Question

The points (-6,-4) and (3,x) lie on the same line. If the slope of the line is -5, what is the value of x?

Answer 1

x = - 49

Explanation:

calculate the slope m between the 2 points using the slope formula , then equate the result to - 5

m =
`(y_(2)-y_(1) )/(x_(2)-x_(1) )` ← slope formula

let (x₁, y₁ ) = (- 6, - 4 ) and (x₂, y₂ ) = (3, x )

substitute these values into the formula for m

m =
`(x-(-4))/(3-(-6))` =
`(x+4)/(3+6)` =
`(x+4)/(9)` , then

`(x+4)/(9)` = - 5 ( multiply both sides by 9 )

x + 4 = 9 × - 5 = - 45 ( subtract 4 from both sides )

x = - 49