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13. What is an equation of the line that passes through the
points (-2,-6) and (-2,-2)?

1 Answer

3 votes

Explanation:

the typical equation is the slope-intercept form :

y = ax + b

"a" being the slope, "b" being the y-intercept (the y-value, when x = 0).

the slope is the ratio

y coordinate difference / x coordinate difference

when going from one point on the line to another.

going from (-2, -6) to (-2, -2) (we could go also in the other direction and get the same result) :

x changes by 0 (from -2 to -2).

y changes by +4 (from -6 to -2).

the slope is then +4/0 = uh oh !

that is undefined (or often called infinite).

in other words, this is a vertical line going through x = -2.

and that is already the equation for the line :

x = -2

there is no way to define it by

y = ...

because every possible y-value is a possible solution with x = -2

in other words, all points (-2, y) together are this line.

and therefore, there is also no y-intercept. the line is parallel to the y-axis and never intercepts it.

User Meaku
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