*IBV6 Find vector eq of line passing thru (–1, 4),(3, –1). in form r = p + td

In summary, the general equation for a line in vector form is <em>r = p + td</em>, where <em>r</em> is the position vector of a point on the line, <em>p</em> is the position vector of a known point on the line, <em>t</em> is a scalar parameter, and <em>d</em> is the direction vector of the line. To find the direction vector of a line passing through two points, subtract the position vector of one point from the position vector of the other point. The scalar parameter <em>t</em> represents the distance along the line, and can be used to convert the vector equation of a line to slope-intercept form. Vector
  • #1
karush
Gold Member
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Find a vector equation of the line passing through
$(–1, 4)$ and $(3, –1)$.
Give answer in the form \(\displaystyle r = p + td\),
where \(\displaystyle t \in {R}\)

position vector would be \(\displaystyle (3, -1) = p\)

direction vector would be (3+1,-1-4) = (4,-5) = d

so \(\displaystyle r=(3,-1)+t(4,-5)\)
 
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  • #2
Looks good! :D
 

FAQ: *IBV6 Find vector eq of line passing thru (–1, 4),(3, –1). in form r = p + td

1. What is the general equation for a line in vector form?

The general equation for a line in vector form is r = p + td, where r is the position vector of a point on the line, p is the position vector of a known point on the line, t is a scalar parameter, and d is the direction vector of the line.

2. How do you find the direction vector of a line passing through two points?

To find the direction vector of a line passing through two points, subtract the position vector of one point from the position vector of the other point. In this case, the direction vector would be d = (3, -1) - (-1, 4) = (4, -5).

3. What is the significance of the scalar parameter t in the vector equation of a line?

The scalar parameter t represents the distance along the line. It can take on any real value, and as it varies, it moves the position vector r along the line.

4. Can the vector equation of a line be used to find the equation of a line in slope-intercept form?

Yes, the vector equation of a line can be converted to the slope-intercept form (y = mx + b) by solving for t and r. The slope of the line can be found by dividing the y-component of the direction vector by the x-component, and the y-intercept can be found by plugging in the known point into the equation.

5. What is the purpose of using vector form to represent a line?

Vector form is useful for representing lines because it is independent of any specific coordinate system. It makes it easier to visualize the direction and position of a line without being constrained to a specific set of axes. It also allows for easy manipulation and calculation of the line's properties, such as finding the distance between two lines or finding the intersection point of two lines.

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