document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=85245>Question 85245</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> What is the equation of the line that contains the points with (x,y) coordinates (-3, 7) and (5, -1)? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #61439 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><B>jim_thompson5910(35256)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=61439\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <TABLE  BORDER=1>\n" );
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document.write( " <TR><TD  ALIGN=MIDDLE>Solved by <A  rel=nofollow HREF=http://wiki.algebra.com/index.php/Tutoring_-_pluggable_solvers>pluggable</A> solver: <A  rel=nofollow HREF=calculating_slope.solver>Finding the Equation of a Line</A></TD></TR>\n" );
document.write( "<TR><TD  ALIGN=LEFT>First lets find the slope through the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Start with the slope formula (note: (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B1%5D ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) is the first point (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and  (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B2%5D ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B2%5D\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B2%5D ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B2%5D\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) is the second point (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >))<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=%28-1-7%29%2F%285--3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=%28-1-7%29%2F%285--3%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B2%5D=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B2%5D=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D=7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B2%5D=5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B2%5D=5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B1%5D=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D=-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >  (these are the coordinates of given points)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=+-8%2F8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=+-8%2F8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Subtract the terms in the numerator <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1-7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1-7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >.  Subtract the terms in the denominator <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5--3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5--3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Reduce<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So the slope is<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  ------------------------------------------------<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now let's use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the line:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  ------Point-Slope Formula------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-y%5B1%5D=m%28x-x%5B1%5D%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-y%5B1%5D=m%28x-x%5B1%5D%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > where <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > is the slope, and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B1%5D ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) is one of the given points<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So lets use the Point-Slope Formula to find the equation of the line<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-7=%28-1%29%28x--3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-7=%28-1%29%28x--3%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B1%5D=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D=-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D=7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > (these values are given)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-7=%28-1%29%28x%2B3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-7=%28-1%29%28x%2B3%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Rewrite <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x--3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x--3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > as <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%2B3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%2B3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-7=-x%2B%28-1%29%283%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-7=-x%2B%28-1%29%283%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Distribute <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-7=-x-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-7=-x-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3%2F1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3%2F1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >. Now reduce <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3%2F1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3%2F1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-x-3%2B7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-x-3%2B7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Add <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to  both sides to isolate y<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-x%2B4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-x%2B4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Combine like terms <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Answer:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So the equation of the line which goes through the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)  is:<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-x%2B4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-x%2B4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  The equation is now in <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=mx%2Bb ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=mx%2Bb\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > form (which is slope-intercept form) where the slope is <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and the y-intercept is <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=b=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"b=4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Notice if we graph the equation <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-x%2B4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-x%2B4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and plot the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >),  we get this: (note: if you need help with graphing, check out this <a  rel=nofollow HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Linear-equations/graphing-linear-equations.solver>solver<a>)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=drawing%28500%2C+500%2C+-8%2C+10%2C+-6%2C+12%2C%0D%0A++graph%28500%2C+500%2C+-8%2C+10%2C+-6%2C+12%2C%28-1%29x%2B4%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%28-3%2C7%2C0.12%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%28-3%2C7%2C0.12%2B0.03%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%285%2C-1%2C0.12%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%285%2C-1%2C0.12%2B0.03%29%0D%0A++%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Graph of <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-x%2B4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-x%2B4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > through the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Notice how the two points lie on the line. This graphically verifies our answer.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  </TD></TR>\n" );
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