Question 23740: what is the equation of a line with a slope of 2/3 and going through point (5,1) ?
Answer by rapaljer(4671)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! There are two main methods to find the equation of a line with a given slope that passes through a given point. I would like to solve this problem BOTH ways and solicit input as to which method you think is easier. If you are reading this solution, and you have an opinion, please send me an Email to let me know which method YOU think is easier.
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My FIRST METHOD involves a very simple formula that everyone already has seen and knows. It comes from the slope-intercept form of the line:  . Now, in this problem you have m = 2/3, and in the given point (5,1), 5 is x, and 1 is y. Substitute these numbers into
You need to solve for b in this equation. It feels good to get rid of the fraction, so multiply both sides by 3:
The equation of the line is
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SECOND METHOD:
For DECADES, I used the method of the POINT SLOPE FORMULA:
 , where m =  ,  and  .
Subtract 1 from each side:
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Notice that the answer is the same. Difficulty may vary from one problem to the next. Do you have an opinion? I'd be curious to know!!
R^2 at SCC
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