Don L. answered 01/22/16
Tutor
5
(18)
Fifteen years teaching and tutoring basic math skills and algebra
Hi Jenna, the answer to your question is: it depends. To find an equation of a line, it depends on what you are starting with.
With a graph you can pick two points on the graph. With the two points you can calculate the slope. With the slope and one point, you can use the point-slope form of the line to find the equation of the line.
With a graph, you may be able to find the y-intercept point. You can find the slope from two points on the graph. With the slope and the y-intercept, you can use the slope-intercept form of the line to find the equation of the line.
If you are given two points, you can find the slope of the line. With the slope and one point, you can use the point-slope form of the line to find the equation of the line.
Remember, it depends on what you are starting with, to determine what is needed to find the equation of a line.
Questions?