Question

What is the equation of the line that passes through (-3, -1) and has a slope of 2/5? Put your answer in slope-intercept form.

Answer 1

Hi there!

The general formula of A line in slope-intercept form is the following:

`y = mx + n`

In this formula m represents the slope of the line. Therefore, we can conclude that m = 2/5.

`y = (2)/(5) x + n`

We also know that the line passes through the point (-3, -1) and we can therefore substitute this coordinate into the formula of the line.
x = -3 and y = -1


`- 1 = (2)/(5) * - 3 + n`

Multiply first.

`- 1 = - 1(1)/(5) + n`

And finally add 1 1/5 to both sides of the equation.

`(1)/(5) = n`

We can now switch sides.

`n = (1)/(5)`

Now we've found our value of n, which we can substitute into the formula of our line. Hence, in slope-intercept form, we find the following:

`y = (2)/(5) x + (1)/(5)`