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| Question 80854:  Here is the question as stated (this is not from a textbook, and I can't find an explanation for a problem like it in any textbooks I have):
 "Write an equation in standard form for the line parallel to x - 2y + 7 = 0 and contains the point (-4,0)."
 I am just unsure how to solve this problem.  I have converted problems from slope intercept form to standard, and standard to slope intercept, but there hasn't been an extra component (like the +7 in this one.)  I am also not sure how to do this when I only have one set of coordinates.  I tried figuring out the value of x and the value of y by (if x=0 then y=?, and if y = 0 then x=?) but I have two problems.  One is, the numbers I get (x= -7 and y= -7/2) don't make the problem true.  And even if they did, I don't know how to use them to help me make the original equation a line parallel to another point.  Help!
 Answer by stanbon(75887)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Write an equation in standard form for the line parallel to x - 2y + 7 = 0 and contains the point (-4,0). ----------
 The given equation can be written in the form y=(1/2)x+7/2
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 so the equation you want has the same slope=1/2
 The form is y=mx+b where y=0,x=-4 and m=1/2; solve for "b" as follows:
 0=(1/2)(-4)+b
 b=2
 EQUATION:
 y=(1/2)x+2
 Now put it in standard form which is ax+by=c.
 Multiply thru by 2 to get:
 2y=x+4
 x-2y=-4 is the equation in standard form.
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 Cheers,
 San H.
 
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