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Lab for Determinants and Conic Section Curves
Exercise 3. Use the determinant method to find the line through the points (1,4) and (5,4).
Solution 3. The matrix A for the system of equations is:
![[Graphics:../Images/cof_gr_19.gif]](../Images/cof_gr_19.gif)
Enter the points (1,4) and (5,4) and put them into rows 2 and 3 of the matrix A:
![[Graphics:../Images/cof_gr_20.gif]](../Images/cof_gr_20.gif)
Form the equation for the line by setting the determinant of A equal to zero.
![[Graphics:../Images/cof_gr_21.gif]](../Images/cof_gr_21.gif)
Then graph the line.
![[Graphics:../Images/cof_gr_22.gif]](../Images/cof_gr_22.gif)
![[Graphics:../Images/cof_gr_23.gif]](../Images/cof_gr_23.gif)
(c) John H. Mathews