Question

write the equation in slope-point form for a line that contains the points (1,-3) and (-5, 2)

Please show your steps

Answer 1

@ConfusedAboutCalculus I thought you confused about Calculus. This is basic algebra 1!

You should know the slope formula of linear equation?

Answer 2

Hint use y = mx + b

Answer 3

Insert both points into y = mx + b to create two separate equations:

-3 = 1m + b
2 = -5m + b

Answer 4

Now you have a system of equations.

Multiply the first equation by 5 to get

-15 = 5m + b
2 = -5m + b

Answer 5

Combine both equations together to get

-13 = 2b

Answer 6

Divide both sides by 2 to get:

\(-\large\frac{13}{2} = b\)

Answer 7

Now substitute the value for b back into one of the original equations:

\(-3 = 1m - \frac{13}{2}\)

Answer 8

Now add 13/2 to both sides:

\(\frac{13}{2} - 3 = m\)

Now simplify to solve for m:

\(\frac{13}{2} - \frac{6}{2} = m\)

\(\frac{7}{2} = m\)

Answer 9

Now that you've found m and b, rewrite the general form y = mx + b, but include the actual values of m and b that you found:

\(y = \frac{7}{2}x - \frac{13}{2}\)

Answer 10

Me personally, I like to combine the right side into one fraction to make it even simpler:

\(y = \frac{7x - 13}{2}\)