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When creating a line using the slope-intercept form, always plot at least three _____ to sketch the line.

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Nataliya is right.  Only 2 points are needed to define a straight line.  Maybe your teacher asked for 3 points in order to do a self-check.  An error on one of the points would not likely give you a straight line.

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Although you only need two points to create a line, many mathematicians use three to five points. The reason behind that is when you start sketching parabolas, you will need to use more points to see the entire graph. You also need to use both negative and positive ordered pairs (points), as you may not be able to see the parabola's direction change unless you have both negatives and positives.

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I think the question was about a straight line.  A parabola would be pretty ill-defined with only two points.

- Ron W. 3/27/2013
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