Question

choose the point slope form of the equation below that represents the like that passes through the points (-6,4) and (2, 0)

Answer 1

y = -1/2(x -2)

or

y - 4 = -1/2(x + 6)

Explanation:

• Point-slope form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)

For point-slope form, you need two things:

• A point (x1, y1)
• The slope (m)

Given:

• Points (-6, 4) and (2,0)

You already have at least one point, but you still need to find the slope.

To find the slope (m), use the formula: m = y2 - y1/x2 - x1

• Select which point is your (x2, y2) and which is your (x1, y1)
• NOTE: It doesn't matter which one you pick as long as you don't "mix-and-match" your x and y-coordinates
• For example: you can't choose (-6,0) for a point.

I've chosen:

• (x2, y2) = (2, 0)
• (x1, y1) = (-6, 4)

Plug in the info into m = y2 - y1/x2 - x1:

• m = 0 - 4/2 -(-6) = -4/2 + 6 = -4/8
• Simplify: -4/8 = -1/2
• m = -1/2

Now plug in the slope and ONE of the points into point-slope form

• Tip: It doesn't matter which point you choose but I'd recommend choosing the point with all positive numbers, if you can, to prevent the confusion of double negatives:

Answers could be:

• y = -1/2(x -2)
• y - 4 = -1/2(x + 6)