Write the equation of the line that passes through the point (6, -1) and is parallel to -2x + 3y = 12

Answer 1

Two lines that are parallel have the same slope so we need to find the slope of the equation -2x+3y=12.

So lets do some algebra to get y by itself:

-2x+3y=12

3y=12+2x

divide both sides by 3:

y=4+(2/3)x

the coefficient of x is (2/3) so the slope has to be 2/3.

Now we just need the y-intercept

You can use point-slope form to find the y-intercept:

y+1=(2/3)(x-6)

Now get y by itself, so first distribute

y+1=2/3x+12/3

y=2/3x-4-1

y=2/3x-5

^^ That's your answer

Answer 2

Hi Donald,

If two lines are parallel, what does that mean?

Their slope is the same.

So knowing that can you find the slope of the equation they gave you.

once you have the slope,

use (y - y1) = m (x - x1) to find your b

in the end you should have an equation looking like y = mx + b where there can be numbers in front of y and x and b is a number.

Let me know if you have more questions, happy to answer!

Best,

www.wyzant.com/tutors/missJulie