document.write( "Question 227325: Find the slope if it exists of the lines containing the pair of points: (2,8) and (4,-8)
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Algebra.Com's Answer #168966 by drj(1380)\"\" \"About 
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Find the slope if it exists of the lines containing the pair of points: (2,8) and (4,-8)\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "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).\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 2. The slope of the line m is given as\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"+m=%28y2-y1%29%2F%28x2-x1%29\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "where for our example is x1=2, y1=8, x2=4 and y2=-8 (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.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 3. Substituting the above values in the slope equation gives\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"m=%28-8-8%29%2F%284-2%29\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"m=-16%2F2=-8\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 4. The slope is calculated as \"-8\" or \"m=-8\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 5. Now use the slope equation of Step 2 and choose one of the given points. I'll choose point (2,8). Letting y=y2 and x=x2 and substituting \"m=-8\" in the slope equation given as,\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"+m=%28y2-y1%29%2F%28x2-x1%29\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"+-8=%28y-8%29%2F%28x-2%29\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 6. Multiply both sides of equation by x-2 to get rid of denomination found on the right side of the equation\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"+-8%28x-2%29=%28x-2%29%28y-8%29%2F%28x-2%29\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"+-8%28x-2%29=y-8\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 7. Now simplify and put the above equation into slope-intercept form.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-8x%2B16=y-8\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Add 8 from both sides of the equation\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-8x%2B16%2B8=y-8%2B8\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-8x%2B24=y\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"y=-8x%2B24\" This is in slope-intercept form where the slope m=-8 and y-intercept b=+24\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 8. See if the other point (4,-8) or x=4 and y=-8 satisfies this equation\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"y=-8x%2B24\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-8=-8%2A4%2B24\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-8=-8\" So the point (4,-8) satisfies the equation and is on the line. In other words, you can use the other point to check your work.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Step 9. ANSWER: The equation of the line is \"y=-8x%2B24\" and the slope m=-8 with y-intercept b=24.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I hope the above steps were helpful.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "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.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Good luck in your studies!\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Respectfully,
\n" ); document.write( "Dr J\r
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