How do you write an equation of a line that goes through (-3,-1) and (-8,-4)?

1 Answer
Noah G
Jan 25, 2016

First, find the slope. The formula for slope is m = (y_2 - y_1)/(x_2 - x_1), where m represents slope

Explanation:

m = (-4 -(-1))/(-8-(-3))

m = -3/-5

m = 3/5

Now that we know that the slope is 3/5, we can use point slope form to find the slope intercept equation of the line. The point slope form formula is:

y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)

Pick one of the points to plug in for (x_1, y_1). I'll pick (-3,-1), but the other one would give you the same answer.

y - (-1) = 3/5(x - (-3))

y + 1 = 3/5x + 9/5

y = 3/5x + (9 - 5)/5

y = 3/5x + 4/5

The slope is 3/5 and the y intercept is 4/5.

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