What is the equation of the line with slope # m= -7/17 # that passes through # (-2,1) #?

1 Answer
Mar 4, 2016

The equation of the line is #y=-7/17 x +3/17#

Explanation:

Let's start by writing the equation of a line:

#y=m x+b#

We know #m=-7/17# and that the point #(-2,1)# will satisfy this equation. Let's substitute all of that into the equation and see if we can solve for #b#

#1 = -7/17 * (-2) + b#

simplify the multiplication

#1 = 14/17 + b#

Then subtract #14//17# from both sides

#b=1-14/17 = (17-14)/17 = 3/17#

So the equation of the line we are looking for is

#y=-7/17 x +3/17#