What is the equation of the line that goes through the points (−5,4) and (−3,−2) ?

Answer 1

Hi Debra,

What is the equation of the line that goes through the points (−5,4) and (−3,−2) ?

Given: 2 points

Find: The equation of a line

Let Point 1 be (-5,4) and Point 2 be (-3,-2)

Topic: Linear Equation given 2 points

When you are given two points, you can find the equation of a line by

1. Calculate the slope using m=(y2-y1)/(x2-x1)
2. Find the equation of the line by using the Point slope form, using the slope from above, and using one point. (y-y1) = m (x-x1)

m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)

m = (-2 - 4) / (-3 - (-5))

m = -6/2 = -3

(y-y1) = m (x-x1)

y-(4) = -3 (x-(-5))

y-4 = -3x -15

y = -3x -11

The equation of the line is

y = -3x -11

Let me know if you have any questions :)