SOLUTION: what is the slope intercept equation for the line containing the given pair of points (1,5) and (4,2) and the steps to solving the problem

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Question 307614: what is the slope intercept equation for the line containing the given pair of points (1,5) and (4,2) and the steps to solving the problem
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Given 2 points example.
Find the equation of the line thru the points (2,1) and (3,5)
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This is a 2 step process. First find the slope of the line thru the points.
slope, m = diffy/diffx
m = (5-1)/(3-2)
m = 4
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Now use y = mx + b with either point to find b, the y-intercept.
y = mx + b
5 = 4*3 + b
b = -7
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y = mx + b
y = 4x - 7 is the answer.
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Another approach using determinants:
|x y 1|
|2 1 1| = 0
|3 5 1|
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x(1-5) - y(2-3) + 1(10-3) = 0
-4x + y + 7 = 0
y = 4x - 7
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