How do you find a equation of the line containing the given pair of points (-5,0) and (0,9)?

2 Answers
Jul 9, 2015

I found: #9x-5y=-45#

Explanation:

I would try using the following relationship:

#color(red)((x-x_2)/(x_2-x_1)=(y-y_2)/(y_2-y_1))#

Where you use the coordinate of your points as:
#(x-0)/(0-(-5))=(y-9)/(9-0)#
rearranging:
#9x=5y-45#
Giving:
#9x-5y=-45#

Jul 9, 2015

#y=(9/5)*x+9#enter image source here

Explanation:

You are searching the equation of a straight line (=linear equation) who contain #A(-5,0) and B(0,9)#

A linear equation form is : #y=a*x+b#, and here we will try to find numbers #a# and #b#

Find #a# :

The number #a# representing the slope of the line.

#a = (y_b-y_a)/(x_b-x_a) = Delta_y/Delta_x#

with #x_a# representing the abscissa of the point #A# and #y_a# is the ordinate of the point #A#.

Here, #a = (9-0)/(0-(-5)) = 9/5#

Now our equation is : #y=(9/5)*x+b#

Find #b# :

Take one point given, and replace #x# and #y# by the coordinate of this point and find #b#.

We are lucky to have one point with #0# in abscissa, it makes the resolution easier :

#y_b = (9/5)*x_b + b#
# 9 = (9/5)*0 + b#
# b = 9 #

Therefore, we have the equation line !

#y = (9/5)*x+9#