document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=102260>Question 102260</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Find the equation of the line passing through the points (-1, 4) and (5, 2). </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #74316 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=74316\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> First lets find the slope through the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)\r<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/rendertex.cgi?\Large \left(x_{1},y_{1}\right)\"> is the first point (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >) and  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\Large \left(x_{2},y_{2}\right)\"> 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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >))\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=%282-4%29%2F%285--1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=%282-4%29%2F%285--1%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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B2%5D=2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D=4\"   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=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >  (these are the coordinates of given points)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=+-2%2F6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=+-2%2F6\"   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=2-4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2-4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-2\"   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--1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5--1\"   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;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=-1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=-1%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Reduce\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So the slope is\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now let's use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the line:\r<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/rendertex.cgi?\Large \left(\textrm{x_{1},y_{1}}\right)\"> is one of the given points\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So lets use the Point-Slope Formula to find the equation of the line\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-4=%28-1%2F3%29%28x--1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-4=%28-1%2F3%29%28x--1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=m=-1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=-1%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%5B1%5D=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%5B1%5D=-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y%5B1%5D=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y%5B1%5D=4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > (these values are given)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-4=%28-1%2F3%29%28x%2B1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-4=%28-1%2F3%29%28x%2B1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Rewrite <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x--1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x--1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > as <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%2B1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%2B1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-4=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B%28-1%2F3%29%281%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-4=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B%28-1%2F3%29%281%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Distribute <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y-4=%28-1%2F3%29x-1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y-4=%28-1%2F3%29x-1%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=%28-1%2F3%29x-1%2F3%2B4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%28-1%2F3%29x-1%2F3%2B4\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Add <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  both sides to isolate y\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Combine like terms <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F3\"   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=11%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"11%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > (note: if you need help with combining fractions, check out this <a  rel=nofollow HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/NumericFractions/fractions-solver.solver>solver</a>)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Answer:\r<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=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)  is:<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<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%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"m=-1%2F3\"   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=11%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"b=11%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<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=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and plot the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   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>)\r<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+-7%2C+11%2C+-6%2C+12%2C%0D%0Agraph%28500%2C+500%2C+-7%2C+11%2C+-6%2C+12%2C%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3%29%2C%0D%0Acircle%28-1%2C4%2C0.12%29%2C%0D%0Acircle%28-1%2C4%2C0.12%2B0.03%29%2C%0D%0Acircle%285%2C2%2C0.12%29%2C%0D%0Acircle%285%2C2%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=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=%28-1%2F3%29x%2B11%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > through the points (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4\"   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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Notice how the two points lie on the line. This graphically verifies our answer. </SPAN>\n" );
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