Write the equation of the line below in slope intercept form.
Points: (-5,0) (-3,-1) (-2,0) and (3,-3)
I don't understand how to do this?

Question

Write the equation of the line below in slope intercept form.
Points: (-5,0) (-3,-1) (-2,0) and (3,-3)
I don't understand how to do this?

hero · Answer

Have you plot the points on graph paper yet?

anonymous · Answer

Yes!

hero · Answer

You have four points that are not in a straight line. You only need two points to figure out the line. So which two points go together?

anonymous · Answer

Wait, they are in a straight line! It slants like \

anonymous · Answer

@Hero

anonymous · Answer

@JakeV8 Help please?

hero · Answer

They're not in a straight line. Maybe you posted the points incorrectly. Double check each point. Make sure all of the signs are correct for each coordinate.

anonymous · Answer

The first one should be (-6,0) !! My bad

hero · Answer

Make sure the rest of them are correct as well.

hero · Answer

So far, they are still not lining up

anonymous · Answer

They are! I just checked!(:

hero · Answer

Nope, they are not.

anonymous · Answer

I have a picture but it won't let me post it!:/

hero · Answer

I assume your picture plots the points but leaves it up to you to label them, right?

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1351548355379:dw| That's what it looks like! and no, it's already labeled!m Let me check the points one more time

anonymous · Answer

(-6,0) (-3,-1) (0,-2) (3,-3) Does that make more sense?

hero · Answer

Yes, finally

hero · Answer

Well, from the graph, you can easily figure out the slope and y-intercept

hero · Answer

In fact, you should already know what the y-intercept is

anonymous · Answer

The y-intercept would be (0,-2) correct?

hero · Answer

Yes, correct or just simply b = -2

hero · Answer

What is the slope?

anonymous · Answer

Slope is up and over right? or does that really matter?

hero · Answer

slope = rise over run

The first thing you should do is draw a line through the points and ask yourself is the line rising or falling. If it is rising, then the slope is positive. If it is falling, then the slope is negative. Let me know.

anonymous · Answer

It is falling so it would be -1/3 right? It rises one and runs three

hero · Answer

So now that you have the slope and y-intercept, insert m = -1/3 and b = -2 into the formula y = mx + b.

anonymous · Answer

y=-1/3+(-2) ? or would it turn negative like y=-1/3-2 That's the part that confuses me.

hero · Answer

y = -1/3(x) - 2

hero · Answer

Or you can write it as:

y = -x/3 - 2

anonymous · Answer

Okay! Thank you  SO SO much for working with me here!