Exercise 53 Page 300

Points that lie on the same line are called collinear points. If the given points are collinear, the slope between every pair of points will be equal. To determine the slope between each pair of points, we will use the Slope Formula. m = y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1We will calculate the slope between P and Q, Q and R, and P and R. Let's start with P and Q.

m_(PQ)=y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1

SubstitutePoints

Substitute ( 4,2) & ( - 3,2)

m_(PQ)=2- 2/- 3- 4

SubTerms

Subtract terms

m_(PQ)=0/- 7

CalcQuot

Calculate quotient

m_(PQ)=0

We can calculate the other two slopes in the same way. When we substitute the values into the Slope Formula, it does not matter which point we choose to use as (x_1,y_1) or (x_2,y_2).

Points	y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1	m
P (4,2), Q (- 3,2)	2- 2/- 3- 4	0
Q (- 3,2), R (2,5)	5- 2/2-( - 3)	3/5
P (4,2), R (2,5)	5- 2/2- 4	- 3/2

Notice that the slopes between all pairs of points are not the same. Thus, the points in the given set do not lie on the same line.