How would I figure out the equation of a line with the points (4,1) and (-3,-1)

Question

science0229 · Answer

First, you would want to find the slope of that line. For 2 points (a,b) and (c,d), the slope is $$\frac{ d-b }{ c-a }$$

science0229 · Answer

So (-1-1)/(-3-4)=-2/-7=2/7
The slope for the line is 2/7.

science0229 · Answer

Using the point-slope formula and the point (4,1), 
y-1=(2/7)(x-4)
or
y=(2/7)x-(1/7)

anonymous · Answer

where did the 1/7 come from

anonymous · Answer

@science0229

jdoe0001 · Answer

hmmm
do you know how to get the slope of the points -> (4,1) and (-3,-1) <-

anonymous · Answer

yes
it is 2/7

zzr0ck3r · Answer

ok so now you have
y=mx+b becomes y = (2/7)x+b
use one of the points to solve for b
1 = (2/7)*4+b
1=(8/7)+b
b = 1-(8/7)
b = -(1/7)
so
y=(2/7)x-(1/7)

jdoe0001 · Answer

after getting the slope 2/7
use the point-slope form => $\bf y-y_1=m(x-x_1)$
and plug your values in
now keep in mind you have to points, for the point-slope form either point is good, because both points are in the line, so you can use either
$\bf y-y_1=m(x-x_1)$
m = slope
$\bf (x_1, y_1)$   = either (4,1) or  (-3,-1)

then solve for "y", as shown above by zzr0ck3r