(-2, -8) and (2, -6)

Question

For each problem, use the two point formula to determine the equation of the line that passes through the two points given.

Answer 1

Good morning, Jennifer.

The two-point formula is:  
y - y1 = (y2 - y1)  (x - x1)
             x2 - x1 

If we let (x1, y1) be the ordered pair (-2, -8),
and we let (x2, y2) be the ordered pair (2, -6),
we will have:

y - (-8) = (-6 - (-8))  (x - (-2))
                2 - (-2)

Using order of operations and careful calculations, you should arrive at an equation that is close to slope-intercept form (y = mx + b).  I will start this process for you, and hopefully you will arrive at the correct answer.

y + 8 = 2/4 (x + 2)
y + 8 = 1/2 (x + 2)

I'll leave the last couple steps up to you.

Answer 2

slope = (-6+8)/(2+2) = 1/2

So, the equation in the point-slope form is

y + 2 = (1/2)(x + 8) <=Answer