How do you write the equation for a line containing the points (–4, 1) and (–2, 3)?

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Answer 1 · 2014-10-26T06:49:14

The point slope formula is
#(y - y_1) = m (x - x_1)#
Where m = the slope calculated as #(y_2 - y_1)/(x_2 - x_1)#

#(x_1,y_1) (x_2,y_2)#
(-4 , 1) (-2 , 3)

Solve for the slope
m = #(3 - 1)/(-2 - (-3))# = #(2)/1# = m = 2

#(y - 3) = 2 (x - (-2))# Plug in known values.

#y - 3 = 2 (x + 2)# Simplify signs

#y - 3 = 2x + 4# Use Distributive property

#y = -2x + 4 + 3# isolate the y variable

#y = -5x + 7# Simplify.