equation of the line passing through

Question

Find an equation of the line passing through the points (-1,3)and (-2,-5).

Answer 1

Hi Ryan,

 

The equation of a line passing through a set of points can be found using the point slope form of the equation of a line.

y-y₁ = m(x-x₁), where (x₁,y₁) is one of the points.

We have the point but we need the slope, m.

 

Since slope is change in y over change in x, (y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁), using these points the slope is.

(-5-3)/[(-2)-(-1)] = -8/-1= 8

 

Plugging in what we have

y-3 = 8 [x-(-1)]

y-3 = 8(x+1)

y-3 = 8x + 8

y = 8x + 11, the familiar slope intercept form