for x, and 25 for y.
4=b Solve for b.
STEP 3
Write an equation. Use y = mx + b.
y = 3x + 4 Substitute 3 for m and 4 for b.

5. GUIDED PRACTICE for Example 1
1. Write an equation of the line that passes through
(–2, 11) and is parallel to the line y = – x + 5.
SOLUTION
STEP 1
Identify the slope. The graph of the given equation
has a slope of – 1.So, the parallel line through (– 2, 11)
has a slope of – 1.
STEP 2
Find the y-intercept. Use the slope and the given point.

6. GUIDED PRACTICE for Example 1
y = mx + b Write slope-intercept form.
11 = (–1 )(– 2) + b Substitute 11 for y, – 1 for m, and – 2 for x.
9=b Solve for b.
STEP 3
Write an equation. Use y = m x + b.
y =–x+9 Substitute – 1 for m and 9 for b.

7. Key Concept
If two nonvertical lines in the same plane
have slopes that are negative
reciprocals, then the lines are
perpendicular.
If two nonvertical lines in the same plane
are perpendicular, then their slope are
negative reciprocals.

8. • Here is an example of two lines that ARE
perpendicular:
y = - 4x + 6
y=¼x -3
Note: ¼ and -4 are negative reciprocals

9. EXAMPLE 4 Write an equation of a perpendicular line
Write an equation of the line that passes through
(4, – 5) and is perpendicular to the line y = 2x + 3.
SOLUTION
STEP 1
Identify the slope. The graph of the given equation
has a slope of 2. Because the slopes of perpendicular
lines are negative reciprocals, the slope of the
perpendicular line through (4, –5) is –1 .
2

10. EXAMPLE 4 Write an equation of a perpendicular line
STEP 2 Find the y-intercept. Use the slope and the
given point.
y = mx + b Write slope-intercept form.
1
– 5 = – 1 (4) + b Substitute – for m, 4 for x, and
2
2 – 5 for y.
–3= b Solve for b.
STEP 3 Write an equation.
y=mx+b Write slope-intercept form.
1 1
y= – 2x – 3 Substitute – for m and – 3 for b.
2

11. GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 3 and 4
3. Is line “a” perpendicular to line “b”? Justify your
answer using slopes
Line a: 2y + x = – 12
Line b: 2y = 3x – 8
SOLUTION
Find the slopes of the lines. Write the equations in
slope-intercept form.
Line a: 2y + x = 12 Line b: 2y = 3x -8
1 y = 3/2x -4
y=– x–6
2

12. EXAMPLE 2 Determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular
Determine which lines, if any, are parallel or
perpendicular.
Line a: y = 5x – 3
Line b: x +5y = 2
Line c: –10y – 2x = 0
SOLUTION
Find the slopes of the lines.
Line a: The equation is in slope-intercept form.
The slope is 5.
Write the equations for lines b and c in slope-
intercept form.

13. EXAMPLE 2 Determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular
Line b: x + 5y = 2
5y = – x + 2
–1 x 2
y=
5 + 5
Line c: – 10y – 2x = 0
– 10y = 2x
1
y= – 5x

14. EXAMPLE 2 Determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular
ANSWER
Lines b and c have slopes of – 1 , so they are
5
parallel. Line a has a slope of 5, the negative reciprocal
of – 1 , so it is perpendicular to lines b and c.
5

15. GUIDED PRACTICE for Example 2
Determine which lines, if any, are parallel or
perpendicular.
Line a: 2x + 6y = – 3
Line b: 3x – 8 = y
Line c: –1.5y + 4.5x = 6
Find the slopes of the lines.
Line a: 2x + 6y = – 3
6y = –2x – 3
y= – 1x – 1
3 2

16. GUIDED PRACTICE for Example 2
Line b: 3x – 8 = y
Line c: –1.5y + 4.5x = 6
– 1.5y = 4.5x – 6
y = 3x – 4
Lines b and c have slopes of 3, so they are parallel. Line
a has a slope of – 1 , the negative reciprocal
3
of 3, so it is perpendicular to lines b and c.

17. Assignment:
• P. 322 1, 2, 6-8, 12-14, 18-20, 32

18. • Things to study for the test
• Sections 5.1 – 5.5 (omit 5.3)
• Write an equation in slope-intercept form given
the slope and y –int
• Write an equation in slope-intercept form given
the graph or two points
• Standard Form – given two points
• Parallel Lines – write equations
• Perpendicular Lines – write equations