Question

What is the equation of the line that passes through the point 4, -6 and has a slope of -3

Answer 1

y = mx + b. Use this equation for most linear functions. Enter the information that is given to you.

`- 6 = - 3(4) + b`
Multiply the -3 and 4 to get 12.

`-6 = - 12 + b`
Now divide the -12 from both sides.

`( - 6)/( - 12) = ( - 12)/( - 12) + b`
-12 cancels out on the right side and your left with

`- \frac {1}{2} = b`
Now re-enter the info back into the formula.

`y = - 3x - (1)/(2)`
Then you've got your formula