GRE Math : How to find the equation of parallel lines

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

Create An Account

All GRE Math Resources

13 Diagnostic Tests 452 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Equation Of A Parallel Line

If the line through the points (5, –3) and (–2, p) is parallel to the line y = –2x – 3, what is the value of p ?

Possible Answers:

–10

–17

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the lines are parallel, the slopes must be the same. Therefore, (p+3) divided by (–2–5) must equal –2. 11 is the only choice that makes that equation true. This can be solved by setting up the equation and solving for p, or by plugging in the other answer choices for p.

$\frac{p--3}{-2-5}=\frac{p+3}{-2-5}=-2$

$\frac{p+3}{-7}=-2$

$(\frac{p+3}{-7})-7=-2(-7)$

p+3=14

p=11

Report an Error

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Equation Of A Parallel Line

Which of these formulas could be a formula for a line perpendicular to the line 2x + 3y = 16 ?

Possible Answers:

6y - 9x = 16.5

4x + 6y = 24

6y + 9x = 16

3y - 4x = 23

4y - 9x = 24

Correct answer:

6y - 9x = 16.5

Explanation:

This is a two-step problem. First, the slope of the original line needs to be found. The slope will be represented by "" when the line is in -intercept form (y=mx+b) .

2x +3y = 16

3y = -2x +16

$y = \left(\frac{-2}{3}\right)x +\left(\frac{16}{3}\right)$

So the slope of the original line is $-\frac{2}{3}$ . A line with perpendicular slope will have a slope that is the inverse reciprocal of the original. So in this case, the slope would be $\frac{3}{2}$ . The second step is finding which line will give you that slope. For the correct answer, we find the following:

6y - 9x = 16.5

6y = 9x +16.5

$y= \left(\frac{3}{2}x\right) +\left(\frac{16.5}{6}\right)$

So, the slope is $\frac{3}{2}$ , and this line is perpendicular to the original.

Report an Error

Example Question #11 : Parallel Lines

What is the equation for the line running through (-3,-7) and parallel to 15x +5y=105 ?

Possible Answers:

y=5x+21

y=21x+5

y=-6x-3

y=-5x-21

y=-3x-16

Correct answer:

y=-3x-16

Explanation:

To begin, solve the given equation for . This will give you the slope-intercept form of the line.

5y=-15x+105

Divide everything by $5$ :

y=-3x+21

Therefore, the slope of the line is .

Now, for a point (a,b) , the point-slope form of a line is:

y-b=m(x-a) , where is the slope

For our point, this is:

y-(-7)=-3(x-(-3))

This is the same as:

y+7=-3(x+3)

Distribute and solve for :

y+7=-3x-9

y=-3x-16

Report an Error

All GRE Math Resources

13 Diagnostic Tests 452 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Popular Subjects

MCAT Tutors in Denver, French Tutors in San Diego, Chemistry Tutors in Seattle, ISEE Tutors in Phoenix, Spanish Tutors in San Francisco-Bay Area, English Tutors in Atlanta, ACT Tutors in Atlanta, ACT Tutors in Boston, SAT Tutors in San Francisco-Bay Area, Chemistry Tutors in Atlanta

Popular Courses & Classes

Spanish Courses & Classes in Philadelphia, SAT Courses & Classes in Houston, SAT Courses & Classes in Philadelphia, LSAT Courses & Classes in Atlanta, SSAT Courses & Classes in New York City, Spanish Courses & Classes in Phoenix, SSAT Courses & Classes in Los Angeles, SSAT Courses & Classes in Seattle, ISEE Courses & Classes in Dallas Fort Worth, LSAT Courses & Classes in New York City

Popular Test Prep

ACT Test Prep in Atlanta, LSAT Test Prep in Atlanta, GMAT Test Prep in Miami, ISEE Test Prep in Houston, MCAT Test Prep in San Francisco-Bay Area, LSAT Test Prep in New York City, SAT Test Prep in San Diego, GMAT Test Prep in Chicago, SSAT Test Prep in Boston, GRE Test Prep in Phoenix

DMCA Complaint

If you believe that content available by means of the Website (as defined in our Terms of Service) infringes one or more of your copyrights, please notify us by providing a written notice (“Infringement Notice”) containing the information described below to the designated agent listed below. If Varsity Tutors takes action in response to an Infringement Notice, it will make a good faith attempt to contact the party that made such content available by means of the most recent email address, if any, provided by such party to Varsity Tutors.

Your Infringement Notice may be forwarded to the party that made the content available or to third parties such as ChillingEffects.org.

Please be advised that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights. Thus, if you are not sure content located on or linked-to by the Website infringes your copyright, you should consider first contacting an attorney.

Please follow these steps to file a notice:

You must include the following:

A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf; An identification of the copyright claimed to have been infringed; A description of the nature and exact location of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright, in \ sufficient detail to permit Varsity Tutors to find and positively identify that content; for example we require a link to the specific question (not just the name of the question) that contains the content and a description of which specific portion of the question – an image, a link, the text, etc – your complaint refers to; Your name, address, telephone number and email address; and A statement by you: (a) that you believe in good faith that the use of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright is not authorized by law, or by the copyright owner or such owner’s agent; (b) that all of the information contained in your Infringement Notice is accurate, and (c) under penalty of perjury, that you are either the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf.

Send your complaint to our designated agent at:

Charles Cohn Varsity Tutors LLC
101 S. Hanley Rd, Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63105

Or fill out the form below:

Do not fill in this field

Contact Information

* Full legal name

Company name

* Phone number

* Email address

Address

* Address1

Address2

* City

* State

* Zipcode

* Country

Complaint Details

* URL of copyrighted work (where your original material is located)

* Please describe the copyrighted work so that it may be easily identified

I am the owner, or an agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

I have a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

This notification is accurate.

I acknowledge that there may be adverse legal consequences for making false or bad faith allegations of copyright infringement by using this process.

* Signature (your digital signature is legally binding)

Email address:
Your name:
Feedback:

GRE Math : How to find the equation of parallel lines

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

All GRE Math Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Equation Of A Parallel Line

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Equation Of A Parallel Line

Example Question #11 : Parallel Lines

All GRE Math Resources

Report an issue with this question

DMCA Complaint

Contact Information

Address

Complaint Details