How many lines can pass through two distinct points?
Answer
655.8k+ views
Hint: Slope of a line passing through two distinct points $\left( {{x}_{1}},{{y}_{1}} \right)\ and\ \left( {{x}_{2}},{{y}_{2}} \right)$ will be unique and be equal to $\dfrac{{{y}_{2}}-{{y}_{1}}}{{{x}_{2}}-{{x}_{1}}}$. And a line passing through a point with a given slope is unique. So, only one line can pass through two distinct points.
Complete step-by-step answer:
Let us assume two points $\left( {{x}_{1}},{{y}_{1}} \right)\ and\ \left( {{x}_{2}},{{y}_{2}} \right)$ and two lines AB and CD pass through two points $\left( {{x}_{1}},{{y}_{1}} \right)\ and\ \left( {{x}_{2}},{{y}_{2}} \right)$ is given by,
$m=\dfrac{{{y}_{2}}-{{y}_{1}}}{{{x}_{2}}-{{x}_{1}}}$
Thus, slope of $AB=\dfrac{{{y}_{2}}-{{y}_{1}}}{{{x}_{2}}-{{x}_{1}}}$ and slope of $CD=\dfrac{{{y}_{2}}-{{y}_{1}}}{{{x}_{2}}-{{x}_{1}}}$.
Both of these lines are passing through $\left( {{x}_{1}},{{y}_{1}} \right)\ and\ \left( {{x}_{2}},{{y}_{2}} \right)$ .
We can see that, (slope of AB) = (slope of CD)
We know that two different lines passing through a given point cannot have the same slope. So, the lines AB and CD cannot be different. Thus, our assumption is wrong and AB = CD.
Hence, one and only one unique line can pass through two given points.
Note: In the solution, we have mentioned that two different lines passing through a fixed point cannot have the same slopes. Be careful that two different lines can have the same slope but if two different lines are passing through a fixed point, they will have different slopes.
Complete step-by-step answer:
Let us assume two points $\left( {{x}_{1}},{{y}_{1}} \right)\ and\ \left( {{x}_{2}},{{y}_{2}} \right)$ and two lines AB and CD pass through two points $\left( {{x}_{1}},{{y}_{1}} \right)\ and\ \left( {{x}_{2}},{{y}_{2}} \right)$ is given by,
$m=\dfrac{{{y}_{2}}-{{y}_{1}}}{{{x}_{2}}-{{x}_{1}}}$
Thus, slope of $AB=\dfrac{{{y}_{2}}-{{y}_{1}}}{{{x}_{2}}-{{x}_{1}}}$ and slope of $CD=\dfrac{{{y}_{2}}-{{y}_{1}}}{{{x}_{2}}-{{x}_{1}}}$.
Both of these lines are passing through $\left( {{x}_{1}},{{y}_{1}} \right)\ and\ \left( {{x}_{2}},{{y}_{2}} \right)$ .
We can see that, (slope of AB) = (slope of CD)
We know that two different lines passing through a given point cannot have the same slope. So, the lines AB and CD cannot be different. Thus, our assumption is wrong and AB = CD.
Hence, one and only one unique line can pass through two given points.
Note: In the solution, we have mentioned that two different lines passing through a fixed point cannot have the same slopes. Be careful that two different lines can have the same slope but if two different lines are passing through a fixed point, they will have different slopes.
Recently Updated Pages
Write any three differences between metals and nonmetals class 10 social science CBSE

Amit standing on a horizontal plane finds a bird flying class 10 maths CBSE

Two circles of radii 5 cm and 3 cm intersect at two class 10 maths CBSE

Solve the following i John and Jivanti together have class 10 maths CBSE

What is the relation between orthocenter circumcentre class 10 maths CBSE

Two plane mirrors are inclined at 70circ A ray incident class 10 physics CBSE

Trending doubts
Explain the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 class 10 social science CBSE

1 GB equals how many MB?

10 examples of evaporation in daily life with explanations

What is the full form of POSCO class 10 social science CBSE

Which is the hottest planet in the Solar system A Earth class 10 social science CBSE

Name any four life processes in living things class 10 biology CBSE

