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What is the equation of the line that passes through (2, -7) and (-1, 2)?

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

y = -3x - 1

Explanation:

The slope intercept form of the equation of a line is:

y = mx + b

where m is the slope, and b is the y-intercept.

First, we find the slope of the line using the two given points.

m = slope = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1) = (2 - (-7))/(-1 - 2) = (2 + 7)/(-3) = 9/(-3) = -3

Now we plug in the slope we found into the equation above.

y = -3x + b

We need to find the value of b, the y-intercept. We use the coordinates of one of the given points for x and y, and we solve for b. Let's use point (2, -7), so x = 2, and y = -7.

y = -3x + b

-7 = -3(2) + b

-7 = -6 + b

Add 6 to both sides.

-1 = b

Now we plug in -1 for b.

y = -3x - 1

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