Expert: Bryan Dettmann - 10/24/2004

Question
1.)Write the equation of a line that has the given slope and passes through
    the given point. Give answer in slope–intercept form; enclose fractional
    coefficients within ( ):
    m = (–1/3) and point (3, – 4)
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2.)  Write the equation of a line that passes through the given points. Give
    answer in slope–intercept form; enclose fractional coefficients within ( ):
    (2, – 5) and (3, –10)


Answer
well with these kinds of problems there is a definate pattern to follow if you can get this down you are made.

1.  Find slope (unless its given)
   m=(y2-y1)/(x2-x1)

2.  Find the y-intercept
   -plug numbers into and solve y=mx+b for b

3.  plug the slope and y-intercept into the slope intercept form.

well for the first problem the first part is done for us m=-1/3

so now

-4=-1/3(3)+b
-4=-1+b
-3=b

so part 3 tells us y=(-1/3)x-3

question 2 gives us a little more work to do.

1. m = (-10- -5)/(3-2) = -4/1 = -1

2. -10 = -1(3) + b
-10 = -3 + b
-7 = b

3.  y=-x-7