SOLUTION: my daughter had a problem that i have never seen. Wanting to know if you can explain it to me. (-5,7),(-5,3)

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: my daughter had a problem that i have never seen. Wanting to know if you can explain it to me. (-5,7),(-5,3)      Log On


   



Question 365252: my daughter had a problem that i have never seen. Wanting to know if you can explain it to me. (-5,7),(-5,3)
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, Edwin McCravy:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(-5,7),(-5,3)
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You may have been asked to find the equation
of the line that passes thru those two points.
---
The slope is (7-3)/(-5--5) = 4/0, which is undefined.
---
If your daughter will plot the two points and will
draw a line thru them she may see that the equation
of the line is x = -5 because the line passes thru
ALL the points where x = -5.
-----------------------
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20055) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
my daughter had a problem that i have never seen. Wanting to know if you can explain it to me. (-5,7),(-5,3)
I will assume the instructions for the problem was stated this way:

Find the equation of the line that passes through the two points
(-5,7) and (-5,3).

[If you post again, please state the instructions so we won't have to
guess. Thanks]

Let's plot those two points:



Now let's draw the line through those points.  I'll draw it in green:



Now let's look at some more points on that same green line.




Now take a look at all those points.  

Qestion:  What do all those points have in common?
Answer:   They all have -5 for their x-coordinate.

To make a statement to describe that green vertical line, we would say:

"All the points on that line have the x-coordinate = -5."

In algebra we shorten it to just this:   x = -5  

That's the equation of that green vertical line:

               x = -5

That's all there is to it!

Edwin