Question

ok how would you write an equation in standard form when you have the points (-1,1) and (3,2)

Answer 1

the standard form of an equation of a line is: y = mx+b

the slope of a line, m, is (change in y/change in x) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) = (2-1)/(3--1) = 1/2

you can put the coordinates of one point into the equation now to solve for b (the y-intercept).

y = mx+b
1 = (1/2)(-1) +b
1 = -1/2 + b
3/2 = b = y-intercept.

so now, the standard form of an equation of a line is: y = mx+b

so y = 1/2x+3/2