Need easy help distributing a number? (Idk if that's how to word it ;P)

Question

anonymous · Answer

I just need to 1/-2 to (x - 4)

My question is what will the 4 become?

anonymous · Answer

Here's the full problem if you want to see it

y - 1 = 1/-2 (x - 4)

anonymous · Answer

I need to get y - 1 = 1/-2x - ???

skullpatrol · Answer

The first thing you need to learn is to use grouping symbols.

anonymous · Answer

Like parentheses?

skullpatrol · Answer

Yes.

anonymous · Answer

I thought the goal was to get rid of parentheses? I'm trying to determine the slope-intercept form.

skullpatrol · Answer

You NEED them to make your equation clear to understand.

anonymous · Answer

Alright, this is what I've got. Can you tell me if it's correct?

m = y2 - y1/ x2 - x1 = 1 - 3/4 - 0 = -2/4 = 1/-2
y - y2 = m (x - x2)
y - 1 = 1/-2 (x - 4)
y - 1 = 1/-2x - (-2)
  + 1                  + 1
y = 1/-2x - (-1)

@skullpatrol