SOLUTION: find an equaion of the line containing the given pair of points. (2,3) and 6,4) What is the equation of the line? y = ?

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: find an equaion of the line containing the given pair of points. (2,3) and 6,4) What is the equation of the line? y = ?      Log On


   



Question 226744: find an equaion of the line containing the given pair of points.

(2,3) and 6,4)
What is the equation of the line?
y = ?

Answer by drj(1380) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find an equaion of the line containing the given pair of points.
(2,3) and (6,4)

What is the equation of the line?
y = ?

Step 1. We will put the equation of the line in slope-intercept form given as y=mx+b where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept when x=0 or at point (0,b).

Step 2. The slope of the line m is given as

+m=%28y2-y1%29%2F%28x2-x1%29

where for our example is x1=2, y1=3, x2=6 and y2=4 (think of slope=rise%2Frun). You can choose the points the other way around but be consistent with the x and y coordinates. You will get the same result.

Step 3. Substituting the above values in the slope equation gives

m=%284-3%29%2F%286-2%29

m=1%2F4

Step 4. The slope is calculated as 1%2F4 or m=1%2F4

Step 5. Now use the slope equation of Step 2 and choose one of the given points. I'll choose point (2,3). Letting y=y2 and x=x2 and substituting m=1%2F4 in the slope equation given as,

+m=%28y2-y1%29%2F%28x2-x1%29


+1%2F4=%28y-3%29%2F%28x-2%29

Step 6. Multiply both sides of equation by x-2 to get rid of denomination found on the right side of the equation


+%28x-2%29%2F4=%28x-2%29%28y-3%29%2F%28x-2%29


+%28x-2%29%2F4=y-3


Step 7. Now simplify and put the above equation into slope-intercept form.

x%2F4-2%2F4=y-3

x%2F4-1%2F2=y-3

Add 3 from both sides of the equation

x%2F4-1%2F2%2B3=y-3%2B3

x%2F4%2B5%2F2=y

y=x%2F4%2B5%2F2 This is in slope-intercept form where the slope m=1/4 and y-intercept b=0

Step 8. See if the other point (6,4) or x=6 and y=4 satisfies this equation

y=x%2F4%2B5%2F2

4=6%2F4%2B5%2F2

4=3%2F2%2B5%2F2

4=4 So the point (6,4) satisfies the equation and is on the line. In other words, you can use the other point to check your work.

Step 9. ANSWER: The equation of the line is y=x%2F4%2B5%2F2

Note: above equation can be also be transform into standard form as

-x%2B4y=10

See graph below to check the above steps.

graph%28800%2C600%2C-15%2C15%2C-10%2C10%2C+x%2F4%2B5%2F2%29

I hope the above steps were helpful.

For FREE Step-By-Step videos in Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra and for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.

Good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J