document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=91109>Question 91109</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321186184/algebrahomeworkh></A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I'm not sure what I'm suppose to do.....Do I graph?\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "??? = Find an equation of the line containing the given pair of points<BR>\n" );
document.write( "      (4,2) and (12,8)   What is the equation of the line?  y=\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "If I graph it,is y=8???   Thanks<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cristina </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #66129 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=66129\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <TABLE  BORDER=1>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
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=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=12 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"12\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<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" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
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=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   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=12 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"12\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<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" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=%288-2%29%2F%2812-4%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=%288-2%29%2F%2812-4%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=8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B2%5D=8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D=2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B2%5D=12 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B2%5D=12\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B1%5D=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D=4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >  (these are the coordinates of given points)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=+6%2F8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=+6%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=8-2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"8-2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"6\"   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=12-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"12-4\"   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" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "    <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Reduce<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "    <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  So the slope is<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  ------------------------------------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now let's use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the line:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
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" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  So lets use the Point-Slope Formula to find the equation of the line<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-2=%283%2F4%29%28x-4%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-2=%283%2F4%29%28x-4%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B1%5D=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D=4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D=2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > (these values are given)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-2=%283%2F4%29x%2B%283%2F4%29%28-4%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-2=%283%2F4%29x%2B%283%2F4%29%28-4%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Distribute <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-2=%283%2F4%29x-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-2=%283%2F4%29x-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-12%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-12%2F4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >. Now reduce <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-12%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-12%2F4\"   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" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=%283%2F4%29x-3%2B2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%283%2F4%29x-3%2B2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Add <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to  both sides to isolate y<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=%283%2F4%29x-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%283%2F4%29x-1\"   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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <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" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  Answer:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
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=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=12 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"12\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)  is:<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=%283%2F4%29x-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%283%2F4%29x-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
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=3%2F4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=3%2F4\"   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=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"b=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  Notice if we graph the equation <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=%283%2F4%29x-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%283%2F4%29x-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and plot the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=12 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"12\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"8\"   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" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=drawing%28500%2C+500%2C+-1%2C+17%2C+-4%2C+14%2C%0D%0A++graph%28500%2C+500%2C+-1%2C+17%2C+-4%2C+14%2C%283%2F4%29x%2B-1%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%284%2C2%2C0.12%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%284%2C2%2C0.12%2B0.03%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%2812%2C8%2C0.12%29%2C%0D%0A++circle%2812%2C8%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=%283%2F4%29x-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%283%2F4%29x-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > through the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=12 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"12\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<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" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  Notice how the two points lie on the line. This graphically verifies our answer.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  </TD></TR>\n" );
document.write( "</TABLE>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );