# Parametric Equation of a line, Conditions

1. Jan 22, 2016

### RyanTAsher

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Find parametric equations for the line through P1 and P2 and also for the line segment joining those points. Also find the conditions for the parametric equations.

a) P1(0, 2) and P2(-4,-4)

b) P1(7,-3,9) and P2(7, -3, 1)

2. Relevant equations

Equation of a line (Vector Form): $\vec r = \vec r_0 + t\vec v$

3. The attempt at a solution

I've already solved the problem, my issue just lies in finding the conditions for the parametric equations as well.

a) x = -4t, y = 2 - 6t

b) x = 7, y = -3, z = 9 - 8t

Wouldn't the parametric equation work from $-\infty ≤ t ≤ \infty$

I see no reason why some parallel direction vector wouldn't be able to be multiplied by some scalar to equal the line vector. Any multiple, negative or positive should be able to give me any line that passes through those points.

So am I correct in my assumption that the conditions should be from $-\infty ≤ t ≤ \infty$

2. Jan 22, 2016

### Staff: Mentor

For the lines through those two sets of points, yes, but the conditions they're asking about are for the line segments. For the first problem, if t = 0, you get point P2. What value of t (the parameter) gets you P1? All of the t values in between get you the rest of the points on that line segment.

3. Jan 22, 2016

### RyanTAsher

I think I see what you mean... so we are just solving for t at each end of the line segment?

4. Jan 22, 2016

### MidgetDwarf

it is [0,1] for all t, any linear algebra book will have this fact in the first section.