Expert: Lynn Houston - 11/9/2010

Question
Write an equation of the line that passes through the given point and is
parallel to the given line.
(0,13), 4x-4y=12

I don't udnerstand this. Please just provide me with step-by-step
instructions on how to answer this problem, so that I can have a better
understanding of it and hopefully be able to solve the rest of my
homework.

Answer
First thing you need to do is put the equation into the slope intercept form, that is y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y intercept.

4x-4y = 12  subtract 4x from both sides
-4y = -4x + 12    divide both sides by -4
y = x - 3

Know you know the slope of the line, 1.  Parallel lines have equal slopes so the slope of the line you're looking for is also 1.

Next, you're told that (0,13) is on the line, so fill in what you know to the slope/intercept equation.  You have x, y and slope (m).

13 = 1(0) + b
13 = b  so the equation of the line parallel to 4x-4y=12 and passing through the point (0,13) is

y = x + 13

Make sense?  If you want to post a couple that you've worked, I'll check them for you.