document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=577404>Question 577404</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am having difficulty understanding this: find an equation of the line passing through (-2,4) and (6,-9). What is the first step to solving this problem?  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #370169 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><B>htmentor(1343)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=htmentor><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=370169\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am having difficulty understanding this: find an equation of the line passing through (-2,4) and (6,-9). What is the first step to solving this problem?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=============================<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The slope of the line, m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) = (-9 - 4)/(6 - -2) = -13/8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The standard form for a line is y = mx + b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Use one of the (x,y) pairs to solve for b:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4 = (-13/8)(-2) + b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = 32/8 - 26/8 = 6/8 = 3/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So the equation for the line is y = (-13/8)x + 3/4 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );