|
geometry[line] - define a line
|
|
Calling Sequence
|
|
line(l, [A, B])
line(l, eqn, n)
|
|
|
Parameters
|
|
|
l
|
-
|
the name of the line
|
|
A, B
|
-
|
two points
|
|
eqn
|
-
|
the algebraic representation of a line, that is, a polynomial or equation
|
|
n
|
-
|
(optional) a list of two names representing the names of the horizontal-axis and vertical-axis
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description
|
|
|
•
|
In the geometry package, a line means a ``straight line''. It is unlimited in extent, i.e., it may be extended in either direction indefinitely.
|
|
•
|
A line l can be defined as follows:
|
|
–
|
from two given points A and B
|
|
–
|
from its algebraic representation eqn. I.e., eqn is a polynomial or an equation. If the third optional argument is not given, then:
|
|
–
|
if names are assigned to the two environment variables _EnvHorizontalName and _EnvVerticalName, then these two names will be used as the names of the horizontal-axis and vertical-axis respectively.
|
|
–
|
otherwise, Maple will prompt the user to input the names of the axes.
|
|
•
|
To access the information relating to a line l, use the following function calls:
|
|
form(l)
|
returns the form of the geometric object (i.e., line2d if l is a line).
|
|
Equation(l)
|
returns the equation that represents the line l.
|
|
HorizontalName(l)
|
returns the name of the horizontal-axis; or FAIL if the axis is not assigned a name.
|
|
VerticalName(l)
|
returns the name of the vertical-axis; or FAIL if the axis is not assigned a name.
|
|
detail(l)
|
returns a detailed description of the line l.
|
|
|
|
•
|
The command with(geometry,line) allows the use of the abbreviated form of this command.
|
|
|
|
Examples
|
|
|
>
|
|
define two points  and 
|
>
|
|
define the line  that passes through  and 
|
>
|
![line(l, [A, B])](/support/helpjp/helpview.aspx?si=5839/file04117/math176.png)
|
|
| (1) |
|
>
|
|
|
| (2) |
|
>
|
|
|
| (3) |
To assign names to the axes, assign the names to the environment variables _EnvHorizontalName and _EnvVerticalName.
|
>
|
 
|
|
>
|
|
|
>
|
![line(l, [A, B])](/support/helpjp/helpview.aspx?si=5839/file04117/math212.png)
|
|
| (4) |
|
>
|
|
|
| (5) |
|
>
|
|
|
| (6) |
|
>
|
|
|
| (7) |
Define a line from its algebraic representation.
|
>
|
|
|
| (8) |
|
>
|
|
|
| (9) |
|
|
|
See Also
|
|
geometry[AreConcurrent], geometry[AreParallel], geometry[ArePerpendicular], geometry[AreTangent], geometry[distance], geometry[FindAngle], geometry[HorizontalName], geometry[intersection], geometry[IsOnLine], geometry[objects], geometry[ParallelLine], geometry[PerpenBisector], geometry[PerpendicularLine], geometry[Polar], geometry[Pole], geometry[projection], geometry[randpoint], geometry[slope], geometry[transformation], geometry[VerticalName]
|
|
