document.write( "Question 107869: Write the equation of the line passing through each of the given pairs of points. Write results in slope intercept form. (-1,3), (4,-2) Thanks for any help I am a 30 yr old single mom returning to school after many years and OH my I am LOST.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "Heather
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Algebra.Com's Answer #78631 by jim_thompson5910(35256)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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Solved by pluggable solver: Finding the Equation of a Line
First lets find the slope through the points (\"-1\",\"3\") and (\"4\",\"-2\")
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\n" ); document.write( " \"m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29\" Start with the slope formula (note: (\"x%5B1%5D\",\"y%5B1%5D\") is the first point (\"-1\",\"3\") and (\"x%5B2%5D\",\"y%5B2%5D\") is the second point (\"4\",\"-2\"))
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\n" ); document.write( " \"m=%28-2-3%29%2F%284--1%29\" Plug in \"y%5B2%5D=-2\",\"y%5B1%5D=3\",\"x%5B2%5D=4\",\"x%5B1%5D=-1\" (these are the coordinates of given points)
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\n" ); document.write( " \"m=+-5%2F5\" Subtract the terms in the numerator \"-2-3\" to get \"-5\". Subtract the terms in the denominator \"4--1\" to get \"5\"
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\n" ); document.write( " \"m=-1\" Reduce
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\n" ); document.write( " So the slope is
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\n" ); document.write( " \"m=-1\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Now let's use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the line:
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\n" ); document.write( " ------Point-Slope Formula------
\n" ); document.write( " \"y-y%5B1%5D=m%28x-x%5B1%5D%29\" where \"m\" is the slope, and (\"x%5B1%5D\",\"y%5B1%5D\") is one of the given points
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\n" ); document.write( " So lets use the Point-Slope Formula to find the equation of the line
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\n" ); document.write( " \"y-3=%28-1%29%28x--1%29\" Plug in \"m=-1\", \"x%5B1%5D=-1\", and \"y%5B1%5D=3\" (these values are given)
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\n" ); document.write( " \"y-3=%28-1%29%28x%2B1%29\" Rewrite \"x--1\" as \"x%2B1\"
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\n" ); document.write( " \"y-3=-x%2B%28-1%29%281%29\" Distribute \"-1\"
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\n" ); document.write( " \"y-3=-x-1\" Multiply \"-1\" and \"1\" to get \"-1%2F1\". Now reduce \"-1%2F1\" to get \"-1\"
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\n" ); document.write( " \"y=-x-1%2B3\" Add \"3\" to both sides to isolate y
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\n" ); document.write( " \"y=-x%2B2\" Combine like terms \"-1\" and \"3\" to get \"2\"
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\n" ); document.write( " Answer:
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\n" ); document.write( " So the equation of the line which goes through the points (\"-1\",\"3\") and (\"4\",\"-2\") is:\"y=-x%2B2\"
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\n" ); document.write( " The equation is now in \"y=mx%2Bb\" form (which is slope-intercept form) where the slope is \"m=-1\" and the y-intercept is \"b=2\"
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\n" ); document.write( " Notice if we graph the equation \"y=-x%2B2\" and plot the points (\"-1\",\"3\") and (\"4\",\"-2\"), we get this: (note: if you need help with graphing, check out this solver)
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\n" ); document.write( " Graph of \"y=-x%2B2\" through the points (\"-1\",\"3\") and (\"4\",\"-2\")
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\n" ); document.write( " Notice how the two points lie on the line. This graphically verifies our answer.
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