MEDAL AWARD Help !! Find the equation of a line in slope-intercept form that passes through the points (-2, 20) and (3, -10).

Question

whpalmer4 · Answer

The equation for the slope ($m$) of a line passing passing through points ($x_1,y_1$), ($x_2,y_2$) is
$$m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$$

Once you've determined the slope, you can write the equation for the line using point-slope form:
$$y-y_1 = m(x-x_1)$$and then rearrange it into slope-intercept form:$$y=mx+b$$

anonymous · Answer

is y2 3? and y1 -10, x2 20 and x1 -2 ??

whpalmer4 · Answer

You can choose $(x_1,y_1) = (-2,20)$ or $(x_1, y_1) = (3,-10)$

whpalmer4 · Answer

and hopefully it is obvious that the other point will be $(x_2,y_2)$

anonymous · Answer

so either one you choose u get the same answer ?

whpalmer4 · Answer

exactly.

anonymous · Answer

are u supposed to get 22/-13 for the first part

whpalmer4 · Answer

no.

whpalmer4 · Answer

show me your work

anonymous · Answer

-10-20/3--2 I got -30/5

anonymous · Answer

???

whpalmer4 · Answer

that's right, the slope is -6.

If you plot the two points, one is slightly to the left of the y-axis, and high.  the other point is slightly to the right of the y-axis, and much lower.  For each point you move to the right on the x-axis, you drop 6 points on the y-axis.  That's what a slope of -6 means.