Linear equations are commonly organized in slope-intercept form:
m = slopeb = the y-intercept (the value of y when x=0)To find the equation of a line given two points:
Determine the slope of the line using the slope formulaPlug the slope into Determine the y-intercept by solving for bPlug the y-intercept back into the equationSolving the QuestionWe're given:
The line passes through the points (8,-45) and (2,-9)First, determine the slope using the following formula:
where the given points are and
⇒ Plug in the given points (8,-45) and (2,-9):
Therefore, the slope of the line is -6. Plug this into as m:
Now, determine the y-intercept:
⇒ Plug in one of the given points as (x,y) and solve for b:
Therefore the y-intercept of the line is 3. Plug this back into :
Answer