Question

Find the equation of a line through (4, -3) that is parallel to the line that passes through these points (-4,7) and (2,4). Write your answer in standard form (Ax + By = C). Show all your work.

Answer 1

I think I know how to do it I just need some help in directing me in what to start with.

Answer 2

using the two points (-4,7) and (2,4)....find the slope

Answer 3

do you know how to do that ?

Answer 4

do you need me to show you ?

Answer 5

use the slope formula..
slope(m) = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
(-4,7)...x1 = -4 and y1 = 7
(2,4)...x2 = 2 and y2 = 4
now sub
slope(m) = (4 - 7) / (2 - (-4)
slope(m) = -3/(2 + 4)
slope(m) = -3/6
slope(m) = -1/2

a parallel line will have the same slope....so since we already know the slope(m) we need to find the y intercept (b)

y = mx + b
slope(m) = -1/2
(4,-3)..x = 4 and y = -3
now we sub and solve for b, the y intercept
-3 = -1/2(4) + b
-3 = - 2 + b
-3 + 2 = b
-1 = b

so our parallel equation is : y = -1/2x - 1
But we need it in standard form Ax + By = C

y = -1/2x - 1 --- multiply everything by 2
2y = -x - 2 -- add x to both sides
x + 2y = -2 <===standard form

Answer 6

Okay, thank you so much! I am going to work through it myself again and make sure I am doing all the steps right but this helps a lot.