SOLUTION: Im trying to find an equation of a line given the points (5, 0) and (-8,-3) but when I subtract -3-0 and -8-3 and then divide mt answer -3/-13 I don't get a whole number in the cal

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Im trying to find an equation of a line given the points (5, 0) and (-8,-3) but when I subtract -3-0 and -8-3 and then divide mt answer -3/-13 I don't get a whole number in the cal      Log On


   

Question 712226: Im trying to find an equation of a line given the points (5, 0) and (-8,-3) but when I subtract -3-0 and -8-3 and then divide mt answer -3/-13 I don't get a whole number in the calculator what do I do?? Help please.. saradepaz85@yahoo.com
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

First let's find the slope of the line through the points and


Note: is the first point . So this means that x%5B1%5D=5 and y%5B1%5D=0.
Also, is the second point . So this means that x%5B2%5D=-8 and y%5B2%5D=-3.


m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29 Start with the slope formula.


m=%28-3-0%29%2F%28-8-5%29 Plug in y%5B2%5D=-3, y%5B1%5D=0, x%5B2%5D=-8, and x%5B1%5D=5


m=%28-3%29%2F%28-8-5%29 Subtract 0 from -3 to get -3


m=%28-3%29%2F%28-13%29 Subtract 5 from -8 to get -13


m=3%2F13 Reduce


So the slope of the line that goes through the points and is m=3%2F13


Now let's use the point slope formula:


y-y%5B1%5D=m%28x-x%5B1%5D%29 Start with the point slope formula


y-0=%283%2F13%29%28x-5%29 Plug in m=3%2F13, x%5B1%5D=5, and y%5B1%5D=0


y-0=%283%2F13%29x%2B%283%2F13%29%28-5%29 Distribute


y-0=%283%2F13%29x-15%2F13 Multiply


y=%283%2F13%29x-15%2F13 Simplify


So the equation that goes through the points and is y=%283%2F13%29x-15%2F13

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Im trying to find an equation of a line given the points (5, 0) and (-8,-3)
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slope = (-3-0)/(-8-5) = -3/-13 = 3/13
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Note: Slopes do not have to be whole numbers.
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Form: y = mx + b
0 = (3/13)5 + b
b = -15/13
=================
Equation:
y = (3/13)x - (15/13)
========================
Cheers,
Stan