# Vector equation of line segment

1. Jun 21, 2013

### nameVoid

my text explains that a line segment is given by the equation r=(1-t)r0+tr1
such that 0<=t<=1

now i see how this formula is derived however i am not clear on why t must be between 0 and 1 if this is the equation for a line segment

2. Jun 21, 2013

### lurflurf

t is chosen in [0,1] so that ro and r1 are the endpoints. We can take t in [a,b] then we have
r=(a+b-t)r0+tr1
then the endpoints are
br0+ar1
ar0+br1

3. Jun 21, 2013

### nameVoid

if i were to derive this formula
so we have

vector r0 and vector r1 and want the equation of the line through the tip of r and r1 well in this case we can take the direction vector to be r1-r0 and replacing v with this in the equation r=r0+tv we have r=r0+t(r1-r0) and the we have r=r0(1-t)+tr1 this should work for any two vectors from the origin to the line why does the value of t need to be between 0 and 1

Last edited: Jun 21, 2013
4. Jun 21, 2013

### lurflurf

It does not need to be between 0 and 1 it is just convenient we can have

$$t \in [a,b] \\ \vec{r}=\vec{r_0}+\left( \frac{t-a}{b-a} \right) ^{192435341024} \vec{r_1}$$

we can have the probability of getting heads when flipping a coin be 137.
It is convenient to consider [0,1] so that the value equals the ratio.
Nothing more nothing less.

5. Jun 21, 2013

### nameVoid

what if we are to choose a value of t that point outside of the segment how are we to know what values of t are contained within the segment

6. Jun 21, 2013

### pongo38

Your question isn't clearly stated. If t is negative or greater than 1, then we are identifying a point on the extended line segment. So what is the question you want clarified?

7. Jun 21, 2013

### haruspex

Consider the distances from r = r0+t(r1-r0) to each of r0, r1. For r to be on the line segment, each distance must be <= |r1-r0|. What range does that give for t?

8. Jun 21, 2013

### nameVoid

ok this makes sense here we plug the the vectors into the equations and solve for t i see

9. Jun 21, 2013

### nameVoid

i have also posted another question about distance between lines