Ronniel M. answered • 09/18/13
Tutor
5.0
(234)
Certified Solidworks Professional specializing in Machine Design
HI Gergana,
1. First, recognize that (4,6) and (8,4) can be represented by (x1,y1) and (x2,y2).
2. You should begin by finding the slope of the two points which is represented by "m". You can accomplish that with the equation m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1).
m = (4-6)/(8-4)
m = (-2)/(4)
m = -1/2
3. Now that you have a slope "m" and two coordinate points, you can use the slope-intercept form to obtain the equation of the line. Use one any one of the two coordinates for this purpose. I will use the point (4,6) where x corresponds to 4 and y corresponds to 6.
Slope Intercept Form:
y= (m)(x)+b
6 = (-1/2)(4)+b
6 = -2 + b
Now solve for b by isolating it
b = 6+2
b = 8
reconize that "b" is the y intercept of the final equation. Keep in mind that in the previous step we only obtained the y intercept of the final equation and not the equation, it is a two step process.
Continued...
y = mx + b
y = (-1/2)x + 8 <---Final Answer: "pluged in slope m = -1/2 and b = 8 into slope intercept form"
