Search 70,652 tutors

Ask questions and get free answers from expert tutors

m= undefined, crossing through (-3,5)

WyzAnt Tutors: Sign In to answer this question.

1 Answer

The equation of a line in slope-intercept form looks like the following:   y = mx + b , 

where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept.

Given any 2 points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) on a line, the slope (m) = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1).

Whenever the slope (m) is undefined it means that when you try to calculate the slope given any 2 points on the line you'll end up with a zero in the denominator, which is undefined. That is, with an undefined slope you end up with a vertical line, which has the equation "x=some number".

That is, m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) = (y2-y1)/0 = undefined. This implies that x2=x1. So x is the same for any value of y on the line, which is why the equation is "x=some number" and the line is vertical. 

So the equation of a line, in slope-intercept form, with an undefined slope (m=undefined) crossing through the point (-3, 5) is:   x= -3 , which is a vertical line. 

add comment

Algebra 1 Tutors available for hire in your area

WyzAnt Tutoring

  • Anne L.
    Terrific Tutor!
    Seattle, WA
     
    81 ratings
    21 subjects including
    Algebra 1
  • Rini C.
    Math made easy
    Bellevue, WA
     
    163 ratings
    13 subjects including
    Algebra 1
  • David F.
    Basic to Advanced Math Instruction
    Seattle, WA
    8 subjects including Algebra 1
Find more Algebra 1 Tutors »

Please sign in to comment.