SOLUTION: Write an equation of the line passing through each of the given pairs of points. Write your results in slope-intercept form, where possible. (-1, 3) and (4, -2) How do I go a

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: Write an equation of the line passing through each of the given pairs of points. Write your results in slope-intercept form, where possible. (-1, 3) and (4, -2) How do I go a      Log On


   



Question 66134This question is from textbook Beginning Algebra
: Write an equation of the line passing through each of the given pairs of points. Write your results in slope-intercept form, where possible.
(-1, 3) and (4, -2)
How do I go about solving these types of equations? Any help is appreciated, just show me how you did it so I can understand it better along with explanations. Thanks.
This question is from textbook Beginning Algebra

Found 2 solutions by Nate, Earlsdon:
Answer by Nate(3500) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) = (-2 - 3)/(4 + 1) = -5/5 = -1
y - y1 = m(x - x1)
y - 3 = -1(x + 1)
y - 3 = -x - 1
y = -x + 2

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The first thing you can do is to find the slope of the line that passes through the given pair of points.
The slope, m, can be found by:
m+=+%28y2-y1%29%2F%28x2-x1%29 where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are the coordinates of the two given points through which the lines passes. So, let's find the slope.
m+=+%28-2-3%29%2F%284-%28-1%29%29 Simplify this.
m+=+-5%2F5
m+=+-1 This is the slope of the line, so now you can start writing the equation of the line in slope-intercept form y+=+mx%2Bb:
y+=+%28-1%29x+%2B+b but now we need to find the value of b, the y-intercept. We can do this by substituting the x- and y-coordinates of either one of the two given points and solving for b. Let's choose the second point (4, -2).
-2+=+%28-1%29%284%29+%2B+b Simplify this.
-2+=+-4%2Bb Add 4 to both sides.
2+=+b This is the value of b, the y-intercept. Now we can finish writing the equation:
y+=+%28-1%29x+%2B+2 or
y+=+-x+%2B+2