What is an equation of the line that passes through the points (0, -8) and (−6,−3)?

Question

Diagonal Only

Answer 1

So, remember that along the y-axis, x = 0, right? They're nice and have given us the y-intercept! If y = -8 when x = 0 (0, -8), then pur y-intercept is -8

y = mx + b

Let's plug in the other point, though we could use either.

-3 = m(-6) - 8

5 = m(-6)

m = 5/-6, better known as -5/6

y = (-5/6)x - 8

Answer 2

Points are (0,-8) and (-6,-3) Slope m = rise/run = Δy/Δx. [(-3 - (-8)]/[-6 - 0] = 5/-6 = -5/6

y = mx + b Using the (0,-8) point: -8 = 0x + b, so b = -8

The line is y = -5x/6 - 8 or (-5/6)x - 8. You can check via the Desmos Graphing Calculator site.

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I used the slope-intercept form, but you could also use the point-slope form (y₂ - y₁) = m(x₂ - x₁)