How do you write an equation of a line given (9,3) and m=-2/3?

1 Answer
Jan 16, 2017

Use the point-slope formula. See below:

Explanation:

The point-slope formula states: (y - color(red)(y_1)) = color(blue)(m)(x - color(red)(x_1))

Where color(blue)(m) is the slope and color(red)(((x_1, y_1))) is a point the line passes through.

Substituting the point and slope from the problem gives the equation:

(y - color(red)(3)) = color(blue)(-2/3)(x - color(red)(9))

We can also convert to the more familiar slope-intercept form if we solve for y.

The slope-intercept form of a linear equation is:

y = color(red)(m)x + color(blue)(b)

Where color(red)(m) is the slope and color(blue)(b is the y-intercept value.

y - color(red)(3) = (color(blue)(-2/3) xx x) - (color(blue)(-2/3) xx color(red)(9))

y - color(red)(3) = -2/3x - (-6)

y - color(red)(3) = -2/3x + 6

y - color(red)(3) + 3 = -2/3x + 6 + 3

y - 0 = -2/3x + 9

y = -2/3x + 9