Question

Write the equations of the vertical and horizontal lines through the point (-7,2).

Equation of the vertical line

Answer 1

• x = -7
• y = 2

Explanation:

You want the equations of a vertical and a horizontal line through a given point, (-7, 2).

Vertical line

All of the points on a vertical line are the same distance from the y-axis. The coordinate of a point that tells the distance from the y-axis is the x-coordinate. Then all of the points on a vertical line will have the same x-coordinate. The line can be described by ...

x = constant

If the line is to go through a specific point, the constant must be the x-coordinate of that point.

x = -7 . . . . . . vertical line through (-7, 2)

Horizontal line

All of the points on a horizontal line are the same distance from the x-axis. The coordinate of a point that tells the distance from the x-axis is the y-coordinate. Then all of the points on a horizontal line will have the same y-coordinate. The line can be described by ...

y = constant

If the line is to go through a specific point, the constant must be the y-coordinate of that point.

y = 2 . . . . . . . . horizontal line through (-7, 2)