Question 638348: How do you write a linear equation from x and y coordinates
Answer by MathLover1(20849)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1.
Find the slope of the line by dividing the change in y-coordinates by the change in x-coordinates:
 .
For example, given the coordinates (2, 0) and (-1, 3), the  .
If both of the x-coordinates equal some value  , the slope and y-intercept are undefined, and the equation for the line will be  .
2.
Calculate the y-intercept by multiplying the slope times one of the x-coordinates and subtracting the product from the y-coordinate of the same point:
 , where  and  are coordinates of one of the given points.
For example, knowing that the  , use the point (2, 0):  .
3.
Write the equation for the line in the  format:
 .
In the given example,  .
4.
Verify the equation by plugging in the  - and  of the given points. If the equation remains balanced after simplifying, your equation is good.
For example, given the equation , plug in the first point (2,0):
 . That's true, so everything checks out so far.
Try again with (-1, 3):
 . That's true too, so the equation is good.
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