SOLUTION: Hello, I am stuck on how to get further on this problem. Find an equation of the line containing the given pair of points. (-5,-9) and (-1,-3) x,m= y2-y1 over x2-x1 I

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Hello, I am stuck on how to get further on this problem. Find an equation of the line containing the given pair of points. (-5,-9) and (-1,-3) x,m= y2-y1 over x2-x1 I       Log On


   

Question 592942: Hello,
I am stuck on how to get further on this problem.
Find an equation of the line containing the given pair of points.
(-5,-9) and (-1,-3)
x,m= y2-y1 over
x2-x1
I would really like to see step by step
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First let's find the slope of the line through the points and


Note: is the first point . So this means that x%5B1%5D=-5 and y%5B1%5D=-9.
Also, is the second point . So this means that x%5B2%5D=-1 and y%5B2%5D=-3.


m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29 Start with the slope formula.


m=%28-3--9%29%2F%28-1--5%29 Plug in y%5B2%5D=-3, y%5B1%5D=-9, x%5B2%5D=-1, and x%5B1%5D=-5


m=%286%29%2F%28-1--5%29 Subtract -9 from -3 to get 6


m=%286%29%2F%284%29 Subtract -5 from -1 to get 4


m=3%2F2 Reduce


So the slope of the line that goes through the points and is m=3%2F2


Now let's use the point slope formula:


y-y%5B1%5D=m%28x-x%5B1%5D%29 Start with the point slope formula


y--9=%283%2F2%29%28x--5%29 Plug in m=3%2F2, x%5B1%5D=-5, and y%5B1%5D=-9


y--9=%283%2F2%29%28x%2B5%29 Rewrite x--5 as x%2B5


y%2B9=%283%2F2%29%28x%2B5%29 Rewrite y--9 as y%2B9


y%2B9=%283%2F2%29x%2B%283%2F2%29%285%29 Distribute


y%2B9=%283%2F2%29x%2B15%2F2 Multiply


y=%283%2F2%29x%2B15%2F2-9 Subtract 9 from both sides.


y=%283%2F2%29x-3%2F2 Combine like terms. note: If you need help with fractions, check out this solver.


So the equation that goes through the points and is y=%283%2F2%29x-3%2F2



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