Question

Write an equation of the line in point-slope form that passes through the two given points: (-17,8), (3,-2)

Answer 1

y+2 = (-1/2)(x-3)

Explanation:

Answer 2

y+2 = (-1/2)(x-3)

Explanation:

Note that as we move from (-17,8) to (3,-2), x increases by 20 and y decreases by 10. Thus, the slope of this line is m = -10/20, or m = -1/2.

The standard equation in point-slope form is y - k = m(x - h), where (h, k) is a point on the line and m is the slope of the line. Then, taking data from the point (3, -2), we have

y+2 = (-1/2)(x-3).

Check: Does the point (-17,8) satisfy this equation? Is 8+2 = (-1/2)(-17-3) true?

Is 10 = 10 true? Yes.