Write the equation of a line that passes through (-2,-4) and (0,2) in slope intercept form.

Answer 1

Hi Selena,

The equation of a line in slope-intercept form follows the model: y = mx + b

Remember that m represents the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept.

You can use the coordinates of these two points to find the slope of the line first.

Slope:

m = y₂ - y_{1 =} -4 - 2 = -6 = 3

x₂ - x₁ -2 - 0 -2

The slope of the line is 3

Then you can substitute the coordinates of either point into the format for the line and solve for b.

Let's use (0,2):

y = mx + b

2 = 3 • 0 + b

2 = 0 + b

2 = b

The y-intercept is 2

The final equation of the line will be:

y = 3x + 2