SOLUTION: Write an equation for a line that passes through the following points: (-7, 9), (8, 9) I dont really know how to do this, and i would really apperciate seeing the steps that ex

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: Write an equation for a line that passes through the following points: (-7, 9), (8, 9) I dont really know how to do this, and i would really apperciate seeing the steps that ex      Log On


   



Question 162368: Write an equation for a line that passes through the following points:
(-7, 9), (8, 9)
I dont really know how to do this, and i would really apperciate seeing the steps that explain how to do this problem. THank you in advance!

Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, gonzo:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Remember that each point is an (x,y) that completely satisfies
the equation.
The general equation for a line is y+=+mx+%2B+b.
You can plug in the x and y for each point and then
solve for m and b. You don't even have to know what
m and b are to do this
The points are (-7,9) and (8,9)
y+=+mx+%2B+b
(1) 9+=+m%2A%28-7%29+%2B+b
(2) 9+=+m%2A8+%2B+b
Now subtract (2) from (1), being careful of signs
0+=+-7m+-+8m+%2B+b+-+b
-15m+=+0
m+=+0
If m+=+0 in either (1) or (2), then
b+=+9
Now write an equation for the line using the facts
m+=+0
b+=+9
y+=+mx+%2B+b
y+=+0%2Ax+%2B+9
y+=+9
This is the equation of the line. It is a horizontal line
where y is always 9 and x can be anything in either
the (+) or (-) direction.
You can practice this method. Just pick any two points
and do what I did.

Answer by gonzo(654) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let (x,y) = (-7,9)
let (x1,y1) = (8,9)
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you need the slope intercept form of the equation for a straight line.
that is:
y = m*x + b
where m is the slope and b is the y intercept.
y intercept is the value of y when x equals 0
-----
first you solve for m which is the slope.
the formula for the slope is (y-y1)/(x-x1)
substituting from above, you get (9-9)/(-7-8) = 0/-15 = 0.
-----
right off the bat it looks like you are going to have a horizontal line since the slope is 0.
-----
now that you have the slope, you need to find the y intercept.
take one of the points and substitute it in the slope intercept form of the equation with m = 0
-----
that equation is
y = 0*x + b
substitute x = -7 and y = 9
you get
9 = 0*(-7) + b
which becomes
b = 9.
-----
your complete equation is y = 0*x + 9
which reduces to y = 9
-----
graph of that equation is a horizontal line with y = 9 for any value of x.
graph shows up below
graph%28400%2C400%2C-5%2C5%2C-1%2C10%2C9%29