find the equation of the line that contains the point (8,1) and has slope -5....thanks for the help!

Question

amistre64 · Answer

y = -5(x-8)+1

amistre64 · Answer

y = -5x +41

anonymous · Answer

do i add -5x to both sides to solve for y?

anonymous · Answer

its already solved for y. Do you mean solve for x in terms of y?

anonymous · Answer

I guess I wanted to know if anything further needed to be done or if this was the complete answer.  Sorry...I am horrible at math!  :)

amistre64 · Answer

there are many ways to express the equation of a line; this is the most common form tho.

anonymous · Answer

yes the usual is y=mx+c in wich this is already displayed

amistre64 · Answer

5x+y = 41

y = -5x +41

y-1 = -5(x-8)

5x +y -41 = 0

anonymous · Answer

m being the gradient and c the intercept, usually the way thats most useful

anonymous · Answer

gotcha...thank you for the help and for the extra examples.  I really appreciate it!

anonymous · Answer

no problem :D

anonymous · Answer

one more question....would the equation be the same if I have two points rather than a slope?  Examples points (0,4) and (1.-3)

anonymous · Answer

sorry that should be (1,-3)

anonymous · Answer

The slope is found using diff in y / diff in x

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{4-(-3)}{1}$$ = -7

so the equation becomes y=-7x+4

anonymous · Answer

so you subtracted the two y points from each other and the two x points from each other, than divide that to find the slope?  

so in the equation y represents the slope?

anonymous · Answer

sorry missed the -1 in the denominator

anonymous · Answer

The y represents the slope and the intercept

y=Mx+C where M is the slope and C is where it crosses the y axis

anonymous · Answer

So the equation represent the line

anonymous · Answer

so in its fullness we get

$$y= \frac{(4-(-3))}{(0-1)}x + 4$$

anonymous · Answer

I see it now!  :D

anonymous · Answer

kewl :)

anonymous · Answer

thank u for ur patience with me!