document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=769932>Question 769932</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> What does the y in y=mx+b mean/stand for? And it says it works for any coordinate pair but how come when a line passes through (1,6) and (-3,5) using (1,6) y=10 but using (-3,5) its -7? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #469125 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Cromlix><B>Cromlix(4381)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Cromlix><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=Cromlix><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=469125\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Work out the gradient first.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The gradient is the slope or 'm'<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y2 - y1/x2 - x1    (1,6) (-3,5)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "5 - 6/-3 - 1 = 1/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Next using the equation:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y - b = m(x - a)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a and b are x and y from either<BR>\n" );
document.write( "of your coordinates. (1,6) (-3,5)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I will use (1,6)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "So, a = 1, b = 6 and m = 1/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y - b = m(x - a)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y - 6 = 1/4(x - 1)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y - 6 = 1/4x - 1/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y = 1/4x - 1/4 + 24/4 (+6)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y = 1/4x + 23/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Or multiply thro by 4 to remove fractions.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4y = x + 23<BR>\n" );
document.write( "................<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now using (1,6)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4(6) = 1 + 23<BR>\n" );
document.write( "24 = 24<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Using (-3,5)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4(5) = -3 + 23<BR>\n" );
document.write( "20 = 20<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Hope this helps.<BR>\n" );
document.write( ":-) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );