SOLUTION: Find the equation of the line (in y = mx + b form) that passes through the points (-8, 6.5) and (9, -11) Csn someone please help. I am having trouble with the decimal. Thank y

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations -> SOLUTION: Find the equation of the line (in y = mx + b form) that passes through the points (-8, 6.5) and (9, -11) Csn someone please help. I am having trouble with the decimal. Thank y      Log On


   

Question 166322: Find the equation of the line (in y = mx + b form) that passes through the points
(-8, 6.5) and (9, -11)
Csn someone please help. I am having trouble with the decimal. Thank you
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First find the slope using the two points,
m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29
(-8, 6.5) and (9, -11)
m=%28-11-6.5%29%2F%289-%28-8%29%29
m=%28-17.5%29%2F%2817%29%29
To get rid of the decimal, multiply numerator and denominator by 2.
m=%28-17.5%29%282%29%2F%2817%29%282%29=-35%2F34%29
Now that you have the slope, use the point-slope form of the line with either point,
y-y%5Bp%5D=m%28x-x%5Bp%5D%29
y-%28-11%29=-%2835%2F34%29%28x-9%29
y%2B11=-%2835%2F34%29x%2B35%289%29%2F34
y=-%2835%2F34%29x%2B315%2F34-11
y=-%2835%2F34%29x%2B315%2F34-374%2F34
y=-%2835%2F34%29x-59%2F34
or approximately,
y=-1.029x-1.735