document.write( "Question 124960This question is from textbook Intermediate Algebra Review
\n" ); document.write( ": Determine the algebraic rule for the line that:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "contains (1/2, 3) and (2, -1)
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #91601 by jim_thompson5910(35256)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First lets find the slope through the points (\"1%2F2\",\"3\") and (\"2\",\"-1\")\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\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: is the first point (\"1%2F2\",\"3\") and is the second point (\"2\",\"-1\"))\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"m=%28-1-3%29%2F%282-1%2F2%29\" Plug in \"y%5B2%5D=-1\",\"y%5B1%5D=3\",\"x%5B2%5D=2\",\"x%5B1%5D=1%2F2\" (these are the coordinates of given points)\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"m=+%28-4+%2F+1%29%2F%283+%2F+2%29\" Subtract (note: if you need help with subtracting or dividing fractions, check out this solver)\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"m=-8+%2F+3\" Divide the fractions\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So the slope is\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"m=-8+%2F+3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "------------------------------------------------\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now let's use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the line:\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\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 is one of the given points\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So lets use the Point-Slope Formula to find the equation of the line\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"y-3=%28-8+%2F+3%29%28x-1%2F2%29\" Plug in \"m=-8+%2F+3\", \"x%5B1%5D=1%2F2\", and \"y%5B1%5D=3\" (these values are given)\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"y-3=%28-8%2F3%29x%2B%28-8%2F3%29%28-1%2F2%29\" Distribute \"-8+%2F+3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"y-3=%28-8%2F3%29x%2B4%2F3\" Multiply \"-8+%2F+3\" and \"-1%2F2\" to get \"8%2F6\". Now reduce \"8%2F6\" to get \"4%2F3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"y=%28-8%2F3%29x%2B4%2F3%2B3\" Add \"3\" to both sides to isolate y\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"y=%28-8%2F3%29x%2B13%2F3\" Combine like terms \"4%2F3\" and \"3\" to get \"13%2F3\" (note: if you need help with combining fractions, check out this solver)\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Answer:\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So the equation of the line which goes through the points (\"1%2F2\",\"3\") and (\"2\",\"-1\") is:\"y=%28-8%2F3%29x%2B13%2F3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The equation is now in \"y=mx%2Bb\" form (which is slope-intercept form) where the slope is \"m=-8+%2F+3\" and the y-intercept is \"b=13%2F3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Notice if we graph the equation \"y=%28-8%2F3%29x%2B13%2F3\" and plot the points (\"1%2F2\",\"3\") and (\"2\",\"-1\"), we get this: (note: if you need help with graphing, check out this solver)\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " Graph of \"y=%28-8%2F3%29x%2B13%2F3\" through the points (\"1%2F2\",\"3\") and (\"2\",\"-1\")\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Notice how the two points lie on the line. This graphically verifies our answer.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );