Write the linear equation in slope intercept form and simplify

Question

Write the linear equation in slope intercept form and simplify.

-8x - 13y =-4

Answer 1

solve for y, then simplify

slope-intercept form is the form with slope m and the y-intercept b in it, y = mx + b

STEP 1: add 8x to both sides

-8x -13y +8x = -4 +8x

-8x -13y + 8x = -4 +8x

STEP 2: divide both sides by -13

(note: the right side has two terms, so just to be safe, first wrap it in parenthesis to avoid making a mistake)

-13y = (-4 + 8x)

-13y/-13 = (-4 + 8x)/-13

-13y/-13 = (-4 + 8x)/-13

y = (-4 + 8x)/-13

STEP 3: since this is now a fraction with a binomial in the numerator, break it up into two fractions with that common denominator

y = -4/-13 + 8x/-13

STEP 4: notice, there are two terms, the second term has the x in it

y = -4/-13 + 8x/-13

STEP 5: rearrange the terms to better match the slope intercept form, y = mx + b, then simplify

y = -8/13x + 4/13, where m = -8/13 and b = -8/13

Answer 2

Use arithmetic operations to isolate the y.