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| Question 392706:  I am having a hard time finishing this problem.
 I need to find the equation of the line containing the given pair of points.
 (-7,-3) and (-5,-4)
 This is what I get so far.
 -4-(-3)     1
 ------- = - -
 -5(-7)      2
 y-3=m (x-x)
 y-3= 1/2 (x-x)
 y-3= 1/2 (x-(-7)
 y-3= 1/2 - ??  And this is where I keep getting lost I know I am suppose to multiply 1/2 and -7 but I keep getting the wrong answer somehow each time.... I know I am then suppose to subtract 3 from both sides to get y by itself but I am confused by then..I know the final equation should be I believe  y= 1/2x- ??
 
 Thank you
 Answer by Alan3354(69443)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! I need to find the equation of the line containing the given pair of points. (-7,-3) and (-5,-4)
 This is what I get so far.
 -4-(-3) 1
 ------- = - -
 -5(-7) 2
 Slope m = (-4 - (-3))/(-5 - (-7)) = -1/2, not +1/2
 ----------------
 y+3 = m(x+7)
 y+3 = (-1/2)(x+7)
 2y + 6 = -x - 7
 x + 2y = -13
 ----------------
 Or, use y = mx + b and either point to find b
 -3 = (-1/2)*(-7) + b
 b = -3 - 7/2
 --> y = (-1/2)x - 13/2
 ----------------------------
 ----------------------------
 y-3=m (x-x)
 y-3= 1/2 (x-x)
 y-3= 1/2 (x-(-7)
 y-3= 1/2 - ?? And this is where I keep getting lost I know I am suppose to multiply 1/2 and -7 but I keep getting the wrong answer somehow each time.... I know I am then suppose to subtract 3 from both sides to get y by itself but I am confused by then..I know the final equation should be I believe y= 1/2x- ??
 
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